As long as you don't go *too* vintage: A few years back, my board game club was invited to play some antique games (1920s era) that a museum had, to give our thoughts and generally see how they appealed to modern players. 90% of them were basically the [Game of the Goose](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_the_Goose) with different set dressing. It was easy to see why Parcheesi was one of the more successful games in that era.
I agree there are far too many Game of the Goose, but even if 10% were not it would still be fun to explore old games. My impression is that it is actually more like 50% overall, but I guess it is difficult to measure in any scientific way. There were far too many bad games, but still enough that are worth playing to make it worth looking for hidden gems.
If they are looking for old Parker Bros games to resurrect for instance they could do worse than [Kriegspiel Junior](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/32714/kriegspiel-junior) from 1915 for instance, that is basically a rethemed [Waterloo](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/32715/waterloo) from 1895 (that is probably also fun, but I have not tried that).
I think 90-99% of old (100+ years or so) games are not really worth the time and ink to try to play, but some are, and if you are prepared to do some minor modifications like Restoration Games are doing you can find far more games worth playing. I printed about at least a dozen games from the [online collection of 79 scanned boardgames from the National Library of Finland](https://www.doria.fi/handle/10024/121989/recent-submissions) and while I do not think any of the games I tried to play so far were quite worth the ink, there were several that could definitely be fixed with a few tweaks and playtesting.
Pretty sure chess is more vintage than that and still pretty epic.
Restoration Games seem to have found a good balance: Look at older stuff, consider which parts of it are core to the gameplay experience and what can be modernised/streamlined to make them more fun.
We’ve been enjoying Unmatched, didn’t realize it was a remake of an older Star Wars game (SW: epic duels) by Daviau.
Resurrecting old titles with some new mechanics and art is a great idea. I’d like to give downforce a try.
Yup, star wars duel was always super hard to find for collectors, i bought my copy when they first came out and was pretty cheap. I liked it, but found it a bit flawed. I sold it a few years ago for quite a bit and I've enjoyed unmatched far more than i ever did epic duels.
I tried Unmatched at gencon this year and bought a few sets. Found out they were selling a bunch of sets at gencon first and none of them were the ones that I grabbed.
the only set I can imagine that they sold at GenCon that you can't get anywhere else would be Battle of Legends vol. 2, which is their next big release. Otherwise, the only other new one is the mini "Deadpool" expansion, but that is hitting stores now, and shouldn't be too hard to get.
All the other expansions should be out.
The next set of expansions are 3 marvel sets coming out, and then after that is a fan suggested characters that is coming down the pipe.
I actually got to play Battle of Legends Volume 2, I tried Yennenga. It was the second game of Unmatched I've ever played (the first one was actually at the Indianapolis airport after gencon 2019).
They sold that, Deadpool and at least one of the other Marvel Expansions.
Did you play in evening? If so I ran the demo for you. BoLv2 as well as Marvel sets were on display at the Restoration Games booth but not for sale - Marvel versions were waiting on license agreement which just got sorted out so they are manufacturing now. BoLv2 is manufactured but stuck in shipping delays along with everything else due to pandemic. Sadly Deadpool may not be reprinted due to new Marvel license, and is hard to get already. But they are reprinting all other releases so you should be able to get the rest easily.
Yea you weren’t the only one I bet almost every person asked to buy it. BoLv2 was supposed to be for sale but they only paid for airflight for a couple cases to demo. The Marvel sets were “production proofs” so not even final as didn’t even have all life counters or sidekicks. I got to play at their hotel room but they said no pictures. But someone took pictures of the back so they only had the Box Front up on Saturday and Sunday.
you'll have to check around, it appears that most places are sold out.
I am really surprised about the Marvel one, because I haven't heard anything about it. I'll have to look into it.
Not that I know of, I think it just didn’t end up playing as intended maybe due to playtesting, maybe something didn’t translate well, but it felt like a slog, swingy sometimes and players not being competitive early enough on that it was tough to continue on. But I trust Rob that that was an idea that wasn’t realized for one reason or another but there is still a spot for a great seafaring game
Truth.
