Upcoming Wargames + Giveaway | June 2024 | New Releases | Board Games

[@volkoruhnke26]

Thank you for mentioning the addition of full solitaire to Coast Watchers! To answer what you were wondering aloud: there will be a full solitaire system for both sides. Allied Solitaire is already in playtest, and I am designing Japanese Solitaire now. Each will have foldout rules and its own card deck to run the enemy side. - Volko

[@ZillaBlitz]

Of course, happy to help, and it's definitely a great addition to the game, as there are so many solitaire players out there. :) And thanks for the clarification on whether it can be played by both sides. That's fantastic.

[@gcsaunders58]

Volkor, I’d be interested if the solo mode allows play from both sides. It looks like a neat game but I a, strictly a solo player

[@ZillaBlitz]

It will, yes. :)

[@jackolantern1028]

I just finished reading Alone on Guadalcanal by Martin Clemens . With a dedicated solo system this game is an auto-buy for me!

[@g3air3]

love your channel and your enthusiasm! wish I had a local friend that had an interest in wargames

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks very much for the kind words and I hope you can find some gaming buddies soon!

[@GenghisVern]

he really does a professional job, a real asset to the hobby

[@ZillaBlitz]

@@GenghisVern Thank you sir. :)

[@chrissteadman4614]

I find this series of videos by you invaluable. There are the main way I get info about new games. Thank you.

[@ZillaBlitz]

My pleasure, I'm glad they are helpful. Happy gaming! :)

[@flyingpiggamespublishing]

Thanks for including '85, Chickamauga and Pipe Creek! Many more to come...

[@laufetc]

I very much look forward to Chickamauga. Your website says a June Kickstarter... will it happen this summer? Or, is there a lot of development to do? Thanks !

[@ZillaBlitz]

My pleasure, thanks for making great games! :)

[@flyingpiggamespublishing]

@@laufetc yes! We are launching the KS in June. There has been lots of development, but we are excited for the KS soon!

[@KevinFeatherly]

@@flyingpiggamespublishing Really glad to see this coming. I think of all the CW battles, Chickamauga and Franklin are the two that most fascinate me. Wouldn't mind seeing a Flying Pig take on that crazy late '64 campaign/battle! Historically, if Hood had kept the Confederates out of bivouac for just one night to snuff out the Yanks at Spring Hill, the whole late war period looks a lot different. Hood crosses the Ohio maybe, or links up with Lee outside Richmond. We should all thank our lucky stars that Hood was such poor general. But I digress....

[@flyingpiggamespublishing]

@@KevinFeatherly I am always impressed by how knowledgeable our customers/fans are, it's so cool! I'm sure Herm has more CW designs up his sleeve!

[@Skyrider68]

Enjoyed the update. My first true wargame was AH version of Submarine from the mid/late 70s. Good game, but had a tough time finding opponents back when I was first interested in learning wargames. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! I remember that box cover, but I don't think I've ever played the game. :)

[@richard-mtl]

My first wargame-adjacent game, or the one that introduced me to GMT and then the wider wargaming world, was Twilight Struggle (on Steam, in fact!). I had no idea what I was doing, but I now have over 1000 games under my belt against real opponents, and a large collection of GMT and other games. Thanks for this update! #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

Wow, that's a lot of Twilight Struggle games! Very nice! :)

[@thecustardprophet8434]

Awesome that you got your name on the pit stop. I vaguely remember you covering that racing game before.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yeah, that was incredibly nice of them to do that. Such a fun thing to see. :)

[@WouterSchoutteten]

Nice overview, always the best way to stay in touch with what's upcoming. One thing I remarked is the very asymmetric nature of the two-player games and it leaves me wondering... Everyone wants to play the cool side, right? Robin Hood, Blackbeard...? Like the looks of Operation Barclay, fresh!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, I'm glad you're liking the updates. They are fun to make. I'm usually fine playing either side in almost any game. ... Well, the defensive side in a largely one-sided defensive effort isn't the most fun for me, tbh.

[@KevinFeatherly]

Going to assume the contest is still on. If not, snooze = lose. #nobleknight My first war-game: Battle of the Bulge (AH 1965 version)

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yep, still on! I'm working on the Monthly Update and will be drawing the winner in a bit, but you're in under the line! :)

[@KevinFeatherly]

Woot!

[@gr8fulded]

My first wargame was probably A Few Acres of Snow, or perhaps Twilight Struggle. I'm not sure which of those I played first. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

Nice, thanks for sharing!

