1998 Retrospective

So we’ll finish off this year’s retrospective with 1998.  25 games were nominated for the original election that year.  Here they are, in alphabetical order:
  
 Basari
 Carat
 Cheops
 Circus Flohcati
 David and Goliath
 El Caballero
 Elfenland
 Europa 1945-2030
 Finale
 Fossil
 Freibeuter
 Gipf
 Hornochsen
 Katzenjammer Blues
 Medieval Merchant
 Mystery Rummy 1: Jack the Ripper
 Samarkand
 Samurai
 Schnäppchen-Jagd/Bargain Hunter
 Through the Desert
 Tichu
 Tonga Bonga
 Tycoon
 Verrater
 Wettstreit der Baumeister
  
 Note that Tichu was originally nominated for 1998, even though it’s a 1991 title, but the game really didn’t take off (particularly in the English-speaking world) until it was re-released by RGG and Amigo in ’98.  Tichu lovers should definitely vote for it here if it’s one of their three favorites of the year.  Also note that I added Bargain Hunter to the Schnäppchen-Jagd entry, since the original is so hard to find and the remake is essentially the exact same game, in case folks are only familiar with the new title.
  
 There were five games from 1998 that didn’t get nominated that are currently in the top 1500 on the Geek.  Here they are; if anyone seconds them, they’ll get added to the list:
  
 For the People
 Kahuna
 Guillotine
 Mamma Mia!
 TurfMaster
  
 And as always, feel free to nominate any other 1998 game that you think you’ll put in your top 3.  If someone else seconds it, the game will be added to the list.
  
 Let’s see what suggestions and seconds people have, then I’ll put together the list and vote on it.  Thanks!
  
 
 Larry