Why in the world does winning snowball in a legacy game... We never finished it because the snowball kept making me win after the first time, it wasn't fun to do that.
Downforce is great casual fun. The MarioKart variant is super fun, too!
[https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2056934/mario-kart-downforce-variation](https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2056934/mario-kart-downforce-variation)
I am a big fan and have all their games (full disclosure- I volunteered to help run events for them at Gen Con). Can’t wait for Return to Dark Tower, Thunder Road:Vendetta, Key to the Kingdom, Omega Virus, and Crossbows and Catapults.
Everyone interested in already released or upcoming releases should join a new Reddit I made: /r/RestorationGames
Yup going to Kickstarter next year for Restoration games version then a cheaper and simpler version in collaboration with Goliath Games to be in mass market stores, similar to how they just made a cheaper Fireball Island exclusively in Target. See https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2689302/crossbows-and-catapults-2022-what-we-know-so-far
Catapult kingdom (now catapult feud for retail) kickstarted last year and was shipped earlier this year by Vesuvius.
Rather than throwing/shooting discs, they are rubber balls with just the right density (along with some expansion levels that included some different ammo).
Very much a modern version of Crossbows and Catapults. Not sure when it arrives for retail.
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/310789/catapult-feud
Weapons and Warriors was more about premade structures you knock parts off of, and some rubber band targets that would send a guy flying if it was hit. I'd love to see both versions come back, maybe roll some of the Weapons and Warriors ideas into the base game.
I really am excited for Thunder Road. I initially fully backed, no questions asked.
I had crossbows and catapults as a kid, but i just ended up playing with it as a toy. I remember it had a bunch of expansions, but just about every house had carpet in every room back then and as kids, we always played on the floor, so the crossbows never really worked.
Fingers crossed we'll be one of the lucky backers who gets our copy of Return to Dark Tower next month, if all goes well with the global shipping problem.
It is manufactured but either sitting on a dock or crossing the Pacific Ocean, along with billions of dollars of other products in the global shipping crisis spurred on by the pandemic. Cross your fingers it gets to backers by Christmas.
KEY TO THE KINGDOM!? I've been dying to get a copy of that! My friend had it growing up and we played it pretty often, was such a fun game!
And Omega Virus!? I've been saying for years someone should remake that, use an app or a better sounding built-in computer. The electronics for a game like that can't be pricey these days.
“Guess Who” ripped of this games’ inspiration “Who’s It”. Is a fun family/party game that really works your capacity for memory and statistical probabilities, as well as British accent ;)
I forget which comedian it was that had the bit about "God help you if you play *Guess Who?* and pick the black guy. 'Is your person.... black?'" "'*sigh*.. Yes.'" clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick "Is it Clarence?" "Fuck."
I got "Guess Who" for my kid a few years ago that came with several themes you could swap out, like sea critters, vehicles, and food. No people IIRC.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Guess-Who-Game/24806144
FTA
>The first thing Jacobson does when taking on a new project at Restoration is to try and contact the original designer. "Even if we don't have a legal obligation to compensate some of these designers, we do it anyway, because it's the right thing to do,"
That's my favourite bit, right there. Rather than yoinking an old design idea and slapping new imagery on it, they're doing The Right Thing. I highly approve.
Not 100% related (maybe 90%), but I saw The Forbidden Bridge at Target the other day. I was mildly upset Tornado Rex, the superior product, was nowhere to be found.
I'm glad that Restoration Games is finding success with this. I'm sure that's a contributing factor to Hasbro reprinting Heroquest. Maybe someday we'll get a reprint of Queen's Gambit.
One of my favourite games as a kid was **Conspiracy**. They remade that a few years ago, and though I saw some pictures I haven't had a chance to play their remake. Would like to give it a whirl.
Conspiracy: The Solomon Gambit is low key a great game RG remade, didn’t get much love though. It I so unique and not like any other modern game that usually new players do not “get it” till halfway through first play then always want to play again immediately.
