Populous: The Beginning
PlayStation · 1998
About this game
Populous: The Beginning is the third part of the Populous series originally created by Peter Molyneux .
This is the first part with 3D graphics.
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Gameplay also received a major overhaul; the player no longer simply has to lower and raise land to gain bigger houses which can defend themselves stronger.
Now the player has to chop trees to build huts.
Depending on how many men are in the house, the faster its population and the house itself grows.
It's possible to train men as fighters, priests, etc.
New spells can be added to the shaman's spell inventory through the act of prayer at shrines scattered all over the world.
Most spells take the form of natural disasters such as tornadoes and volcanic eruptions.
Each level is represented by a tiny planet that the player can scroll around freely.
Aside from the single player campaign it's also possible to challenge other players online.
About PlayStation
The original PlayStation (1994) brought CD-based gaming and 3D graphics to the mainstream, ending Nintendo's console dominance of the previous two generations. It's now firmly in "retro collecting" territory: original jewel cases with intact manuals command a real premium over disc-only copies, and several RPGs from its later years (when Sony deliberately courted the genre) are among the most expensive commonly-collected games from the era.
Gamevaro tracks Populous: The Beginning for PlayStation with separate market values for loose, complete-in-box (CIB) and factory-sealed copies, sourced from real eBay sales. Prices also vary by region — PAL, NTSC-U and NTSC-J releases of the same game often sell for different amounts due to print run sizes and regional collector demand.
Adding Populous: The Beginning to a Gamevaro collection takes seconds — search by title or scan the box barcode, and the app fills in cover art, release details and current pricing automatically. This PS1 release dates back to 1998.
Price history
Market values by condition
PAL
NTSC-U
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €42.87 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | PAL | €5.19 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €10.30 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €28.36 |
| 2026-07-12 | New (sealed) | PAL | €49.75 |
| 2026-07-12 | Graded New | PAL | €54.72 |
| 2026-07-12 | Complete in Box | PAL | €6.76 |
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | PAL | €2.31 |
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | PAL | €2.58 |
| 2026-07-12 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €4.28 |
| 2026-07-12 | Item only | NTSC-U | €5.75 |
| 2026-07-12 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €6.96 |
| 2026-07-10 | Box Only | PAL | €2.58 |
| 2026-07-10 | Item only | PAL | €5.19 |
| 2026-07-10 | Manual Only | PAL | €2.31 |
| 2026-07-10 | New (sealed) | PAL | €49.72 |
| 2026-07-10 | Graded New | PAL | €54.70 |
| 2026-07-10 | Complete in Box | NTSC-U | €10.29 |
| 2026-07-10 | Manual Only | NTSC-U | €6.95 |
| 2026-07-10 | Graded New | NTSC-U | €42.85 |
| 2026-07-10 | Item only | NTSC-U | €5.75 |
| 2026-07-10 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €28.35 |
| 2026-07-10 | Box Only | NTSC-U | €4.28 |
| 2026-07-10 | Complete in Box | PAL | €6.76 |
| 2026-07-06 | Item only | PAL | €11.67 |
| 2026-07-05 | Item only | NTSC-U | €13.85 |
| 2026-06-18 | New (sealed) | NTSC-U | €27.96 |
| 2026-06-18 | Complete in Box | PAL | €7.50 |
| 2026-06-18 | Item only | PAL | €3.26 |
| 2026-06-18 | Item only | NTSC-U | €5.67 |
Market insights
Rarity & condition
Populous: The Beginning has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning enough copies circulate to establish a reliable market price.
Complete-in-box (CIB) copies typically command a premium over loose cartridges/discs because the original box and manual are more fragile and get discarded or damaged over time — fewer complete sets survive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Populous: The Beginning worth?
Populous: The Beginning for PlayStation is currently worth €11.67 loose, €6.76 complete in box, and €49.75 factory sealed. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Populous: The Beginning rare?
Populous: The Beginning has a steady sales history on the tracked marketplaces, meaning it trades hands regularly and isn't considered particularly rare.
What's the difference between loose, CIB and sealed for Populous: The Beginning?
Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. For Populous: The Beginning, loose is €11.67 and CIB is €6.76 — CIB commands a premium because original boxes and manuals are fragile and often don't survive.
Is Populous: The Beginning worth more in PAL or NTSC?
The PAL version of Populous: The Beginning is currently worth €11.67 loose, versus €13.85 for NTSC-U. Regional price differences usually come down to print run size and regional collector demand.
Ratings & Reviews
Also on other platforms
![Populous: The Beginning [EA Classics]](https://images.igdb.com/igdb/image/upload/t_cover_big/co25er.jpg)
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