Desert Rats

Released in 1986, Desert Rats is a strategy game that puts you in charge of the North African campaign of World War II. Don’t let the cute title fool you—there are no actual rodents wearing goggles, just tanks, supply lines, and lots of sand. The graphics are minimalist (your imagination will be doing most of the heavy lifting), but the challenge is solid: you’ll balance resources, maneuver units, and pray that Rommel doesn’t steamroll your poorly positioned forces. It’s the kind of game where patience is rewarded, and recklessness leads to watching your troops vanish faster than water in the Sahara.