History of Wolfenstein (1981 - 2019)

A full history of the Wolfenstein franchise. From the original game in 1981, up to the 2019 cooperative adventure Wolfenstein Youngblood.
Celebrate the release of the next chapter by learning what lead up to this moment!
Join me as I detail each and every game, breaking down their development history, story-line, gameplay features, visuals, and overall critical reception, all backed with each game's original soundtrack.
Patreon: / nick930
Even the smallest donations can make a huge difference!
Olson, M. (2017, Oct.). The Best Way To Experience The 'Wolfenstein' Games. digg.com/2017/wolfenstein-game...
#Wolfenstein #Youngblood #History

[@Nick930]

Please support this channel on Patreon: www.patreon.com/Nick930 You'll get early access to next months documentary, along with personalized shout-outs, behind the scenes videos and images, and with enough support - I can finally scale back those annoying ads so you guys can tune in and enjoy an uninterrupted experience. Thanks for watching everyone! Just a quick correction: -the title at 29:58 should say 2015, not 2017

[@boomdaddycool4328]

@Nick930 I see a video in my recommendation it is your "the history of" series I'm not gonna watch it till later but I already smashed the like button keep doing what you do we appreciate you 👊🏾

[@BIGRob118]

It’s ok. Great video too. Ima go play wolfenstein 2 again

[@batstick129]

Direct Comparison:Doom 2016 vs Wolfenstein:The New Order

[@jadyv4980]

yeah i was like wait 2017 i dont remember playing it just 2 years ago

[@v8flattopgamer157]

We all should celebrate the fact that ID Software, saved the Wolfenstein franchise from the suffocating grip EA had on it.

[@_GR1T_]

Nearly failed a semester of college in 1984 because of playing Castle Wolfenstein so much. RTCW is still my favorite.

[@JohnSmith-xq1pz]

I personally like the Wolf3d Era episodes/SoD and RTCW over the later titles.

[@dgerdi]

It is. You can never ignore the time periode, when it came out. For it´s time (the 1 GHz-Barrier was broken and every Gaming Rig had at least 512 MB of RAM and a GeForce2 Card) it was amazing. I loved it. Especially that tomb-episode with the undead hiding behind the shields. Have you ever seen this stuff again? . I came over it. But I have to agree. For it´s time and it´s "me" it was just perfect. Remember crawling out of this tunnel and seeing this jet to departure? I thought - How amazing! Later this fight with the german airbourne? Tough. But never unfair. These ARE the games, that made the legend of Computer Gaming. And you College-Boy of 1984 know what I mean Man.

[@krazykat64]

RTCW and Half-Life ate up waaaaaaaayyyyyyy more of my young adult life than it probably should have.

[@evanabbott2737]

That’s what’s UP, my friend....😁👍

[@avinashjadhav2436]

RTCW is classic!

[@H0LY_seVen]

Woah, so basically WOLFENSTEIN is the longest running game series.

[@m_a_n0258]

Yes.

[@mokdis00]

Yes, one of them. Mario has also had a really long run starting around the same time in 1981.

[@insparks782]

Technically The Oregon Trail is certainly one of if not the oldest. Been running since 1971.

[@mandarinking1852]

inSparks I have it

[@patty4299]

@Excelsior yes

[@Aristowi]

I kinda feel bad that these "History Of" videos don't get as much views as the other shorter comparison videos, it takes a lot of more work, time and effort to make these. I'd like these videos to keep going and I am afraid that someday the channel will only go with comparisons due to the time/effort/view ratio. Btw I like the comparisons too, the pristine footage and attention to detail is much appreciated, but I think these longer videos are the heart of the channel, at least one of these got my attention in the first place.

[@Nick930]

Dont bother worrying. The "history of" videos will remain firmly a part of this channel as will comparisons :)

[@Aristowi]

@@Nick930 Thanks for replying man. I like your work with these videos, I suscribed a while ago after watching a couple of them.

