Ten Year Old Euros that Are Still Better than Most of the New Hotness
Daniel W.
United States
Portland
OR
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Yes, the title says it all. There has been a lot of back and forth about Kickstarter, the new hotness, etc. Well, as a hobby gamer who only recently got into the hobby about two years ago, I've lately found that my new hotness are those evergreen titles that are rarely spoken about. This list will include games that are still readily available after ten years that still can hold their own against the newer, more complex, more thematic games with cooler components. Two things I want to clarify before I begin though:
-I am primarily a Euro gamer, which is why this list is devoted to Euros. Nothing against Wargames and Thematic titles.
-I am only listing titles I have played. If you see a glaring omission, it is probably because I haven't played that game, so you can feel free to add it.
With that in mind, which do you think are better, the evergreens or the new hotness?
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Hertzog Johannes van Heerden
South Africa
Johannesburg
Gauteng
Currently modding BSG PBF 235
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I re-introduced this game to our group about 3 weeks ago, with one new player, and we fell in love with it all over again. Its cover illustration is not exactly 'sexy', but this is an incredible game.
In stark contrast, Euro games published in the last two to three years fail to keep my interest. The biggest problem seems to be an overemphasis on graphic presentation and component bling, at the cost of game design emphasizing replayability.
I'm almost sure this new direction is a bid to attract more casual gamers to the fold, but as long as older games are being re-printed, I'll try to stop myself from complaining 
Now if I can only locate a copy of San Marco to try out...
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52.
Board Game: Genoa
[Average Rating:7.32 Overall Rank:158]
Chris Hay
New Zealand
Dunedin
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I can't believe this gem hasn't made the list yet. Whenever we have five people there is no better choice than this.
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Rob Duman
United States
Hanscom AFB
Massachusetts
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In my experience, this French game was one of the first ones to combine wargames and euro mechanics. It's got action points, pick up and deliver, diceless combat, victory points, and a set number of turns. And it's a wargame! Thanks to the metal bits, it is easy to get to the table, and I think it is still a blast to play. And this game would even fall under "Twenty Year Old Euros..."
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Adam Deverell
Australia
Melbourne
Victoria
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Twelve years old and I still love playing it. Bought it the year it was released and must have played it 70+ times.
For a 40 minute game, this offers incredibly tough tactical choices. Can be cut throat, as you can cut opponents off completely from scoring their cardinals, so you have to observe all plays carefully. Matched only by 7 Wonders as a 40 minute thriller.
Very good gate way game, but also decent with eurosnoots.
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Steve Wagner
United States
Kenesaw
Nebraska
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Everyone loves when shark eats other player's people, right! Great game that uses roll and move, but a few other interesting mechanics.
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Steve Wagner
United States
Kenesaw
Nebraska
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Great negotiation game. Simple to teach and plays usually in an hour. Of course Sid Sackson was a master of making simple games that have a lot of game play in them.
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Steve Wagner
United States
Kenesaw
Nebraska
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The ultimate filler game. If you think it's completely random, then I would love to play you.
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Steve Wagner
United States
Kenesaw
Nebraska
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If Poker was a dice game, this would be it.
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Rick Byrens
United States
Yorba Linda
California
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The very first Euro I ever played, and still one of my favorites (maybe even my true favorite). Similar in some respects to Acquire, but less luck and more fun, and it has railroads!
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60.
Board Game: Goa
[Average Rating:7.76 Overall Rank:30]
Chris Wood
United States
Wheaton
Illinois
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8 years; close enough
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Justus Pang
United States
Houston
Texas
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Its been mentioned earlier, but noone put it up on the GL.
I just found it at the thrift store recent and wow is it good! Tense for both sides with a fun coop element for the detectives and a nasty push your luck hidden move element for Mr. X.
I can see how it might be expanded upon with other versions of this game, but its pure simplicity makes it a great game. The folks I played it with had recent played Letters from Whitechapel and according to them, Scotland Yard held up just fine.
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Justus Pang
United States
Houston
Texas
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You might like Acquire but it doesn't have the honour of winning the first SDJ evar! (I actually like Aqcuire quite a bit also)
I had previously avoided the game because of the light-theme but a couple months ago I finally decided to throw together my own set using Dixit bunnies and it is really good! Its a race game that screams roll and move...but without the dice. Instead its a thinky resource management game that manages to be light and fun. A very nicely balanced family game and a fitting SDJ winner.
I need to pick up an published copy once I decide what version to get.
Nom-nom-nom! (a shoutout for those who have been on bunspace.net)
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Justus Pang
United States
Houston
Texas
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This game was published in 1973, but I'm still a little surprised that I never heard about until a couple weeks ago when a gamer gave away a bunch of his unwanted games. It looked interesting and I snatched this up...we played it last week and I'm really happy I got this game.
Its a total mind bender. Completely abstract board, no luck, simple mechancis, all bluffing. A little old to be a "canonical" euro, but it sure as hell plays like one...well at least one if you wanted a eurogame that was about bluffing.
And it did get a recommendation in the 1991 SDJ.
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United States
Seattle
Washington
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Still one of the finest heavy tile games. Super portable... I bring this one along on trips. Scalable for 2, 3 or 4 players. Simply a fantastic game.
How about a reprint?
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John Weber
United States
Laurel
Maryland
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Surprised not to see this one on the list yet, given it was recently re-released in what is, in essence, the fourth edition (Premiere -- Original Show Manager -- Atlantic Star -- latest Show Manager) which says they can't come up with better games than to reproduce this older one.
Also, many of the games on this list are not 10 yrs. old yet, and a few I would not classify as Euros ...
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Dallas
Texas
San Juan + Cuba > Puerto Rico
(I don't hate Puerto Rico, but I'll almost never opt to pull it out)
The Settlers of Catan was a great game, but I burnt myself out on it for sure...
I've never understood the fascination with Carcassonne. It's okay I guess....nothing special.
And I actively dislike Citadels.
Lastly, I played El Grande once so I can't give a real judgment of it, but I didn't come away loving it...
Houston
Texas
Scotland Yard
Conspiracy
Bios: Megafauna
Panic Station
with
Container (2007)
stuck in the middle.
Oxford
Oxon
Edit for clarity
Ostermundigen
Bern
The thing is that the list is about good games, and all good games are Euros by necessity.
And they have explosions. Can't have a good game without explosions.
Tigard
Oregon
Ten-year-old euros OR
10 year-old euros?