Quake III Arena cover art

Quake III Arena

by id Software · published by Electronic Arts

Released December 2, 1999 on PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, and Dreamcast.

Quake III Arena Trailer thumbnail

About Quake III Arena

Quake III Arena is a first-person shooter built around competitive multiplayer combat. Unlike earlier entries in the Quake series, it has no story-driven campaign, and its single-player mode instead pits the player against computer-controlled bots across a series of increasingly difficult arenas. Matches take place in maps that mix gothic and technological architecture, with weapons and power-ups spawning at fixed points that players fight to control. Movement techniques such as strafe-jumping and rocket-jumping are central to high-level play. Game modes include free-for-all deathmatch, team deathmatch, one-on-one tournament duels, and capture the flag, and the game supports network and internet play along with extensive customization and modding.

In Quake III Arena, the greatest warriors of all time are pulled from their own worlds to fight for the amusement of a powerful race known as the Vadrigar within the Arena Eternal. The player takes the role of one such combatant, battling through tiers of opponents in an endless contest of skill and survival.

Release dates by platform

PCNADecember 2, 1999 · Out now
LinuxNADecember 10, 1999 · Out now
MacNADecember 27, 1999 · Out now
LinuxEUDecember 27, 1999 · Out now
DreamcastNAOctober 22, 2000 · Out now
DreamcastEUDecember 8, 2000 · Out now
Xbox 360December 15, 2010 · Out now

Reviews & players

Critic score873 reviews
Steam reviewsOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 4.1K positive
Player score83420 ratings on IGDB

Quake III Arena FAQ

When did Quake III Arena come out?

Quake III Arena was released on December 2, 1999 for PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, and Dreamcast.

Is Quake III Arena on PlayStation 5?

No. Quake III Arena has not been announced for PlayStation 5. It is available on PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, and Dreamcast.

Is Quake III Arena on Xbox Series X|S?

No. Quake III Arena has not been announced for Xbox Series X|S. It is available on PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, and Dreamcast.

Is Quake III Arena on Nintendo Switch 2?

No. Quake III Arena has not been announced for Nintendo Switch 2. It is available on PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox 360, PlayStation 2, and Dreamcast.

Who is making Quake III Arena?

Quake III Arena is developed by id Software and published by Electronic Arts, Sega, Loki Software, and Activision.

Is Quake III Arena multiplayer?

Yes. Quake III Arena supports single player and multiplayer.

How much does Quake III Arena cost?

Quake III Arena costs $14.99 on Steam. Prices checked October 9, 2026.

Is Quake III Arena good?

Steam players rate it "Overwhelmingly Positive" — 96% of 4,115 reviews are positive. Critics average 87/100.

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