From: rte@duke.edu (Robert Engelhardt -- gaj)
Newsgroups: rec.games.board
Subject: Games that belong on every gamer's shelf...
Date: 20 Nov 92 20:57:53 GMT
Organization: Duke Medical Center - Radiology

The first top ten list consists of games that I have enjoyed
playing in the past, and although I may not play some of them
currently (i.e. not currently fashionable), are all time
classics.  The second top ten list consists of games that
are currently the most enjoyable to play.

Games that belong on every gamer's shelf:

1. Playing cards.  Cards are incredibly versitile and I
   wouldn't want to be stranded on Elba, or St. Helena
   without a deck or two.  Besides, life without bridge
   just wouldn't be worth living.

2. Chess, with clocks (two sets).  One on one chess is good.
   With a clock is excellent.  Bughouse (what we called it),
   two boards, four players, and clocks (a must), is wonderfully
   insane.  Things are starting to look bad on your side of
   the board, suddenly your partner hands you a queen!  Oh no,
   your opponent partner hands him two rooks...

3. Boggle.  Fun and aggravating when played against good
   opponents.  "There's nothing there, why the hell is he
   still writing..."

4. Monopoly.  Didn't every gamer cut their teeth on this one?
   Besides, if you don't have kids now, you may one day.

5. Empires of the Middle Ages.  My only regret is I didn't
   buy this game when it was still in print.  I'll never buy
   a TSR game if only because they won't reprint this game.

6. 1830.  The best of the current flock of rail games that
   I have played.  A lot of fun.

7. Republic of Rome.  I have always been interested in Roman
   History and this is the first game I have played that 
   really does justice to this period (i.e. doesn't just
   focus on war tactics).

8. Squad Leader (->COI).  I haven't played or seen ASL so maybe
   that should be here instead.  Excellent tactical level game.
   Nothing like burning those hull down tigers on a snake eyes!

9. Civilization. I haven't played ACiv... The trading session
   of course makes this game.

10.SFB.  We never had rules lawyer problems when I used to play
   this game.  We shot them all.  Actually, we had a regular
   group playing, and we just decided to junk most of the arcane
   rules.  Best in groups of 3-6 players.  Damage allocation
   could work better.

Hon. Mentions: 
  Acquire.  This game is quite subtle and enjoyable.
  It also just narrowly misses being a classic because
  I haven't played it over a long enough period.
  Circus Maximum/Gladiator, Swashbuckler.

Games that are currently fashionable in our group and are the
most deserving of being on a top ten list of some kind
(i.e. most fun currently to play):

1. Pendragon (Role Playing Game).
2. Chill (RPG).  When you are though playing this one for the
   evening and you try to go to sleep, every little noise in
   the house sounds like it's coming to get you.  Fun and Scary.
3. 1830.  Stock Market manipulations and running a RR, what more
   could you ask for?
4. Republic of Rome.
5. Acquire.
6. Junta (only with 6 or 7 people).
7. Tyrano Ex.  My lizard ate your lizard. Ha ha ha ha...
8. Adel Verpflichtet.  Lovejoy goes shopping.
9. Daytona 500.  Sublime.
10.British Rails/Eurorails w/ new and improved net rules.  Turns
   the game from multiplayer solitaire into a fun and competitive game.

Honorable Mention:

  Nuclear Proliferation (member of the Silly Party),  Family Business 
(member of the Very Silly Party), Cosmic Encounters (with every last
expansion someone else is willing to buy of course).

-- 
Robert T. Engelhardt:  	|...We were once so close to heaven
Duke University	 	|Peter came out and gave us medals
Department of Physics	|Declaring us the nicest of the damned...
Grad. Stud. in MRI     	|			-TMBG