Z: The Bitmap Brothers (CIB)

Before strategy games became slow, serious affairs, there was Z — a bold, fast-paced, and utterly unique RTS from the legendary Bitmap Brothers. Released on the Sega Saturn in 1996, Z brought a chaotic, action-first approach to the genre, ditching base-building in favor of pure tactical dominance and breakneck territory control. It was RTS with a rock ’n’ roll heart — loud, gritty, and fun.

You command a ragtag team of robotic soldiers through war-torn planets, each filled with sarcasm, explosions, and relentless enemy AI. Unlike traditional strategy titles of the time, Z rewards aggression and timing over micromanagement, making it an unforgettable experience that plays more like a battlefield brawl than a war planner’s spreadsheet.

The Saturn version stands as one of the most overlooked gems in the system’s library. With limited production, niche appeal, and a growing retro RTS fandom, complete copies of Z are becoming increasingly rare and valuable — a must-have for collectors who appreciate innovation wrapped in ‘90s grit.