Research-backed game lineage

Counter-Strike

Counter-Strike is included in the Series Atlas after independent recognition and an authoritative game-by-game roster audit. Editions, simple ports, DLC, bundles, canceled projects, and cameo-only appearances are excluded.

6 curated games 2000–2023 release span 0 connected branches
Counter-Strike coverCounter-Strike: Condition Zero coverCounter-Strike: Source coverCounter-Strike: Global Offensive coverCounter-Strike Nexon cover

Genre profile

Primary-root profile.

The researched entries keep a consistent primary-root profile.

Observed shapeShooter6 researched entries
Primary roots
Shooter2
Frameworks
01Unclassified200002Unclassified200403Unclassified200404Shooter201205Unclassified201406Shooter2023

Subgenres representedFirst-Person Shooter 1Tactical Shooter 1

Entry points

Starting points.

Use the researched chronology, ratings, and remake relationships to select a starting title.

Chronological startCounter-StrikeMainline · 2000Highest ratedCounter-Strike: SourceRemake · 2004Most recent mainlineCounter-Strike 2Mainline · 2023Remake routeCounter-Strike: SourceRemake · 2004

Release chronology

All researched entries.

Ordered by researched series position, then original release date. Ports, DLC, and duplicate editions are intentionally excluded.

6 games in this lineage

01 Counter-Strike cover
Mainline2000

Counter-Strike

Counter-Strike is a team-based multiplayer tactical first-person shooter in which players join either the Terrorist or Counter-Terrorist side and compete in objective-based rounds. The primary game modes involve bomb defusal and hostage rescue, played across designated maps. Players purchase weapons and equipment between rounds using money earned from eliminations and completed objectives, and eliminated players must wait until the next round to respawn. Originally a fan-made modification for Half-Life created by Minh Le and Jess Cliffe in 1999, it was acquired by Valve and released as a standalone retail product in 2000, becoming one of the most influential first-person shooters and spawning multiple sequels including Counter-Strike: Source, Global Offensive, and Counter-Strike 2.

Nov 9, 200077/100
↗
02 Counter-Strike: Condition Zero cover
Mainline2004

Counter-Strike: Condition Zero

With its extensive Tour of Duty campaign, a near-limitless number of skirmish modes, updates and new content for Counter-Strike's award-winning multiplayer game play, plus over 12 bonus single player missions, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero is a tremendous offering of single and multiplayer content.

Mar 23, 200470/100
↗
03 Counter-Strike: Source cover
Remake2004

Counter-Strike: Source

Counter-Strike: Source blends Counter-Strike's award-winning teamplay action with the advanced technology of Source technology. Featuring state of the art graphics, all new sounds, and introducing physics, Counter-Strike: Source is a must-have for every action gamer.

Oct 7, 200484/100
↗
04 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive cover
Mainline2012

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a team-based multiplayer first-person shooter developed by Valve and Hidden Path Entertainment. Two teams, Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists, compete in objective-based rounds across various game modes including bomb defusal, hostage rescue, and deathmatch. The game features an economy system where players purchase weapons and equipment at the start of each round based on performance in previous rounds. Competitive matchmaking, community servers, and a robust skin trading ecosystem support a large active player base.

Aug 21, 201281/100
↗
05 Counter-Strike Nexon cover
Mainline2014

Counter-Strike Nexon

Counter-Strike Nexon is a Free to Play MMOFPS offering competitive PvP and PvE action including content from the original Counter-Strike and all new game modes, map creation function, weapons, and hordes of Zombies!

Oct 7, 201431/100
↗
06 Counter-Strike 2 cover
Mainline2023

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2 is a free-to-play multiplayer tactical first-person shooter developed and published by Valve. Released in September 2023, it is the fifth main entry in the Counter-Strike series and serves as a direct replacement for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on Steam. Two teams, Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists, compete in objective-based rounds across modes such as bomb defusal and hostage rescue. Built on the Source 2 engine, the game introduced volumetric smoke physics, revised weapon handling, and a new sub-tick server architecture. It inherited all cosmetic items from its predecessor and features both a map-specific Competitive mode and a numerically ranked Premier mode.

Sep 27, 202369/100
↗

Sources and method

Built from the public record.

Membership is researched from external official and independent sources. Mainline games, direct spin-offs, remakes, remasters, and standalone expansions are included; DLC, simple ports, duplicate editions, compilation-only duplicates, rumors, cancellations, and cameo-only crossovers are excluded.

  1. database Counter-Strike collection — IGDB

    IGDB maintains a distinct collection record for Counter-Strike and supplies the authoritative roster used for membership verification.

  2. reference List of best-selling video game franchises

    The independent catalog recognizes Counter-Strike as a multi-game franchise and supports its inclusion in this major-series research sweep.