Space Rangers

Windows2002

  1. JP—
  2. NA2004
  3. EU2004
  4. RU2002

Space Rangers is the English title of the Russian game Космические рейнджеры (Kosmicheskie reyndzhery); in the Czech Republic it was called Vesmírní kovbojové. It is not sold digitally, so playing it legally requires a retail disc, such as the Russian 1C release or the English edition bundled with Space Rangers 2.

Space Rangers was developed by the Russian studio Elemental Games and published in Russia by 1C on 20 December 2002 as Космические рейнджеры. It mixes turn-based space strategy, trading, text quests and arcade combat. Its open-ended design has drawn comparisons with Elite and Star Control 2: prices follow supply and demand, and wars are not scripted. One small detail is popular with programmers: the Maloq race is named after the C standard library function malloc.

The English version, published by Micro Application, arrived in North America on 11 June 2004 and in Europe on 17 June 2004. In North America it was not sold on its own but came in special-edition packaging of the sequel, Space Rangers 2: Dominators, which 1C had published in 2004. The game also had Czech and Simplified Chinese releases.

The remastered sequel, Space Rangers HD: A War Apart (2013), is sold on Steam in Russian and English, but it is a different game.12

Names and releases

RegionTitle on the boxPlatformDatePublisherSrc
NA Space RangersNot sold in its own box: included in special-edition packaging of Space Rangers 2. Windows Jun 11, 2004 Micro Application 1
RU Космические рейнджеры Windows Dec 20, 2002 1C 1
EU Space Rangers Windows Jun 17, 2004 Micro Application 1

Also known as: Космические рейнджеры RU3Kosmicheskie reyndzhery RU3Vesmírní kovbojové EU3太空游侠 CN3

Box art by region

  • Космические рейнджеры box art, Russia release
    RU Космические рейнджеры

Box art © its publishers, shown to identify each release. Scans: Wikipedia.

Version differences

  • ContentNorth America

    In North America the game was not sold on its own but came bundled in special-edition packaging of the sequel, Space Rangers 2.1

Translations

  • English Official

    Micro Application2004Windows · Russian originalReleased

    Micro Application published the official English version in North America and Europe in 2004.1

  • cs Official

    —Windows · Russian originalReleased

    In the Czech Republic it was released as Vesmírní kovbojové.3

  • Chinese Official

    —Windows · Russian originalReleased

    MobyGames records a Simplified Chinese release titled 太空游侠.3

How to run it today

The first Space Rangers is not sold digitally; PCGamingWiki marks it as unavailable on Steam. You need a retail disc, either the Russian 1C release or the English edition bundled with Space Rangers 2, updated with the latest patch (1.7.2 for the English, Czech and Russian versions). On newer Windows, PCGamingWiki advises setting Windows 98 compatibility mode for Rangers.exe and, if the screen stays black, placing a correct ddraw.dll in the installation folder. The sequel's remaster, Space Rangers HD: A War Apart, is sold on Steam and GOG but is a different game.

4

Best version

PCGamingWiki lists unofficial patches for the retail version, including a 1.7.2 patch for the English, Czech and Russian versions, a smooth-font replacement and a widescreen patch.4

Reception

English Wikipedia describes the game as critically acclaimed and popular in Russia, Finland and parts of Eastern Europe, but less known elsewhere because of a lack of marketing.1

In lists

Sources

  1. 1en.wikipedia.org
  2. 2store.steampowered.com
  3. 3mobygames.com
  4. 4pcgamingwiki.com

Checked: 2026-10-13Text reviewed: 2026-10-13

Spotted a mistake? Write to atlas@old-games.net.