Napoleon at Waterloo (board wargame)

The game, which features simple rules, was designed as an introduction to board wargaming, and was given as a free gift with each subscription to SPI's Strategy & Tactics magazine.

[3] In 1969, game designer Jim Dunnigan formed Poultron Press to take over the failing wargaming magazine Strategy & Tactics.

The results were promising, and Dunnigan changed the name of the company to Simulations Publications Inc. (SPI) and began to market professionally printed games.

"[8] In the same issue, Turnbull also commented on the more complex Expansion Kit, saying, "Curiously enough, many experienced players prefer the simpler version — for 'cleanliness' of mechanics sake.

"[8] In a 1976 poll conducted by SPI to determine the most popular board wargames in North America, Napoleon at Waterloo was rated 136th out of 202 games.

[9] In Issue 3 of the UK wargaming magazine Phoenix, Rob Gibson accused the game of "lack of realism (does not play like the real battle)."

However, due to its simplicity and its age, Palmer thought that "experienced players will not find it very challenging, and the game techniques are no longer all that good an introduction to recent designs.

Armintrout noted that the game was specifically designed for new hobbyists, saying, "The rules carefully expose new gamers to such wonders as zones of control, artillery bombardment, and odds-ratio combat."

However, Haggart did note, "As a simulation, Napoleon at Waterloo is not as successful," citing issues with artillery fire, command control, and overuse of the best units on the board.