What's the best Battle of the Bulge Tabletop Wargame? | Bulge Off '23 | Round 1 | Boardgame

[@ZillaBlitz]

To vote in the Bulge Off '23 Play-In Match Ups, visit the Community Page here: www.youtube.com/@ZillaBlitz/community Thanks!

[@willannand9988]

I did that my friend.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thank you sir! It's shaping up to be an interesting tournament. :)

[@vinceA3748]

I like this. Would love to see more "competitions" like this. A really great idea, Zilla. Can't wait to see how this plays out.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! I'm glad to hear that because there is always a bit of fear before I push the publish button: "Is this the dumbest idea ever?" :)

[@swankiestnerd8277]

The Last Blitzkrieg. The best war game I’ve ever played

[@ZillaBlitz]

It seems to have a popular following, for sure. It'll be up in the next round.

[@swankiestnerd8277]

@@ZillaBlitz I once owned the original AH BoBulge. I have the 2d Ed with the Patton pic on the front. Play it prob twice a year. Like it. Bought Last BK last year and love it. Have played all the scenarios and the campaign twice. I like the system a lot.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Wow, that sounds like Last Blitzkrieg is a definite favorite for you. Good to hear!

[@half-assedgaming6193]

Ardennes '44 GMT is my favorite "let's bring a shit-ton of combat factors into this hex for an attack" type of experience. For something fresh and INNOVATIVE...Last Blitzkrieg MMP has crushed it.

[@ZillaBlitz]

They could meet in the final! :)

[@rhlm95]

Also anothe Bulge game that is pretty good is OSG's Dark December

[@ZillaBlitz]

Good to know, thanks!

[@darrellhanning5068]

Having played all but 2 of the games you've chosen, this contest is already over in my head - it's Dean Essig's Last Blitzkrieg. If you have the time and space, nothing beats it for simulating divisional command at the regimental/battalion level.

[@ZillaBlitz]

We'll see how it does, it's up in the next round! :)

[@HissyCat]

Great idea for a series, love it!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thank you Mr. less-than-a-week-away-from-1k Subs!

[@HissyCat]

@@ZillaBlitz we shall see. =)

[@rhlm95]

While it's just my opinion my favorite "Bulge" game is SPI's Wacht am Rhein. As a long time wargamer I have played nearly every game you list but SPI's WatR is still my favorite,

[@ZillaBlitz]

Nice achievement having played so many of these, and that's good news to hear about Wacht am Rhein. It'll be up in the next round. :)

[@frederickclemens1189]

May the best Bulge win! Over the past year I have purchased a number of the contenders as background research (and possible graphic illustration) for a biography of the 2nd Panzer-Division commander, Meinrad von Lauchert. Naturally, I tilt towards realistic detail versus gaming shortcuts.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Very cool, good luck on your research! I did try to select the best candidates on a variety of metrics, so hopefully a decent smattering of highly detailed games and fast-playing ones.

[@jasonstapley1265]

I don't own any of these games, but looking forward to following along! I technically only own one Battle of the Bulge game, Lanzerath Ridge (great game), but I do also have the Battle of the Bulge expansion for Warfighter.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Lanzerath Ridge is definitely fun, and I'm looking forward to seeing how this will play out as well. So far it's been surprising to me.

[@alexisjuniorcalulot9364]

Nice

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks!

[@crusignatioutremer791]

Having the 60s vs 80s Avalon Hill versions in this contest, I guess is akin to having a Panther Aus A vs Aus G, no matter who wins, you have an Avalon Hill "Panther".

[@ZillaBlitz]

Haha! Yes, which is kind of how I wanted it. I felt like having one of these two games in the final 16 made sense.

[@robertdelaney4332]

I wore out my copy of 1981 AH battle of the Bulge. It's the best version of the AH Bulge games. Now I have to go find a copy, thanks 😊

[@ZillaBlitz]

Ha! It's doing very well in the voting so far, too. Looking good to continue to the Sweet 16.

