Abandonware DOS title

The most popular shoot 'em up games

Shoot 'em ups were extremely popular in the '80s and '90s. In a classic shoot 'em up, the player controls a vehicle, a spaceship or an aircraft with the only goal of destroying the largest number of enemies as possible while dodging bullets and staying alive. Through the years, shoot 'em ups evolved to include features like end level bosses, multiple weapons and power-ups. Some of the most popular DOS shoot 'em ups were: Raptor, Tyrian 2000, Xenon 2.
armor-alley-02

Armor Alley

DOSMac OS1991
In Armor Alley, you command a helicopter in a warzone that looks like a side-scrolling office meeting gone wrong. It’s strategy meets action: you must manage resources, deplo...
raiden-05

Raiden

DOS1994 Seibu Kaihatsu Inc.
Raiden is a vertically scrolling shoot 'em up game developed by Seibu Kaihatsu and first released in arcades in 1990 and later for many home computers and consoles. Raiden fol...
space-invaders-2001-02

Space Invaders 2001

Windows XP/98/952001remake
stargate-splash

Stargate

DOS1983 Williams Entertainment
space-federation-07

Space Federation

DOS1994 Interplay Productions
xenon-2000-05

Xenon 2000: Project PCF

Windows XP/98/952000remake Bitmap Brothers
Xenon 2000: Project PCF is a vertical-scrolling shoot 'em up video game and originally released in 2000. It is a sequel to the earlier game "Xenon 2: Megablast," which was develope...
uridium-2

Uridium

DOS1988 Graftgold
Uridium is a fast-paced shooter from 1988 that wastes no time getting you into the action. You’ll be piloting a sleek craft across massive enemy ships, blasting anything that get...
batalia-splash

Batalia

DOS1986 The Right Brothers
Batalia (1986) is what happens when war games and spreadsheet programs fall in love. This early DOS strategy title throws you into tactical battles with graphics that would struggl...
darius-gaiden-05

Darius Gaiden

Windows XP/98/951998 Taito
Darius Gaiden is a visually stunning side-scrolling shooter where every boss is a giant, weaponized sea creature from a neon-soaked fever dream. You’ll pilot your ship throug...
Silpheed-02

Silpheed

DOS1988 Game Arts
tangentopoli-02

Il Grande Gioco di Tangentopoli

DOS1993
Il Grande Gioco di Tangentopoli from 1993 is one of those rare political satire games that feels both hilariously specific and unexpectedly timeless. Built around Italy's corruptio...
flying-tigers-2-04

Flying Tigers 2

DOS1994
Flying Tigers 2 (1994, DOS) doubles down on the formula of its predecessor and adds a bit more bite to the bark. The action is still brisk, but the skies feel busier, the stakes sl...
jungle-strike-01

Jungle Strike

DOS1995 Electronic Arts
eagles-rider-04

Eagle's Rider

DOS1991 Microids
Eagle's Rider is one of those early ’90s DOS games that feels slightly unhinged in the best possible way. You control a futuristic rider soaring through abstract landscapes, ...
shootinggallery-splash

Shooting Gallery

DOS1990 Arcanum Computing
starcontrol3_003

Star Control 3

DOS1996protected Legend Entertainment
crossfire-2

Crossfire

DOS1982 Sierra On-Line
Crossfire is what happens when you throw a tank into a maze, give it infinite ammo, and tell it to go wild. Released in 1982, it’s all about twitch reflexes and precise shoot...
dalek-attack-01

Dalek Attack

DOS1992 Alternative Software
Dalek Attack is the digital embodiment of Doctor Who’s “run for your life” mantra—except here, you can also shoot back. Playing as the Doctor or one of his ...
starcontrol2-11

Star Control 2

DOS1992protected Toys for Bob
menace-02

Menace

DOS1988 DMA Design
Menace is a classic shoot 'em up video game that was developed by DMA Design, a company later known as Rockstar North, and initially released in 1988. The game was originally relea...
knightmare-2

Knightmare

DOS1986 Konami
Before the term “VR” existed, Knightmare (1986, DOS) gave you a taste of immersive peril. Inspired by the UK TV show, you guide a blindfolded knight through deadly dung...
into-the-eagles-nest-02

Into the Eagle's Nest

DOS1987 Pandora
Into the Eagle's Nest from 1987 is a top-down action game where stealth and gunfire coexist in uneasy partnership. Players infiltrate enemy territory, rescue prisoners, and survive...
xatax-splash

Xatax

DOS1994 Pixel Painters Corporation
Xatax is a no-nonsense arcade shooter that focuses on delivering fast, straightforward action without unnecessary distractions. You pilot your ship through waves of enemies, dodgin...
projectx-splash

Project-X

DOS1994 Team 17
tempest-2000-03

Tempest 2000

DOS1996remake Atari
Tempest 2000 is a video game developed by Llamasoft and published by Atari Corporation. It was released in 1994 for DOS, Mac, the Atari Jaguar console, etc. Tempest 2000 is an enha...
total-carnage-07

Total Carnage

DOS1994 Midway Manufacturing Company
raptor-1

Raptor: Call of the Shadows

DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1994protecteddemo Cygnus Studios
Back when PC shoot-’em-ups were still proving they could match arcades, Raptor: Call of the Shadows landed like a missile. Fast, crunchy, and blessed with explosions that fee...
champ-galagon-03

CHAMP Galagon

DOS1997remake ChamProgramming corp.
trafficdepartment-4

Traffic department 2192

DOS1994freeware P Squared
starcontrol1-6

Star Control

DOS1990protected Toys for Bob