The most popular 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.
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Archon Ultra
DOS1994protected board game
Archon Ultra is what happens when you smash chess into an arcade cabinet and call it a day. This updated version of the original Archon throws in jazzed-up graphics and faster gameplay, but keeps the core idea: when pieces meet, t...
Army Men 2
Windows XP/98/951998protected real-time tactics
Army Men 2 doubles down on everything from the first game - more weapons, more plastic carnage, more trips to “The Real World” where you fight in bathtubs and backyards. It’s like Toy Story if Buzz Lightyear carr...
Star Control 3
DOS1996protected shoot 'em up
X-COM: Terror from the Deep
DOS1995protected turn-based tactics
X-COM: Terror from the Deep (also known as X-COM 2) is a DOS science fiction tactical strategy game and the sequel to one of the most popular DOS games in history, X-COM: UFO Defense. Terror from the Deep was designed by Step...
Star Control 2
DOS1992protected shoot 'em up
Conflict in Vietnam
DOS1986 wargame, turn-based tactics
Emperor of the Fading Suns
Windows XP/98/951996 4x
Ogre
DOS1986 wargame, board game
221B Baker Street
DOS1986 board game
You are Sherlock Holmes, and someone has committed a crime, possibly because they couldn’t handle the game’s UI. 221B Baker Street is a detective board game where your mind is your only weapon. And also a notepad, beca...
Robo Rumble
Windows XP/98/951998 real-time strategy
The Perfect General
DOS1991 wargame, turn-based tactics
The Perfect General is a turn-based strategy military game developed by White Wolf Productions and released in 1991 by Quantun Quality Production. The Perfect General gameplay is quite simple compared to other wargames, but it's b...
Battle Isle 2200
DOS1994protected turn-based tactics
With Battle Isle 2200 (1994), the series goes full 3D cinematic—with cutscenes so dramatic you’d think they were auditioning for a soap opera in space. The gameplay is classic hex strategy, but now with upgraded visual...
9 Poker
DOS1989 cards
Ah, 9 Poker. Released in 1989 for DOS, this game is less a glamorous casino sim and more a smoky backroom full of pixelated cards and questionable programming. You get nine variants of poker to lose fake money in, which is both ge...
Decisive Battles of the American Civil War: Vol. 1
DOS1988 wargame, turn-based tactics
Dragon Lord
DOS1990 real-time strategy
Nobunaga's Ambition
DOS1988
Master of Orion
DOS1993protected 4x
Armada 2525
DOS1991 4x
Armada 2525 is what happens when a spreadsheet decides it wants to conquer the galaxy. This is classic 4X strategy with all the bells, whistles, and menus your early '90s heart could desire. You’ll build colonies, research t...
Bush Buck: Global Treasure Hunter
DOS1991 board game
If Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego had a caffeinated younger cousin, it would be Bush Buck: Global Treasure Hunter. You race around the globe chasing clues, dodging rivals, and learning just enough geography to impress your ...
Vlad Tepes Dracula
Windows XP/98/951997 real-time strategy, business simulation
Seal Team
DOS1993 real-time tactics
Crazy Nick's Leisure Suit Larry Casino
DOS1992 cards
Lords of Conquest
DOS1987 board game
Battle Isle
DOS1991protected turn-based tactics
Turns out war is a lot tidier when it’s turn-based. Battle Isle (1991) gives you neat little hexagons to move your units on, like a very angry board game. It’s got strategy, sci-fi flair, and just enough AI ruthlessnes...
Capture the Flag
DOS1993 turn-based tactics
No guns. No glory. Just two invisible players navigating a weird Tron-like maze to steal each other’s flag. Capture the Flag is what you get when someone says “let’s make Pac-Man multiplayer and add a dash of par...
Chess
DOS1981 chess
Dogs of War
Windows XP/98/951996demo wargame, board game
Panzer Battles
DOS1990 wargame, turn-based tactics
Cannon Fodder
DOS1994protected real-time tactics
War never changes—but it does get oddly cute in Cannon Fodder. Guide your tiny commandos through missions filled with explosions, carnage, and dark humor. The game mixes arcade action with light strategy, and the body count ...
NetStorm: Islands at War
Windows XP/98/951997 real-time strategy