Z
DOS - 1996
Also released on: SEGA Saturn
Description of Z
A Command & Conquer clone that was much less successful than it deserved, Z is as notable for being the only real-time strategy game from action game masters at Bitmap Brothers as being a very innovative title-- and very funny to boot.
Z was advertised as "the first game in the combat strategy genre to feature an advanced artificial intelligence system that reacts to the player's moves in real-time, not to a pre-set mission strategy". This means that the computer supposedly actually responds to the player's moves and changes its strategy accordingly. In reality, unfortunately, the game's AI is not that advanced, and often even makes silly mistakes. The game also contains some bugs, although none of which is game-stopping.
What sets Z apart from other C&C clones, though, is the great sense of humor that adds a lot of personality to the game. Featuring an army of crude cyborg soldiers, led by the order-barking Commander Zod, Z puts players on the front lines of a futuristic battle with an army of undisciplined, beer drinking robots with attitudes. You will dodge earth-shattering explosions, complete with shrapnel and flying debris, and forge through 20 levels of gameplay on five deadly planets while capturing the arms, factories and radar installations of your enemies.
Z includes a good number of multiplayer options, including serial or modem link, or with up to four players using the network-play feature. The single-player campaign is excellent, and features a lot of hilarious cutscenes and voices (unfortunately missing from this CD-rip version). Although the robots do not have distinct personalities as the mercenaries in Jagged Alliance do, they nevertheless are well-caricatured and always funny to watch in action.
Overall, if you enjoy Cannon Fodder 2 or want a not-so-serious version of Command & Conquer, Z is a must-have. The game may not be the best real-time strategy game on the market, or the most challenging in terms of AI, but it's got more than enough personality and charm to keep you entertained. Recommended!
Review By HOTUD
External links
Captures and Snapshots
Comments and reviews
fondy 2023-12-10 0 point DOS version
The full game completion in videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkyv3bF90M-HySaCimBAnAPcEANHBfn8h
Krank 2022-10-12 1 point
Working and updated version here: https://sourceforge.net/projects/zedonline/
Thomasz Bob Bronson McDuff 2022-08-24 1 point
To play this (and many other DOS roms), download retroarch and install the "DOSBOX Pure" core. All you need to do is point the emulator to the directory with the executable file in and it will run anything you throw at it. No need to type any annoying launch sequences or anything, just fire it up and Roberts your fathers brother
Thomasz Bob Bronson McDuff 2022-08-24 -2 points
I've found out how to get this working. Head on over to WOWroms and download their version. Thats it
spassten 2022-05-24 -1 point
i dont understand " MOUNT C: INTO THE GAME FOLDER " ?????????????? wtf
MJ 2021-11-01 -2 points
Does any one was able to run on windows 10, Z: Steel Soldiers - I do not mean that new supposedly remastered version, but the actual vanilla version of the game? I got the original one on CD and I am not able to run this one on my PC.
Kalcos 2020-11-21 1 point
I got the game to work. If you run via DOSBox and mount c: directly to the game folder, you get an error when running z.bat. But if you mount to another folder, it works.
For example, if the game folder is "D:\Games\Z", mounting c: directly to the Z folder won't work, but mount it to Games, then type "cd Z" and then Z and it works fine.
Enjoy :)
manewer 2020-08-06 0 point
I am trying to run this game AGAIN since last run when 90's, so just to refresh those memory of wonderful LIFE. Really hanks for making it online!
Babi Metaro 2020-05-07 4 points
Z TO WORK ON MY PC 2020
downloaded .zip file
then modified the z.bat file using 'Notepad'
Ctrl C and Ctrl V:
@Echo Please Wait - Loading ......
@ZED.EXE C:/CD% %1 %2 %3 %4 %5
Enjoy - USE DOSBOX
zGamer 2020-01-12 1 point
Hey guys
Is level 20 the last one? I see there in the folder levels up to 40.
undertm 2019-11-05 4 points
Thanks for all the help guys, got it running after making the options.cfg read only after a fresh install. using dosbox 0.74-3. Using Mac Os how do i find the "configuration file" so i can set the screen size, cpu speed etc. I know how to do it on a windows machine, but can't find it in the Mac Os.
sloth 2018-11-06 2 points
To solve "Critical file missing: d:\z\E_logo,jv" issue, make sure you set the OPTIONS.CFG file to read only RIGHT AFTER extraction.
OPTIONS.CFG included in this archive is already set to skip all cutscenes, ie all *.jv files. Set it to read only to prevent this setting from being changed.
JackNorris 2018-07-31 0 point
Edit the z.bat with this line:
@ZED.EXE C: /CD %1 %2 %3 %4 %5
You have to setup the sound if you do not want to play in mute.
Works for me.
P-Jay 2017-06-12 -1 point
If you try the game with DOSBox and it say's to use the Z.bat just type Z and the game will start without using the Z.bat ;-)
Yorbihtter 2017-05-08 10 points
Uhm... Guys... I have a problem here. I've done as all of you said, but, I have a problem with "E_logo.jv" file.
"Critical file missing: d:\z\E_logo,jv
Please Ensure CD is in drive, and door is closed"
What do I need to do?
Notquite 2017-04-23 2 points
If you encounter the "level01map file missing" error, it means that you installed Z in the wrong directory.
It has to be in C:\Z
If it is in any other directory or mounted as drive D or E it won't work.
If you want to mount it do drive D (that is, in the D:\Z directory) you have to change the z.bat file to read:
@ZED.EXE/CD:D %1 %2 %3 %4 %5
As you can see, the "CD:C" part in the original file tells zed.exe to check drive c for the files. It will always look in the \Z\ directory of that drive letter
Hope that helps.
crusherrr 2016-05-04 1 point
if you get the error that it can't load the mission file. just copy the contents of the mission folder into the main folder. that way the bat file can access them.
