Buying Collectables – We have tried and continue to try our best to find places selling the games listed online for those interested in the collectables (see each game if it has an available @ link).
Let’s take a look at what 1974 brought to the board gaming world…….
1776
1776: The Game of the American Revolutionary War was an Avalon Hill publisher two player revolutionary war reenactment game. The game covers four scenarios or war campaigns over the invasion of Canada. There was the basic version of play and much more advanced for those that progressed. Mechanisms include dice rolling and hexagon grid.
1829
1829 was an excellent strategic train themed game of its time. Based on the theme of railways in the southern region of England and Wales this was the first in the 18xx game series which influenced all of them. Really one of the best games of the 70’s outside of wargames. Hats off to the designer, Francis Tresham.
Balbo’s Chess Variant
The name of this chess variant given was the name of the creator M. Balbo. The shape of the board was quite different from the standard board as you can see in the picture. This was featured in Le Courrier des Echecs magazine during 1974.
Boxcars
Boxcars was an economic game with a train theme that was self published by R.S. Erickson and T.F. Erickson. This was a legend of a game that was a part of kicking off the game scene genre of train games. This was renamed to Rail Baron and reissued then published by Avalon hill. A real gem of a collector if you can get hold of one.
Connect 4
Since 1974 I doubt there are many people that do not know of or played a game or two of connect 4. A timeless abstract strategy game that does require a keen eye and some skill. Some players are nearly unbeatable unless they take their eye of the game for a moment. A game that will always remain in the gaming domain.
Contigo
Contigo was part of the 3M Bookshelf series games which was an abstract game using a 6×6 board. There’s 2 sets of rules for play that with standard rules and then more advanced. Checker and chess players got along very well playing Contigo. This was a game that required four players.
King Oil
King Oil is a family type game within the economic category of games. The game board was plastic and 3D is design and raised. The object of king Oil was to drill for oil, acquire property and wealth. A good game of its time and played by many in the 70’s.
Kingmaker
The medieval based game Kingmaker that simulated civil war in England between 1450 and 1490. This was an excellent strategy based game which involved dice rolling, voting, area movement and faction control among other aspects of play. A great game first published by PhilMar Ltd and then Avalon Hill.
Panzar Leader
Panzar Leader followed PanzerBlitz that was published in 1970, both by Avalon Hill. A two player wargame depicting WWII combat with infantry and tanks. it’s a tactical game with a lot of action going on and enough complexity to keep most strategy gamers more than happy. A gem of a game!
Rise and Decline of the Third Reich
Rise and Decline of the Third Reich or rather Third Reich (less of a mouthful) was a World War II board game that was full of complexity and just a tad more complexity than many other wargames or the era. A hexagon grid, simulation, that was political and required negotiation tactics. A top game for wargame enthusiasts!
The Russian Campaign
1974 saw the first edition of The Russian Campaign, published by Jedko Games. This is a classic that many wargame gamers became engrossed in. It had a hell of a lot going for it this game, and it’s still played today. Various other editions have been published including the Avalon Hill 1977.
StarForce: Alpha Centauri
StarForce: Alpha Centauri was an SPI (Simulations Publications Inc.) science fiction game publication. A hexagon grid game that required strategic actions with two playing modes, basic and advanced. Part of the StarForce Trilogy box set, along with Outreach and StarSoldier.
Starguard!
Starguard! was a miniature wargame, by Ewan Miniatures. A game of science fiction and cooperation that the sci-fi gaming community enjoyed. Three editions was published!
Stellar Conquest
Stellar Conquest: The Classic Game of Societies in Conflict was first published by Metagaming Concepts in 1974 and designed by Howard M. Thompson. This was an interstellar science fiction game where players had to transfer populations around the universe and populate planets among other actions.
War in the East
War in the East was published by SPI (Simulations Publications, Inc.) which was a WW II hexagon grid and simulation game. Another edition was published and then War in the West, the followed by War In Europe (1976). It was both a political and economic wargame which had many SPI followers playing.
Wooden Ships & Iron Men
Wooden Ships and Iron Men was a board game that simulated battling ships in the 18th and 19th centuries within the golden age of sail. Players could work through scenarios and start with the easiest of them first. A gem of a game that was highly rated among gamers.
