Sid Meier's Colonization
Also known as Colonization
Sid Meier's Colonization is a 1994 turn-based strategy game developed by MicroProse. Built on ideas from Civilization, it casts the player as one of four European powers, England, France, Spain, or the Netherlands, settling the New World from 1492 onward, managing colonies, trade, and diplomacy with both rival nations and native peoples.
The game distinguished itself with a strong economic focus, emphasizing production chains that turned raw goods such as tobacco, cotton, and ore into finished commodities, the recruitment and training of specialist colonists, and profitable trade with Europe over pure military conquest. Its distinctive victory path required players to grow strong enough to declare independence and then win the ensuing war against their former ruler, giving the game a clear narrative arc unlike other strategy titles of its era.
A later remake rebuilt Colonization on a modern engine, and the original remains available through digital storefronts for players interested in its historical economic strategy.
Where can you play Sid Meier's Colonization today?
Device by device, which of the 5 alternatives below you can play on it.
- PC
- The Colonists (€ 22,99), FreeCol (Free), Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization (€ 9,99) and 2 more.
- Mac
- The Colonists (€ 22,99), FreeCol (Free) and Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization (€ 9,99). All 3 on Mac
- Linux
- The Colonists (€ 22,99) and FreeCol (Free).
- iPhone
- The Colonists (€ 22,99).
- iPad
- The Colonists (€ 22,99).
- Android phone
- The Colonists (€ 22,99).
- Android tablet
- The Colonists (€ 22,99).
- PlayStation
- The Colonists (€ 22,99).
- Xbox
- The Colonists (€ 22,99).
- Switch
- The Colonists (€ 22,99).
- Steam Deck
- The Colonists (€ 22,99), Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization (€ 9,99) and Anno 1800 (€ 59,99). All 3 on Steam Deck
Games like Sid Meier's Colonization
Modern alternatives to Sid Meier's Colonization, with the devices they run on and their price. Ordered editorially by how well each one stands in for the original, with community votes weighted in as they accumulate.
Prices, platform availability and Steam Deck compatibility can change at any time. Always check the store page before buying.
The Colonists Indie
€ 22,99A relaxed settlement and supply-chain builder about growing a colony from nothing.
The Colonists runs on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
FreeCol Indie
FreeA free open-source remake of the classic Colonization.
FreeCol runs on PC, Mac, Linux. Not available on iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Steam Deck.
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization
€ 9,99A standalone modern remake built on the Civilization IV engine.
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization runs on PC, Mac. Not available on Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
Anno 1800
€ 59,99Island colonisation, trade routes and escalating production chains on a grand scale.
Anno 1800 is also an alternative to 1 other classic
Anno 1800 runs on PC. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch. It is Steam Deck Playable.
Sid Meier's Colonization
€ 5,99The original colony-building strategy game for modern PCs.
Sid Meier's Colonization runs on PC. Not available on Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Steam Deck.
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