M1 Tank Platoon

I remember playing this game a long time ago, late 80's, early 90's. It was so much fun then, and it still is now!

I used to play this on both 286 and 386 PCs. That should tell you how old it is. Still quite a bit of fun though, and it works perfectly with my Logitech Rumble Pad 2.

AWESOME!! But I give this a negative rating because I am VERY DISAPPOINTED!! that so many classic video games that have been abandoned for decades are now being scooped up by big companies and charged with lots of money in some cases! They need to actually do better and come out with a better product for a change!! ANOTHER THING! They never give you the Amiga or even the ST versions at times! just the crappy Dos versions which sometimes are worse! They need to have all the versions along with the Commodore 64 and Amstrad versions which sometimes are better than the dos versions! EPYX Destroyer or Firestorm for instance! They should for instance do with this game what was done with Red storm Rising with Cold Waters or the new Carrier command games like Gaea Command for instance! If they had a remake with better graphics more enemies and more stuff I'd pay top dollar for it. Nonetheless I love this game! I am happy to play this game on steam even if Now I have to pay up for it!

This was one of my all time favorite games on my Radio Shack, Tandy 1000TL 8Mhz 286! I played hundreds of hours of this game. Glad to see it and the 2nd version both on Steam.

Used to take 1 3.5 floppy, 150Mb these days. Version not cracked, you need to properly identify combat vehicle to play. Do not reccomend

The graphics and sounds are as primitive as you'd expect from so old a title, but it has tactical depth beyond what you'd expect.

Me at armor basic training: Sergeant, what are these angled metal panels? Oh! Are these the laser detectors? Tank Commander instructor: What THE HELL are you talking about, private?! __ For the basics of leading a tank platoon, and to learn the fundamentals of maneuver, this game is far, far better than it looks.

かのマイクロプローズが1989年にリリースした戦車戦シミュレーションゲーム。 グラフィックに関しては辛うじてそれと分かるレベルながら、戦闘システムそのものは今どきのゲームとさほど変わらない。 マップや友軍ユニットは毎回ランダムに生成され、自小隊の搭乗員を育成(またはパーマネント・デス)する要素もある。 本編もさることながら、発売当時の世相が強く伺える200ページを超える説明書は必見。

M1 Tank Platoon is a landmark title in the history of military simulation games, representing an era when depth, realism, and player agency were prioritized over visual spectacle. Developed by MPS Labs and Digital Theory Ltd. and published by Interplay Entertainment Corp., the game places players in command of a U.S. Army M1 Abrams tank platoon during a fictional Cold War–era conflict in Central Europe. Even decades after its original release, it stands out as an ambitious attempt to capture the complexity of modern armored warfare, blending hands-on vehicle simulation with higher-level tactical command in a way that was remarkably forward-thinking for its time. At the heart of the experience is the concept of platoon-level command. Rather than limiting the player to a single tank, M1 Tank Platoon gives control over four Abrams tanks, each fully crewed and capable of independent action. Players can jump between roles within a tank—commander, gunner, or driver—or pull back to a broader tactical view to issue orders to the entire platoon. This dual-layer design encourages players to think both like a tank crew member and like a battlefield commander, balancing immediate threats with longer-term positioning and coordination. Combat emphasizes realism and tactical awareness over fast-paced action. Engagements are shaped heavily by terrain, line of sight, and proper use of doctrine such as hull-down positioning and coordinated movement. Enemy forces, typically representing Warsaw Pact units, require careful planning to defeat, as reckless advances are often punished severely. The game rewards patience, reconnaissance, and intelligent use of combined arms, including support from infantry, helicopters, and artillery. This focus on real-world tactics makes each mission feel deliberate and tense, especially when managing multiple units under fire. The campaign structure reflects the broader strategic situation of a hypothetical NATO–Warsaw Pact conflict. Early missions often focus on defensive actions, tasking players with slowing or halting advancing enemy forces using superior technology and positioning. As the campaign progresses, objectives expand into counterattacks and more complex operations, increasing both scale and difficulty. Crew survival and experience matter, as tank crews can improve over time, adding a subtle progression layer that encourages careful play and reinforces the sense of leading a persistent combat unit rather than disposable assets. From a presentation standpoint, M1 Tank Platoon is unmistakably a product of its era. Graphics are sparse by modern standards, relying on simple polygonal models and basic textures, and the interface demands patience to learn. Controls and menus can feel cumbersome to new players, especially those unfamiliar with classic DOS-era simulations. However, these limitations are offset by the game’s depth and ambition, and players willing to adapt to its older design conventions will find a surprisingly rich experience beneath the dated exterior. The Steam release preserves the original game through emulation, allowing it to run on modern systems with minimal effort. While this version does not modernize controls or visuals, it faithfully maintains the original mechanics and pacing, effectively presenting the game as a historical simulation artifact. For veterans of classic PC gaming, this authenticity is a strength, while newcomers may view it as a barrier that requires adjustment and patience. Overall, M1 Tank Platoon remains a defining example of classic military simulation design. It prioritizes tactical thinking, realism, and player responsibility at a level that few games of its time attempted. While its age is evident in presentation and usability, its core design still offers a compelling and educational look at armored warfare. For players interested in military history, Cold War scenarios, or the evolution of simulation games, M1 Tank Platoon is less a casual diversion and more a deep, demanding experience that rewards thoughtful command and respect for the complexities of modern combat. Rating: 5/10