Eurogames are what this site is mostly about. They are best defined as light to med weight family games that focus on the game mechanics and have a lightly applied theme.

For example games like:
Puerto Rico
El Grande
The Princes of Florence
Ra
Carcassonne

The term Ameritrash is rather new, and is really a reaction to the eurogame fams attitude to older American style games than a real game category. American style board games usually are old games that were developed pre 1990's that focus more on theme and less on the game mechanics. They tend to be longer and more involved than the average eurogame.

examples are:
Rail Baron
Axis & Allies
Dune
Twilight Imperium 3rd Edition


in addition to this you could also say there is a under represented selection conflict simulation games as well.
these are the classic and newer generation "war" games. Hex and counter games, card driven strategy games etc.

Advanced Tobruk
Advanced Squad Leader - Starter Kit #1
For the People
Wilderness War
And even some monsters like:
World in Flames

There are lots og games to choose from and every group has its good and bad. Your selection depends on what it is you want to do, how much time you have to devote tot he game, and who you have to play games with.


-M

For the record, the "Trash" part of ameritrash is not meant to be bad. At least not to Ameritrash badge holders and fans. It reflects the fact that most users here find these games not to their liking, however ameritrash fans love them.

-M

Gamer: Hey, my friends and I have been playing your game a lot lately. It's total ameritrash!
Designer: Uhh... what?
Gamer: No no, that means we like it! See, on BoardGameGeek, "trash" means "good."
Designer: Does it.
Gamer: Yeah! Well... OK, to some of us. Everyone else still uses it to mean, you know, "trash," but I'm saying your game is trash in a good way.

OK - to sort of get the list back on track some...

Our friend here is looking for help in trying to identify what games he may like - not starting a debate per se...

I think pointing out games that are available and fit the "types" may be the best thing we can do.

So here is my suggestion if trying to go back into the recesses of your brain is a little difficult right now...

Get one game of each. The expense won't be that much...

My Ameritrash err... Amerigame suggestions: Nexus Ops or Betrayal at the House on the Hill (since they seemed to be discounted right now as Avalon Hill discontinues this line)

My Eurogame suggestions: Carcassonne or Settlers of Catan

All of these are easily accessible games and will give you a lot replayability. The Euros here have expansions that allow you to grow the games into more complex games as well.

For a game that is in between the two (which would also be a good cross-over type experiment for yourself) - I suggest Pirate's Cove.

After this, you may find one variety or the other suits you more. Although I will admit it is really hard to judge an entire variety with one or two games. But at least you can see some fundamental differences.

BTW, I own all of these games, so that is why I confidently recommend them...

Cheers!
Paul

Yeah, Sarcasm is such a high concept. I have a hard time with it myself.

-M