Super Nintendo · Strategy
Populous
| System | Super Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Released | 1990 (originally 1989) |
| Genre | Strategy |
| Developer | Bullfrog |
| Publisher | Electronic Arts |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Weekend project (Roughly 6–20 hours) |
| Series | Populous |
| ESRB | E10+ |
| Legacy | Well-known · legacy score 7 |
Released for the Super Nintendo in 1990, Populous is a strategy game developed by Bullfrog and published by Electronic Arts. This SNES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1989.
It belongs to the SNES's earliest wave of games. Other notable SNES releases from 1990 include Super Mario World, F-Zero and ActRaiser. Among the 52 SNES strategy games in our database, it ranks #5 by legacy score.
It is part of the Populous series; on the SNES you can also try Populous II: Trials of the Olympian Gods. The series also appears on other systems with Populous: The Beginning (PS1) and Populous (Genesis). Bullfrog also made Theme Park and Powermonger for the SNES.
Populous is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to think and plan
- you have time for a weekend project (roughly 6–20 hours)
Maybe skip it if…
- you want quick action without planning ahead
- you are looking for something to play with friends
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 cheats & codes
77 codes on file (Game Genie, Pro Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Allows You To Select Any World From The Conquer Screen With The B And X Buttons | DD30-64DD |
|---|---|
| Your Population Starts At 10 Instead Of 3 For Battles 0 Thru 4 | DC6C-6F09 |
| Your Population Starts At 20 For Battles 0 Thru 4 | F06C-6F09 |
| Your Population Starts At 30 For Battles 0 Thru 4 | F36C-6F09 |
| His Population Starts At 10 Instead Of 3 For Battles 0 Thru 4 | DC6C-6F69 |
| His Population Starts At 20 For Battles 0 Thru 4 | F06C-6F69 |
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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Playing SNES games today
The SNES library has aged exceptionally well, especially its RPGs, platformers and puzzle games. A large selection is available on Nintendo Switch Online, and if you own the cartridges you can play your backups in an emulator such as Rec0m88, including online with friends.
Populous FAQ
When did Populous come out on the SNES?
Populous was released for the Super Nintendo in 1990; the original game dates back to 1989.
Who made Populous?
It was developed by Bullfrog and published by Electronic Arts.
Is Populous multiplayer?
No. Populous is a single-player game.
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.