Abandonware strategy games sorted by release date

Games based on strategy allow for reasoning and planning of one’s moves and actions. The gameplay may be based on player’s turns (Turn-based Strategy) or it may be in real time (Real-Time Strategy, RTS). These games focus on strategy and tactics rather than action, sometimes with the addition of financial or logistic features.

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Shawl

DOS19863.4/5 cards

The Chessmaster 2000

DOS19864.1/5 chess

Anacreon: Reconstruction 4021

DOS1987freeware3.9/5 4x

Anacreon: Reconstruction 4021 is one of the first 4x turn-based strategy games, ASCII based. Anacreon is set in space, as most 4x sci-fi games are, and was published by Thinking Machines Associates and designed by George Moromisato who later re-released the game as freeware.

Dragonriders of Pern

DOS19873.1/5 board game

Empire: Wargame of the Century

DOS19874/5 wargame

Kampfgruppe

DOS1987protected3.6/5 turn-based tactics, wargame

Lords of Conquest

DOS19873.6/5 board game

Mech Brigade

DOS1987protected4.1/5 wargame, turn-based tactics

Oligopoly

DOS19873.3/5 board game

Oligopoly is an abandoned turn-based strategy game designed by James Kerwin, developed by PC Design Associates and released by XOR Corporation in 1987 for DOS.

Patton vs. Rommel

DOS19874/5 wargame, turn-based tactics

Roadwar 2000

DOS1987protected4/5 turn-based tactics

Roadwar Europa

DOS1987protected3.9/5 turn-based tactics

Robot Rascals

DOS19873.8/5 board game

Sorcerer Lord

DOS19874/5 turn-based tactics

Star Saga: One - Beyond the Boundary

DOS19873.6/5 board game

The Ancient Art of War at Sea

DOS19874.1/5 real-time strategy

The Civil War

DOS19873.3/5 wargame, turn-based tactics

Vegas Gambler

DOS19873.4/5 cards

Video Casino

DOS19873/5 cards

Annals of Rome

DOS19883.8/5 kingdom simulation

Arnhem: The Market Garden Operation

DOS19882.8/5 turn-based tactics, wargame

Battle Chess

DOS1988protected4.2/5 board game, chess

Chess was a niche genre in video gaming. There were lots of chess simulations: black and white very old games, licensed games from chess champions, etc. No one ever attempted to broaden the audience until Interplay published Battle Chess. Battle Chess appeal was almost entirely focused on the animations when two pieces ended on the same square.