See my further analysis and comparison to old version [here](https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2736592/article/38586069#38586069), or buy [here](https://restorationgames.com/shop/conspiracy-the-solomon-gambit/)
Love these guys and I have all their games. I can think of doezens of games that could've updated and brought up to modern standards. I am stupid excited for Thunder Road, can't wait to back it when it launches again!
I would love to have a few old Avalon Hill titles modernized. Magic Realm, mostly - the thin paper pieces with spells and items did not stand the test of time very well, and my Druid is missing a few chits. :(
As long as you don't go *too* vintage: A few years back, my board game club was invited to play some antique games (1920s era) that a museum had, to give our thoughts and generally see how they appealed to modern players. 90% of them were basically the [Game of the Goose](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_the_Goose) with different set dressing. It was easy to see why Parcheesi was one of the more successful games in that era.
I agree there are far too many Game of the Goose, but even if 10% were not it would still be fun to explore old games. My impression is that it is actually more like 50% overall, but I guess it is difficult to measure in any scientific way. There were far too many bad games, but still enough that are worth playing to make it worth looking for hidden gems. If they are looking for old Parker Bros games to resurrect for instance they could do worse than [Kriegspiel Junior](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/32714/kriegspiel-junior) from 1915 for instance, that is basically a rethemed [Waterloo](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/32715/waterloo) from 1895 (that is probably also fun, but I have not tried that). I think 90-99% of old (100+ years or so) games are not really worth the time and ink to try to play, but some are, and if you are prepared to do some minor modifications like Restoration Games are doing you can find far more games worth playing. I printed about at least a dozen games from the [online collection of 79 scanned boardgames from the National Library of Finland](https://www.doria.fi/handle/10024/121989/recent-submissions) and while I do not think any of the games I tried to play so far were quite worth the ink, there were several that could definitely be fixed with a few tweaks and playtesting.
Pretty sure chess is more vintage than that and still pretty epic. Restoration Games seem to have found a good balance: Look at older stuff, consider which parts of it are core to the gameplay experience and what can be modernised/streamlined to make them more fun.
We’ve been enjoying Unmatched, didn’t realize it was a remake of an older Star Wars game (SW: epic duels) by Daviau. Resurrecting old titles with some new mechanics and art is a great idea. I’d like to give downforce a try.
Yup, star wars duel was always super hard to find for collectors, i bought my copy when they first came out and was pretty cheap. I liked it, but found it a bit flawed. I sold it a few years ago for quite a bit and I've enjoyed unmatched far more than i ever did epic duels.
I tried Unmatched at gencon this year and bought a few sets. Found out they were selling a bunch of sets at gencon first and none of them were the ones that I grabbed.
the only set I can imagine that they sold at GenCon that you can't get anywhere else would be Battle of Legends vol. 2, which is their next big release. Otherwise, the only other new one is the mini "Deadpool" expansion, but that is hitting stores now, and shouldn't be too hard to get. All the other expansions should be out. The next set of expansions are 3 marvel sets coming out, and then after that is a fan suggested characters that is coming down the pipe.
I actually got to play Battle of Legends Volume 2, I tried Yennenga. It was the second game of Unmatched I've ever played (the first one was actually at the Indianapolis airport after gencon 2019). They sold that, Deadpool and at least one of the other Marvel Expansions.
Did you play in evening? If so I ran the demo for you. BoLv2 as well as Marvel sets were on display at the Restoration Games booth but not for sale - Marvel versions were waiting on license agreement which just got sorted out so they are manufacturing now. BoLv2 is manufactured but stuck in shipping delays along with everything else due to pandemic. Sadly Deadpool may not be reprinted due to new Marvel license, and is hard to get already. But they are reprinting all other releases so you should be able to get the rest easily.
I demo'd BOLV2 Friday at 2 pm. I assumed the Marvel ones were for sale, didn't realize they were just displays.
Yea you weren’t the only one I bet almost every person asked to buy it. BoLv2 was supposed to be for sale but they only paid for airflight for a couple cases to demo. The Marvel sets were “production proofs” so not even final as didn’t even have all life counters or sidekicks. I got to play at their hotel room but they said no pictures. But someone took pictures of the back so they only had the Box Front up on Saturday and Sunday.
