Cody's 'gateway' game list: Napoleon Returns 1:20 (interesting...) Hapsbug Eclipse 2:47 (my top pick) The Hunt 4:32 Bismark Solitaire DL 5:32 (highly recommended) Fighters of the Pacific 6:49 Stalingrad: Advance to the Volga 8:48 Memoir 44 10:10 Axis and Allies 11:38 1775 Rebellion 13:55 (highly recommended) Undaunted: Normandy 16:00 (highly recommended) Nice to have ideas at Xmas for how to introduce new people to the hobby.

Undaunted is so freakin' awesome. I can't wait for Callisto!

Axis and allied was actually first published by Nova Game designs before Milton Bradley got the license. Great show.

I own Levee en Masse, and I'm gonna use it as my first introductory light war game to my still-too-young kids some day. I loved Axis & Allies during my teen years, maybe I should get that one to my collection. I don't own Memoir, but I have C&C: Ancients. And hopefully my kids play No Retreat: Eastern Front with me some day since I really like CDG and counterblow system of this game as well as low counter density. 😊

It's not a historical wargame, but D&D Conquest of Nerath is a great game similar to Axis & Allies. It might be a few steps beyond "Introductory" but if you are at least familiar with board games it's not that difficult. Out of print and somewhat pricey, but one of the absolute best light wargames ever made.

Great list. I have looked at Axis and Allies for years. But, figured it would be too basic. I will give it a try.

Glad to see Stalingrad make the list! Being reprinted and releasing with Volume 2, Manila: The Savage Streets, 1945!

A great list Cody, well done. My goodness, reading some of the comments here is crazy - some people need to chill and be ok that opinions can differ. There is no right or wrong folks

Curious which Axis and Allies game you think is the best. Suppose it could be a whole series? lol. Never played any and always wanted to pick one up.

Great video, if you count Academies 1812 for your 1775 American Revolution, I own your top 6 and 7 of your games in this list! I really love War Room too, and like you, I thought initially it might kill off Axis & Allies. However Axis & Allies is such a great introductory game, it still has a seat at the table!

Undaunted and Memoir '44 are very fun board games, 2 of my favourites to be sure though personally I prefer Undaunted: North Africa to Undaunted: Normandy just for being a little more asymmetrical in terms of victory conditions.

What do you think about Quartermaster General as introductory game?

Though presently out of print, within the C&C eco-system, I actually think Battle Cry (either edition) is the better "intro" game. Lower rules overhead and chrome than M'44, I've often used it as a gateway drug to wargaming. Then move on to M'44 because you get to play with tanks. And after all who doesn't like to play with tanks.

undaunted is also great for solo i hear people say

Good collection of games. I have about half of them. 878 Vikings that you mentioned is a favourite of mine.

My recommendation is the very underlooked Airfix Battles Introductory Wargame by Modiphius. Its low budget price reminds me of Steve Jackson pocket box games of the 1980s. The game is a card deck and miniatures game (cardboard chit counters are included in the box) It has a not bad solo game matrix. Modiphius are also bringing out a boardgame based on the Homeworld video game what also uses the same mechanics as Airfix Battles

great list. your number two and three would be my number one and two. Memoir is fantastic. And Anniversary would be my go to Axis and Allies….

Wow. Was not expecting to see Axis & Allies on this list. I get why… it was certainly a gateway war game for me and many others as well I’m sure. It’s refreshing, considering how much snobbery there is amongst the community towards this game. It’s not as light and easy to grasp for the average non-gamer, though, at least compared to some of the others on this list. That and the playtime and dice-dependence give me pause. I also recall being quite confused about subs when learning the rules myself. I love 1775 on this list. That’s one I’m planning on trying with my 9 year old soon. But I’m most surprised that there are no block games on this list. Julius Caesar? Quebec or War of 1812? Hold Fast? Maybe I missed something where Cody mentioned explicitly excluding block games? Other thoughts I had… what about Maneuver? I was also wondering if Bonaparte at Marengo by Simmons Gam (or the new, reworked and actually available version Triumph at Marengo by Histogames). That one I would only suggest if someone who already knows the game well is teaching it to the newcomer, because it’s actually quite light and simple to understand, but not easy to learn by reading the rules. The downside I guess would be these games have novel systems that aren’t going to show up in other games, but the same could be said for States of Siege games. Would love a review of Triumph at Marengo, BTW. I’ve not seen any coverage anywhere else for some odd reason. Simmons has such a brilliant reputation by those who know, but so little representation from reviewers on You Tube… it’s sad.

