Canadian Train from Japan
Banzai Magazine Issue Nr. 28 (Winter 2006) published by Bonsai Games arrived all the way from Japan. The feature game in this newest edition is Balkan Gamble: The Invasion The Wasn’t, 1943-45. The game is a new version of designer Brian Train’s game originally from 2015. The new version, besides being in Japanese, received the “Bonsai Treatment” with a fresh rulebook, map, and counters.
The BoardGameGeek description of the 2015 BTR edition of Balkan Gamble, provided by designer Brian Train, notes that, “Only 30 copies of this game were produced, by BTR Games.” Judging from my social media lists and all the copies of Balkan Gamble I see popping up in Japan, Europe (especially Spain and Italy) , and now here in the US, I am quite confident that there are far more than only 30 copies already in the wild.
I have really fallen in love with Bonsai Games and their line of wargames published in Banzai Magazine or as folder-sized folios. The games are usually of smaller footprint, have less counter density, are of medium-low or medium complexity, use interesting rules (especially for victory determination), and are playable in not-so-many hours. [No pressure, Brian.]
Balkan Gamble joins an (unfortunately) too large “Shelf of Shame” of games awaiting my attention. Looking at “The Pile” I accounted for in early February, of the 17 boardgames/wargames listed only three are for sure coming off before the end of the month. That is against five new additions (which includes Balkan Gamble). I could make an excuse that Real LifeTM is slowing me down, which is true, but it is an excuse. As my copy is complimentary from publisher Yasushi Nakagoro (@yasN2010 on X) I assure you this is moving to the near-top of the pile.
Feature image courtesy RMN
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Rocky Mountain Navy Gamer 
Thanks a lot for the notice!
I self-published this game in 2015 as the version of “Balkan Gambit” that I wanted to put out into the world. I made 30 or 40 physical copies and then put it up on WargameVault for print-and-play, where it sold in dribs and the occasional drab for years.
Balkan Gambit is another game on the same topic by me but was published in Strategy and Tactics magazine, using a completely different game engine originally designed by someone else, so as not to frighten the Decision Games stable of developer and subscriber horses.
Originally designed in 2006, Balkan Gamble uses a game engine of my own design which was also used in Autumn Mist, later redone as Winter Thunder (and republished by Bonsai as a folio game last year!) and Summer Lighting by lock n Load. It uses HQ activation to place combat units under command who fight using a near-diceless combat system – a result from a matrix of mission choices dictates advances, retreats and casualty checks.
The version in Banzai magazine is the same as the WargameVault print and play design, except for the stunning graphics and beautiful counters. I’ll be posting the English language rules, charts and scenario guide to BGG soon for anyone who gets a copy.
Yasushi Nakaguro and I have not concluded our business!
I hope to publish more through his company, he is a real gentleman.
Meanwhile, I hope you clean up your Shelf of Shame soon (heh I should talk – I have a a Pantry Cupboard of Shame.)
Brian
Really looking forward to getting this one on the table. The newly available English rules should help. More games with Bonsai in the future you say? YEAH!