This page is for the original 1996 game. For the 2020 remastered version, see Command & Conquer Remastered Collection.
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
- Command & Conquer Wiki - A wiki for everything Command & Conquer-related
- CnCNet (multiplayer replacement)
- Red Alert section on CNC.community
- Red Alert section on C&C Communications Center
- Red Alert section on CNCNZ.com
- Red Alert Archive - old fansite with a lot of custom content
Availability
| Source |
DRM |
Notes |
Keys |
OS |
| Retail |
|
All discs, including the 2008 freeware ISO release, include both the DOS and Windows version. |
|
|
| Official website |
|
Version that has been released for free by EA. |
|
|
| Origin |
|
The Ultimate Collection, bundled with other games in the franchise up to Tiberian Twilight.
Included with EA Play. |
|
|
Monetization
| Type |
Notes |
| Expansion pack
| The expansion packs includes new campaigns, maps, and units. |
| Freeware
| Released for free by Electronic Arts in 2008. Expansion packs are de facto considered free by the community and distributed without issue. |
DLC and expansion packs
| Name |
Notes |
|
| Counterstrike |
Comes bundled with the The First Decade and Ultimate Collection compilations. |
|
| The Aftermath |
Comes bundled with the The First Decade and Ultimate Collection compilations. |
|
Unofficial downloads
- 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
- 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
1024x768 resolution using the
3.03p patch.
Patches
Official
- 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
External general settings (for the
fan patch).
Configuration file(s) location
-
redalert.ini contains normal game settings.
-
ddraw.ini contains CnC-DDraw settings (present after patch).
-
cncnet.ini contains CnCNet settings.
Save game data location
Video
External options menu (for the original release).
External video settings (for the
fan patch).
Input
External input settings (for the
fan patch).
Audio
| Audio feature |
State |
Notes |
| Separate volume controls |
|
|
| Surround sound |
|
|
| Subtitles |
|
|
| Closed captions |
|
|
| Mute on focus lost |
|
|
| Royalty free audio |
|
|
Localizations
- RA patch also adds support for Language add-ons.
Network
Multiplayer types
Connection types
Online play
- 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
- 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
- If you have problems with The First Decade or The Ultimate Collection, be sure to check this FAQ on EA forums.
General fixes
- 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 ddraw.ini and enable "singlecpu"[3]
|
Game is laggy after installing the patch
|
Change the renderer in ddraw.ini[4]
|
"Unable to set video mode" error
|
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
|
Go to CnCNet lobby and download the music in the settings[citation needed]
|
No videos after installing the patch
|
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
|
Download and install Fan Patch
|
|
From Launcher settings, set Renderer to either OpenGL or Direct3D 9.
|
Other information
API
| Technical specs |
Supported |
Notes |
| DirectDraw |
3 |
|
| DOS video modes |
MCGA, VGA |
|
| Executable |
32-bit |
64-bit |
Notes |
| Windows |
|
|
|
Middleware
|
Middleware |
Notes |
| Cutscenes |
VQA |
|
| Multiplayer |
Westwood Online |
|
Maps
- 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
- OpenRA - community developed recreation that tries to modernize the classic gameplay and UI.
System requirements
| 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
