This page is for the original 1996 game. For the 2020 remastered version, see Command & Conquer Remastered Collection.
Warnings
Key points
- Released for free following the release of Red Alert 3.
- 3.03p fan patch is highly recommended to install.
- If you want a modernized C&C experience, check out OpenRA.
- Language support can be further extended with language add-ons.
- CD/ISO installer is 16-bit and doesn't run under modern operating systems, see Availability for solution.
General information
- C&C Communications Center forums
- CNCNZ forums
- CnCNet
Availability[edit]
| Source |
DRM |
Notes |
Keys |
OS |
| Retail |
|
Also available as part of The First Decade. |
|
|
| Origin |
|
The Ultimate Collection, bundled with other games in the franchise up to Tiberian Twilight.
Included with EA Play. |
|
|
DLC and expansion packs
| Name |
Notes |
|
| Command & Conquer: Red Alert: Counterstrike |
Comes bundled with the The First Decade and Ultimate Collection compilations. |
|
| Command & Conquer: Red Alert: The Aftermath |
Comes bundled with the The First Decade and Ultimate Collection compilations. |
|
Unofficial downloads[edit]
- OpenRA is a modernized open-source version of with mature support for "Red Alert".
- PortableRA is available in installable or portable (stripped, multiplayer-only) form with add-ons. Extra contents included (PSX-exclusive cutscenes for the expansions and music).
- RA1 Installer is a special installer that can either download the game, install it from old CDs/ISOs or patch an existing installation. Extra contents included.
- RedAlert1.com is a bare-bones version optimized for multiplayer (small size, portable). Missions, music and cutscenes are omitted. The music and map editor are downloadable inside the CnCNet settings. The site offers a Mac-compatible version too.
- Mac OSX Wineskin package - Mac-compatible web installer that works outside the box. Includes single-player campaign and extra contents for the single-player.
Installing CDs/ISOs on modern Windows systems[edit]
- Like many 32-bit games released during the mid-'90s, the game's installer is 16-bit. This and some other issues prevents the game from being installed (using the ISOs released by EA or the game CDs) on modern operating systems and PCs.
- The RA1 Installer (see above) includes an option to install games from original CDs/ISOs and patch the installation afterwards. More information available at CnC-Comm forums.
Essential improvements[edit]
1024x768 resolution using the
3.03p patch.
Patches[edit]
Official[edit]
- Official patches are available.
- Patch is included in the installation via RA1 Installer (see above).
- Not needed for fan-made packages, it is already present there.
- This patch contains:
- Latest official 3.03 patch and community fixes (over 130).
- New optional mods (no changes to default graphics or gameplay by default)
- Support for newer Windows systems (including 64-bit)
- Online (via CnCNet) and LAN playability up to 8 players
- Support for higher resolutions
- No-CD option
- Missions from Counterstrike and Aftermath expansions (plus PSX videos for these missions and soundtrack)
- Complete feature list.
- In the compatibility tab all compatibility options should be turned off.[1]
- Support for regular Red Alert installation, The First Decade and The Ultimate Collection.
Game data[edit]
External general settings (for the
fan patch).
Configuration file(s) location[edit]
-
redalert.ini contains normal game settings.
-
ddraw.ini contains CnC-DDraw settings (present after patch).
-
cncnet.ini contains CnCNet settings.
Save game data location[edit]
External options menu (for the original release).
External video settings (for the
fan patch).
External input settings (for the
fan patch).
| Audio feature |
State |
Notes |
| Separate volume controls |
|
|
| Surround sound |
|
|
| Subtitles |
|
|
| Closed captions |
|
|
| Mute on focus lost |
|
|
Localizations
- RA patch also adds support for Language add-ons.
Network[edit]
Multiplayer types
Connection types
Online play[edit]
- Official forums
- An unofficial community-run online service for older C&C games.
- Uses an external client to launch its own improved lobby that supports private games, pre-determined alliances and spawn locations, its own online map folder, map preview, spectator mode, kick/ban and better chat capabilities (ignore, whisper, Mumble voice chat).
