Learn how takeovers, options and corporate finance work by running the deals yourself
Reading about hostile takeovers, junk bonds and option spreads only gets you so far. You don't really understand them until your own cash is on the line and a rival is circling your favorite company. Wall Street Raider is a Windows simulation built around exactly that. You start rich, you try to get richer, and the regulators, unions and competitors don't make it easy.
Quick facts
- Latest version: 9.75
- Platform: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 and 11. It's a Windows program, and Mac users have to run it through a compatibility tool such as Wine, Parallels or Crossover.
- Players: 1 to 5, including up to 4 computer players
- Scale: up to 1,590 companies in 70 industry groups
- Trial: a free shareware (evaluation) version is available, with some features switched off
- Publisher: Ronin Software, which has developed the game since 1986
Key features
Take over and run companies in 70 industries
You start with up to $1 billion. That is enough to buy a decent-sized industrial company or to found your own in any of the 70 industries. Then you manage it, keep its earnings climbing and try to dominate the industry. You can also use hostile takeovers, greenmail, LBOs, IPOs, mergers and restructurings. Antitrust lawsuits against competitors are on the list too.
Trade options like a professional with the Advanced Options Trading Station
The station lets you build multi-leg strategies, with up to 8 trades at once (4 calls and 4 puts). An AUTO-TRADE button fills in popular strategies for you to review before you submit. A built-in help file explains strangles, vertical call spreads, calendar spreads, butterflies and iron condors with examples.
Speculate in futures, swaps, ETFs and cryptocurrencies
Beyond stocks, you can trade commodity futures on oil, metals and grains, and stock index futures. You can also negotiate interest rate swaps and short-sell stocks and ETFs. Version 9.75 adds Bitcoin and Ethereum, with futures on both. Prices of gold, silver and cryptocurrencies have built-in inflation. Your brokerage or insurance company can even act as an ETF adviser, earning fees like a hedge fund manager.
Hand off companies to autopilot once your empire grows
When you control more companies than you can manage, you can put some on autopilot. They ask your permission before major moves such as stock purchases or issuances. Cash flow projections over the next 3 months warn you when a company you control is heading for a crunch. You can also set price alerts for stocks, commodities and interest rates.
Change the rules of the economy
You can repeal civil or criminal antitrust rules, or both, to create a lawless, robber-baron environment. The game also has random disasters, an occasional pandemic scenario, and a currency setting for dollars, yen, pounds, euros or others. Five-year charts cover every company, commodity, interest rate, GDP growth and your own net worth.
Who it's for
It suits people who want to learn how balance sheets, earnings reports, taxes and markets interact by experimenting. The publisher says players range from 9-year-olds to hedge fund managers. It also suits anyone who enjoys deep, numbers-heavy strategy games and doesn't mind a steep learning curve. It is not a quick, casual game.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very wide scope: stocks, bonds, options, futures, swaps, ETFs and company management in one game
- Real educational value for corporate finance and trading concepts
- Single-player or up to 4 computer opponents
- Free evaluation version to try first
- Long development history, with regular updates
Cons
- Windows only. Mac and iPad users need a compatibility layer
- Some features are disabled in the free version
- The sheer number of systems means a lot to learn
FAQs
Can I try it before buying?
Yes. A free shareware evaluation version exists, though some features aren't enabled in it.
Does it run on Windows 11?
Yes. It is listed for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 and 11.
Can I play it on a Mac?
It is a Windows program. Players have run it on Macs using Wine/WineBottler, Parallels Desktop or Crossover.
How many players can take part?
One to five, including up to four computer-controlled players.
Can I play in a currency other than dollars?
Yes. You can configure it for yen, pounds, euros or other currencies.
System requirements
- Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 or 11