Retro, 6th Edition
Tactical WWII Variant Rules
Retro, 6th edition is a tactical, squad-level World War II combat variant rules set contained in a 74-page book. Its goal is to provide players--experienced and inexperienced alike--with simplified rules to enable them to play and enjoy tactical wargames and modules without having to master hundreds of pages of rules and a steep learning curve. You must own the necessary components (counters and mapsheets) of the "host" game to utilize Retro.
The variant was originally written as a variant for Avalon Hill's Squad Leader and its modules and its expansions in ASL. This edition continues that tradition, and presumes this game to be the host system, even though gamers have used Retro with other tactical World War II games from various publishers.
Retro covers the various nationalities and theaters of the war, but using a greatly simplified sequence of play. This shortened, "I go/You go" sequence utilizing the "Hesitation" rule, and a new Infantry Fire Table which makes morale checks unnecessary are the biggest modifications to the standard game, although streamlining and simplification has also been applied to a myriad of details, including those for AFV and vehicular combat.
To quote the variant's Introduction, Retro is not for the gamer who thinks "more is better" when it comes to chrome and realism and process, but is offered to those who think that "less is acceptable" and even preferable, in the name of straightforward playability.
Retro, 6th edition consists of a 74-page color, illustrated rule book, containing all standard, advanced, and optional rules, fifteen scenarios, detailed index, and instructions for creating design-your-own scenarios. The standard rules from the 5th edition (2016) are unchanged. This edition adds eighteen pages, and includes new optional rules and scenarios. The new rules cover PRISONERS, VOLKSSTURM / HOME GUARD, CONSCRIPTS / GREEN UNITS, AXIS MINORS SW & LEADER TABLES, ALLIED MINORS SW & LEADER TABLES, SCENARIO VARIATION GENERATOR, ORIGINS OF THE RETRO VARIANT article, and new designer's notes. The soft cover book format in color looks sharp. Retro fans will be pleased with what the new edition provides!
"I already own Retro 5th ed.; will I benefit from getting the new 6th edition?"
Retro 5th ed. is not obsolete. If you are happy with it, there is no necessity to upgrade. HOWEVER, if you
liked that edition, you are bound to enjoy the extras included in the new edition. Why? Physically, Retro 6th is an expanded, professionally produced full color book which contains new scenarios, several new optional rules, and added designer's notes and articles. In short, Retro 6th ed. is the definitive edition of this popular variant.
If you've enjoyed Retro in its previous editions, we're confident you'll be delighted
with what the new 6th edition contains!
Retro 6th ed. is now available via Amazon, and direct ordering from Minden. PDF versions will be available here, and at Wargame Vault. The PDF option will be of particular interest to our overseas customers and those prefering that format.
Retro 6th ed. Contents
Introduction
I. Sequence of Play
II. Morale
III. Movement Allowances, Portage, and Stacking
IV. Machine Guns
V. Other Support Weapons
VI. Smoke and Sewers
VII. Miscellaneous Counters
VIII. Experience Level Ratings
IX. Heroes, Commissars, Japanese Leaders, and Berserk Squads
X. Vehicular Definitions and Movement
XI. Armor Combat
XII. Ordnance
XIII. Optional Rules
XIV. Scenario Generation
XV. House Rules
XVI. Additional (5th Ed.) Optional Rules
XVII. Additional (6th Ed.) Optional Rules
6th Edition Designer's Notes
Game Tables
Incremental Infantry Fire Table
Unit Values Tables
Vehicle Unit Costs
Scenarios (R-A to R-O)
Variant Game Markers
Minefield Record Table
Scenario Generation Generator
Origins of the Retro Variant article
Scenario Analysis
Minden Games Catalog
Index
Link to Solitaire Retro 1.1 rules (free) on Boardgame Geek.
Retro, 5th edition is a tactical, squad-level World War II combat variant rules set contained in a 56-page book, published in 2016. Its description is very similar to that of the 6th ed. write-up (to the left), and won't be repeated here. Suffice to say that this edition is currently still available on Amazon, for those collectors or gamers that would like to access it.
Retro 5th ed. covers the subject in exactly the same way as the 6th ed. without, of course, its new options.
Retro, 5th edition consists of a 56-page illustrated rule book, containing all standard, advanced, and optional rules, eleven scenarios, detailed index, and instructions for creating design-your-own scenarios. The standard rules from the 36-page 4th edition (2012) are unchanged, apart from some verbal smoothing and explication. The 5th edition adds more optional rules and scenarios. New rules cover FIRE (starting and spreading), MINEFIELDS, a new HESITATION OPTION, PARATROOP DROPS, NATIONAL TROOP CHARACTERISTICS, CAPTURED ENEMY SW, and new designer notes. Itis presented in soft cover, black & white format.
To repeat, Retro 5th ed. is not obsolete. It contains the current Retro game system, and there may be enthusiasts who wish to have the full "set" of past editions, hence, its continued availability at Amazon (at least for now). If you are new to the variant, we of course would recommend you buy the most current, new 6th ed. But the 5th ed. may still be used effectively and fully--you can play the full Retro system with this edition--just without the added new options and scenarios and articles contained in the 6th ed.
For those who bought this 5th ed. recently, right before the 6th ed.'s release, see below for a special offer from Minden.
Don't take our word for it... read the comments and reviews about
Recent purchaser of Retro, 5th ed?
See bottom right, below, for special offer.
Minden / Paypal links to be added soon.
If you bought Retro 5th ed. (book or PDF format) anytime in 2025 (up to July 1), send us a receipt/confirmation of your purchase, and we'll email you a complimentary PDF copy of Retro, 6th ed.
Release dates and various purchase platform coordination can be thwarted (and delayed) by last-minute issues and complications, and we decided not to announce Retro 6th ed.'s release until actually released... so if you recently bought the 5th ed., let us know, and we'll send you a copy of the new edition, so you'll have both.
Send your email request and purchase confirmation to us at: minden2 at hotmail dot com.