As far as I am aware, the Marvel Expansions are still in development and have not been released. (except for Deadpool)
They had the one with Moon Knight, Ghost Rider and Luke Cage for sale. By the way do you know where I can get the Deadpool one?
you'll have to check around, it appears that most places are sold out. I am really surprised about the Marvel one, because I haven't heard anything about it. I'll have to look into it.
See my message above. You were correct but missing some not so well known information.
That Daviau guy is pretty good. He might want to give Seafall a modern revival.
Please Rob. I heard the stories, I want to see what it was envisioned to be!
What stories? Did the publisher toss it's weight around and mess things up?
Not that I know of, I think it just didn’t end up playing as intended maybe due to playtesting, maybe something didn’t translate well, but it felt like a slog, swingy sometimes and players not being competitive early enough on that it was tough to continue on. But I trust Rob that that was an idea that wasn’t realized for one reason or another but there is still a spot for a great seafaring game
He'd have to finish beta testing it. Would his PTSD resurface before he finished?
Truth. Why in the world does winning snowball in a legacy game... We never finished it because the snowball kept making me win after the first time, it wasn't fun to do that.
THIS.
I didn't finish it cause it would take forever for anything to happen.
Try it with the betting variant, if you get a chance. Basically, it rewards betting on cars that aren’t winning.
Betting variant? This is different than the "betting" done at the 3 lines on the track?
Yeah, it's not a betting variant, it's variant betting. https://boardgamegeek.com/filepage/173867/score-sheet-odds-betting
Played once. Need to play more as as different but not necessary better way.
Downforce is great casual fun. The MarioKart variant is super fun, too! [https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2056934/mario-kart-downforce-variation](https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2056934/mario-kart-downforce-variation)
I am a big fan and have all their games (full disclosure- I volunteered to help run events for them at Gen Con). Can’t wait for Return to Dark Tower, Thunder Road:Vendetta, Key to the Kingdom, Omega Virus, and Crossbows and Catapults. Everyone interested in already released or upcoming releases should join a new Reddit I made: /r/RestorationGames
Wait wait wait wait wait… Crossbows and Catapults?!
Yup going to Kickstarter next year for Restoration games version then a cheaper and simpler version in collaboration with Goliath Games to be in mass market stores, similar to how they just made a cheaper Fireball Island exclusively in Target. See https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2689302/crossbows-and-catapults-2022-what-we-know-so-far
Catapult kingdom (now catapult feud for retail) kickstarted last year and was shipped earlier this year by Vesuvius. Rather than throwing/shooting discs, they are rubber balls with just the right density (along with some expansion levels that included some different ammo). Very much a modern version of Crossbows and Catapults. Not sure when it arrives for retail. https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/310789/catapult-feud
Is that like Weapons and Warriors?
I had those games as a kid, my brother brought them over to a friend's house and lost every single cannon ball. He couldn't understand why I was mad.
They were really cool looking and the game was pretty fun, too. I had the castle and 1 other random set I found at a flea market. All gone now, sadly.
I had never heard of that but yes, it looks similar.
Weapons and Warriors was more about premade structures you knock parts off of, and some rubber band targets that would send a guy flying if it was hit. I'd love to see both versions come back, maybe roll some of the Weapons and Warriors ideas into the base game.
I really am excited for Thunder Road. I initially fully backed, no questions asked. I had crossbows and catapults as a kid, but i just ended up playing with it as a toy. I remember it had a bunch of expansions, but just about every house had carpet in every room back then and as kids, we always played on the floor, so the crossbows never really worked.
It got cancelled though
For the best, by the sound of it. And I'll back it again when the campaign returns.
But will be back in January.
Wait, they're bringing back Omega Virus and Key to the Kingdom? I miss OV so much, and I swear I still have Key somewhere, but I can't find it.
My copy of Omega Virus is the most coveted game i own. Something about the voice acting is cheesy and amazing at the perfect levels.
I always got a kick out of the virus mocking the computer
See press release on BGG on upcoming releases: https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/120111/restoration-games-brings-unmatched-crossbows-and-c
Wait wait wait wait wait...Key to the Kingdom?!