[@JohnBeury]

As usual, great summaries of new games for the game community. Wish I’d known about this weekend’s game convention a bit earlier.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! There will be more conferences in the future. :)

[@Gresco]

Great update video! #nobleknight First ever wargame was Memoir ‘44 then quickly fell into more complex games!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! And nice first game. I was just thinking about checking out Memoir' 44 the other day, during my busy stretch. Maybe this summer. :)

[@JohnnyMcNabb63]

My first war game was wooden ships and iron men. Haven’t played it since but I still have wonderful memories playing the game with my older brother. #nobleknight love seeing what games are coming out.

[@ericluczaj]

We really enjoyed that one (WSIM) as well.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I remember really enjoying that one as well. Fun times!

[@markheithorn3905]

Pole Position looks a bit like Speed Circuit which Avalon Hills put out in the late 70s. I used to play it. Pole Position looks interesting.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I want to get it to the table soon but having watched a demonstration of it, I think it's going to a racing game with lots of fun tactical decisions.

[@timd6]

Great overview of upcoming games and always enjoy these updates! congrats on the pole position pit stop, very cool and well deserved. #nobleknight, for a first wargame I played Memoir 44'. Slowing learning the more complex games!

[@ZillaBlitz]

That's a great first game and one that has showed up a lot in the comments here. :) I'm a big fan of slowly working up to more complex games, and there's no requirement to do that either. I've run into a few games where I'm like, "Yeah, too complex for me to have fun with this!"

[@timd6]

@@ZillaBlitz I appreciate all the reviews or insights you do because it really helps determine if I will invest any time or money into it. I don’t know how you keep all the rules straight!

[@ZillaBlitz]

I was just thinking about that the other day, that it'd be nice to start revisiting some of the games I've already covered on the channel, to play them more. Sometimes it does get a bit confusing. :)

[@arthurwong2006]

I love the Zilla pits stop in Pole Position! My first game was Kriegspiel, a nice introduction to wargaming

[@ZillaBlitz]

That Pit Stop is the highlight of my life. :)

[@pterrok5495]

I was young and playing the American Heritage series of games by Milton Bradley, which all featured plastic units. Battle Cry (Civil War) had Cannons, Cavalry and Infantry, Broadsides (War of 1812, had plastic ships with masts that plugged in), Hit the Beach (US vs Japan in the pacific in WWII with some pill boxes and marines) and Dogfight (plastic bi-planes). They were actually decent, BUT, in a Toys R Us they had some of these games by a company called Avalon Hill--NO plastic, just cardboard--but they promised a much deeper math based approach to war--and the 1st one of those I bought was Blitzkrieg--mostly due to the huge map! ;-) (Even though I was like 9 and it said for ages 12 and up on it, I think! )

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, I played Hit the Beach and Broadside a ton. I think Broadside was my favorite. I used to love the plastic masts that you'd pull out to record damage. Such a blast. :)

[@Ricocarty64]

Good to have you back, and the production value is better than ever. #nobleknight My first wargame was AH's D-Day at my pal's house about 60 years ago on New Year's Eve as our parents played Michigan Rummy downstairs!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, it's great to be back, and I'm glad you went with D-Day instead of Rummy. :)

[@ErikIversen]

I always look forward to your thorough and informative updates. #nobleknight My first wargame was the classic PanzerArmee Afrika from Avalon Hill.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks for the kind words. :) PanzerArmee Afrika is one I've never played, unfortunately. :)

[@thomashawley7176]

I love these upcoming wargame videos, Keep them coming. #nobleknight. The first wargame I played was PanzerBlitz from Avalon Hill. I still have it in my collection.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! PanzerBlitz is a popular choice. :)

[@michaelmelen9062]

Some good (for me) games in this update! I have already ordered "A Gest of Robin Hood" and am considering "Hunt For Blackbeard" and "Pipe Creek". "Burning Banners" will also have more content coming. #nobleknight My Dad gifted me with my first war game, and it was "Gettysburg" from Avalon Hill (1958 version). I played it wrong for a year but enjoyed it anyway. From then on I purchased many AH games (including "Midway") from the local book store: Fox & Sutherland in Mt Kisco, NY. The first issues of The General had a list of the subscribers & addresses, which is cool. Who were subscribers back then?

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, that's great that there will be more content for Burning Banners. I'll have to add that to the list. And nice first game! I had Gettysburg, but didn't really play it that much. :)

[@brucewachtler9093]

Great update as usual. So many interesting games coming out! My first wargame was Avalon Hill’s Jutland back in 1970. It was so cool moving the ships around on the floor and measuring firing distances using the tools that game with the game. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

The creativity in the new games coming out really impresses me as well. A lot of great variety. :)

[@Stumptonian1]

I had been wondering what happened to you - great to see you back. My introduction to wargaming was with Airfix ACW miniatures. My first wargame boardgame was Afrika Corps. more than 50 years ago now. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

It's good to be back, yes. Those last two months were pretty brutal, it's nice to have a more normal life now. :)