[@KomalPatel]

It's probably because of the long video times

[@salepx]

there is tons of written history of game series including their own wiki . these youtubers are just reading it and putting vidoes from games. so the work done is not so much harder than 10 years old kid making league of legends vidoes. no need for drama

[@michaelmurray5220]

@@salepx this can be said about any type of “story of” videos, it’s still an incredible amount of research done and plenty of game play to match. Definitely an extensive task that I appreciate.

[@DKSON1337]

13:00 Return to Castle Wolfenstein 2001 was the best game. When I was a kid I used to watch my dad play it because I was too scared to play it on my own, it was the best, I miss those times..

[@mahfoudseraf5995]

@HUNSTOP OFFICIAL get your nostalgic goggles off kid, new order is the best one.

[@brianburnett5651]

Same here. My dad got into Return to Castle Wolfenstein and the online game when I was a kid in elementary School. Still remember him blasting it and hearing the players yell "Medic! I need a medic!" I got to play a few times but just loved watching. Fast forward a few years in High School I found the discs in his CD case and downloaded them onto my computer. When I bought the 2009 release my dad would now come in and watch me play wolfenstein.

[@flyingbeast7902]

Oh yeah same

[@davewest4020]

mahfoud seraf old blood is better

[@akhil8264]

Catacombs were scary

[@PanDownTiltLeft]

The original game in 1981 had one feature that no other game had and that was that it played actual audio files. So the Nazis would yell things at you. At the time this was unheard of.

[@Matt-of7lp]

Yeah that is true

[@Brian_Duke]

Didn't he mention it?

[@WUZ.r]

@@Brian_Duke Yeah

[@SILOPshuvambanerjee]

Exactly brother

[@t.m.o2897]

'mein Leben'

[@RTX4050Games]

Its really impressive feat to think just one guy made such an incredible video alone

[@SonNguyen-kj8jv]

I strongly recommend AHOY. He makes high quality gaming documentaries similar to this.

[@dangreen5985]

I can honestly say that the 2009 game is one of the best games I have ever played. It has the one thing so so many games lack, an atmosphere!

[@iterminator309]

I take it you've never played S.T.A.L.K.E.R then, granted, it's janky, but that's part of the charm.

[@neacsu-iliescumarilenaiuli7387]

I can count so many games with atmosphere

[@bridesblade5307]

I didn't like the first playthrough but eventually began to enjoy it.

[@kellofkells6002]

Same

[@nicholas.alan85]

​@@iterminator309I have been patiently waiting for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 for years now. It looks incredible and hopefully this last delay (until Sept 2024) is it's last and we can enjoy the game the rest of the year!!

[@gstar7686]

I played the hell out of Wolfenstein 3D on a friend's computer back in the day. He was the only person I knew with a PC back then. That game, along with DOOM in 1993, blew me away. I've been a fan of FPS games ever since.

[@soyfemboy]

Wolfensein 2009 was underrated

[@julianwilson9537]

@PUPPET MASTER what makes you think it gonna be bad?

[@asscheeks3212]

Raven software is to thank for that, they been in the gaming business for decades since Jedi outcast..... sadly they are now licking the corporate boots of activision..... no more games like Wolfenstien 2009 and Singularity....

[@OMP25]

@DaNes200581 same. Even i liked The New Order, i still prefer 2009 game. Sadly, the supernatural elements and the occult faded for good.

[@idiot308]

PUPPET MASTER bruh having female main characters in the game doesn’t mean it’s exactly a feminist focused thing. other than that I agree Youngblood is wack

[@Dr.WhetFarts]

@DaNes200581 you got old.

[@Phoenix-xn3sf]

Having grown up with the old 90's games, New Order and Colossus were amazing experiences. Loved where they took the franchise.

[@XOPOIIIO]

Ambience in return to Castle is just amazing.

[@Jeremy-ql1or]

Dang...that shot of holding the guy at gun point at 2:53 just tripped this childhood memory thing in my brain.