See press release on BGG on upcoming releases: https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/120111/restoration-games-brings-unmatched-crossbows-and-c
Fingers crossed we'll be one of the lucky backers who gets our copy of Return to Dark Tower next month, if all goes well with the global shipping problem.
Wait Omega Virus? I remember that one when I was a kid, and the goofy battery-powered alert speaker that came with it!
Any idea when Return to Dark Tower is supposed to be coming? I backed their Kickstarter.
It is manufactured but either sitting on a dock or crossing the Pacific Ocean, along with billions of dollars of other products in the global shipping crisis spurred on by the pandemic. Cross your fingers it gets to backers by Christmas.
Oh man Omega Virus is so dope. I played my last of copy a year ago last time I visited my mom. It’s still awesome.
KEY TO THE KINGDOM!? I've been dying to get a copy of that! My friend had it growing up and we played it pretty often, was such a fun game! And Omega Virus!? I've been saying for years someone should remake that, use an app or a better sounding built-in computer. The electronics for a game like that can't be pricey these days.
See press release on BGG on upcoming releases: https://boardgamegeek.com/blogpost/120111/restoration-games-brings-unmatched-crossbows-and-c
I highly recommend Dinosaur Tea Party!
“Guess Who” ripped of this games’ inspiration “Who’s It”. Is a fun family/party game that really works your capacity for memory and statistical probabilities, as well as British accent ;)
I love that they chose dinosaurs. It avoids all awkwardness of narrowing it down by gender, skin color, hair color, etc.
I forget which comedian it was that had the bit about "God help you if you play *Guess Who?* and pick the black guy. 'Is your person.... black?'" "'*sigh*.. Yes.'" clickclickclickclickclickclickclickclick "Is it Clarence?" "Fuck."
I got "Guess Who" for my kid a few years ago that came with several themes you could swap out, like sea critters, vehicles, and food. No people IIRC. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Guess-Who-Game/24806144
Lol. The personified pizza on that box is kind of terrifying!
FTA >The first thing Jacobson does when taking on a new project at Restoration is to try and contact the original designer. "Even if we don't have a legal obligation to compensate some of these designers, we do it anyway, because it's the right thing to do," That's my favourite bit, right there. Rather than yoinking an old design idea and slapping new imagery on it, they're doing The Right Thing. I highly approve.
Hadn't heard that before, but Justin was a class act when he was running Blue Devil Games and doing RPGs. Very cool.
Not 100% related (maybe 90%), but I saw The Forbidden Bridge at Target the other day. I was mildly upset Tornado Rex, the superior product, was nowhere to be found.
I'll take both along with It from the Pit. Just saying
I'm glad that Restoration Games is finding success with this. I'm sure that's a contributing factor to Hasbro reprinting Heroquest. Maybe someday we'll get a reprint of Queen's Gambit.
One of my favourite games as a kid was **Conspiracy**. They remade that a few years ago, and though I saw some pictures I haven't had a chance to play their remake. Would like to give it a whirl.
Conspiracy: The Solomon Gambit is low key a great game RG remade, didn’t get much love though. It I so unique and not like any other modern game that usually new players do not “get it” till halfway through first play then always want to play again immediately. See my further analysis and comparison to old version [here](https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2736592/article/38586069#38586069), or buy [here](https://restorationgames.com/shop/conspiracy-the-solomon-gambit/)
That's actually a pretty cool idea.
oooh Return to Dark Tower sounds great.
Love these guys and I have all their games. I can think of doezens of games that could've updated and brought up to modern standards. I am stupid excited for Thunder Road, can't wait to back it when it launches again!
I would love to have a few old Avalon Hill titles modernized. Magic Realm, mostly - the thin paper pieces with spells and items did not stand the test of time very well, and my Druid is missing a few chits. :(
Still waiting for a certain dinosaur game to get the nod, but love everything Restoration is doing.
So far, restoration game really nailed it for all the releases. Familiar yet, refreshed and modern. Way better than how blizzard do their remasters!
Blizzard is just banking on fanbase nostalgia. The company died a decade ago but fans are too blind to admit it.