The Ultimate '90s City Builders Countdown

The genre of city builders has been a beloved choice among players for a long time, with Maxis being a prominent developer in this field. SimCity, which was released in 1989, marked the beginning of Maxis' dominance in the genre. They continued to captivate their audience with their niche titles like SimAnt, SimEarth, and SimIsle, as well as their long-standing SimCity franchise and The Sims life simulation series.

Despite Maxis' success, other developers also created urban simulators. The 90s witnessed a surge in ancient city management games, set in various time periods like medieval in The Settlers, Ancient Egypt in Pharaoh, and Ancient Rome in the Caesar series. These games offered players a diverse range of experiences, especially in the art of micromanaging a civilization. Although each game had its unique theme, they shared common elements. Nevertheless, a few games released in the 90s stood out from the rest.

6 The Settlers

In 1993, The Settlers transported gamers to the medieval era, where they had to construct a settlement from scratch. However, unlike other city-building games, the main objective was not to create a thriving town. Instead, the game revolved around the intricate management of a civilization's economic system, featuring a complex financial framework that was unprecedented in the city-building genre at that time.

Players were tasked with conquering the entire map by skillfully managing their settlement's economy, while also taking control of other territories and ensuring a steady supply of resources for their expanding population.

5 SimCity 2000

SimCity 2000, released after the success of its predecessor in 1989, set the foundation for what the franchise would ultimately become. The game showcased the potential for a city builder to be both fascinating and catastrophic. Its new additions, such as schools, libraries, hospitals, and prisons, increased the impact of disasters and economic failures. The intricate financial system, complete with individual tax rates for specific zones, only amplified the consequences. Additionally, SimCity 2000 stood out for its inclusion of real-life scenarios, including the Oakland firestorm of 1991 and the 1970s economic recession in Flint, Michigan.

4 Pharaoh

In Pharaoh, players are transported back to Ancient Egypt and tasked with building a civilization from scratch. Developed by Impression Games and utilizing the same engine as Caesar 3, Pharaoh offers a two-dimensional isometric perspective for players to manage their civilization. In addition to the typical city builder gameplay, Pharaoh's unique design incorporates hieroglyphics, limestone, and other matching aesthetics in its menus. Players can even build the iconic pyramids, and will eventually populate their city with various Ancient Egyptians, including royalty.

3 Afterlife

In Afterlife, players assume the role of Demiurge, responsible for managing both Heaven and Hell. The game's design and gameplay mechanics are reminiscent of SimCity 2000, with players tasked with providing necessary structures and services for angels and demons to carry out their duties. While Demiurge doesn't determine the rewards and punishments for souls, players can witness the impact of their decisions. Advisors in the form of angel Aria Goodhalo and demon Jasper Wormsworth offer guidance, and The Powers That Be, who reward players for their efforts, ultimately judge Demiurge's work.

2 Caesar 3

Caesar 3, released in 1992, combined all the beloved elements of its predecessors into one game. In this city-building simulation set in Ancient Rome, players must not only manage a growing population but also protect them from wrathful deities such as Mars, Mercury, Neptune, and Venus. Notably, Caesar 3 introduced new terrains, expanding the variety of resources that players can cultivate and extract. Additionally, the game features a supply chain management system, similar to later SimCity games, where neighboring settlements and cities must be utilized to meet the demands of citizens.

1 SimCity 3000

SimCity 3000 took the already successful concept of city building and urban management from its predecessor and added new features such as waste management and agricultural services. The game also introduced a new zoning density and provided deeper interaction with neighboring cities for shared amenities like water, electricity, and other vital services. Additionally, the inclusion of Jerry Martin's score, known for his work on The Sims soundtrack, added a new dimension to the game's aesthetics. The jazz and new age music complemented the game's boundless creativity and allowed players to marvel at the cities they built.