Populous
Nintendo DS · Strategy
Populous
| System | Nintendo DS |
|---|---|
| Genre | Strategy |
| Developer | Bullfrog Productions |
| Publisher | Electronic Arts |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Weekend project (Roughly 6–20 hours) |
| Series | Populous |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 5 |
Released for the Nintendo DS, Populous is a strategy game developed by Bullfrog Productions and published by Electronic Arts. This DS release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1989.
Among the 50 DS strategy games in our database, it ranks #22 by legacy score.
It is part of the Populous series; on the DS you can also try Populous DS. The series also appears on other systems with Populous: The Beginning (PS1) and Populous (Genesis). Bullfrog Productions also made Theme Park for the DS.
Populous supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to think and plan
- you have time for a weekend project (roughly 6–20 hours)
- you have a friend to play against
Maybe skip it if…
- you want quick action without planning ahead
What playing Populous is like
Strategy games reward planning over reflexes: command armies, manage resources and outthink opponents on turn-based or real-time battlefields.
Tip for newcomers: Read the manual or tutorial if one exists: retro strategy games often assume you know their rules. Save between missions.
Populous walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Populous.
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Populous: The Beginning Classic
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Advance Wars: Days of Ruin Classic
Age of Empires: Mythologies Classic
Age of Empires: The Age of Kings Classic
Playing DS games today
Many DS games rely on the touchscreen and stylus, so they play best on original hardware, a 3DS, or an emulator with mouse or touch input such as Rec0m88. The library is enormous, which makes a recommendation engine especially handy.
Populous FAQ
Who made Populous?
It was developed by Bullfrog Productions and published by Electronic Arts.
Is Populous multiplayer?
Yes. Populous supports up to 2 players.
How long does Populous take to play?
As a strategy game, Populous typically falls into the "Weekend project" category: roughly 6–20 hours. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Populous on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.