Battle of the Bulge (1991 game)
 Cover art for Battle of the Bulge
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| Players | 2 |
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| Setup time | 10 minutes |
| Playing time | 2 hours |
| Random chance | Medium |
| Skill(s) required | Planning, Terrain control, Delay tactics |
Battle of the Bulge is a board wargame published by Avalon Hill as part of the Smithsonian American History Series. The game simulates the World War II battle of the same name and is designed for two players. It is based upon the general Avalon Hill system of combat and movement factors with a focus upon ease of play. The basic rules cover a single sheet of approximately legal-sized paper.
Aggressive gameplay is required by the German player, who must exceed the historical success of his forces. The American player must be able to transition from delaying tactics in the early game to assaults once force superiority is gained. The rules provide for a short game covering the initial five days of the battle (beginning 1944 December 12-16), a mid-length game covering the Allied counterattack, including the encirclement of the 101st Airborne Division, and a long game covering 16 days. Advanced game rules include air power, supply, and fuel usage.
The gameboard covers portions of Germany, Luxembourg, and Belgium known as the Ardennes forest with a hexagonal grid. Geographic features include hills, forests, and rivers. Additional features like roads, cities, and fortifications are also provided. Important victory objectives like Bastogne are noted directly on the board.
Double-sided cardboard counters represent land units from divisional to regimental levels. Major units are 3/4" square in size, minor units 1/2" square. Additional counters denote damage and fortification, and in the advanced game, supply, fuel, aircraft, commando units, and more.
Gameplay always begins with the historical order of battle in historical positions. Reinforcements enter the field of battle on historical dates but generally possess some flexibility regarding entry position.
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