Command & Conquer: Red Alert

What if Einstein killed Hitler before the Second World War even began? From this crazy question grew one of the most beloved real-time strategies of all time, and what is more, one surprisingly playable on a console.

Command & Conquer: Red Alert from the legendary Westwood studio ranks among the pillars of the RTS genre. The story builds on an alternate history of the Cold War: when Einstein uses his time machine to remove Hitler, the resulting power vacuum is filled by the Soviet Union under Stalin's leadership and a red threat floods Europe. The player thus finds themselves in the middle of a conflict between the Allies and the USSR, with each side having its own campaign, units and strategy.

Controls were always tricky for real-time strategy on a console, because a mouse and keyboard offer a precision that a gamepad can hardly match. All the more remarkable, then, that the PlayStation port was handled surprisingly well and let console players too experience base building, resource harvesting and commanding armies of tanks, infantry and aircraft.

An inseparable part of the brand was the FMV scenes with live actors, which between missions told the story with wit and gusto. Charismatic officers, commanders and mysterious figures lent the campaign a cinematic atmosphere and a distinctive flavor that etched itself indelibly into the memory of fans. Together with the iconic music, it became an unmistakable experience.

Red Alert influenced the entire genre and grew into a rich series that kept a loyal audience for many years. Its combination of brisk gameplay, a wittily conceived alternate history and unforgettable presentation made it a classic that strategists are glad to revisit, as are those who simply want to savor a piece of gaming history.

Why play: A legend of the RTS genre in a surprisingly well-handled console port, with a witty alternate history of the Cold War and charismatic FMV scenes.