- Predominantly used by Red Alert players.
- Supports playing over LAN.
- Already included in the 3.03p patch.
- Additional lobby sound add-ons
- Official forums
- A semi-official, community-run replacement for Westwood Online (WOL), Westwood's online service.
- In-game 'Internet' menu redirects to this service.
- XWIS service is not used by online Red Alert community.
Issues unresolved[edit]
- This list assumes you're using the patch. If you experience a new game issue, please make a support thread on the CnC-Comm forums.
- Flickering mouse under cnc-ddraw
- Left-handed mouse setups have problems with selecting multiple units.[2]
Issues fixed[edit]
- If you have problems with The First Decade or The Ultimate Collection, be sure to check this FAQ on EA forums.
General fixes[edit]
- If you have not found a fix, be sure to also check:
|
Check these if you haven't[citation needed]
|
- If you have installed the patches properly.
- If everything in the compatibility tab is unchecked.
- If you have enabled "Back buffer in Video memory" and disabled "Allow hardware filled blits".
- If you may be able to initiate the game/lobby with administrator privileges.
- If you may be able to run it using a different renderer or enabling/disabling "singlecpu" in ddraw.ini
- If you changed from CnC-Ddraw to DDwrapper in Video Options.
|
Crash after overheating[edit]
|
Edit ddraw.ini and enable "singlecpu"[3]
|
Game is laggy after installing the patch[edit]
|
Change the renderer in ddraw.ini[4]
|
"Unable to set video mode" error[edit]
|
Change the resolution[citation needed]
|
- There are 3 ways how to fix this error:
- Change the resolution.
- Change CnC-Ddraw to DDWrapper.
- Enable windowed mode.
- If you really want to play fullscreen, you might want to check how to enable Borderless fullscreen windowed mode.
|
No music in the portable version[edit]
|
Go to CnCNet lobby and download the music in the settings[citation needed]
|
No videos after installing the patch[edit]
|
Download the videos[citation needed]
|
|
If you happen to have the game on CD, that means No-CD option is turned on. Either turn off the option in the configuration tool or download the videos.
|
Cannot Alt+Tab[edit]
|
Download and install Fan Patch
|
|
From Launcher settings, set Renderer to either OpenGL or Direct3D 9.
|
Other information[edit]
| Technical specs |
Supported |
Notes |
| DirectDraw |
3 |
|
| DOS video modes |
MCGA, VGA |
|
| Executable |
32-bit |
64-bit |
Notes |
| Windows |
|
|
|
Middleware[edit]
|
Middleware |
Notes |
| Cutscenes |
VQA |
|
| Multiplayer |
Westwood Online |
|
- C&C has support for external maps, both multiplayer and singleplayer.
- CnCNet includes its own online map folder.
- Map editors can be downloaded inside CnCNet's game options.
- Cnc-Comm.com - Mapping discussion
Re-implementations[edit]
- OpenRA - community developed recreation that tries to modernize the classic gameplay and UI.
System requirements[edit]
| DOS |
|
Minimum |
Recommended |
| Operating system (OS) |
5.0 |
6.2 |
| Processor (CPU) |
Intel 486 66 MHz
| Intel Pentium 75 MHz |
| System memory (RAM) |
8 MB |
16 MB |
| Hard disk drive (HDD) |
40 MB | |
| Video card (GPU) |
VGA or MCGA (256 colour) video card | |
| Windows |
|
Minimum |
Recommended |
| Operating system (OS) |
3.1, 95 |
98 |
| Processor (CPU) |
Intel Pentium 75 MHz
| Intel Pentium 120 MHz |
| System memory (RAM) |
8 MB |
16 MB |
| Hard disk drive (HDD) |
40 MB |
500 MB |
| Video card (GPU) |
PCI video card
1 MB of VRAM
DirectX 3 compatible | |
- ISA video cards are not supported
Notes
References