[@jamespascarella3336]

Since I started wargaming with Tactics II in 1970, I have always wanted to see an expansion of this game with offshore islands and air and naval units.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'm amazed at how many people started with Tactics II. :)

[@scotwilliams803]

Glad you’re back and that your work has normalized! #nobleknight My first war game was definitely an Avalon Hill game. Probably either Feudal or Squad Leader.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, me too. It felt good to get back to making a video this weekend. :) I'm not familiar with Feudal, interesting. I did play a good bit of Squad Leader, though. :)

[@pterrok5495]

@@ZillaBlitz Feudal, I believe, was a 3M game that AH bought from them along with a bunch of other games wayyy back in the day. It was interesting in that it had plastic figures for the units, with a peg on the bottom that you stuck into the plastic board which just had some forests and hill colors painted on it to help constraint movement. So sort of think Chess with military miniatures, kinda of. Was pretty cool!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Aha, I looked up Feudal on BGG and I remember the box, but I don't believe I'd ever seen anything that was inside the box. Interesting looking game. :)

[@anthonyc4951]

I have recently discovered your channel and I'm enjoying the content, especially the beginner wargame recommendations. Your coverage of Lanzerath Ridge really piqued my interest. The first war game I played was Axis & Allies as a kid. Thanks for the videos! #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

I’m glad you’re enjoying the channel, good luck in the drawing. :)

[@syramento]

Welcome back. I also dearly loved "Midway" from Avalon Hill. And "Bismarck"! #nobleknight. First war game I played? Wow, its hard to remember that far back, but it might have been Avalon Hill's "Civil War", published in 1961. Okay, I'm old...

[@ZillaBlitz]

I've not played Bismarck, but yeah, Midway was such a great game. :)

[@bmen6401]

Great video, thanks. Looking forward to Saturday's SDHISTCON event. First wargame I played was probably AH's Stalingrad in the late sixties. #nobleknight !!!

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'm excited about Saturday as well, I look forward to seeing you there!

[@markanthony2512]

You have a winning combination of great personality and lots of intelligence. I loved learning about that new game company Neva Wargames. My first war game was Avalon Hills Blitzkrieg. I enjoyed it even more later on after I had modded with SPI’s mod kit. #NobleKnight.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks for the kind words, Mark! Much appreciated. It's always fun for me to discover publishers I hadn't heard of before too. And that's a great first game. Blitzkrieg was one of the games I played a lot in my early days of wargaming as well. :)

[@MrHubtech]

Nice to have you back. #nobleknight I believe the first wargame I played (going on 50-ish years ago, so kind of hard to remember) was Avalon Hill's Luftwaffe.

[@ZillaBlitz]

It's good to be back, thanks. :) Luftwaffe, such great memories!

[@FranklinMFraga]

#nobleknight Love your channel, great info & updates. Tactics II was my very first game back in the '70s...

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! And so many people started with Tactics II!

[@Phredd03]

Good update, thanks. I'm intrigued by Coast Watchers, I must admit. I'll have to decide soon whether or not to pull that trigger. The inclusion of a solitaire mode bumps it up quite a bit for me, as I don't have a regular wargaming buddy. As for first wargame, I'm not sure, but the first one I really remember enjoying was Avalon Hill's PanzerBlitz. It was just really exciting to me to play at that detailed tactical level, where the different individual units had different characteristic and roles based on real combat. I enjoyed the follow-up Panzer Leader, too. That was during the big rise of Avalon Hill. Thanks again for the update. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, me too. And the solitaire mode for Coast Watchers will be for both sides, which is even better. :)

[@AlanJClarkSnr]

The first wargame I ever played was SPI's 'Barbarossa: The Russo-German War 1941-45' (1969). Played it every weekend back in 1975 with two school friends. LOVED IT!

[@ZillaBlitz]

It's amazing how much we played the same game over and over back then. I feel like nowadays with so many games to play it's much less likely we play things that much. :)

[@AlanJClarkSnr]

@@ZillaBlitz Agree.

