Best Star Trek Games: Top Picks Ranked

The best Star Trek game overall is Star Trek: Bridge Crew (with the Next Generation DLC) because it nails the fantasy of commanding a starship with friends—coordination, tension, and triumph feel genuinely Starfleet. It works in VR and flat screen, and it remains the most immersive bridge simulator you can buy. For a solo, story-driven adventure, Star Trek: Elite Force II is the top pick, blending tight FPS combat with a classic Trek plot.

What to Look For

Not all Star Trek games are created equal. The franchise has seen everything from text adventures to mobile gacha. When choosing, focus on these criteria:

• Gameplay type: Do you want to command a ship (simulation), shoot enemies (FPS), explore a story (RPG/adventure), or manage a fleet (strategy)? Match the game to your preferred genre.
• Era and setting: TOS, TNG, DS9, Voyager, or the Kelvin timeline? Fans often prefer games set in their favorite series.
• Single vs. multiplayer: Some games are best solo, others require friends or online play. Check if the multiplayer community is still active.
• Mods and longevity: Older games with active modding communities (like Armada II or Bridge Commander) can offer endless replayability.
• Modern compatibility: Many classic games are old and may need patches or fan fixes to run on modern Windows. Check for GOG versions or community patches.
• VR support: If you have a VR headset, some games offer a much deeper experience.

Top Pick: Star Trek: Bridge Crew

Strengths: The ultimate co-op starship experience. You and up to three friends take on bridge roles (Captain, Helm, Tactical, Engineering) and must communicate to complete missions. The voice recognition (on PC) lets you issue commands naturally. The Next Generation DLC adds the Enterprise-D bridge, which is a dream for TNG fans. It works in VR and on a standard monitor, so not everyone needs a headset.

Trade-offs: Requires at least two players for the full experience (solo with bots is weaker). The mission variety is limited, and the community is small today—you’ll need to arrange a crew with friends or online forums.

Best for: Groups of friends who want to role-play Starfleet officers and enjoy cooperative problem-solving.

Best Solo FPS: Star Trek: Elite Force II

Strengths: A solid first-person shooter set on the USS Enterprise-E, bridging the gap between Insurrection and Nemesis. The single-player campaign is well-paced, with varied environments and a decent story that feels like a TV episode. The weapons are fun, and the ability to switch between phaser and compression rifle adds tactical depth.

Trade-offs: It’s dated (2003) and the graphics will feel old. The multiplayer is dead, but the single-player holds up. It’s not available on modern consoles, only PC.

Best for: FPS fans who want a story-driven Trek adventure without needing friends or VR.

Best Strategy: Star Trek: Armada II

Strengths: A real-time strategy game that lets you command fleets from the Federation, Klingons, Romulans, and Borg. It has a solid campaign and a skirmish mode. The modding community has kept it alive with total conversion mods like Fleet Operations and Armada III, which add dozens of ships and improve graphics.

Trade-offs: The base game is old (2001) and the UI is clunky by modern standards. It’s not available on GOG, so you’ll need to find a physical copy or a digital key, and then apply a fan patch to run it on modern Windows.

Best for: Strategy fans who love fleet combat and are willing to dive into mods for a richer experience.

Best Modern Story: Star Trek: Resurgence

Strengths: A 2023 narrative adventure from Dramatic Labs, made by former Telltale developers. It feels like a playable Star Trek episode, with dialogue choices that affect the story. You play two characters—a first officer and a chief engineer—on a diplomatic mission that goes wrong. The writing is faithful to Trek’s ideals.

Trade-offs: It’s a linear story with limited gameplay (mostly dialogue and light exploration). Some technical bugs were present at launch, though patches have improved it. It’s not a sandbox—replay value is low unless you want to see different choices.

Best for: Players who love story-driven games like The Walking Dead or Life is Strange and want a new Trek story.

Best Classic: Star Trek: Bridge Commander

Strengths: A 2002 starship simulator that focuses on commanding a single ship. It has a great modding community, with total conversions like Bridge Commander: The Next Generation that add more ships and missions. The tactical combat is deep—you manage power distribution, shields, and weapons while issuing orders to your crew.

Trade-offs: It’s very dated in graphics and interface. It’s not available on digital storefronts; you’ll need to find a copy and install fan patches. The learning curve is steep.

Best for: Hardcore sim fans who want to feel like a starship captain and don’t mind old-school UI.

Best for VR: Star Trek: Bridge Crew (VR Mode)

Strengths: The VR mode is the definitive way to play Bridge Crew. You physically reach out to touch consoles, look at your crewmates, and feel like you’re on the bridge. The sense of presence is unmatched.

Trade-offs: Requires a VR headset (PC VR or PSVR). The player base is very small now, so you’ll need friends with VR to play regularly. The missions can feel repetitive after a while.

Best for: VR owners who want the most immersive Star Trek experience possible.

Honorable Mention: Star Trek Online (Free to Play)

Strengths: The only MMO in the franchise, and it’s still running with regular content updates. You can captain your own ship, explore the galaxy, and even play as a Klingon or Romulan. It’s free to play, so you can try it without cost.

Trade-offs: It’s a grindy MMO with microtransactions. The combat is not deep, and the story is hit-or-miss. It’s not a game for purists who want a tight single-player experience.

Best for: Players who want a long-term, social Star Trek experience and don’t mind MMO mechanics.

How to Choose

Budget: If you’re on a tight budget, Star Trek Online is free, but you may feel pressured to spend. Bridge Crew and Resurgence are mid-priced. Older games like Armada II or Bridge Commander are cheap if you can find them, but you’ll spend time on patches.

Use case: For a group game night, Bridge Crew is unbeatable. For a solo evening, Elite Force II or Resurgence are better. For a long-term hobby, Star Trek Online or modded Armada II will keep you busy.

Common trade-offs: Modern games are easier to run but may lack depth. Older games have more depth and mods but require technical tinkering. Multiplayer games are fun but depend on other players. Single-player games are reliable but can be shorter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are any Star Trek games available on modern consoles?

Yes, Star Trek: Bridge Crew is on PS4 and PS5 (via backward compatibility) and PC. Star Trek: Resurgence is on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Most older games are PC-only.

Can I play Star Trek: Bridge Crew solo?

Yes, but the AI crew is basic and the experience is much less fun. It’s designed for co-op, so you’ll want at least one friend.

Do I need a VR headset for Bridge Crew?

No, it supports both VR and non-VR play. The non-VR mode uses a traditional screen and mouse/keyboard or controller.

Which Star Trek game has the best story?

For a modern, narrative-driven story, Star Trek: Resurgence is the best. For a classic FPS with a good story, Elite Force II is a solid pick.

Are there any Star Trek games on mobile?

Yes, there are mobile games like Star Trek Fleet Command (a strategy MMO) and Star Trek Timelines (a collectible RPG). They are free-to-play with heavy microtransactions.

Will older Star Trek games run on Windows 10/11?

Some will, but many require fan patches or compatibility modes. GOG versions are often pre-patched. Check community forums for specific games.

Bottom Line

If you have friends and want the definitive Star Trek experience, get Star Trek: Bridge Crew. If you’re solo and want a great story, get Star Trek: Resurgence or Elite Force II. For strategy fans, Armada II with mods is a deep, rewarding choice. And if you just want to dip your toes, Star Trek Online is free and still active. No single game captures everything, but these picks cover the best of what Trek gaming offers.

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