TDG: Cody's Top Ten World War II Games

Join Cody as he looks at his favorite board games and wargames with a World War II theme!

[tomfrogge]

Grew up on Avalon Hill war games...strategy and tactics, Gettysburg, Afrika Corp, Midway, DDay, Stalingrad, Battle of the Bulge, Waterloo and many others...hex war games were awesome and gave me my love for military history... Sink the Bismarck was a favorite

[BartvG]

I'm one of those people who really like miniatures. I loved how the old axis and allies aircraft carriers carried two fighter planes, because it physically could only hold two.

[normdingmore]

Thanks for the great video! It brought back memories of the junior high and high school days of the 1970s. I most liked the Avalon Hill naval games like Jutland, Midway, and Sink the Bismarck. During that era, I also got involved with sandbox gaming, including Napolionics, WWII armor, and sailing ship battles. Those were the days!

[markvacc]

I'm an old war gamer since 1970. I am so glad that computer games came around when they did. Haven't played a board game since. The best games are by John Tiller.

[derhitcher]

Dear Dr. Cody,
respect and congratulations to your Ph.D.! And thanks for all the lovely, funny, witty and enthusiastic reviews.
Best regards and a corona-free hug from. Germany

[swiftbear]

Totally off topic but Hearts of Iron 4 is my all time favorite since I dont own any board games

[bergsteiger]

My favorite part of us this was hearing about your PhD dissertation! Bravo to you for taking that on. Will be on the lookout for the book.

[Arminius]

War Room is indeed outstanding. A&A was also my introduction to WW2 as a kid, and my intro to the world of board gaming. Great list and enjoy your content!

[georgeyepes]

I still have "Tobruk", Panzer Leader and others somewhere. Those are great games

[fastfreddy]

Have a closet shelf full of old Avalon Hill Bookcase Games, Panzer Leader, Panzer Blitz, etc. Squad Leader then ASL and it's many modules and annuals. Wore out one ASL rule book, got another. Still have complete collection "The General". I was mostly a rainy day solo player many years ago. Had to clean up each and every card board piece with a sharp edge and put them in plastic trays or ziplocks. Became an obsession...but we appreciate the artistic quality.
Now that I'm retired will try some of the games on your list, most of which are new to me. Even if they have cards...I have three dice towers for crying out loud. Enjoyed your channel and all the comments...good to know that there are other board gamers out there.
PS. Recently purchased "Operation Mercury" GMT Games at an antique store for $20. 400 die-cut pieces remain to be trimmed!

[brianschumacher]

Upfront, a WW2 card game that rocks, still playable today as from years ago, no dice, all cards and chits, but very fun

[ILikeJohnLennon]

I can't believe I didn't find this video until a day or two, and just now getting to watch it. Anyways, congrats on the Ph.D, and as for my list, based on what I've played, it would have to include (still trying to figure out the order I would rank them) Axis & Allies, Rise and Decline of the Third Reich, Advanced Squad Leader, Blitzkrieg, The Hunters: German U-boats at War 1939-1943, and Airborne in Your Pocket.

[javierperz]

Congratulations, doctor! Glad the hard work payed off. Also, nice subject for dissertation, sounds interest.

[angierosy]

definitely putting a lot of those on my list! thank you!

[timothylamont]

Wait, no "Squad Leader"? No "The Russian Campaign"? No "Third Reich"? Huh, maybe Im too old LOL

[digitaloracle]

When I was 8/9/10 (somewhere in there), I started going to a church once per quarter when the pastor would host a "lock in" where for 12 hours (maybe 7P-7A or so), a few chaperones would host different events and one of those was tabletop gaming. That was where I first played Risk. I leapt from there Axis and Allies. Getting people to sit down for a game of Risk was always a hard sell, so I knew Axis and Allies would be even rougher and not long after, created a crude, but effective AI to play the game against. I jumped onto the kickstarter for War Room because of the legendary designer and somewhat familiar gameplay. Sadly, it, like a few dozen other titles I have, are still in their original wrapping on my shelves.

[raymow]

Interesting selections. I believe the academic in you (Congrats on the PHD) reflect most of your choices as to be expected. Perhaps you could do a top ten list on your favorite traditional tactical and or operational WW2 games as well vs toys, political, abstract, etc WW2 themed games you've selected.

[robgraham]

It's been decades since I've played any WWII table top games.

When you mentioned ASL I smiled a little as I have almost all of the original Squad Leader. Lost some of it in a move.

Also used to play SPI's War In Europe as well as another game by a publisher whose name I forget called 'Unentschieden'. I may have spelled that wrong. These games took a summer to play. I set up the map to 'Unentschieden' on a ping pong table. Plus a dinner table on the side for counters and production charts.

Only played both once for some strange reason.

Thanks for this. Nice to know the industry is still going strong.

[TScottT]

Congratulations Cody! What an awesome life achievement you've accomplished. :)
Love your reviews, your knowledge and enthusiasm.

[nyanates]

Good list. I like how you net your lists out. Your vids are always very tight and “to the point”. Thnx!!