[@davidsandberg6179]

My first wargame was Avalon Hill’s Tactics II, which I found in a small town department store as a kid. Not the greatest game (squares rather than hexes) but it definitely piqued my interest in a genre I’d never heard of before. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

I still find it amazing that wargames were sold in department stores. :)

[@kristijan1985]

I remember playing RISK as a kid (if that can be classified as a wargame) I had great fun with it. We did not have many games available in the 90s in Serbia. Cheers #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

Risk works great! I have a very wide definition of a wargame, it's all good. Greetings to Serbia! :)

[@koz8319]

Thank you for doing the leg work on keeping us up-to-date on what's coming our way #nobleknight My first war game(maybe not considered a true wargame) was 'Axis & Allies'.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, Axis & Allies is a fine first choice! Great game. :)

[@CopperFieldsGaming]

Great update Zilla! Thank you #Nobleknight Battle of the Bulge AH - didnt realize what I had, but played it like crazy

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! That was definitely a time when we played the same game a lot more than nowadays. :)

[@JosephBoeke]

Mike, thanks as always (and glad you are back at it...), I just pre-ordered a Coast Watchers and Forward Defense, and will take a closer look at Hunt for Blackbeard! My first game was AH's Gettysburg ('64). Like you mine was given to me as a gift (from my parents) and I still have it (along with well worn copies of Midway and Third Reich). #NobleKnight

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks Joseph, and I hope the like the games that you've got coming up. Good choices! Gettysburg is going way back in the time machine. :)

[@RichardM333]

I pre-ordered "I, Napoleon" from Miniature Market. The shipping is cheaper then GMT and I got 10% off with an email subscription. I saved about $15.00.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Nice deal! It's always great when it works out that way. :)

[@andrewcook1249]

I'm looking forward to Coast Watchers and still considering the Blackbeard game, so rock on Volko! #nobleknight My first wargame was either Tactics II or Squad Leader, played them both about the same time.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Me too! And that’s quite the complexity difference in your first wargames. :)

[@graymeeple9620]

Great to see you’re back! I’m a relatively new wargamer. My first wargame was Gregory M. Smith’s “Beneath the Med.” #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

Welcome to the world of wargaming, and that's a great first choice! Have you made it through a full campaign yet?

[@theemptysprue2]

Good to hear your schedule is calming down. My first wargame was Rise and Decline of the Third Reich and I have only played it once, despite owning it for 30 years. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

It does feel great to have more time to play and make videos again. That is a very bold first wargame, wow!

[@theemptysprue2]

@ZillaBlitz It was a funny story. I bought it with a friend back in 1997 and we took it home and started punching some counters and setting up the map, then got into an argument about the rules, packed it all up and never played it again. It wasn't until 2020 when I bought my 2nd wargame! Fortunately we are still friends!

[@SquadPainter]

Thanks for the news! I found Point Blank: V is for Victory on your channel and I love it. I'm anxiously awaiting the expansion Winter Victory. My first wargame was Steve Jackson's OGRE. I found it in Game Towne in San Diego as a kid and I played the heck out of it. That led me to a ton of MicroGames, miniature wargaming, and more. Sometimes I go looking for my childhood at #nobleknight .

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, that's awesome! I'm glad you're liking Point Blank. It's actually on my desk at the moment because I was looking up something in the game a couple of days ago. Very fun game, and that's great news on the expansion! :)

[@BrendanCarmel]

Great summary/update as always. #nobleknight My first wargame: Field Marshall by Jedko games here in Australia… company no longer around but I still have the boxed game.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! Interesting first game, I've not heard of them. Great to hear that there are wargaming companies in Australia, too bad to hear they are no longer around. :)

[@thomassamson1432]

More great games, looking forward to the Flying PIgs but another one that was recently announced was Imperial Borders by Larry Harris and his follow up to War Room with KS on June 20th. This brings me full circle to my first wargame that being Axis and Allies which I have fond memories with my mother playing with me as my father didn't have much interest in games as he you used to say "do you know why they are called board games...because they are boring". Thanks for all the great work Zilla was getting worried as I didn't see much last month. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks for the kind words and the tip about Imperial Borders. Added to the list! :)

[@jackolantern1028]

A lot of great games coming up. Thanks for the heads up! My first wargame was AH's Afrika Korp. I think I bought it new for $6.99 at a Milton Bradley store. Noble Knight is a great place to buy games. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

$7 new in say, 1968, would be the equivalent of $63 now. Which is interesting, about the same price in relative terms.

[@Mancom37]

I did not know about Forward Defence 85 at all, I swear after playing SGS's Nato Nightmare I have been itching to get into something more in the Cold War setting (if only they made games about LANDSOUTH!), thank you. Really do recommend you try more of the SGS games, they were what got me into digital war games. #nobleknight First one I ever played was "Zulus on the Ramparts!", incredibly simple but filled with strategy and honestly I always love the theme of controlling this last-stand sort of situation in a strategy game which probably explains why the second wargame I played was Pavlov's house, ahahah. Glad to see you back.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I picked up Zulus on the Ramparts based on comments from viewers, and it's sitting my my Shelf of Opportunity. I'll have to break that one out soon. I really enjoy SGS games, and yes, I'll definitely have to get back to one of them soon. :)

[@Mancom37]

@@ZillaBlitz If you ever need recommendations for SGS games feel free to ask, I have been gathering quite a big collection so far.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I might take you up on that, thanks!

