Given that I acquired 55 wargames and 19 expansions this year, I am going to create several categories. For a game to be a winner here it must be in my collection and acquired (though not necessarily published) in 2024. For a full listing of all the wargames and boardgames I acquired in 2024 please see my GeekList.
A reminder that my “Acquisition Year” ran from December 25 through December 24.
To be honest, judging this year was very difficult. One, I took in many wargames (74 core games and expansions) which means there were both lots of games and ways to evaluate. Second, few wargames this year were stinkers and even the “less good” often had some reason for great merit.
Best Wargame Published Pre-1993 Acquired in 2024
[Maurice Suckling in their book Paper Time Machines makes the case that wargame design can be divided into pre-We the People (Avalon Hill, 1993) and those published after. While I do not necessarily agree, but in the spirit of helping recognize the publication of Suckling’s book in 2024, I will use that divider to create a category for older games acquired in the year.]
The Ironclads (Yaquinto, 1979). I actually owned this game when it first came out. I foolishly traded it away. Years later I acquired the Excaliber Games edition with the hideous ship profile counters. Finally, decades after it went away, the title has rightfully returned to the RockyMountainNavy wargame collection.
Best Print ‘n Play Acquired in 2024
Armored Assault (Print and Game, 2024). Small, simple game. I still need a better printer.
Best Solo Wargame Acquired in 2024
Operation Bøllebank (SNAFU, 2024). Game mechanisms favor not repeating the same game every time.
Best Magazine/Folio Wargame Acquired in 2024
[These are wargames that either came in a magazine or were sold as a folio without a box. Generally speaking, such wargames are expected to be smaller and perhaps less lavishly produced.]
When Did Rommel Get His Goggles? (Banzai Magazine Nr. 20, 2024). Banzai is usually known for repackaging previously published wargames into a newer, occasionally updated, Japanese edition. When Did Rommel Get His Goggles? is designed in Japan by Nahana Wakuri and showcased here.
Best of Both Worlds – Published & Acquired in 2024
Wargame Expansion of the Year
Five Parsecs from Home: Compendium (with Bug Hunt) (Modiphius Entertainment). Takes several previously published expansions and puts them all one product…then adds rules for BUGS to your game!
Best Pre-20th Century Wargame
Baetis Campaign, 211 B.C. (RBM Studios).
Best 20th Century through End of World War II Wargame
1943-1945 (Dissimula Editions). A rather simple wargame that is quick to play but asks players to make some challenging decisions.
Best Cold War (1946-1990) Wargame
Forward Defense ’85 (Strategist’s Den Games). Another solo wargame. I love Cold War Gone Hot and this one almost beat out Operation Bøllebank for solo of the year.
Best Modern (1990 onwards) Wargame
Operation Bøllebank (SNAFU, 2024). I am not usually a fan of solo games but this one creates so much tension.
Best Science Fiction Wargame
Raider Drop Zone (Keith Tracton). This (kinda) self-publishing effort by Keith is a very interesting game…another that was almost the big winner.
RockyMountainNavy Wargame of the Year for 2024
Operation Bøllebank; Designer Nicola Saggini, SNAFU Design).
As you hopefully read above, Operation Bøllebank was a winner in several different categories which is a rarity in any year. This wargame where you are NOT supposed to fight not only highlights a very interesting portion of history but also showcases the power of wargaming as a way to explore different aspects of war. All in an innovative game design that plays solo but with great replayability.
Operation Bøllebank; Designer Nicola Saggini, SNAFU Design).
2024 RockyMountainNavy Wargame of the Year
Feature image courtesy RMN
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Rocky Mountain Navy Gamer 
So cloose! 🙂 Seriously though, thanks for the shout out, Rocky!