[@90rightangle2]

Love the idea of this project, Zilla! I have only owned four Bulge games over the years. Three of them are from Avalon Hill. The fourth is Wacht am Rhein, which I never played but used quite extensively as research material to prepare for a trip to the Ardennes. I cast my vote for the first play in game between the two Avalon Hill titles. I would’ve liked to of seen the Smithsonian edition of Battle of the Bulge in a play in game, only because I thought it a good introduction to the battle for newer gamers. Since I haven’t played any of the other games in the tournament I will not be voting from here on out, but will be excited to see the results.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, it sounds like a number of people, myself included, are curious to see how the games they've played will do. I'm hoping it's going to be interesting to see unfold. Getting down to 20 games did mean some hard choices, unfortunately.

[@coyi51]

This should prove fascinating, I have six of them and have currently played four, will have to investigate the others. Great idea that should be fun.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, coyi! I'm looking forward to it as well. It'll be fun to see how people's favorites do. :)

[@franksciulli3646]

Great contest. Hoping that my favorite, Battlers for the Ardennes quad wins, but you are starting it against a very tough opponent. I haven't played Celles yet, but enjoy the system.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Battles for the Ardennes is off to a strong start! :)

[@raymow9683]

Interesting topic..... Bitter Woods hands down. LOL. I've owned so many over the years but at age 60 this one I set up every 12/16

[@ZillaBlitz]

Interesting, thanks for sharing! I'll be curious to see how it does. :)

[@rogerhemesath4539]

Where is the original Wach am Rhein from SPI? The is bogus without it.

[@ZillaBlitz]

😀

[@rogerhemesath4539]

Oh, its your contest do what you like. But I think it is funny to have Bulge 65 and 81 and leave out the orgiinal Wach am Rein.@@ZillaBlitz

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks for the input. :)

[@SoloBattles]

Quite the ambitious project, Zilla! enjoyed AH's first Bulge back in the 70's. It excited me because it came with Gen. McAuliff's endorsement right on the box. It had to be good!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Haha! Endorsed by a General, it's got to be good. I'm excited to see how this progresses. Already some surprises, for me anyway, in the first round. :)

[@SoloBattles]

@@ZillaBlitz When the Germans demanded the Americans at Bastogne surrender, the reply they received from Gen. McCauliffe was, "Nuts!" At least according to the side of the box.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yep, there is Nuts! Publishing in Europe that takes its name from that. :)

[@SinOfAugust]

MMP’s Last Blitz is an experience like no other. Closest one can get to operational command without commissioning.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Lots of people saying good things about this one, it'll be up for a vote in the next round. :)

[@SinOfAugust]

@@ZillaBlitz Just about every game in the Battalion Combat System series that followed Last Blitz are worthy of praise.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I've heard great things about it, I recently picked up Arracourt too.

[@SinOfAugust]

@@ZillaBlitz Much more manageable in terms of scope of the operation as compared to the vast and luxuriant scope of Last Blitz

[@ronaldnickelson2130]

The only two Bulge games I own are EAA and 1944, so I must vote on that matchup!

[@ZillaBlitz]

There we go! EAA looking good at the moment.

[@whovian223]

Not having played any of them, I can't vote. But I'm looking forward to watching this play out!

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'm enjoying watching the votes too, very curious to see how it all transpires.

[@Stumptonian1]

Only one I ever played was the 1965 AH so I will abstain from voting, but am very interested to see how this plays out.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks for stopping in, and I'm excited to see how this progresses as well. :)

[@haroldmorgan7381]

AH - 1965 - As Allies I surrounded the 1SS Panzer which was over-exposed - I hit the smallest unit in the German stack and "soaked-off" against the larger German units THEN they had to ATTACK BACK ALL MY SURROUNDING UNITS at low odds and destroyed themselves in the attack back - one of my fond thoughts from the far far past !! :-)

[@ZillaBlitz]

Sounds like a great tactic! :)

[@paulaceto6492]

I look forward to the series. I plan to try Dan Fournie's 1944 BotB myself. One of my favorites is SPI's 'BULGE' Battle for the Ardennes (1979). It has 100 counters, 11x17 map, division units with a single factor, and is a quick playing classic. It's listed on BGG under its re-released name, The Big Red One, which is deceptive as the game covers the whole campaign, not just the 1st Infantry Division.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks for sharing. The Big Red One slipped by my radar, that looks interesting. I think we have a few games in the competition similar to that and it'll be interesting to see how some of the smaller footprint games do.