[@PrimarchX]

I picked up '85. Looks fun but haven't busted it out yet.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I've heard good things about the system, so I'm looking forward to it as well. :)

[@SamLaSala71]

Great update. Looking forward to I, Napoleon. My first wargame was the Milton Bradly version of Axis and Allies in 1984. Good Times. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

A lot of people starting with Axis and Allies, which makes total sense I suppose. Very popular game!

[@paulaceto6492]

Thanks again for a great video. Two games were brand new to me, as was the solo variant for Coast Watchers. First wargame: SPI's Phalanx, in 1971. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

My pleasure, glad you found the video helpful. I don't recall Phalanx, but I remember Vikings. I liked that one. :)

[@przemekbozek]

Thanks for an update as always, will be checking out LnL (interesting new titles) and Neva Games (never heard of them). #nobleknight My first wargame was actually an unusual one, Grunwald 1410 back in the 90s 😁

[@ZillaBlitz]

It's always fun for me to stumble into a game company I didn't know existed and find that they have a half dozen games that I'd never heard about. I've got another one for the next episode as well. I should call them "Company Discoveries" or something like that. :)

[@j_atkinson]

Always a joy to watch! #nobleknight Probably the first wargame I played would be Memoir '44 which eventually turned into Thunderbolt Apache Leader by DVG and then Conflict of Heroes: AtoB by Academy Games.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! That's a great progression of games, all really fun choices. :)

[@vincenzoberetta1085]

My first wargame was AH Midway - which my parents bought me shortly after watching the classic movie. I played double blind SOLO without cheating. I literally wondered: "OK, what the Japanese would think now?" - which was a cool way to understand how perceptions and reality during a battle were two different things... #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

Another Midway, yes! That's amazing that you played it solo. I remember banging my head against the idea and giving up. I did see some posts on BGG recently where someone created a spreadsheet for assisting solo play, but I haven't tried it yet. :)

[@johnmcguinness9732]

Really curious about I, Napoleon. Haven't seen any videos of playthroughs, so not sure if I should jump in. Love solo games and it looks interesting. #nobleknight My first wargame was probably Battle for Germany by SPI.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I imagine we'll see a lot of I, Napoleon videos as the game starts shipping in a few weeks. And you're the first person to mention starting with SPI, which is very interesting. I figured there would be a lot more.

[@johnmcguinness9732]

@@ZillaBlitz Yeah, played a lot of SPI stuff back in the 1970s with my older brother. Perhaps I am aging myself!

[@user-oq4fh8so4j]

The first wargame I played was Memoir ‘44, but early in my journey down the wargame rabbit hole I found myself playing a North Korea focused matrix game with a small group, including Volko. It took me almost a year to realize that the random nice guy who helped me role-play as China was the creator of half the wargames I owned at the time. He’s continued to be a nice guy since, and I’m really looking forward to his two new games. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

Haha, that's a funny Volko story, great stuff!

[@michaelbridges1820]

Loved the updates will be taking look at the civil war games as I was introduced to gaming with Milton Bradley Battle Cry and Broadsides #nobleknight. The first strategic board game I played was Avalon Hills' Richthofen's War .

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! I remember that Broadsides game with the detachable masts. Such fun.

[@johnloy9331]

Interesting look ahead, some that I will definitely look into. First wargame played - Waterloo, Avalon Hill; first purchased, Panzer Leader, Avalon Hill # NobleKnight

[@ZillaBlitz]

That's an interesting question. I've got no idea what the first game I bought would have been. I got a lot of hand me downs for a while before I ended up buying something with my own money.

[@patrickols]

I Napoleon has been on my pre-order since January when it was first announced. I think it’s going to be a real fun interesting game

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'm very curious to see how it plays out, but it's sounding very promising. :)

[@RobertO-ly5tb]

Thanks for the video! #nobleknight My first wargame was Luftwaffe from Avalon Hill. As a young lad I was fascinated by the air war and the box cover art pulled me in. I’ve been an addict ever since. Cheers.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Great to have a lifetime hobby like this. :)

[@davidaldinger3666]

My first war game was Wilderness War. It felt like I was reading the instructions to how to land a jumbo jet. Boy how far I've come. #Noble Knight. Enjoying the channel, keep up the good work.

