EA classic games on Steam: Road Rash and Wing Commander

EA classic games are now on Steam. The company has brought 25 titles from its library. The list includes every Ultima RPG, the Wing Commander series and Road Rash in its first digital release.

The new versions are updated for modern PCs. The Steam pages currently show a half-price discount.

EA classic games on Steam: list and prices

According to IGN, the EA classic games package has 25 titles. Seven of them are Anniversary Editions. Six come from the Wing Commander family and one is Road Rash. The other 18 games arrive as standard re-releases.

The package also covers both Crusader games, Strike Commander and Theme Hospital. IGN mentions GOG alongside Steam.

We checked the Steam pages. The Road Rash Anniversary Edition showed $4.99 instead of $9.99. Ultima VII showed $2.49 instead of $4.99. Both pages listed a 50% discount. The pages did not say when the discount ends.

What do the Anniversary Editions change?

EA says the refreshed versions support modern systems and controls. Performance improves. The games become more approachable, but they keep their authenticity.

The community played a big role in the Wing Commander releases. EA says it worked with fans to bring their mods into the official versions. That is why anyone who already owns a digital copy on GOG or the EA App gets the Anniversary Edition for free.

The cutscenes were restored too. EA describes discovering a physical media vault. It held thousands of Betacam, VHS and D1 tapes. During digitization, the team recovered master FMV sequences that were thought lost for seven titles. EA re-edited them. More than 1,500 cinematic scenes were restored.

What is in Road Rash?

Road Rash may be the most talked-about game in the package. Its Steam page calls it the first ever digital version of the game. The release has a fully relicensed soundtrack. Cinematics run in higher resolution. Gameplay runs at up to 60 FPS.

The game mixed motorcycle racing with brawling and defined the combat racing genre in the 1990s. The Steam page leans on that claim.

Who are Ultima and Wing Commander for?

Ultima is the series created by RPG designer Richard Garriott. IGN says every RPG in the series is in the package. On Steam, Ultima VII is listed as the Complete Edition. It includes both The Black Gate and Serpent Isle.

Wing Commander defined the space combat genre in 1990. The 35th Anniversary Edition was restored with the community's help. The series is also remembered for its many FMV scenes starring Mark Hamill.

These games are old by today's standards. Still, the low prices and the modern-system updates make them an easy way in for the curious.

Are they worth buying?

If you like old PC games, price is hardly a barrier. $4.99 for an Anniversary Edition or $2.49 for a standard game may be all it takes. When the discount ends, prices should return to the $9.99 and $4.99 that IGN lists. Check the Steam price in your own region before buying.

For more Steam news, see our Phantom Blade Zero Steam peak story and the Helldivers 2 Steam backlash story.

Frequently asked questions

How much are EA's classic games on Steam?

According to IGN, the 18 standard re-releases cost $4.99 and the seven Anniversary Editions cost $9.99. The Steam pages showed a 50% discount when this story was prepared. The pages did not state when the discount ends.

I already own Wing Commander on GOG or the EA App. Do I pay again?

No. EA says anyone who already owns a digital copy of the Wing Commander titles on GOG or the EA App gets the Anniversary Edition upgrade for free.

Which platforms are these on?

The Steam pages list Windows as the supported platform. IGN also mentions GOG releases.

Sources

• IGN: EA brings every Ultima and Wing Commander game to Steam and GOG
• Steam: Road Rash 30th Anniversary Edition
• Steam: Ultima VII The Complete Edition
• Steam: Wing Commander 35th Anniversary Edition