I have owned seven of the games. My first was AH BB which I bought in 1965. A friend and I played this game many times with all sorts of goofy outcomes. This game was unique as it did not have the AH standard combat results table. Now an old guy, I play games more for their historic simulation. My favorite for a playable simulation of the Battle of Bulge is Ardennes '44.
To answer a couple of your questions- I am 62 so started as a teen in the 70s which means I have a fondness for Avalon Hill. Voting- I will take Bulge '81 to the end. 100+ games played and they are all a blast. I vote Ardennes 44 because I have Salerno 43 and like the system. Last - I vote for EA Ardennes because I have watches 10-20 playthroughs of this and Kharkov and know I would like it. The rest I don't vote for because I do not know the game and don't want to cancel out votes of more informed people.
I'm glad you're enjoying it, Yves, and am happy that people seem to be enjoying it. I have ideas for spin offs in different directions, so I hope to do more things somewhat like this.
Mike, thank you for the great content you provide us. I am always happy when I see the alert that you have a posting. Your channel was the first one I found a couple of years ago when I decided to explore Wargames/Simulations again. I hope that 2024 is an even better year for you!!!!!!! Nick Stasnopolis
I voted for the AH games, more for the memories they bring. I thought Worthing game would be one of the last two, but maybe not now. Last two might be EA Ardennes & Last blitzkrieg, down to solo bot and game system., then again. Really fun thus far.
For sure. I mean, I do go back to the idea that all 20 of the games are good games, well worthy of our wargaming tables. So we're really picking along degrees of like in most cases, which I think will get tougher and tougher as things progress.
I just got Ardennes II, can’t wait to dive into it and play this SCS style. Still rooting for EA Ardennes. Great series and can’t wait to see your next series.
I'm happy this has turned out to be fun for people. I wasn't really sure if people would enjoy it, but the results are quite positive, so I think it's likely that I'll do something else like this in the future.
I’ve played time for trumpets….like bitter woods but lots of chrome…it adds more complexity to the game but I think for a game as large as this one it works…you can also download the bitter woods rules and play that way…but my choice is enemy action…it’s three games in one
Zilla managed to stump me with some of these match-ups 🤔 I haven't had nearly as many matches with Ardennes II as I had with Battle of the Bulge (in fact, just two with Ardennes II and that's because we messed up the rules during the first playthrough). I need to ask the friends who played with me their opinon so as to not skew my perception.
I just caught up with you. I'm familiar with three of the remaining games, but none of their opposition, so I won't vote. But I do hope to see a final between Ardennes 44 and Ardennes II (this one ordered but not received and of course not played yet).
I got a fear that too few people will have played everything (Which 100% makes sense), and in the end it will be a bit of a popularity context. I.e. What have people actually played. Following that reasoning I think it Enemy Action or Ardennes '44 are likely to come out on top.
Agreed. I've played 11 different games covering Wacht am Rhein, and Last Blitzkrieg has been by far the best, IMO. But most wargamers won't even try it out.
I've been watching and enjoying the videos, but didn’t vote because the Bulge isn't close to being my favorite battle. And voting against a game I hadn't played didn't seem right. That said, two losers, Fast Action Battles and Celles were interesting games. I also bought the simpler Butterfield game, but haven't played it. Of what's remaining, two stand out. Enemy Action Ardennes is a game I'm still considering., but I bought the Kharkov version because I was more interested in that battle. On Ardennes 44, I like Mark Simonitch designs a lot, but again the Bulge isn't one I've played. I'm most curious about one of the last round losers, the SPI Ardennes game. Since you own it, I'd love to see a deep dive video trying to figure out why Mark Herman prizes it so much. He might even agree to be interviewed. Dunnigan and Herman are wargame royalty.
imo Kharkov was a shadow of Enemy Action Ardennes. I loved EAA and quickly sold EAK. I was like you though in voting...I haven't taken part because I thought it was wrong to vote down a game that I didn't know...how can I say Enemy Action Ardennes is a better game than, say, Ardennes II? I couldn't...I could only really say EAA was a great game. So in my mind a better system would've been to ask people to simply vote for their top game rather than a head to head. Maybe that's how I should've looked at it. Not my channel though - and it's hard to criticise...ZillaBlitz does some great content and people are loving this so far. @Zillablitz - I remember seeing one of your first videos and and your shelves were empty - now look at them! 🙂
@@billyriley492 "..I haven't taken part because I thought it was wrong to vote down a game that I didn't know...how can I say Enemy Action Ardennes is a better game than, say, Ardennes II? I couldn't...I could only really say EAA was a great game." Wise words. The whole premise is flawed unless you've played every game. It's all good fun, though! 🙂
@IanPC1964 He says in each video, "this is by no means definitive" "this is for fun". I've really enjoyed it and I really like the NCAA Tourney-type feel to it. The best part is seeing a lot of different games on one subject, compared.
