Abandonware strategy games
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.
Sort by:
Deadlock: Planetary Conquest
Windows XP/98/95Windows 3.x1996protected 4x
If you’ve ever wanted to play interstellar Monopoly while arguing with alien neighbors, Deadlock: Planetary Conquest is your ticket. Released in 1996, this strategy gem tosses you into the messy business of colonizing planet...
Death by Backgammon
DOS1990 board game
Only in the early ’90s could a game like Death by Backgammon exist with a straight face. It’s 1990, you’re on DOS, and suddenly backgammon isn’t just a quiet game for your granddad—it’s a duel o...
Decision at Gettysburg
DOS1990 wargame, turn-based tactics
If adrenaline-fueled car chases aren’t your thing, maybe meticulous Civil War simulations are. Decision at Gettysburg (1990) is a detailed, turn-based strategy game that lets you relive one of America’s most famous bat...
Decision in the Desert
DOS1985 wargame, turn-based tactics
Before Gettysburg, there was Decision in the Desert (1985), which simulates WWII’s North African campaign. Expect hex maps, endless sand, and the occasional tank battle that feels like a chess match with explosions. SSI&rsqu...
Decisive Battles of the American Civil War: Vol. 1
DOS1988 wargame, turn-based tactics
Released in 1988, Decisive Battles of the American Civil War: Vol. 1 is as straightforward as its title. You get historical accuracy, a serious strategy engine, and about as many graphical flourishes as a tax form. Yet the depth i...
Decisive Battles of the American Civil War: Vol. 2
DOS1989 wargame, turn-based tactics
By 1989, SSI doubled down with Vol. 2, offering more battles, more maps, and the same demanding mechanics. If you enjoyed the first, you’ll feel right at home; if you didn’t, this won’t change your mind. The seri...
Decisive Battles of the American Civil War: Vol. 3
DOS1992 wargame, turn-based tactics
By 1992, Vol. 3 wrapped up the trilogy with even more complex scenarios. At this point, the series had become less of a game and more of an interactive textbook—though that’s not a criticism if you’re the type wh...
Defender of the Crown
DOS1991protected
Step into the shoes of a medieval lord in this 1991 DOS strategy game. Engage in jousting tournaments, siege castles, and vie for control of England. It's like playing Risk, but with more swords and less diplomacy. Conquer territo...
Desert Rats
DOS1986 turn-based tactics, wargame
Released in 1986, Desert Rats is a strategy game that puts you in charge of the North African campaign of World War II. Don’t let the cute title fool you—there are no actual rodents wearing goggles, just tanks, supply ...
Dogs of War
Windows XP/98/951996demo wargame, board game
Dogs of War (1996) drops you into a gritty mercenary’s life where missions mean money, and money means better gear. Set on Windows XP, the game blends strategy and action with a heavy emphasis on firepower. You’ll hire...
Dominium
DOS1992 real-time strategy
Dominium (1992) is an ambitious mix of real-time strategy and empire management, though perhaps “ambitious” is just another word for “slightly overwhelming.” The game puts you in charge of planets, fleets, ...
Dominus
DOS1994 real-time tactics, real-time strategy
Dominus (1994) is what happens when a tower defense game and an RPG get thrown into a medieval blender. You’re tasked with defending your castle from wave after wave of enemies, but instead of just building towers, you direc...
Doomdark's Revenge
DOS1985 first-person party-based RPG
Doomdark's Revenge is a strategy and role-playing video game developed by Mike Singleton and originally released in 1985 for DOS and various home computer systems, including the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, and Commodore 64. It is th...
Dracula in London
DOS1988 board game
Dragon Lord
DOS1990 real-time strategy
Dragonriders of Pern
DOS1987 board game
Dune
DOS1992 real-time strategy
Dune, released in 1992, is a game developed by Cryo Interactive and published by Virgin Games. It's based on the iconic science fiction novel of the same name by Frank Herbert. In Dune, players assume the role of Paul Atreides, th...
Dune 2000
Windows XP/98/951998 real-time strategy
Dune 2000 is an abandoned science fiction classic real-time strategy game based on the popular Dune franchise. The Dune "universe" took form in the books of science fiction writer Frank Herbert and went on to include mov...
Dune Generations
Windows XP/98/952002canceled real-time strategy
Dune Generations was a canceled 3D MMO strategy game set in the Dune universe that was never published. Dune Generations was in development by Cryo Interactive Entertainment, but it was canceled in 2002 wh...
Dune II: The building of a dynasty
DOS1992 real-time strategy
Dune II, released in 1992, is a pioneering real-time strategy game developed by Westwood Studios. Set in the world of Frank Herbert's Dune, players command noble houses in a battle for control over the planet Arrakis. With base-bu...
Dungeon Keeper
DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1997protected sandbox strategy, god game, real-time strategy
Dungeon Keeper 2
Windows XP/98/95Mac OS1997protected sandbox strategy, god game, real-time strategy
Dungeon Keeper 3: War for the Overworld
Windows 10/112000canceled sandbox strategy, god game, real-time strategy
Dungeon Keeper 3 was a cancelled dungeon management strategy game being developed by Bullfrog that was never released. Dungeon Keeper 3 was cancelled in 2000 and the Dungeon Keeper franchise ended without a third chapter.
EGA Bomb
DOS1988 artillery
Emperor of the Fading Suns
Windows XP/98/951996 4x
Empire Deluxe
DOSWindows 3.x1993 turn-based tactics, wargame
Empire Deluxe is a classic turn-based strategy game that was originally released in the early 1990s. Developed by Mark Baldwin and Bob Rakowsky of White Wolf Productions and published by New World Computing, it is a successor...
Empire Earth
Windows XP/98/952001protected real-time strategy
Empire Earth is a real-time strategy (RTS) game developed by Stainless Steel Studios and released by Sierra Entertainment in 2001. It's often compared to the "Age of Empires" series due to its similar gameplay mechanics and histor...
Empire II: The Art of War
DOSWindows XP/98/951995 wargame, turn-based tactics
Empire: Wargame of the Century
DOS1987 wargame
Encyclopedia of War: Ancient Battles
DOS1988 wargame