[@sparerib5494]

That game got republished in World at War magazine, and then as a boxed game from Decision Games.

[@sparerib5494]

It would have a better choice than Battles in the Ardennes, which only covers part of the battle.

[@GenghisVern]

This is funny. Yesterday was wondering how many different versions of Bulge I had-- have you heard of One-Page Bulge? 😲 I have and remember both versions from Avalon Hill, and the GMT Bulge. A friend in the 80s had the SPI Ardennes Offensive, probably the best of the systems in your list-- although the rework of AH was a real improvement over the original "pink panzer" version.

[@ZillaBlitz]

A couple of people mentioned One-Page Bulge while I was hunting down games. In the end I decided not to include it, tough choices had to be made in many cases. And yep, the improved Bulge has a strong lead over the original 1965 one so far, but the voting has been swingy and the '65 Bulge is closing the gap.

[@GenghisVern]

@@ZillaBlitz More of a novelty, but it's great knowing that other people actually know about these ancient artifacts.

[@ZillaBlitz]

When I was putting together these 20 games, it was really interesting to hear how many different types of games came up, both old and new. :)

[@mikereiling7]

I have 5 of these games. Looking forward to seeing how they shake out!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Nice! I'd be curious to hear how you vote when some of the games come up. :)

[@mikereiling7]

I voted for Celles because I really enjoy the system and FAB: The Bulge as well@@ZillaBlitz

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks!

[@PoultergeistBoardGames]

This is so exciting. I can’t wait to see who wins and how far the only Bulge game I own, WWII Commander: Battle of the Bulge, will go.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'm very curious now as well, especially as how some of the earlier matches aren't going the way I thought they might.

[@kizersoozie]

I ordered a multitude of war games from Noble Knight Games and would give a thumbs up for every single transaction. I remember playing the original Avalon Hill Battle of the Bulge with my brothers many years ago. I currently own a handful of the games on your list, and I'm looking forward to seeing who the final winner is.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Great to hear about Noble Knight, thanks for sharing that! I'm very curious to see how this unfolds as well. Already some surprises in the results for me.

[@SoloBattles]

Linda overheard your video and thought you were making a joke based on this being the high holidays where everyone is fighting "the battle of the bulge!" I had to tell her that this was actually when the battle was fought.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Haha! Kind of a double entendre, actually. :)

[@michaelwelker8759]

The Last Blitzkrieg mmp

[@ZillaBlitz]

This one came up a lot while I was making the field.

[@Usually_Insane]

I voted for the bulge for the two reasons that it has blocks and is the only bulge game I own, talking about block games, ‘we are coming Nineveh!’ Playthrough when? 😊

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks for stopping in and voting! Nineveh is #2 on my "to play/record" list, after A Most Fearful Sacrifice". So ... a couple of weeks it should start.

[@Viewfromtheturret]

Deadly Woods

[@ZillaBlitz]

It's one of the contenders, for sure. :)

[@douglaspearson4853]

