Gringo!: The Mexican War 1846-48

About this board game

Gringo!: The Mexican War 1846-48 is a post-Napoleonic wargame for 1-6 players, with games lasting about 180 minutes, depicting five battles of the Mexican War.

Across its scenarios, players encounter a wide range of battlefields and tactical problems. The engagements span mountain assaults, fortified cities, dangerous roads, entrenched positions, and intense street-fighting, highlighting differences between American Civil War-era and Napoleonic-era tactics.

• Buena Vista: Zachary Taylor’s decimated army makes a valiant stand against Santa Anna’s much larger force.
• Monterey: North American forces launch a three-pronged assault through a heavily fortified city filled with distinctive locations.
• Cerro Gordo: Scott meets Santa Anna on the dangerous mountain roads leading toward the heart of Mexico.
• El Molino del Rey: Santa Anna makes a final, well-entrenched stand outside Mexico City.
• Chapultepec: A compact battle involving wall-scaling, hidden mines, and the heights of the fortress guarding the roads into the capital.

The game uses a simpler version of GBACW v4.3, with reduced command rules suited to its smaller armies. It also includes extensive rules for street-fighting and the square formation, adding distinctive tactical challenges to the battles.

Colorful historical figures include General Zachary Taylor, the division leaders Twiggs and Pillow, General Pedro Ampudia, and Generalissimo Antonio de Santa Anna. The game includes two 22-by-34-inch maps, one back-printed, four counter sheets, rules, and charts. Each turn represents 60 minutes, each hex covers approximately 45-125 yards, and each strength point represents 50 men.

With its varied battlefields, reduced command system, and challenging scenarios, Gringo! offers a colorful and highly playable entry in the GBACW series. It was released in 2004 and was expanded by the Battle of Churubusco and Battles with the Gringos, Mexico 1846-62.