[@Anders1236]

Much effort and skills to put together this vid, enjoyed it a lot, thank you!

[@Mono_Entertainment]

Honestly with Young Blood, I wish it wasn't cannon, because I was begging for another direct sequel to Collasus

[@NickGeo25]

Amazingly detailed video. Keep it up!

[@MuhammadWaheed88]

I always look for your uploads when I come back from work, today is my lucky day. Thank you!

[@dawnsully88]

I'm 41 and have been gaming ever since I can remember. Wolfenstein and Doom is why I love gaming and still game till this day

[@DrAce46]

Yes another Video game history video! Thanks Nick! I discovered your History Of Splinter Cell video and have loved your content, keep up the good work man!

[@Nick930]

Got a lot more planned too! Stay tuned :)

[@DrAce46]

Nick930 thanks for the reply! Oh I will! I’ve got the bell icon ticked mate 😂

[@joebill3400]

I’m playing Return in 2023 and enjoying every second of it .

[@gigigigiotto1673]

ALARM!!!!! The amerikan is here!!!! Also i think rtcw (return to castle wolfenstein) is one of the Best wolfenstein!!!

[@user-ro1sf2zv3t]

Honestly a fantastic video. Definitely subscribing and going to see what other content you got going. Looking forward to seeing your videos.

[@weeddude2333]

"they're more dark and disturbing Ideas" *gets an ad for stadia*

[@kingstaze9696]

This was not only interesting, but also helped me organize the plot of the game. Thanks, epic vid!

[@slayerfern]

Wolfenstein Enemy Territory was such an incredible game. I'm still waiting for a new multiplayer game of Wolfenstein like that one, that has maps with missions. Make a remake, Bethesda

[@pieternaude1469]

You are seriously good at this dude!

[@secondthought2]

return to castle 2001 was the scariest shit for me as a 9-10 year old kid... all the music and overall vibe is something else

[@vipulgupta4348]

another great video man..can't wait for the next one!

[@pengwaffe]

great content as usual. this is always my favorite series

[@clemente5798]

Hey just wanted to leave a comment to say fantastic job on these videos!! I've been watching your playlist from the beginning and I'm sad that I'm getting close to the end :( Super insightful and well produced! Going to watch the History of Gears next

[@jamesthreats5800]

I love the new progression . Thanks for the vid .Very much enjoyed. Who knew all my past fav games were linked

[@NexusBreeze99]

Wolfenstein 2009 is criminally underrated.

[@DVN_DVN]

Rtcw: ET Will always have a special place in my heart . Best Multiplayer ever.

[@jameyburnett2699]

Team-based objective Deathmatch with leveling a skill tree! Phenomenon and underrated multiplayer game.

[@DVN_DVN]

@@jameyburnett2699 are we boomers now ?

[@jameyburnett2699]

Technically not.

[@jurrienvanrooy7469]

Yes, it was my first love. Still have fond memories of playing with the clan I used to be part of (G!X). Spent hours upon hours playing this game.

[@faktCheck]

The soundtrack & its timing in new colossus is mind blowing.... you should have mentioned that.... music is very on spot and creates the excitement needed.

[@zukafuverma471]

Your video is really good i used to watch other channels reviews but only u provide 1440p video and a nice review Thanks !

[@cfcreative1]

I love Return to Castle Wolfenstein. I love how you feel small in this huge world it feels more real to life.

[@deepanshusharma3779]

Here in 2020 thanks for taking me back to my childhood memories. I remember playing Return to Caste 12 years ago.

[@AgentKryos]

Not the video topic i wanted to see, but i was entertained and watched through to the end. Awesome video!

[@nickv1599]

You make fantastic videos man, give it time and I’m sure you’ll get more exposure. You run a great channel

[@nathanr6381]

lol i didnt even realise he didnt have that many subs (well 138k is still a lot buuut). I expected him to be in the millions

[@RickAshley]

@@nathanr6381 His comparison videos get a million views, but the high quality reviews only get a fraction of that. I'm not sure why, but the reviews are my favorite!

