Syndicate is a tactical action game by Bullfrog Productions, published by Electronic Arts and first released in the United Kingdom for Amiga and MS-DOS on 2 July 1993. Sean Cooper designed it, and Peter Molyneux was one of the producers. Set in 2096, it puts the player in charge of cybernetically enhanced agents who can recruit people with a device called the Persuadertron.
The American Revolt expansion appeared in 1993, and Syndicate Plus (1996) combined both. Other publishers handled several ports: Ocean Software for the Jaguar, R-Comp for Acorn and Domark for the Sega CD. In Japan the game is known as シンジケート, and Famitsu reviewed the SNES version.
The direct sequel Syndicate Wars followed in 1996, and Starbreeze Studios rebooted the series as a first-person shooter in 2012. Electronic Arts gave the original away free on its Origin platform in 2015.1
Names and releases
| Region | Title on the box | Platform | Date | Publisher | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | EA ReplayCompilation; runs the SNES version through emulation. | PSP | Nov 7, 2006 | Electronic Arts | 1 |
| EU | SyndicateFirst released in the United Kingdom together with the MS-DOS version. | Amiga | Jul 2, 1993 | Electronic Arts | 1 |
| EU | SyndicateUnited Kingdom. | MS-DOS | Jul 2, 1993 | Electronic Arts | 1 |
| EU | Syndicate | Sega CD | June 1995 | Domark | 2 |
| JP | シンジケートDated from the Weekly Famicom Tsūshin review of 26 May 1995; exact release date and Japanese publisher not given in the source. | SNES | 1995 | — | 1 |
| WW | Syndicate PlusMS-DOS version re-released with preconfigured DOSBox for modern Windows; a Mac OS X version followed in October 2012. | Windows | January 2012 | — | 1 |
Also known as: Syndicate Plus WW1シンジケート JP3
Box art by region
EU Syndicate
Box art © its publishers, shown to identify each release. Scans: Wikipedia.
Version differences
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GraphicsMS-DOS
On MS-DOS the menus run at 320×200 in 256 colors, while the tactical view uses 640×480 in 16 colors with dithering to suggest more colors.1
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ContentMac3DOJaguarRiscPC
The Macintosh, 3DO, Jaguar and RiscPC versions keep the graphics and level design of the MS-DOS version.1
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ContentMega Drive/GenesisSNES
The Mega Drive/Genesis and SNES versions have new level designs and different graphics.1
Translations
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Spanish Official
Electronic ArtsMS-DOSReleased
GOG's Syndicate Plus lists English, Spanish, French and Italian.4
Where to play legally today
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GOG Purchase
How to run it today
GOG's Syndicate Plus includes the game and the American Revolt expansion, runs in DOSBox on Windows 10/11 and macOS, and needs no activation or online connection.4
Reception
PC Gamer US named it the 16th best computer game ever in 1994 and PC Gamer UK the 11th best of all time; Next Generation ranked it 29th among the top games of all time in 1996. Computer Gaming World criticized the lack of multiplayer, the AI and repetitive missions but called it a polished and significant effort.1
In lists
Sources
Checked: 2026-10-13Text reviewed: 2026-10-13
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