Gaming

I go back to Atari but I don't remember much about those games - I really started getting into gaming with SNES. In more or less chronological order, because it's hard to compare games over time as graphics and platforms develop.

10 - Romance of the Three Kingdoms series - This was a great KOIE franchise. I always looked forward to the next release. I found an emulation (?) on line a few years ago - I should search for it again.

9 - PTO - another KOIE franchise set in WWII Pacific. I liked building and naming battleships, and sinking aircraft carriers. Eventually I think they released a game that was all about the shipbuilding. Also had a WWII game in Western Europe that wasn't bad.

8 - Civilization - I think the franchise peaked with Civ III, but I still get the latest versions.

7 - Lords of the Realm - Pretty good mix of economic development and castle taking.

6 - Tiger Woods PGA - Well, who doesn't have a copy of this? Best played right around... now.

5 - Madden - If you can't win 72-0, you ain't trying. Franchise mode only.

4 - Warcraft - I stopped while it was still just RTS, but it was probably as good as RTS gets.

3 - Close Combat - I really liked these games. Obvious rip off of Squad Leader. My favorite was Arnhelm "Bridge too Far" game. A nice modding community is still active for these. I wish they would get redone.

2. The Elder Scrolls - Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim - Every bit as good as promised. Recommended for adventurers everywhere.

1. The Total War series. Shogun, Rome, Medieval, Empire in all their various releases. I like the combination of turn based strategy and real time battles. I'm playing Rome today, as the Britons, and well on my way to conquering the world in 239 AD. I also have a nice Lords of the Ring mod that is pretty good for Orc and Goblin (or even Hobbits) slaying.