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Plants vs. Zombies

17 years agoSource: Steam

Plants vs. Zombies is PopCap's 2009 tower defense game: across five garden lanes, plants with different abilities stop zombies from reaching the house. Alongside 50 campaign levels there are minigames, puzzles, survival and the Zen Garden.

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Developer
PopCap Games
Publisher
PopCap Games, Inc., Electronic Arts
Genre
Gelegenheitsspiele, Strategie, Tower Defense
Game modes
Couch-Koop, Multiplayer, Singleplayer
Game series
Plants vs. Zombies
Also known as
Plants vs Zombies
At Steam
View store page
On this page 14 sections

What is Plants vs. Zombies?

Plants vs. Zombies is a tower defense game by PopCap Games. Zombies march towards a house in several rows. Defence consists of plants that generate sun energy, fire projectiles, slow down enemies or hit several targets at once.

The original was released for PC in 2009 and was later adapted for smartphones and various consoles. Its colourful art style combines simple basic rules with increasing tactical demands.

Updated 23.10.2026

Sources

Release

17 years agoSource: Steam

Plants vs. Zombies was released for PC on May 5, 2009. The later Game of the Year Edition is available on Steam under the same game app.

The iPhone version was released on Feb 15, 2010, and the Xbox 360 version on Sep 8, 2010. The Nintendo DS version followed on Jan 18, 2011, in North America and on May 6, 2011, in Europe. The PlayStation 3 version was released on Feb 8, 2011, and the Android version on May 31, 2011. On PlayStation Vita, the game launched in Europe on Feb 22, 2012.

  1. PC

    Released May 5, 2009.

    Source
    • Steam store.steampowered.com

  2. iOS

    Released Feb 15, 2010.

    Source

  3. Xbox 360

    Released Sep 8, 2010.

    Source

  4. Nintendo DS

    Released Jan 18, 2011 in North America.

    Source

  5. PS3

    Released Feb 8, 2011.

    Source

  6. Nintendo DS

    Released May 6, 2011 in Europe.

    Source

  7. Android

    Released May 31, 2011.

    Source

  8. PS Vita

    Released Feb 22, 2012 in Europe.

    Source

Updated 23.10.2026

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Platforms

The classic Plants vs. Zombies was released for Windows and older macOS versions, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, iOS and Android. The controls were adapted for touchscreens, the Nintendo DS stylus and controllers.

A standalone download version, adapted from the DS cartridge version, was also released for Nintendo DSi. It could later be played on Nintendo 3DS, but that is not a standalone 3DS remake. The same applies to the Xbox 360 version, which can be played on newer Xbox consoles via backward compatibility. Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted is a separate remaster.

Updated 23.10.2026

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Gameplay

Before each round, you choose the plants, which are then placed on fixed lanes. Sunflowers generate extra sun energy, Peashooters fire at approaching enemies, and Wall-nuts buy time. Cherry Bombs clear several zombies at once.

The 50 levels of the campaign take you from daylight through night, the pool and fog up to the rooftop. Each environment changes your planning: water tiles need different setups, while at night mushrooms and scarcer resources become more important.

Updated 23.10.2026

Sources
Plants fire at zombies approaching the house across the garden
· Electronic Arts Image source

Trailer

Trailer zu Plants vs. Zombies

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System requirements

The minimum Windows requirements listed on Steam call for a 1.2 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, 128 MB graphics memory, DirectX 8 and 65 MB of free storage. The game dates from the Windows XP/Vista/7 era. Today's Steam client, by contrast, only supports Windows 10 or newer.

For the historic Mac version, Steam lists an Intel Core Duo with at least 1.66 GHz and 1 GB RAM. On current macOS versions, the old 32-bit version can no longer be used normally through the Steam client.

The details apply to pc.

Minimum

Operating system
Windows XP/Vista/7 (historical game requirement). Steam client from Windows 10.
Processor
1.2 GHz
RAM
1 GB RAM
Graphics
128 MB graphics memory, DirectX 8 or newer
Storage
65 MB

Editorial details

Updated 23.10.2026

Sources

Mini-games, puzzles, survival and Zen Garden

Besides Adventure mode, the PC version includes four other game modes. Mini-games vary the defense, puzzle tasks change the usual rules, and in Survival mode your plant lineup must withstand several waves of attacks.

The Zen Garden does without directly fending off zombies: here, plants are grown and collected. Some console and mobile versions offer different extra features or a different mode selection.

Updated 23.10.2026

Sources
Above the lawn you can see the plant selection and sun energy supply
· Electronic Arts Image source

Zombie types and plant almanac

In the original, 26 zombie types create different obstacles. Some wear helmets or shields, while others jump over the front plant or approach while swimming. Conversely, 49 plant species with different costs and roles are available.

The almanac explains the traits of plants and zombies. Crazy Dave's Shop offers further tools and upgrades for garden defense.

Updated 23.10.2026

Sources
Various plants and zombie types from Plants vs. Zombies
· Electronic Arts Image source

Multiplayer in the console versions

The classic PC game is designed for single players. On Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, there are cooperative and competitive modes: two people can defend together or play against each other. The Nintendo DS cartridge version adds wireless duels, in which one person controls the plants and the other controls the zombies.

These features are not automatically included in the smartphone versions.

Updated 23.10.2026

Sources

Language and controls

Electronic Arts lists German, English, French, Italian and two Spanish language variants for the classic release, among others. The exact language range may vary depending on platform and distribution version.

On PC, plants are mainly selected and placed with the mouse. Smartphone versions control the garden rows via touchscreen, while console versions use controllers.

Updated 23.10.2026

Sources

Nintendo DS and DSiWare

The Nintendo DS version adds wireless duels, four extra mini-games and new achievements to Plants vs. Zombies. It was released Jan 18, 2011 in North America and May 6, 2011 in Europe. Both screens are used for plant selection and defense.

The separate DSiWare version includes the Adventure mode and further mini-games, including the exclusive Zombie Trap. It was also released in Europe on May 6, 2011. Purchases via the Nintendo 3DS eShop have not been possible since March 2023.

Updated 23.10.2026

Sources

Similar games

More from PopCap Games

Game series

Plants vs. Zombies started a game series that later developed the garden duel in different directions. Plants vs. Zombies 2 builds on the original tower defense formula, while the Garden Warfare games are shooters with playable plants and zombies.

Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted brings back the first game as a technically revised new edition with additional modes and local multiplayer. It is not the same as the original PC release.

More from Plants vs. Zombies

Updated 23.10.2026

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