All The Counter Strike Games In Order [Including Spin-offs]

Counter-Strike is a series of multiplayer tactical first-person shooter video games developed by Valve Corporation. The series has become one of the most-played and influential first-person shooter video games in the world. From the original release to the latest installment, Counter-Strike games have captivated players with their intense PvP (player versus player) action, strategic gameplay, and team-based objectives. Currently, there are 9 Counter-Strike games in total, so let's delve into the details of each game in the Counter-Strike series.

Counter-Strike Mod/1.6 (1999)

The first game in the series, Counter-Strike (CS1.6), began as a modification for the original Half-Life. Minh "Gooseman" Le and Jess "Cliffe" Cliffe designed the mod before the rights to Counter-Strike were acquired by Valve, the developers of Half-Life. Released in 2000, this multiplayer first-person shooter set the standard for the genre. Classic CS content, such as team deathmatch and bomb defusal, was introduced, along with iconic weapons and grenades.

Counter-Strike: Condition Zero/Deleted Scenes (2004)

Developed by Turtle Rock Studios and Ritual Entertainment, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero (CSCZ) was released in 2004. It delivered updated versions of the classic CS content and introduced single-player missions. A version known as Deleted Scenes offered a more story-driven experience. The game received mixed PC reviews in contrast to its predecessor.

Counter-Strike: Source (2004)

Counter-Strike: Source (CSS), released in 2004, was a complete remake of the original game using Valve's Source engine. Like Counter-Strike, it featured updated versions of the classic CS content. The game looked significantly improved with new Source lighting and physically based rendering. Classic maps were rebuilt from the ground up, with improvements to lighting and design.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (2012)

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) was launched in 2012 by Valve Corporation and Hidden Path Entertainment. Initially available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Windows, OS X, and Linux, CS:GO featured new ranks, cases, maps, characters, and weapons. It also delivered updated versions of the classic CS content, such as smoke grenades and other tactical equipment. With matchmaking and competitive play, CS:GO became the most popular game in the Counter-Strike series before being replaced by Counter-Strike 2 in 2023. The game spawned numerous community servers, including surf servers, AWP servers, and zombie escape servers.

Counter-Strike 2 (2023)

Released in September 2023, Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) represents the next era of the series. Utilizing the Source 2 game engine, it features enhanced graphics, improved netcode with sub-tick updates, dynamic smoke grenades, and revamped maps. The game completely replaced CS:GO, with all player inventories and stats carried over. For those looking to improve their gameplay, check out our CS2 practice config guide or explore the various CS2 commands available. If you're wondering about hardware requirements, see our CS2 system requirements guide.

Spin-off Games

Counter-Strike's success has led to various spin-offs, each offering unique experiences tailored to different markets and audiences.

Counter-Strike Neo (2005)

Counter-Strike Neo is a Japanese arcade adaptation of Counter-Strike, published by Namco in 2005. It runs on a Linux system and features anime-designed characters in a futuristic version of Counter-Strike. A selection of single-player missions, mini-games, and seasonal events were added to prolong the game's interest with players.

Counter-Strike Online Series (2008/2013)

Counter-Strike Online: A free-to-play spin-off available in much of eastern Asia, developed by Nexon with oversight from Valve. It uses a micropayment model managed by a custom version of the Steam back-end.
Counter-Strike Online 2: Announced in 2012 and aimed at the Asian gaming market, this sequel was developed by Nexon on the Source game engine and released in 2013.

Counter-Strike Nexon: Studio (2014)

Originally named Counter-Strike Nexon: Zombies, this free-to-play, zombie-themed spin-off was developed on the GoldSrc game engine. Released in 2014, it features 50 maps and 20 game modes, including both player versus player modes such as team deathmatch, hostage rescue, bomb defusal, and player versus environment modes like cooperative campaign missions and base defending. The game was generally criticized for its poor user interface, microtransactions, and dated graphics. On October 30, 2019, it was renamed to Counter-Strike Nexon: Studio.

Conclusion

From the rights reserved by Valve Software to the 40 million units sold, the Counter-Strike series has left an indelible mark on the gaming industry. Whether it's the tactical first-person gameplay of the original release or the innovative features of Counter-Strike 2, the series continues to evolve. With a legacy that includes games like Team Fortress 2 and collaborations with developers such as Turtle Rock Studios and Ritual Entertainment, Counter-Strike stands as a testament to Valve's commitment to quality and innovation. As the series continues with Counter-Strike 2, fans can look forward to many more years of thrilling multiplayer action, strategic gameplay, and iconic Counter-Strike experiences. For those interested in hosting their own servers, check out our CS2 server hosting guide.