UZY 2016-04-18 -6 points
how do you play after downloading and extracting the game because non of the applications work
Martin Rayner 2016-04-18 -3 points
Only some minor editing of the batch file and tweaking of the audio settings was needed to get it working properly. Runs great, but it's interesting to note the difference between this and the "ZOD Engine" remake. By comparison, this is a heck of a lot more sluggish (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).
Maverick 2016-03-25 0 point
@MR POPADOPPOLLIS. I will physically destroy you.
With the game, everything seems to be working fine, I get to the main menu. But then when I go to start the level I get: "critical file missing level01.map" any hard out tech guys know how to solve this.
Thanks
HelpFile 2016-02-01 2 points
If it does not work, please check your Z.BAT file in the main folder and make sure it looks like this:
@Echo Please Wait - Loading ......
@ZED.EXE/CD:C %1 %2 %3 %4 %5
Then in DosBox
Mount d C:\
D:\
cd z
cd z
z.bat
It should work, it worked for me.
Ladislao 2015-10-08 3 points
Romian's 2012-09-30 answer is work. Just rewrite the z.bat with notepad. I prove to play long ago, but now sucess. I had an 18 years old CD with this game, but damaged.
Jim 2015-01-02 -15 points DOS version
Help please.
I just installed Zed using dos but when I click on NEW GAME it says "please ensure CD is in the drive and that the door is closed" and says something about a missing level01map file
jankster 2014-11-20 -3 points DOS version
ok fixed it now, running fine with d-fend and sound settings fixed too, but doesn't run as soon as i turn scenes on. Does someone can help?
jankster 2014-11-19 -3 points DOS version
i installed d-fend and made everything right but the game won't run. Pls help me i want to play it badly!!!
Jaya 2014-09-01 -2 points DOS version
My uncle had this and some other games, like some rednecks type of game. Used to play it when we visited back when I was like 9 (3 years or so since it released), almost never found anything on it. Now I can download it on my phone and play it again?!
Spike22 2014-07-08 0 point DOS version
One of the best in its time. Anyone saying it sucked, then you suck. from start to finish i loved this game. kept me on my toes. Very Unique gameplay and loads of laughs from the cut scenes. they should bring out a new one, ill be the first to buy it ;)
LOL! 2014-06-07 -8 points DOS version
Worst game of the genre ever. Totally sucked. Impossible gameplay from Level 1 and all you heard was some dumb bint calling out "You're losing! You're crap!" all the time. Absolutely hated it.
Rob1991 2014-03-05 7 points DOS version
anyone know how to get the scenes to work and full screen?
run instructions
all installed on c. extract the file into c.
DosBox
Mount c c:/
c:\
cd z
zed
z.bat
then z should run. make sure to run setsound aswell.
blah 2014-02-04 -1 point DOS version
This stupid game will work. But not if you turn on 'scenes' in the menu. Then it will want those scenes from the cd i guess.
Also you have to run setsound.exe.
JimmyJay 2013-12-23 1 point DOS version
GOT Z TO WORK ON MY PC... BOOM
Just downloaded .zip file, then modified the z.bat file using 'Notepad':
@Echo Please Wait - Loading ......
@ZED.EXE C: /CD %1 %2 %3 %4 %5
Works no probs.. USE DOSBOX
john 2013-12-09 0 point DOS version
One of the first computer game I played. It was not the full program. Yet I really enjoyed it. It was challenging, exciting and fun to play.
Yvan 2013-11-25 0 point DOS version
Beaucoup d'humour dans ce jeu ! Ne le manquez pas !
A very humoristic game ! Do not miss it !
PABLO 2013-03-28 1 point DOS version
quando era pequeno, via propaganda sobre esse jogo, mas nunca encontrei onde baixar pelo fato do nome ser tão simples "Z". Agora sim vou jogar e ver do que se trata. valeu
JesusisLord 2013-03-13 0 point DOS version
It's awesome game, network play any1 ?
For those whom can't get the game works, go to the "How to play" section there is guide in it.
Romian 2012-09-30 -1 point DOS version
the fix @Echo Please Wait - Loading ......
@ZED.EXE C: /CD %1 %2 %3 %4 %5 does not work anyone know another way to fix it?
Das Boot 2012-09-15 0 point DOS version
i have dosbox and downloaded Z but it says run z.bat
Can someone please help???
Commander Apathetic 2012-09-02 1 point DOS version
Critiical File Missing: C:\z\E_logo.jv
Please ensure CD is in drive, and door closed
halp
kittyball 2012-08-23 0 point DOS version
go to file Z.bat then copy and Past this..
@Echo Please Wait - Loading ......
@ZED.EXE C: /CD %1 %2 %3 %4 %5
kittyball 2012-08-23 -1 point DOS version
my report is, what I'm getting That.
is The level 1 Map file, Is missing But Oo!
looking in The Folder.. There Is The Level 01
so what Is this for a joke.?
Panchira 2012-06-13 2 points DOS version
It asks for a .BAT file that isn't there, and then complains that there is no CD in the drive. Anyone know what could be going wrong?
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Share your gamer memories, give useful links or comment anything you'd like. This game is no longer abandonware, we won't put it back online.
Buy Z
Z is available for a small price on the following websites, and is no longer abandonware. GOG.com and Zoom Platform provide the best release and does not include DRM, please buy from them! You can read our online store guide.
Game Extras and Resources
Some of these file may not be included in the game stores. For Z, we have the following files:
4 MB (DOS)
Other Releases
Z was also released on the following systems:
SEGA Saturn
- Year: 1998
- Publisher: GT Interactive Software Corp.
- Developer: Bitmap Brothers, The
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