Talk about a tale of two halves. While Electronic Arts’ CEO, Andrew Wilson, does a great job at tanking the company’s reputation among gamers, the controversial publisher has also decided brought a treasure trove of classic video games to Steam. This decision has made it easier than ever for gamers to relive their nostalgic favorites or discover these gems for the first time. Notably, this significant update includes over a dozen iconic titles, such as Populous, Dungeon Keeper, Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri, The Saboteur, and notably, a comprehensive collection called Command and Conquer: The Ultimate Collection.
The decision to migrate these classics to Steam comes after EA significantly reduced the prices of four Command and Conquer games on the platform for seemingly no reason.
The Ultimate Collection isn’t a newcomer to EA’s repertoire, having been assembled in 2012 and previously available through the EA App. However, its arrival on Steam is a big deal. As the most popular digital games distribution platform, the addition allows wider access to these beloved classics.
One minor catch in this otherwise exciting development is that the individual Command and Conquer titles are only available exclusively through the Ultimate Collection bundle. This means fans looking to purchase something specific such as Red Alert 3 or Tiberium Wars will need to purchase the entire collection. While this might seem like a drawback, the bundle’s sale price – currently half off, making it an irresistible $10 – makes it a no-brainer.
The collection includes nearly the entire Command and Conquer series, from its origins to Tiberian Twilight, minus C&C: Sole Survivor, which shut down its servers in the early 2010s.
Although the individual game pages remain accessible for now, the bundle’s presence on Steam simplifies the purchase process for fans. A notable perk for those who already own any titles in the collection is a discount on the bundle, reflecting only the cost of the games not yet in their library.
Beyond Command and Conquer, EA’s move to Steam brings several other classics into the spotlight. Titles like SimCity 3000 Unlimited and The Saboteur, previously available on GOG and the EA App but not Steam, are now accessible, complete with sale prices. Alpha Centauri, a highly acclaimed title, and Populous, showcasing Peter Molyneux’s creative peak, stand out among the new additions, offering something for every type of gamer.
Whether you’re a longtime fan eager to revisit a time when EA wasn’t the EA of today or you’re a newcomer curious to explore the roots of some of gaming’s most controversial publishers, Steam’s latest additions offer a rich and varied catalog that spans some of the most influential titles in gaming history.