[@Schimmelquark]

Wolfenstein 2009 is so underrated. I don't get it why it got so much hate. I loved it it's my favorite in the series.

[@user-ik6jj8py6v]

I personaly like the game, but i can see why it got average reviews.

[@TheSlothBearPig]

Best Wolfenstein to date 👍🏻

[@hellomikie92]

I liked the game too. I have it on the PS3.

[@TheSlothBearPig]

hellomikie92 Bethesda and ZeniMax destroyed the title. Only good one they’ve made is Wolfenstein: Old Blood

[@warfoxrommel5172]

Return to Castle Wolfenstein!

[@tiltexdawg3865]

Whoaa I'm suddenly interested in playing Wolfestein

[@christianhawk592]

Me to man

[@psycronizer]

Can we just take a minute to acknowledge that the opening sequence to RTCW was PHENOMENAL !! With Heinrich and the old wizard dude, and the step forward to when the Nazi's found him and dug him up, that scene was part of what thrilled the crap out of me and got me hooked, such an excellent game, and so early on with limited hardware but, man, it was so well done !!

[@thelonepainter4760]

Awesome!! Keep making videos like this. Great job!😁🎉

[@eyelazer9531]

(35:00) “allowing players to perform advanced actions like barreling through doors, weak walls and being able to contort their body through small entryways ” this man could fit through a mail slot of a vent in new order and in old blood, the contortion is just him

[@klaus_vans]

Amazing video very detailed on the complete history if this extremely important franchise 👍🏻

[@samuelsobral3953]

I didn't knew you were só informative in your the "History of" series, Nick. Thought it was just you listing events in the fictional story of a franchise - but getting to know how id Software was created was a pleasant surprise. Keep up the great work, man.

[@RodgerYoung2024]

Eai mano tá vivo ainda?

[@MrSuperVikingo]

Your reviews are really top notch work. Thanks for keeping us enlightened! 😉

[@alifarwi6098]

This was so good! Subscribed, liked and notifications on!! Keep 'em comin! Well done mate!

[@TheUltimateGC]

Great job with the research. Learned a lot here.

[@kmcarno9323]

The first game i got in my computer back then

[@InfinitelyQurious]

Thank you for making this, and publishing it. I remember going with my father to buy a copy of the original Castle Wolfenstein game on a 5.25-inch floppy disk (yes, back then floppy disks were in fact floppy) for an IBM PC Jr (back when home computers had 64 KB of memory). Since then, I've bought and nearly played every new version in the series, and they only get better. I really wish they'd make a remake of Escape from Castle Wolfenstein. Attempting to plant a time bomb in Hitler's conference room and then escaping a maze-like castle in the nick of time is still my favorite plot.

[@ericroll]

I was amazed at the fluid on screen graphics of the 1992 release. I remember the shareware game being distributed on a single 1.4MB floppy disk. Just incredible the amount of gameplay they could fit on that tiny disk. Running down hallways and searching room to room without any graphical hiccups. Seamless fast action gameplay--all the while playing on the slowest weakest computer you could imagine. Really incredible achievement in 1992. Truly a timeless classic.

[@PartyQuest]

amazing videos my dude!

[@THEC.O.VISIT.]

Wolfenstein 3-D was my first experience and it was addictive and disturbing at the same time with all of the Nazi imagery, blood, skeltons, zombies, etc. At the same time we played Doom which had a similar effect.

[@kv6256]

Very well done video!

[@petergambier]

Interesting history of FPS gaming, all nicely packaged together thanks. It was a blast from the past to see those supernatural images from Return to Castle Wolfenstein.

[@abjectbrute6643]

Its amazing to see how the games we've come to know and love are connected and were built off of another idea inspiring another from start to finish

[@monman32]

Great work Sir Nick. ✌😁

[@romefox]

I love Wolfenstein 2009, Ive played through it prob 5 times.