Very interesting concept can't wait to see the final. Unfortunatly there are a lot I have not played. But I will make a comment of what I have experinced B of B Avalon Hill 1965 was my first I love this Classic. One optional rule I did not like was the traffic rules. Probably realistic but it slowed the game down. Spent a lot of time with this and still like it. The new version have not played. The AH Smithsonian edition was OK what i do like about is it takes up less space and play fairly fast. The Last Blitzkrieg the 1994 3W version I like the card enhancedments. NUTS the Bulge Card Game I have enjoyed there is a lot of dice throwing and its split between the South and North battles or combined for the full picture. Wave of Terror the Command game magzine I have never played. Westfront by Colombia games. I like the system but I am surprised they did not have a bulge scenairo. Maybe if I can find time I will make one. Most of my Bulge games I have been played are ASL scenairos but this does not fit here. So of what I have played my favorite is the 1965 AH Bulge. But I am no judge as I have not played a lot. If this goes well are you going to do a D-Day, East Front, Africa? series? BTW I watch the Battle of the Bulge movie with Henry Fonda, & Robert Shaw every Dec. I like the movie not very historicaly accurate but the M47 (used as King Tigers) tank battles are great.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, I'm excited to watch how the votes unfold too. The Play-In Matchups have not gone the way I thought they might go, so if that's any indication, who knows how the tournament will go? And thanks for sharing on the games you've played, we'll see how they do! I think of this series as a concept test, yes, and if it goes well I'd like to explore other areas from big to small. Ideally I'd like to add more features, like First Look videos of the games, some playthroughs, maybe collaborate with others who would like to create content as well. There could be lots of possibilities.

[@douglaspearson4853]

@@ZillaBlitz I do think is going to be a huge project. Love the idea though. I hope it goes easier than it looks.

[@ZillaBlitz]

The first video took a while to make, but I think they'll be manageable to make going forward. We'll see though, I tend to underestimate how much work something will be. :)

[@Phalanx11]

AHs BoB '80 ...I played my friend Zak he was the Germans... He ignored his flanks and I completely surrounded his whole German army when he thought he was winning...

[@ZillaBlitz]

Nicely played, those silly Germans. ;)

[@ottervonbismarck6331]

I just know realised that I never actually played a Bulge game before

[@ZillaBlitz]

Ha! Never to late to start new things! :)

[@BillsHistoricSites-ip3su]

One page Bulge by Steve Jackson

[@BrianMarcus-nz7cs]

Ah BB 81 tops it 4 me over the 65 ed , nicer to look at , more historical, plus the Att - Def engagement system tying up mobility is the winner for me, ps wheres NUTs card game or GDW Attack in the Ardennes eh , New Year bud , Happpy 😂😂 ☘️👍

[@ZillaBlitz]

I think it's generally accepted that the '81 version is better from a gameplay standpoint. I wondered how the '65 version might stand up against it from an historical standpoint. Yes, not all games included. Hard choices were made. :)

[@BrianMarcus-nz7cs]

Ha ⚡🌿🤪👍

[@pterrok5495]

Well, um, had to go to the shelf, and yup, 1965 version of 'The Battle of the Bulge'. ;-p Turn record chart says I played it a half-dozen times, but gotta admit, I remember nothing of it at all...none of the games went the time limit (or even close), so no idea if Germans won in a route or gave up! lol 2 1/2 pages of rules for the basic game. 3 pages of rules for the Tournament game, 2 pages of Optional rules...I'll try and fit in the time to give it a go for old times sake! Waffling on if I should vote as it is by default my 'favorite' as it's my ONLY Bulge game. If I had two different games I would vote for one of them, but this might just flood the votes by oldsters who left the hobby. ;-p

[@ZillaBlitz]

Nice! It's always fun to hear when a video inspires someone to play something off their shelf. :) I'm thinking I'm going to try to play all 20+1 games over the next year. That'd be roughly 2 games a month, which I think I can do even considering all the other games to play. :)

[@pterrok5495]

@@ZillaBlitz Ha ha--you CAN'T! You won't even have time to set up the two monster games, let alone play them! ;-) Was surprised that I had written on the backs of the counters--in red and blue ink!--the set-up turn to make that part easy to do. Now to figure out the exact meaning of the set-up conditions--might have to go back to my old Generals and see if there were clarification articles, as well, of course, game replays or strategy articles!

[@ZillaBlitz]

There might be some good player aid updates and stuff on BGG for the game too. Challenge Accepted! Although I'm not sure I could play the full campaigns with the monster games. I might get a sense of gameplay with those by playing a scenario or two.

