Best non Role-playing Game

[Terraism]

Now, since you didn't say otherwise, I'm going to be difficult and add computer games to the list. Starcraft!!!

 

[Rashak Mani]

Put in that list Diplomacy, Empire in Arms and Shogun.

 

[Scarab]

Re: Diplomacy

Heh. Whenever my parents explain Diplomacy to someone new, they always recommend that couples come to the game in separate cars. Just in case.

"I'm the guy who'll drive you home, so do as I say!"

Chris does that a lot at me.

 

[Ravellion]

Diplomacy, Poker, Magic: The Gathering (Mechanics wise a brilliant game, even though I don't play it anymore due to the time and money investment required to stay competitive). Shogun (or Samurai Swords as it has been renamed) is better than Axis and Allies.

Rav

 

[DungeonKeeperUK]

I voted for Car Wars, been playing it since those lovely little black boxes came out, and though all if its incarnations...

But also love...
Kings & Things
Fury of Dracula
Talisman (Have the whole lot)

 

[SableWyvern]

In no particular order:

WARLORDS! - China in Disarray. Take Diplomacy, triple the cut-throatedness and make it simple enough (in theory) to explain the rules to a new-comer in five minutes (and about 1/20 the price).

World in Flames (the virtually unarguably best strategic simulation of the entirety of WWII).

Bloodbowl.

Lunch Money.

Close Action (an awesome Napoleonic era tactical naval warfare game, ideal for heaps of players).

Down With the King. If you see this game, buy it. Seriously. An epic, cutthroat, non-collectible card game of sex, scandal, blackmail, murder and politcal intrigue straight from Machiavelli's handbook.

I voted for Car Wars BTW.

 

[Lothaire]

I'm surprised that no one has even mentioned monopoly, or scrabble, or countless other "mundane board games."

 

[madriel]

My family's been on a Scrabble kick lately. Trivial Pursuit is still fun.

Here's a second vote for Apples to Apples. My sister-in-law got it for her birthday and it's a blast. It looks too simple to be fun at first, but playing the speed version is loads of fun.

Lord of the Fries from cheapass games is fun, too.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

I voted for OGRE. The list goes like this:

Risk
Axis and Allies
Fortress America
Panzer Leader
Sniper

It's been a while since I played any of them, though.

 

[MythandLore]

TALISMAN!

Too bad I'd have to pawn my car to afford a set.

OMG! I just went to ebay and people want $600 for a full set.