Ace of Aces: Handy Rotary Series
- 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.
- 20 min
- AgeThe minimum age printed by the publisher.
- 10+
- ComplexityHow demanding the rules are, from 1 (very light) to 5 (very heavy).
- 1.8 / 5
- Year
- 1980
About the game
Ace of Aces: Handy Rotary Series is an innovative one-on-one dogfighting game played entirely with two illustrated books instead of a board. Each player looks at what their pilot sees out the cockpit, chooses a maneuver, and tells their opponent a page number to flip to, revealing the outcome. There's no board, no miniatures, and no dice for basic play: just fast, tactile simulation of WWI aerial combat. Advanced rules add fuel management and a full campaign game for deeper play.
Hobbli's Notes
Ace of Aces is a genuinely clever piece of game design history, using its unique book-and-page-number system to simulate real-time dogfighting decisions decades before digital games could. It's remarkably immersive for such a small, portable package, and the simultaneous maneuver selection keeps both players engaged the whole time. A must-try for anyone curious about classic two-player wargame design.
What we like
- Innovative book-based system needs no board or miniatures.
- Highly portable, making it great for travel.
- Simultaneous maneuver selection keeps both players engaged.
- Advanced rules and campaign add depth for veterans.
Keep in mind
- Strictly two-player, no group options.
- Physical books can wear out with heavy use.
- Dated presentation compared to modern flight games.
Who it's for
Great for two players 10+ who enjoy WWI aviation combat and clever, portable game design.
