*ahem*
Well, back to what I was saying (not that the mouse girl isn't adorable, mind), I think that Megamek kinda reinforces what I believe about Battletech's complication.
If you need a reasonably sophisticated computer program to keep track of all the different rules modifiers, then it's not a board game, it's a
computer game. With Megamek, Battletech is VERY possible... and without it, it's strained and difficult.
I like Megamek. But it was first playing Megamek that alerted me to the problems OF Battletech, and started me thinking why I switched to games GW games like Necromunda, Warhammer, Epic, and Bloodbowl back in 96-98 over Battletech.
And it was because I could play a reasonably fun game without having to refer back to rulebooks for an obscure rule, the basics were easy to grasp, and it had enough tactical variety to make me happy. Plus, the minis themselves were... well... more fun.
But Battletech was always my first, and favorite, boardgame and wargame.
and if you want cute, you should look at the guy who does Macross-tans: