Axis and Allies Battle of The Bulge

by Avalon Hill

Product Features

• Axis & Allies: Battle of the Bulge challenges you to control territory and contend with supply shortages
• German tanks thunder into the snow-covered Ardennes forest, opposed only by a few unsuspecting divisions of exhausted American troops
• Allied troops must struggle to hold the front line in order to repel the all-out offensive
• Axis & Allies Battle of the Bulge is designed for two players and can be played in three to four hours
• While directing infantry, artillery, tanks, and aircraft in one of the most decisive conflicts of World War II

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 3 x 15.8 inches ; 4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000KPBRKC
• Item model number: 941979
• Manufacturer recommended age: 12 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #57,913 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Axis & Allies Battle of the Bulge

Product Description

German tanks thunder into the snow-covered Ardennes forest, opposed only by a few unsuspecting divisions of exhausted American troops. As Axis forces plunge into the countryside, Allied troops must struggle to hold the front line in order to repel the all-out offensive. Axis & Allies: Battle of the Bulge challenges you to control territory and contend with supply shortages, while directing infantry, artillery, tanks and aircraft in one of the most decisive conflicts of World War II.

Detailed game components include a new truck piece, a hex-based game board with new original artwork, and original artwork commissioned exclusively for the Battle of the Bulge game box. Other elements of this new Axis & Allies variant include crucial elements that were key factors in the historical battle, such as supply shortages and late-battle air support, mechanics for overland vs. road movement and randomized casualties of war.

Axis & Allies depicts Wacht am Rhein (Watch on the Rhein), the German code name for this counter offensive that took place toward the end of World War II. The objective: to capture the port city of Antwerp. One player controls Germany, whose massive build-up of forces has gone undetected by the Allies and is poised to unleash all its fury on the Allies. The other player controls the forces of the United Kingdom and the United States and they must stem the tide of German armor and hold their positions until reinforcements arrive. Axis & Allies Battle of the Bulge is designed for two players and can be played in three to four hours. Measures 10.5" x 15.75" x 3".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Would Colonel Hessler have played this version?, December 4, 2006

By 

Michael Ziegler (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Axis and Allies Battle of The Bulge (Toy)

Hasbro/Avalon Hill has finally produced a game on this significant battle and much in line with the movie from 1966, this version features the rationing of supplies as a key part of the game. There are no Germans dressed as MP's, and the road signs do lead to Malmedy! The method of German victory is to acquire more territory than the actual historical results. The Allied player need only prevent the German conditions of victory. Game mechanics are slow, plodding and very hex concentrated with lots of tedious steps for each hex. In fact it may bore the average player. The dice roll situation is pure insanity! Especially when you have a lot of units in a hex and you have to roll twice, once for hits and another to see where they landed. This version therefore is recommended only for veteran grognards. Allied air power, which appears half- way through the battle were surprisingly ineffective. The initiative is important, as it can make a difference in the way a battle will pan out. However, with regard to Air activity, it is better for the Germans to place their aircraft after the allies, to keep them from destroying entire tank groups. You can offset this possible devestation by having artillery around but it seems that planes won't turn the tide before the Germans get their "24". If you are good at defense then the Allied army is for you. You can prevent Tank blitzkrieg's if you use your troops properly. One really interesting thing about this game is the surprising situations that can arise in individual hexes. You may get chances as a German to actually capture supplies (Colonel Hessler would be proud!) and sudden openings can appear that will let your tanks roll to the areas where the point values are for winning the game. The game is 8 turns long only, but don't let that fool you.It will take hours to play. Like Henry Fonda, play your hunches because like his character in the movie, you will know everything about the battlefield from your Bird's eye view. In the early part of the game, some Major Wolenski situations may result (the role played by Charles Bronson). As a General you will have to request your troops to hold positions, to cover your withdrawl against advancing German Panzers. Overall, it is OK but not fluid and only for the wargaming veteran.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars For Supply Freaks Only, June 9, 2010

By 

Paul Boerger - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:2.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Axis and Allies Battle of The Bulge (Toy)

Having been a Avalon Hill gamer from way back, I was looking forward to this game. My son and I have really enjoyed Guadalcanal, but this game is a trudge. The whole game revolves around supply and moving trucks around. Boring. We gave up.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good war game, December 4, 2008

By 

R. Bayuk "Randy B" (Kennewick, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:2.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Axis and Allies Battle of The Bulge (Toy)

The mechanics of this game are nothing like the other Axis and Allies games. The game replays the battle of the bulge and depending upon how the first turn or two goes can give a surprising amount of variation to the game. Combat mechanics are very interesting. There is a lot of die rolling but it isn't too bad. Very fun war game but it is geared more towards the war gamer than the casual any gamer type.