Play North & South (Europe) Online

North & South came out on the NES in 1990 from Infogrames, a game that felt a bit different from the usual platformers and action titles crowding the system at the time. It was based on a French comic series about the American Civil War, which already set it apart, offering a mix of strategy and straightforward action that not many other cartridges were attempting back then.

You control either the Union or Confederate forces, moving regiments across a strategic map of the United States to capture forts and states. The main goal is to seize the enemy capital, which involves managing your troops, money, and supply trains. When two armies meet, the game shifts to a real-time battle screen where you directly command your units; you can fire cannons, send infantry to charge, or attempt to rob the opponent's supply train. The pacing is quick, and the difficulty can spike depending on how the computer decides to pressure your territories. It feels unpredictable and a little silly at times, especially when your cavalry gets stuck or a lucky cannon shot wipes out a whole unit, making each playthrough a mix of careful planning and pure chaos.