[@ZillaBlitz]

It is amazing how much better we get at learning wargames after we've learned a few. :)

[@MaddPax]

Love your channel Zilla. Will there be a later video posted on the channel of your Rally the Troops sessions from SDHISTCON? I would really like to see that, but won’t be able to log on for the CON. I have been on the site, but only to play Pax Pamir and would like a little more insight on the page. Stratego was the first board game that I ever played. Not sure that it actually counts as a war game, but as a kid I couldn’t get enough of it. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

Stratego definitely counts in my book. Such a fun game. :) The SDHistCon session will be a live only session, so I'm not pushing this one out to the KZbin Channel. It's the first time I'm presenting at the conference, so I want to be able to focus on the people attending. :)

[@jeffreymiller9438]

#nobleknight Milton Bradley's 1977 Carrier Strike! was the first game. I was probably 7 years old. When I was eight I was taught AH's D-Day. Learned math by figuring the CRT odds.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I feel like playing wargames was a better education for me than middle school. :)

[@jy3802]

Hi Mike, the Pipe Creek game was the most intriguing, love the potential Gettysburg" what if" scenarios carried forward in a very comprehensive manner. Also will try to follow Steel Platoon (love the tank top down views on the counter view) #nobleknight The first wargame I ever played was the original AH Bismarck (1962) that my older brother taught to me (He was 10 years older than me, and I was less then 10 yrs old). Can't remember the rules, but I did the equivalent of flipping the board, when he revealed cards showing a search zone pattern of A through D, which meant, no matter what, he found the Bismarck and I had to fight.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Haha, that's too funny about flipping over the board! Atlas upsetting the world. ~ I'm intrigued by Pipe Creek as well. :)

[@pschwag1965]

Great video and glad to see you back! The civil war games always catch my eye because they are based in land I have traveled. My first war game was Avalon Hill's D-Day. My dad hated playing games, but was a great sport letting me try and crush his German defenses. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

That's funny. I know my dad did the same thing quite often as well. I don't think he liked playing either.

[@TomCollipi]

#nobleknight Avalon Hill's Blitzkrieg Great video. I want you to know that you are a one man wallet emptying machine. Between your replays / reviews and upcoming wargames videos, I have spend a bunch. You will be happy to know, that I purchase most of my games (probably 80% from Noble Knight. My son lives about 15 minutes away from their brick and mortar store, so it is always a treat to stop in when we are visiting him. Thanks again for all your great content!

[@MrProsat]

Ah, yes, that was a fun game.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks for the kind words, and I hope the empty walleting is providing some fun! :) Sounds like you've had great experiences at Noble Knight, that's great to hear! I'm hoping to get down there for the first time this summer. And I used to love Blitzkrieg as well. Those naval invasions could be killers.

[@RobRiddell37]

Steel Platoons looks really interesting. I love learning new mechanics. #nobleknight First wargame was Divine Right First WWII game PanzerBlitz First solo game was Ambush! Still have all 3. Great channel.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'm glad you're liking the channel. That's a nice set of three games to have started out with!

[@abrslam]

Robinhood as a coin game is a super fun idea and I think I might look more into that one. As for my first wargame that would be Vietnam Solitaire. Thanks for the video! #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

The Gest of Robin Hood is definitely a fun game. I think people will really enjoy it. :)

[@g3air3]

#nobleknight and first wargame was Tacticts II ! yes, I'm that old

[@ZillaBlitz]

That is definitely going back a bit. I have that one too. :)

[@lakingsgeek]

#nobleknight Technically it was Memoir '44 but I don't know if that should count. I feel like The Hunters was my first true, nerdy historical war game.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Both great games!

[@russellcarlson6135]

Okay, I'm sure I'm too late to play, but... I love your videos, your my favorite reviewer. I love that you get right into with no stupid music or video as an intro. #nobleknightgames. My first war game was Tactics II. I liked to concept of a wargame and it was a start. Then came D-Day and I was hooked. Both by Avalon Hill, of course. I too have my copy of Midway, but as I recall it's in great shape. I loved the hunting for the enemy. Barry

[@ZillaBlitz]

Nope, not too late to play! I've decided to put the Channel Update and drawing off until mid-week next week, so you made it under the bell. :)

[@IronHamR]

Great video and looking forward to many of these games. #nobleknight. My first war game was Axis and Allies back in the 80’s.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Axis and Allies is a popular choice, and I'm glad you like the video. :)

[@coryhoggatt7691]

Great video as always. Appreciate this info all in one place. Definitely going to look into a couple of these game. My first wargame turned out to be very easy to remember, Avalon Hill’s 1776, the 200th anniversary edition I bought in 1976. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks! And you're the first person to mention 1776 as their starter. Nice choice, and it's great to see so many people still at the hobby now. :)

[@brettlongworth5861]

#nobleknight first wargame was War at Sea, by Jedko games. Thanks for the informative heads ups on upcoming wargames.

