How to download Counter-Strike 1.6

Counter-Strike Global Offensive might be everyone's favourite, and Counter-Strike 2 might be fun and new, but how about trying out something a little more old-school?

Like CS 1.6. In this article, we'll show you the game and how to download Counter-Strike 1.6.

Released in November 2000, Counter-Strike 1.6 is a special game. The OG that made Counter-Strike into the 'grandfather of esports' as it is known today is a classic video game experience that everyone who loves CS should try out at least once.

However, since it is such an old game, you might not know how to download and install CS 1.6.

If you fit into that category, don't worry. We've put together a helpful article that explains how to download Counter-Strike 1.6.

How 1.6 differs

First of all, the biggest difference between CS 1.6 and newer versions of the game is the engine in which they are built.

CS 1.6 uses a heavily modified version of the Quake engine named GoldSrc. Alternatively, CS:GO uses the Source engine, while Counter-Strike 2 uses the newer and upgraded Source 2 engine.

One of the more noticeable differences in Counter Strike 1.6 is the lack of skins. Skins were first introduced to Counter-Strike in CS:GO, and although they are now one of the biggest and most iconic parts of the game, you won't find them in CS 1.6.

Another visually noticeable change is the graphics. As you can expect, the graphics in 1.6 reflect the time when the game was released. Everything is less detailed and a bit more blocky, and the character models also move more clunkily.

In terms of gameplay, don't expect to know how to spray in Counter-Strike 1.6 even if you consider yourself to be Magisk level in CS2. The gunplay feels massively different and that will be one of the first things you realise if you play the game.

Another gameplay difference is the movement. Movement in CS 1.6, just like it was in CS:GO, is more skill-based than it is in CS2.

Why you should try CS 1.6

Although you likely won't put as many hours into CS 1.6 as you will CS2, that doesn't mean you shouldn't try it out.

CS 1.6 is a classic game, the OG Counter-Strike. It's considered by many to be the best Counter-Strike game and if you care about Counter-Strike, you can't not go back to see where it all started.

If you enjoy video game history, then you'll love CS 1.6. Whether it's playing it or simply just watching it, by getting the feel for the game you'll feel like you're back during the very foundations of esports as an industry.

You'll be able to experience the rise of Counter-Strike legends such as f0rest and GeT_RiGhT, as well as enjoy the likes of Danish coaches zonic, trace, and ave while they were still in their playing days.

Photo: Stephanie Lindgren

How to download and install CS 1.6

Now, how about we tell you how to actually download and install CS 1.6?

Fortunately for you, downloading and installing Counter-Strike 1.6 is simple. In fact, you won't even need to get it on Steam.

Well, only if you're fine playing it on your own. If you want to play CS 1.6 with friends then you will have to buy it on Steam.

To download CS 1.6 for free, simply search 'CS 1.6 download' in Google or your preferred search engine and find any available free download. However, if you do this, please bear in mind that some of these free downloads may contain malware. To combat this, look around on sites like Reddit for a trusted download source.

If you wish to play Counter-Strike 1.6 with friends, then follow these simple steps:

1. Open Steam
2. Head to the Steam Store
3. Search for 'Counter-Strike' and click on the game that is labelled as 'Counter-Strike' without anything afterwards, it will have the logo you can see below these instructions
4. Purchase the game - it is currently valued at 79p
5. Download CS 1.6 from your Steam Library

The best players in CS 1.6

Counter-Strike is one of the most popular esports of all time because of the incredible amounts of names that have risen to the top since it's release.

There are a host of legendary names, so let's go over just a few of those players who were regarded as the best in CS 1.6.

• fRoD: fRoD was regarded as one of the best snipers in CS 1.6 and one of the best players in North American Counter-Strike history. He was part of the Complexity team that won a Major at ESWC 2005 in Paris.
• f0rest: A recognisable figure to more recent fans of Counter-Strike, f0rest starred in both earlier versions of the game and for NIP in CS:GO.
• GeT_RiGhT: One of the best players in Counter-Strike history and f0rest's partner in crime, GeT_RiGhT's exploits in 1.6 and CS:GO have left him regarded as potentially the greatest Counter-Strike player of all time.

Photo: Michal Konkol

• NEO: A member of the Golden Five roster that went on multiple dominant runs in CS 1.6, he later won a Major in CS:GO with Virtus.pro. He is now the coach of FaZe Clan.
• n0thing: Beloved North American CS:GO player n0thing won the hearts of many CS fans during his time on Cloud9 in CS:GO, but he first made his name in CS 1.6. He also is the protagonist of one of the greatest CS frag movies of all time, 'n0thing but headshots'

• markleoff: markleoff is a legendary Ukrainian player who was one of the first members of NAVI alongside Zeus, starix, ceh9, and Edward. An incredible sniper in 1.6, sadly, he never quite managed to recapture his form in CS:GO despite having a reasonably successful career with Flipsid3 Tactics.
• trace: Another player who never managed to recapture his 1.6 form after the transition to CS:GO is trace. One of the best players in the world in 1.6, his fall from grace is so iconic that HLTV recently compared the break s1mple took at the start of CS2 to his break at the start of CS:GO.