Herzog Zwei(Technosoft, 1989) is a hybrid shoot-em-up/real time strategy game which is widely credited as the first RTS. The sequel to Herzog(MSX), Herzog Zwei has the player flying around in a command plane using free-movement controls a la Thunderforce 2(also by Technosoft). This plane can attack the enemy command plane, or it can switch into a ground form for attacking ground units.

The RTS elements are the true purpose of the command plane, or c-ship. The c-ship can pick up units and give them programs such as "Attack Nearest Base", "Defend Nearest Base", and so on. It can then drop the unit near its objective, pick up another one, program it, and so on. This is probably a function of the Genesis's limited input mechanisms for unit selection and menu actions, but it results in a very nice approach that balances highly complex instructions against a large amount of time required to command each unit.

Herzog Zwei is a two-player game, with various bases scattered throughout the map and a Main Base in either corner. More bases allow the player to build units more quickly, and once one player takes the other's Main Base, the game is over. If one player destroys the other's c-ship, it respawns at the victim's Main Base in a few seconds.

Herzog Zwei has a small, albeit rabid, fan base.