Name:	Nobunaga's Ambition trilogy (3 titles) Nobunaga Haouden (aka Nobunaga's Ambition) Nobunaga Zenkokuban (aka Lords of Darkness) Nobunaga Tensyoki (aka Rising of the Sun)
Author/Vendor:	Koei
Released:	various
Type:	Strategy
Language:	English and Japanese
Premise:	This is Koei's highly regarded historical strategy series based upon the life and exploits of Oda Nobunaga, the heartless Japanese warlord who is grudgingly given credit for unifying the nation under the Emperor's rule during the latter part of the 16th century AD. Nobunaga's efforts were eventually solidified into the Japan we know today by one of his chief lieutenants - Tokugawa Ieyasu, first of the Tokugawa shoguns.
Impressions:	One of the most ambitious historical sims yet conceived and second only to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms series in terms of worldwide popularity. Pretty standard stuff as historical sims go, but well done and gives you a chance to experience some of the history behind one of the oldest continuous monarchies in the world. Highly recommended.
Variations:	Nobunaga Haouden (1988, English and Japanese versions available, English version titled Nobunaga's Ambition - first in the series, deals with the rise of Oda Nobunaga as a formidable warrior) Nobunaga Zenkokuban (1989, English and Japanese versions available, English version subtitled Lords of Darkness and sometimes referred to as Shogun or Billy Shogun - starts in 1535 after the burning of the Imperial Palace and covers Nobunaga's early military campaigns) Nobunaga Tensyoki (1990, Japanese only, alternate English title is Rising of the Sun - deals with Nobunaga's later military campaigns in the years leading up to his assasination and the rise of his two chief lieutenants - the brillant Hideyoshi and the crafty Tokugawa) I have seen a listing for another Koei title - Nobunaga no Yabou Busho Fuun Roku, but I'm not sure if it's one of the above or a unique listing; hence, I have not counted it among the unique titles.
Recommended Emu:	Genecyst X (suffers from occasional dropping of texts and graphics now and again, seemingly less so than does KGen 98)