[@Benda42Gaming]

Great videos, I know these probably take a long time to edit and put together. Well done!

[@templephantom6613]

Brilliant work Nick! I have seen this video like 5 times. You explain it so well.. I had no idea there were new Wolfenstein games until I saw this video.. Thanks a lot! The trailer at the beginning is also awesome! What is the soundtrack that is in the trailer? Could you please add it in description?

[@DavidJasper]

Wolfenstein 3d was the 1st fps game, MY first fps game!

[@meahoohenehene]

"Health comes in the form of German food." that's not my experience.

[@zdwaffles]

Wolfenstein III After defeating the nazis BJ succombs to high cholesterol and heart failure

[@amirking5452]

@@zdwaffles guys this is so sad, B.J turned into a mancubus

[@holdguard4624]

@@zdwaffles So does that mean that Youngblood is not canon? Yea - YES!!! *YES!!!!!!!!!*

[@jmosforth8550]

i dont like most german food/drinks and it makes me very sad because i want to like them. i love strudel tho (specifically apple)

[@obnoxious_alien]

@@jmosforth8550 As a German I only like our breads and sweet desserts like cakes. But our meals tho... eh no, I prefer mediterranean amd asian cuisine(although I think English cuisine is much worser, I only like fish and chips).

[@giosgamingcorner5792]

Damn man this was awesome to watch. It was cool to see the history of this game as im currently doing a lets play of youngblood and ive never played any of the other games so it was nice to see what the others were about and what makes this franchise so good. Thanks!

[@GoodSymphony]

Playing RTCW with my older brother as a kid is one of my favorite memories. Absolutely loved that game

[@Blueeyes2584A]

Having grown up with Wolf. 3-D and playing the games loyally to this day, I wish to see a return to its WWII roots. The alternate time line is fun, but it just doesn't feel like the old Wolfenstein. I still love Return to Castle Wolfenstein the best.

[@TheRedOwl]

Man i miss Return to Castle Wolfenstein, that is my childhood right there!!

[@Maxel.F]

Thx, i remembered playing all of this from wolfenstein-3D in 1992 till the last one

[@whytheface777]

Amazing video. So much content and information

[@SqueekyBums]

Wolfenstein is the best! 2001 Return to castle Wolfenstein multiplayer is still active. Servers are now private, but Id software's master server still directs you to them. Mine is 'Objective'.

[@brycevo]

Wolfenstein is such an influential series. I hope we get better from it soon enough

[@danielmcphee2546]

Return to wolfenstein will always be my favorite of the wolfenstein games, especially with its split-screen for campaign that me and my brother loved.

[@sawce846]

Props to you man for doing your research

[@wolfstrela]

Amazing video. Still playing RTCW MP to this day. P.S. RTCW too had leaning mechanics.

[@Nick930]

Not the same type of leaning.. just basic "Hold Q or Hold E" The leaning in Wolfenstein New Order and onward allows for free movement similar to Medal of Honor 2010

[@bread6811]

@@Nick930 But you could throw a grenade while leaning which means you can throw them around the corners to surprise enemies or just throw it safely. Btw you can cook the grenade up to 4 ticks to make it explode faster when you throw it I'm sorry if it's too much text it's just that RTCW is my favourite game :)

[@MadnessMenace]

Yaaaay more content!

[@Thomas.Delacour]

I really enjoyed this vid! Great stuff

[@deansteward79]

Great video Nick. Loved watching it. Just bought the new Colossus so see how that goes. Loved the original wolfenstein as a kid. Its a shame I've missed so many of the other great titles in the middle.

[@wouterjanssens]

I remember Wolfenstein 3D almost giving me a heart attack, it was the first time I played a 1stperson shooter... the adrenaline...

[@shaynekatchmark810]

The angel of death was always so cool and terrifying at the same time, almost shocks you

[@commentsenabled9963]

At 15:29 I spent so much time on this beach and trying to get those docs. At one time I was a top player, right before aiming spinning balls came out and keyboard movement was eclipsed by younger guys! Best game ever and wish it was still around.

