1960: The Making of the President
- Players
- 2
- Best withThe player count this game plays best at.
- 2 players
- Play timeHow long a full game runs once everyone knows the rules.
- 120 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 12+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 3.2 / 5
- Year
- 2007
About the game
1960: The Making of the President is a two-player card-driven simulation of the historic Kennedy versus Nixon presidential race, fought out across an electoral map of the 1960 United States. Event cards represent real campaign moments - Nixon's shave, Eisenhower's late endorsement, the televised debates - while players build momentum on the issues and battle for electoral votes region by region. The card-driven system is accessible enough for newcomers to the genre while still delivering real historical texture. A two-hour playtime keeps sessions tight for two players.
Hobbli's Notes
Hobbli often recommends this as the best gateway into card-driven wargames - the rules are lighter than most CDGs while the historical flavor is rich and well-researched. It's a fantastic two-player pick for anyone curious about the genre without committing to something as dense as Twilight Struggle.
What we like
- Accessible entry point into card-driven wargames.
- Strong historical theme built from real campaign events.
- Tight two-hour playtime.
- Replayable thanks to card draw variance.
Keep in mind
- Strictly limited to two players.
- Best appreciated with some familiarity with card-driven game mechanisms.
- Card luck can swing the outcome of a game.
Who it's for
Two-player history and political simulation fans aged 12+ looking for an accessible entry into card-driven games.