@@mikereiling7 Exactly. Like you, I've enjoyed it. It's just a bit of fun. And my vote would have to be the first Avalon Hill Bulge game - it's the only one I've played, and that was in the 1970s...
I think the solo modes are what really make the game stand out. It's such a unique and clever system. If I were only interested in 2-player, I'd probably recommend checking out something else, if only because the game is fairly pricey. Just getting it for the 2-player means you're paying for 3 distinct play modes but only intending to use one of them. Better value elsewhere.
I have a feeling my two best choices are going down this round. I think the competition for Bulge 81 and 1944 are going to be too much. Enemy Action Ardennes is just too good of a game. I think it might win this contest. Great series so far.
I have owned seven of the games. My first was AH BB which I bought in 1965. A friend and I played this game many times with all sorts of goofy outcomes. This game was unique as it did not have the AH standard combat results table. Now an old guy, I play games more for their historic simulation. My favorite for a playable simulation of the Battle of Bulge is Ardennes '44.
Thanks for sharing. Ardennes '44 is certainly doing very well. :)
To answer a couple of your questions-
I am 62 so started as a teen in the 70s which means I have a fondness for Avalon Hill.
Voting- I will take Bulge '81 to the end. 100+ games played and they are all a blast.
I vote Ardennes 44 because I have Salerno 43 and like the system.
Last - I vote for EA Ardennes because I have watches 10-20 playthroughs of this and Kharkov and know I would like it.
The rest I don't vote for because I do not know the game and don't want to cancel out votes of more informed people.
Wow, 100+ games of Bulge '81 is quite impressive! And good reasoning on the other votes, for sure. :)
This competition is a BRILLIANT idea! Thx soooo much!!👍
I'm glad you're enjoying it, Yves, and am happy that people seem to be enjoying it. I have ideas for spin offs in different directions, so I hope to do more things somewhat like this.
@@ZillaBlitz Can't wait to see what you've in mind 😃
Enjoying this competition. Looking forward to seeing other competitions.
Thanks! That's good feedback to hear, because I've got a growing list of similar ideas in my handy dandy notebook. :)
Mike, thank you for the great content you provide us. I am always happy when I see the alert that you have a posting. Your channel was the first one I found a couple of years ago when I decided to explore Wargames/Simulations again. I hope that 2024 is an even better year for you!!!!!!!
Nick Stasnopolis
Thanks, Nick! Much appreciated, and let's have a great 2024!
This is going to be brutal.
I know, right? And I think each subsequent round is going to get even harder. :)
Good job matching Last Blitzkrieg against Time For Trumpets, the only battalion level games in the series.
Thanks. I like how some of the brackets have worked out so far. It's always tricky seeding these sorts of things, but so far so good. :)
Yeah really enjoying this series!
Thanks, Parkera the Wise!
The Bulge ‘81 vs Ardennes II matchup is ironic because MMP was started by folks who used to work for AH.
Oh, that's an interesting twist I wasn't aware of, thanks for sharing. :)
Great series! Can't wait to see which ones win this next round!
There are some intriguing matchups in this round, and next round, Oh boy!
Bulge '81 all the way!!... I played this against two friends and love it.
It needs a comeback. :)
I own 5 of the original Bulge games. I'm down to 2. I am really enjoying this series. Thanks!
It's been a blast for me too, watching how things unfold. And as it goes along I get more and more curious.
I have all but two if these games though some may be the original and not the new one. I know that I vote for the games I enjoyed playing.
Nice collection, and that sounds like a great plan, thanks for participating!
Fascinating stuff!
Thanks, Graham, I'm glad you're enjoying it. Next round up on Sunday. :)
I voted for the AH games, more for the memories they bring. I thought Worthing game would be one of the last two, but maybe not now. Last two might be EA Ardennes & Last blitzkrieg, down to solo bot and game system., then again. Really fun thus far.
The final 4 is going to be wild. I have no idea which way those matchups are going to go. :)
These videos are really fun. We all know it’s going to be between Ardennes 44 and Last Blitzkrieg 😊
I wonder. :) We shall see soon. I'm working on the next episode now. :)
Whoa, these 4 match ups are really tough.🤔
For sure. I mean, I do go back to the idea that all 20 of the games are good games, well worthy of our wargaming tables. So we're really picking along degrees of like in most cases, which I think will get tougher and tougher as things progress.
I just got Ardennes II, can’t wait to dive into it and play this SCS style. Still rooting for EA Ardennes. Great series and can’t wait to see your next series.