[@urbanyeti3631]

Awesome! I grew up in Doom2 on an 80's Macintosh. Later when we got a Dell I came across a copy of Wolfenstein 3D and Doom collection. I have the 2009 Wolfenstein too for 360.

[@liquidgeorge]

What I ultimately learned from your concluding passage: Aside from Nintendo, games during the mid-to-late 2000's were devoid of originality and quality. Really enjoyed this video though; Return to Castle Wolfenstein was such a great game!

[@Nick930]

This seems to be the case with many games in the late 2000s. Studios were struggling as the cost of game development stiffly rose, so publishers were likely advising that they embrace other designs that were successful. This is why Gears of War helped to define the cover-shooter genre, Call of Duty helped to define the FPS genre, and Assassins Creed helped to define the open world genre. Games today are still building off of those core designs, but we're finally seeing them evolve uniquely. Legend of Zelda - Breath of the Wild for example.. or Witcher 3.

[@liquidgeorge]

@@Nick930 Yes, I completely agree. The aforementioned games I like to refer to as The Waypoint Era, and I feel as though the industry has positively turned a corner over the past 2-3 years.

[@siyacer]

Many good games too like GTA SA

[@johnhession8035]

Nintendo isnt original

[@hockeymasktime1918]

The gore in Wolfenstein 2009 was amazing for the time.

[@ashb899]

i know this old but i just found this channel and these history vids are fantastic.

[@PavewayJDAM]

I grew up on these games, this footage takes me back

[@Sundaeys]

For a game from 2001, Return to Castle Wolfenstein looks amazing.

[@striverfor7628]

17:00 Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory (2003) 18:27 Activision, Call of Duty 19:08 Wolfenstein (2009) 37:22 Wolfenstein Cyberpilot

[@CarlosJunioroPai]

I'm from a beginner channel in Brazil and I really liked it. Congratulations

[@xxx_rayden_xxx]

great video man , respect

[@danielzamfirov7858]

Nick930: ,,...I want to share with you the complete history of Wolfenstein." He just did it at the beggining at the video

[@doug2731]

The less said about Youngblood and CyberPilot, the better. In retrospect it was wise that you gave them like two minutes of discussion.

[@hobo1452]

Ahh, the good old days. Loading off of 3.5" floppy discs and writing batch files to make starting the game quicker! I spent many happy hours, Gravis Gamepad in hand, playing Wolfenstein, Doom, and Blake Stone.

[@BlackDragon12382]

I still love Wolfenstein 3-D for nostalgic reasons, playing on DOS with the computer my dad built for me when I was in middle school. Haven't had a chance to play any of the other games.

[@scabab90]

How about a Evolution of Street Fighter? Lord knows that complicated to follow with all the different titles.

[@revolverocelot-qn4gs]

I got to play these games, they look badass.

[@jmcc1976]

Fascinating ... Didn't know about the origin of these games ... I believed the original was the first id Software release of Wolfenstein ... Thanks for your work and the amount of investigation it obviously requires ... Congratulations for your channel too ...

[@andrewmah2962]

I grew up with Doom 1 and 2 and Quake 1 and 2. Didn't even know Wolfenstein existed at all until I played The New Order.

[@voodoobaby3256]

Omg!!! Dangerous Dave!! I loved that game! Does anyone know if its still out there in playable form? Damn Ive been thinking about that game, but couldn’t remember the name. Though I was probably 5-6 years old at the time 😂

[@pointman3352]

Search on Google it's there

[@nerocamello964]

Idk if you're a psychic or something. I just finished playing TNO and started TNC, I was searching for a history of Wolfenstein and this shows up!

[@empirezz2728]

He's a psychic

[@animraj99]

very well made...subscribed!

[@ozmeks86]

facinating video, the over use of first person moving triggered my motion sickness hard after 10 mins tho