[@pterrok5495]

@@ZillaBlitz OK, sure hope you are JOKING! This sounds just like you getting WAY too overcommitted to multiple contracts in Farm Sim. ;-p If you just said the Elite Eight (as Final Four may be too few) I could see it. I mean we DO want content this year, and you to have free time as well! ;-) Decided to go ahead and vote as I started to get into it, it's just a 'classic' in that there are so few rules, but it's the APPLICATION of them all that makes it work. And deep knowledge of math results. lol So not to hit a sore spot, I started to play sorta like like you did Afrika Korps, then found a 'General' article and it pointed out some things I did NOT consider, which makes the game way more nuanced than it appeared. i.e. you can't play it well 1st time--have to really poke and see how else it turn out--or have a good opponent point things out to you. ;-p

[@ZillaBlitz]

Haha! We'll see, but it would not be unlike me to take on an impossible challenge. I won't be making video content for all the games though, and it's much quicker for me to just play a game instead of creating videos for it. I can usually play a game in 4-5 hours, but a video involving gameplay is always at least 20 hours.

[@ParkeraNZ]

Really enjoyed this and defo a great series idea, looking fwd to seeing who has the biggest bulge!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Haha! Yes, the Biggest Bulge. Funny. :)

[@ThymeKeeper]

"Bulge Off" might attract some people expecting a different kind of content ;). Whatever you have to do to expand the hobby, I guess :D.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Someone else mentioned that a while back. I confess I'm not sure I get the reference, but I also confess that I'm not sure how I landed on the name. It kind of just happened and I went with it. No harm intended though. :)

[@garyarmitage9359]

WACHT AM Rhein?

[@willannand9988]

My top 4 list (no particular order): Avalon Hill's Battle of The Bulge (Pinsky) MMP Adennes II MMP Last Blitzkrieg SPI The Ardennes Offensive (Dunnigan)

[@ZillaBlitz]

Nice list, thanks for sharing! :)

[@dalerobinson8051]

Hey! Where's Axis and Allies Battle of the Bulge? Has supply trucks and a unique combat system. And ya gotta love the little figures.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks for stopping in. I'll clarify this in Round 2, but the focus is on games that are at a deeper and more traditional wargame level than Axis & Allies. In a contest on general games on the Battle of the Bulge, I'm sure that Axis & Allies would win, as it's a great game and the player base is huge compared to the types of games this series will explore. These are more historically focused games.

[@haroldmorgan7381]

I feel to compare AH 65 against it'd updated edition is unfair - :-)

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yeah, that was more of a "I don't want to have both of these games in the Sweet 16, so I'll put them in the Play-In against each other to let the strongest survive." I really felt it was important, even symbolically, to have the '65 version in the tournament, as the oldest Battle of the Bulge game.

[@ajlynch123]

You left out the BEST game - Axis & Allies Battle of the Bulge. My favorite Bulge game AND favorite A& A game!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks for stopping in. I'll clarify on this in Round 2, but the focus is on games that are at a deeper and more traditional wargame level than Axis & Allies. In a contest on general games on the Battle of the Bulge, I'm sure that Axis & Allies would win, as it's a great game and the player base is huge compared to the types of games this series will explore. These are more historically focused games.

[@Jezza_One]

I still havent played a bulge game apart from an aborted attempt with a 'Time for Trumpets' (which wont be getting a vote from me). I do intend to play 'Last Blitzkrieg' in the near future. I also own 'Bitter Woods' and 'Wacht am Rhein'. Therefore I wont be able to vote 😮.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Makes sense, I hope it can be entertaining to watch along. :)

[@sparerib5494]

You missed Bastogne or Bust.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yep, hard choices were made to limit to 20.

[@brundebrauc2208]

I only have 1944 Battle of the Bulge and Winter Thunder. Would like to add Deadly Woods to my collection... Will follow this with a lot of interest, great idea!

[@ZillaBlitz]

A very nice pair of games you've got. :) I'm curious to see how this turns out too. Thanks for stopping in. :)