Ace of Aces is a "combat picture book game" designed by Alfred Leonardi and originally published in 1980 by Nova Game Designs . In 1981, Ace of Aces won the Charles Roberts/Origins Gamers choice of 1980.

Gameplay

Each set comes with a pair of small books, one for each player (generally marked 'German' and 'Allied'). These are like gamebooks in that instead of reading through them, a person is 'at' one particular page, and the book represents a WWI fighter. Both players turn to the same page number in each book, which presents a view from the cockpit of their airplane looking at his opponent. Along the bottom of the page is series of maneuvers that can be performed, with page numbers listed under them (while the page numbers are different with each page, the maneuvers are constant).

Each player selects a maneuver, and then they each call out the numbers under them to his opponent. His opponent then goes to that page number, looks up the maneuver he previously picked again, and goes to the page number listed under it there. When both players have done so, they should both be on the same (new) page, and play repeats from there.

The goal is to maneuver the other player into the sights of your guns, while trying to avoid letting him do the same to you.

The maneuvers in both books are the same, with each set representing a range of aircraft with similar handling characteristics. Different sets, however, are completely compatable with each other, and can be used together, as long as opposing books are selected.

Expansions

• Handy Rotary Series (1980)
• Powerhouse Series (1981)
• Flying Machines (1983)
• Balloon Buster (1985)
• Handy Rotary Deluxe Edition (1986)
• Wingleader (1988)
• Jet Eagles (1990)

Other games

Ace of Aces was the first game of this type, but others were done later. Bounty Hunter used much the same format for an old west gunfight (only one set was released, Shootout at the Saloon). Dragonriders of Pern used the Ace of Aces format in a constest to stop threadfall. Lost Worlds was the most successful spin-off, with occasional new books still being produced.

External Links

• Flying Buffalo home page for the game
• Gamebooks.org description of the game and list of available game books
• Board Game Geek reviews and pictures of the game