If you want to include sci-fi games, I'd include Ogre to introduce to new players. :-) It's super simple and a ton of fun. It's actually the first hex and chit wargame I ever played back in the day... and I'll still happily play it.

Thanks for the video. I've been looking into gaming but what I'm noticing is that when a game is released (limited production), it's not at all uncommon for the game to sell out. Even if it's a really enjoyable game reprints don't always/often happen. If that's the case, good luck finding a copy to play. For example (Stalingrad: Advance to the Vulga 1942). I fully understand game makers can't print copies they can't sell. I'm not whining... just an observation. Typically these games don't always come up for sale second hand, but if they do they are certainly not near the original retail price.

Undaunted Normandy…yes!….best intro for my youngest sons other than Risk…Played all stock battles through with one son already...(I saw Imperial Assault on your shelf -a middle son game for me…thought you commented that you let it go due to not getting to the table)

What about Heroes of Normandie? I think that could make the list.

Hi Cody, what do you think of those Decision Games Folio games?

This is awesome :)

Which Axis & Allies would you recommend for 2 players?

Do you know or ever considered to play the war games "Friedrich" (Seven years war) or "Maria" (earlier wars with prussia)? And please start already with the addons ;o) I think you are missing these games in your collection...

I like your list. The Hunt I like the Art Work. A lot on the list I have never played but have wanted to. Memoir 44 I love the Command and Colors series Ancients & Napoleonics are not for the beginer as where 44 is. When you can get a woman to play a war game that is special and rare.

Memoir '44 is my favorite. I have many of the expansions (Pacific Theater, Mediterranean Theater, Eastern Front, Winter Wars, Flight Plan, Terrain Pack) which add to the variety and complexity.

Hej och tack för programmet cody kan du inte ha någon demo på warroom det vore bra och kul

Me thinks, Total Domination is very interesting, ! , Though the USA gets rudely shoved into Britain's field of influence ,viceaversa , ,, Have u tried Eagle Games ,Attack yet , ? ? ,Similar to axis and allies, ! Ok bye ,✍️🌿

Memoir 44 isnt the most accesible of the C&C line, its just the worst (by far) A far better pick would have been C&C Ancients, which is not only better in every way, it also offers a way smoother introduction to grown up wargaming concepts The only reason to pick memoir 44 is the toy factor, really

So, instead of subjective criteria, you chose "fun". Ummmm… anyway, good list.

I don't like any of these, to be honest. The first wargame a person plays might be the most important wargame of their life. It has to be... 1. A wargame - most of the stuff on your list is not even that. Undaunted is NOT a consim. It is a game with a theme. 2. Highly interesting to the new player. 3. Available 4. A good game. Many on your list are just not that good. Mediocre at best. You want to start a person with a bad game? Fighters in the Pacific is just chess on steroids. Chess is not a wargame. Its a game with war theme. Recommendations: * WW2: Anything Simonitch. The best entry is Salerno '43. If you want tactical then try Band of Brothers series. * Napoleonic's: Fading Glory * Sci Fi: Space Empires 4x. Its a little heavy, but you can crack that nut. * Solo: Atlantic Chase, or any of the Skies Above series, like Skies Above the Reich. Both these are on reprint preorder now. * US Civil War: Herman's Rebel Yell. Can be preordered now.

Axis & Allies, "introductory"?!... It has so many national rules and exceptions we need to check the poorly written guidebook to clarify a myriad multi-step rules... You must be kiddin' that this is "simple" or "gateway"....

Isn't a wargame supposed to be a simulation? Some games just have war as a theme, really.

1. The music audio and your voice need to be levelled out more, the music is too loud right now. 2. Undaunted is another attempt at liberal blackwashing of history, so it will not enter my collection.