The PlayStation console was released in 1994 and has seen several different gaming genres come and go, but one genre has always remained a favorite — real-time strategy games.
If you’re looking for an RTS game for your old PlayStation, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best RTS games for the original Playstation.
Let’s dive in!
What is a Real-Time Strategy Game?
Real-time strategy is a genre of video games where the player has an opportunity to manage resources as well as build and control an army. Players are given a top-down view of the battlefield and must use it to move units around to accomplish objectives. In real-time strategy games, players are given the ability to control a large number of units simultaneously.
Real-time strategy games were created in the mid-1990s and became popular with the success of Command & Conquer, which was released in 1995.
A Brief History of the PlayStation 1
The PlayStation is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. The console was released on December 3rd, 1994 in Japan, September 9th, 1995 in North America, and September 29th, 1995 in Europe.
The PlayStation was the first real competitor to Nintendo’s 16-bit Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It also faced competition from Sega’s Saturn and Microsoft’s 2nd-generation Xbox. However, its popularity with developers who used it to showcase their games, such as Final Fantasy, remained popular among consumers.
The PlayStation is the first PlayStation series of consoles from Sony. As of 2021, the PlayStation remains one of the best-selling video game consoles, selling over 102 million units.
7 Best PlayStation Real-Time Strategy Games of All Time
There are plenty of great RTS titles today, but here are some of the best you can find on the PlayStation. This list is based on actual user ratings from Metacritic.
#7 emWarzone 2100/em
emWarzone 2100/em is a real-time strategy game for the PlayStation.
It was developed by Pumpkin Studios and published by Eidos Interactive in 1999. emWarzone 2100/em was a game ahead of its time when it was released in 1998.
emWarzone 2100/em is set in the year 2100 when the world has been devastated by nuclear war. This real-time strategy game has you leading an army in a post-apocalyptic world where resources are scarce, and humanity is fighting for survival. You’ll have to manage your resources carefully and build up your base and defenses to keep enemies at bay.
It’s one of those games that never gets old, thanks to its open-ended gameplay, which lets you play however you want and enjoy yourself no matter what strategy you prefer. It’s also quite challenging, so it will keep players returning for more over time.
Join the battle on Amazon here.
| Publisher | Eidos Interactive |
| Developer | Pumpkin Studios |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | Strategy, General |
| Release Date | April 10, 1999 |
#6 Syndicate Wars
Syndicate Wars is a real-time strategy game developed by Bullfrog Productions and released by Electronic Arts in 1996.
The story follows an organization called EuroCorp, tasked with protecting Earth from alien threats. The player must defend Earth from a race known as the Syndicate, which has invaded Earth and planned to harvest the planet for its resources.
Syndicate Wars features a unique system of building up your base with different structures, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. You can also control many vehicles, such as tanks, helicopters, and hovercrafts, to move around the battlefield more quickly.
| Publisher | Electronic Arts |
| Developer | Bullfrog Productions |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | Strategy, Real-Time, Sci-Fi |
| Release Date | October 31, 1996 |
#5 emLEGO Rock Raiders/em
emLEGO Rock Raiders/em is a real-time strategy game for the PlayStation.
You can command a team of LEGO miners who must collect raw materials and bring them back to the surface. You can also explore underground caverns and combat various enemies, including aliens, robots, and dinosaurs.
The game also features several modes, including story mode, where players must complete missions based on multiple themes, such as exploring caves or building structures with blocks found along their journey.
emLEGO Rock Raiders/em was developed by Data Design Interactive and published by LEGO Media in 1999. The game generally received positive reviews, with critics noting its addictive gameplay, appealing graphics, and significant sound effects for its time.
Pick up your copy of emLEGO Rock Raiders/em on Amazon here.
| Publisher | Lego Media |
| Developer | Data Design Interactive |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | Strategy, Real-Time, General |
| Release Date | November 30, 1999 |
#4 emDune 2000/em
- 1 or 2 Players
- 3D Real-time Warfare
- Analog Control, Mouse, Link Cable Compatible
- Play 3 Sides Across 30 Missions
- Cinematic Quality. Full Motion Video
emDune 2000/em is the second game in the Dune series of real-time strategy games.
It was developed by Westwood Studios, who had previously worked on the first Dune game and would go on to make Command & Conquer.
emDune 2000/em featured gameplay similar to its predecessor but with several changes that made it more like Command & Conquer than Dune 2.
The game includes two campaigns: one from House Atreides and another from House Harkonnen. Each campaign has 15 missions, each task on a different map.
Play it for yourself on PlayStation from Amazon here.
| Publisher | Westwood Studios |
| Developer | Westwood Studios |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | Strategy, Real-Time, Sci-Fi |
| Release Date | August 31, 1998 |
#3 emWarcraft II: The Dark Saga/em
- Command your forces in the struggle for the domination of Azeroth. Battle over land, sea and air. 52 missions: Includes Tides of Darkness and the Dark Portal expansion pack. Over 90 custom maps. Tough...
emWarcraft II: The Dark Saga/em revolutionized the real-time strategy genre.
It was the first RTS game to allow players to select multiple units and control them simultaneously. The game was released in 1995, but it would become one of the most popular video games ever.
The game followed a similar format but with many improvements over the predecessor. For example, it featured four races (Humans, Orcs, Night Elves, and Undead). There were also many new units, buildings, and spells for each race.
While emWarcraft II/em was a great game in its own right, it wasn’t until 1998 that Blizzard released the emThe Dark Saga/em. With this version, players could play through an entirely new campaign.
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| Publisher | Blizzard Entertainment |
| Developer | Blizzard Entertainment |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | Strategy, Real-Time, Fantasy |
| Release Date | April 30, 1996 |
#2 emCommand & Conquer: Red Alert/em
- Renewed and refurbished
- Excellent condition
- Battery capacity exceeds 80%
- Accessories may not be original but will be compatible and fully functional
- Available for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if it does not work as expected
emCommand & Conquer: Red Alert/em is one of the series’ most beloved real-time strategy games. It’s also one of the best entries in the franchise, featuring a great mix of gameplay elements from previous titles.
The gameplay is similar to other C&C games but with several twists that make it unique compared to other RTS titles. The player controls an army and builds structures to produce units that attack enemy forces.
Play it for yourself from Amazon here.
| Publisher | Westwood Studios, Virgin Interactive |
| Developer | Westwood Studios |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | Strategy, Real-Time, Sci-Fi |
| Release Date | November 22, 1996 |
#1 Command & Conquer
Command & Conquer has claimed the spot of best RTS PlayStation game of all time.
It’s a classic and easily one of the most influential games in the genre. The original Command & Conquer was a revolutionary game for its time. It combined real-time strategy with base building and resource collecting, which had never been done before.
Command & Conquer was developed by Westwood Studios, published by Virgin Interactive, and later taken over by Electronic Arts. The first game was released in 1995, and the main series has since been rebooted twice.
The game features various units that can be upgraded with new abilities throughout the campaign. Players can access tanks, aircraft, submarines, and more as they fight through various missions across Europe and Russia. The original is still worth playing today if you want to experience where it all began.
| Publisher | Virgin Interactive |
| Developer | Westwood Studios |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Genre | Strategy, Real-Time, Wargame |
| Release Date | September 26, 1995 |
Final Thoughts
Real-time strategy games are some of the best games to play. And, the PlayStation has been home to some fantastic real-time strategy games over the years. It’s time to take a look back at some of our favorites, and if you’re looking for old PS1 games, this list is for you.