[@ZillaBlitz]

My pleasure and that's a great game to start with, for sure. :)

[@QuayleTBird]

Mike, this is one of my favorite ways to "fritter away" 30 minutes! I always look forward to these monthly updates. And your postings in general. Of course, you continue to impact my bank account but .... 😀 It also enhances my fun. So, I'm glad that you are doing well and, until next time. Keep up the wonderful work that you do. Nick Stasnopolis #nobleknight SPI's Red Star White Star

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks for the kind words, Nick! And sorry about the continued impact on the bank account. I don't think I'm familiar with Red Star White Star. Sounds like an interesting sci-fi theme, though.

[@QuayleTBird]

@@ZillaBlitz Mike, it is a Cold War Science Fiction story! Red Star What Star is an early SPI Tactical game (1972) of US vs Soviet forces. It was dated when I first played it in 1976, but it is a really fun game and had some very well thought out scenarios. I attempted to add a hyperlink to the BGG page, but, apparently You Tube didn't like that. But, it's out there if you want to check it out. Mech War 77 and Mech War 2 are the better known SPI games.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Ah, good to know, thanks! I was thinking more in space sci-fi, way off target with my thinking. Thanks for filling in the pieces. :)

[@BillsWargameWorld]

BMG games with Blue Panther “Wyse Fork”

[@ZillaBlitz]

Very nice!

[@dalebrady564]

#nobleknight Chainmail or Diplomacy was the first game I played back in 1976. It's a bit fuzzy as to which one was first.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, I remember trying to figure out Chainmail and failing. :)

[@davidmaher8365]

Great video as always, looking forward to I Napoleon; #nobleknight my first war game going way back to when I was a teenager was Fredrick the Great, not sure the maker, it was an orange/brown box I think. Restarted war gaming this past year in part very much due to your channel and the first game with the restart was Undaunted Normandy.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'm glad the channel could help some in getting back into wargaming, and Undaunted Normandy is a great choice to dig back into the hobby with. I'm very much looking forward to I, Napoleon, too. :)

[@ericluczaj]

#nobleknight First "wargame" was likely Risk. Chit-based combat was probably Ogre/G.E.V. on the old micro games with paper mats and small chits. Big board was Diplomacy. That was when game purchases were frequently made based upon weight (those old wooden pieces...) First miniature wargame I painted my own army for was WRG 7th edition which quickly made way to DBA. I do remember (early in my wargame experience) a very fun home brew WWII skirmish game with lots of urban terrain (tons of cover and places to hide). The GM/created had made their own mirrored periscopes we could put behind our miniature to look and see if someone was in line of sight. Not sure they even named for the game, but it was a great basement and convention game.

[@ericluczaj]

Richthofen's War was another group favorite. Haven't played in decades. I wonder how well it would hold up today.

[@ZillaBlitz]

So many great memories, thanks for sharing. I remember those Steve Jackson games in the little plastic baggies. My favorite was the fantasy combat one... Melee? Gosh, I played that so much.

[@ericluczaj]

@@ZillaBlitz I had forgotten that Car Wars was originally one of these pocket microgames (and Illuminati).

[@jimmedina1108]

#nobleknight My first wargame was Normandy: The Invasion of Europe 1944 from SPI back in the late 70's. I also played Afrika Korps from Avalon Hill around that time and several others. I always enjoy your videos. Thank you for putting them out!

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks for the kind words! I don't remember that Normandy game, but those AH and SPI games were such a great part of the history.

[@duncanrae466]

Great update Zill. #nobleknight My dad and I played Avalon Hills Arab Israeli Wars a few times until I beat him real bad when I was 16, then I had to find new people to play with.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, Duncan! That's one of the Avalon Hill games I've never played, sounds like some good memories until your dad gave up. :)

[@mike_bird]

Welcome back! I haven’t been playing super long but my first war game was Castle Itter and it’s probably still one of my most played! #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

Great start for a first game. That’s a fun series of games!

[@PHLewis1956ye1q9]

Thanks for the video. There are several titles you mentioned which I'll be putting on my "buy list." #nobleknight My first wargame was Afrika Korps from Avalon Hill. I picked it up at a Goodwill store for twenty-five cents around 1968 or so. It was missing a couple pieces so I made replacements for them and had a great time playing it and I've been a wargaming enthusiast ever since.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Great story on your first game. Afrika Korps would be an amazing find for 25 cents now. :)

[@jefferywilson3279]

Good job, thanks for the update update about Flying Pigs games. #nobleknight. My first game Milton Bradley's Dogfight which was a Christmas gift.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I remember Dogfight, that was a fun game. :)

[@GreenerPasturesAway]

I can't wait to rip into A Gest of Robin Hood, and I have been following the Hunt for Blackbeard for years, I think! #nobleknight I can't be positive, but my first wargame was probably Battle for Germany, but it's possible I played Awakening the Bear before that.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I really enjoyed Gest, very accessible too. I think it will make its way to tables quite often. :)

[@soysaucehobbies2703]

#nobleknight Thanks for the round up! First wargame was ASL SK#1. Definitely still learning and looking forward to more SKs.