I'm happy this has turned out to be fun for people. I wasn't really sure if people would enjoy it, but the results are quite positive, so I think it's likely that I'll do something else like this in the future.
I’ve played time for trumpets….like bitter woods but lots of chrome…it adds more complexity to the game but I think for a game as large as this one it works…you can also download the bitter woods rules and play that way…but my choice is enemy action…it’s three games in one
That's very interesting that the Bitter Woods rules work with it! That's a tempting combination.
Zilla managed to stump me with some of these match-ups 🤔 I haven't had nearly as many matches with Ardennes II as I had with Battle of the Bulge (in fact, just two with Ardennes II and that's because we messed up the rules during the first playthrough). I need to ask the friends who played with me their opinon so as to not skew my perception.
The choices are definitely getting harder. And they'll likely only get harder going forward. :)
I just caught up with you. I'm familiar with three of the remaining games, but none of their opposition, so I won't vote. But I do hope to see a final between Ardennes 44 and Ardennes II (this one ordered but not received and of course not played yet).
It's looking like that could be one of the possibilities. We'll see. :)
this is a fun video..
Thanks Rob!
really surprised to see Ardennes Offensive get kicked out by some noob :D
Haha! Those noobs, showing up the veterans. :)
I got a fear that too few people will have played everything (Which 100% makes sense), and in the end it will be a bit of a popularity context. I.e. What have people actually played.
Following that reasoning I think it Enemy Action or Ardennes '44 are likely to come out on top.
Agreed. I've played 11 different games covering Wacht am Rhein, and Last Blitzkrieg has been by far the best, IMO. But most wargamers won't even try it out.
Yes, although I think there is a chicken and an egg element to this. Would the game have become so popular if it weren't very good?
I've been watching and enjoying the videos, but didn’t vote because the Bulge isn't close to being my favorite battle. And voting against a game I hadn't played didn't seem right. That said, two losers, Fast Action Battles and Celles were interesting games. I also bought the simpler Butterfield game, but haven't played it.
Of what's remaining, two stand out. Enemy Action Ardennes is a game I'm still considering., but I bought the Kharkov version because I was more interested in that battle. On Ardennes 44, I like Mark Simonitch designs a lot, but again the Bulge isn't one I've played.
I'm most curious about one of the last round losers, the SPI Ardennes game. Since you own it, I'd love to see a deep dive video trying to figure out why Mark Herman prizes it so much. He might even agree to be interviewed. Dunnigan and Herman are wargame royalty.
imo Kharkov was a shadow of Enemy Action Ardennes. I loved EAA and quickly sold EAK.
I was like you though in voting...I haven't taken part because I thought it was wrong to vote down a game that I didn't know...how can I say Enemy Action Ardennes is a better game than, say, Ardennes II? I couldn't...I could only really say EAA was a great game. So in my mind a better system would've been to ask people to simply vote for their top game rather than a head to head.
Maybe that's how I should've looked at it.
Not my channel though - and it's hard to criticise...ZillaBlitz does some great content and people are loving this so far.
@Zillablitz - I remember seeing one of your first videos and and your shelves were empty - now look at them! 🙂
@@billyriley492 "..I haven't taken part because I thought it was wrong to vote down a game that I didn't know...how can I say Enemy Action Ardennes is a better game than, say, Ardennes II? I couldn't...I could only really say EAA was a great game."
Wise words. The whole premise is flawed unless you've played every game. It's all good fun, though! 🙂
@IanPC1964 He says in each video, "this is by no means definitive" "this is for fun". I've really enjoyed it and I really like the NCAA Tourney-type feel to it. The best part is seeing a lot of different games on one subject, compared.
@@mikereiling7 Exactly. Like you, I've enjoyed it. It's just a bit of fun. And my vote would have to be the first Avalon Hill Bulge game - it's the only one I've played, and that was in the 1970s...
Yeah, I think there are lots of different approaches to the voting, it's all good. :)
Is it true what people say that Enemy Action Ardennes is an amazing solo game but average 2-player game?
I think the solo modes are what really make the game stand out. It's such a unique and clever system. If I were only interested in 2-player, I'd probably recommend checking out something else, if only because the game is fairly pricey. Just getting it for the 2-player means you're paying for 3 distinct play modes but only intending to use one of them. Better value elsewhere.
My money's on Ardennes 44.
Might be a good choice, but some tough competition ahead. :)
I have a feeling my two best choices are going down this round. I think the competition for Bulge 81 and 1944 are going to be too much. Enemy Action Ardennes is just too good of a game. I think it might win this contest. Great series so far.
I think the final rounds 4 -> 2 -> 1 should be really interesting. I've no idea what game will end up winning.