[@ZillaBlitz]

My pleasure, and great first choice as a wargame. Such a fun system to explore. :)

[@BobK58]

I'm currently playing American Truck Simulator and Stellarus. My introduction to wargaming was playing Blitzkrieg with my cousins around 1970. They also had Bismarck but I didn't play that much. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

Oh, nice! Blitzkrieg was one of my favorites as well. I loved the big map and there were so many different ways to try to win, at least from what I can remember back then.

[@tovarischD]

My first Tactics II followed by Tobruk and PanzerBlitz

[@ZillaBlitz]

Tactics II was such a popular starting point, I never would have guessed! :)

[@UncleFloydWing]

The first wargame I played was Outdoor Survival from Avalon Hill. Not really a wargame but my friends and I made rules to add weapons and damage and pretty much only played it with our rules hunting each other. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

Hahaha! That sounds totally awesome. I think this means you created Hunger Games.

[@ParkeraNZ]

YAY a Zilla video! Welcome back

[@ZillaBlitz]

Thanks, mate! How are you feeling?

[@Yeti0312]

I love to see upcoming games. First wargame ever played was Grand Imperialism . #Nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

Nice! I've not played that one yet. :)

[@andypickard7314]

#nobleknight. My first game was Squatter, as a kid growing up in Australia. Monopoly, but with sheep stations! My first wargame was 1776, with my dad, after we came back from to the US just before the Bicentenial.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Nice, I am surprised that 1776 hasn't come up more often.

[@briancarless2132]

#nobleknight is a wonderful retailer. Yes, I rate and critique retailers. My first game was Tactics II like a few of you. Yes we are “of a certain age” but welcome to the club my name is Brian.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Glad to hear you like Noble Knight, and so many Tactics II players out there! I might want to make a video on that one. :)

[@MikelMask]

#nobleknight. My first "wargame" was Parker Brothers' 1863, which came out during the Civil War Centennial. As a teenager, my obsession game was Avalon Hill's Afrika Korps.

[@ZillaBlitz]

I remember those Parker Brothers' games, great fun!

[@deltingley7597]

Thanks for an excellent update, especially the news of solitaire play for Coastwatchers. That's an interesting topic. I recently read "Lonely Vigil" a book about the coastwatchers of the Solomons. I'd love to play a game about them and considering I live in rural SC, solitaire it would have to be. #nobleknight My first war wargame was "War At Sea". I had "Risk" prior to that but I don't know if that counts. My second was your first, "Victory In The Pacific". Both are fun games.

[@ZillaBlitz]

Yes, I was happy to see that solo modes will be added for both sides. They've done that now with Lenin's Legacy as well. :)

[@jefft786]

I, Napoleon solitaire. Thanks for that one. #nobleknight. My first wargame was 1863 by Parker Brothers. I was 12 or 13 and I paid $0.25 for it at a garage sale! I don't know what happened to it but I eventually bought a used version for 100 times that two years ago. I'm 67 now!

[@ZillaBlitz]

I'm pretty excited about I, Napoleon, too. It'd be awesome if we could still get games for $0.25 now. :)

[@Legolas7555]

My first wargame I played was An Attrition of Souls by Compass Games, or I played Memoir '44 before that if you count that as a wargame. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

I've got a pretty disinterested stance on the "what is a wargame" discussion, it's all good to me. Two good choices! :)

[@reptar5695]

Growing up I remember playing RISK with my brother and dad. It was my childhood challenge to try and beat my dad at RISK. I was finally able to best him, but took until my teenage years to do so. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

That’s great that you stuck with Risk until you beat him. I’d have probably given up. :)

[@timvilleneuve7244]

Great review. I played Midway as well, but my first game was Avalon Hill's Jutland. The victory conditions to that one always seemed vague or indecisive, much like the battle. #nobleknight Nothing like a freebee to promote comments!

[@ZillaBlitz]

It's been interesting to me to see the variety in first games. So many Tactics IIs and Axis and Allies. :)

[@michaelstolar5646]

I liked your video concerning upcoming releases, but are there any related to medieval warfare that will be releasing soon? #nobleknight is a great retailer and I’ve order from them especially to acquire harder to find games. My first war game was AH Third Reich.

[@pwr41]

Greatly enjoy these videos on upcoming war games - thanks! My first war game was Squad Leader, back in the day. #nobleknight

[@ZillaBlitz]

My pleasure, glad you are enjoying the videos. Squad Leader is such a daring start! :)

[@pwr41]

We only played the first scenerio - not sure we ever finished it either. But the book war games were displayed prominently at our local Ryders back in the day😄