Underdog games: underrated worth playing sorted by release date
In order to be an underdog, a game has to be "not well known" to the public (not now, nor at the time of its release) or underrated, but worth mentioning and playing for some reason. There are plenty of games that won the love of gamers against all odds; some of them even had a cult following. By the way, this keyword pays tribute to Sarinee Achavanuntakul, the owner of the first version of Home of the Underdogs, the site that started and popularized the abandonware concept.
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Scorched Earth
DOS1991protected
SimAnt: The Electronic Ant Colony
DOS1991 Maxis
SimAnt is a life simulation and strategy game developed by Maxis, released in 1991, and part of the "Sim" series. Created by Will Wright, SimAnt focuses on simulating the life of an ant colony. In SimAnt, you play as the black ant colony in a backyard and household environment, competing against the red ants, environmental hazards, and even hu...
Supaplex
DOS1991freeware Think!Ware Development
The Blues Brothers
DOS1991 Titus Interactive
The Blues Brothers is a platformer that follows the adventures of Jake and Elwood Blues as they try to put their band back together. The player controls one of the Blues Brothers through various levels, each filled with obstacles, enemies, and puzzles. The ultimate goal is to collect musical notes and instruments to assemble the band. develope...
Darklands
DOSLinuxWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1992protected MicroProse Software
Darklands was a unique historical isometric RPG that mixed real historical data from medieval Germany during the 15th century with a touch of folklore and fantasy. Unfortunately it was also the only Microprose RPG of that kind and beauty. The original game box contained a huge manual with info on european folklore (including the live...
Dylan Dog: Murderers
DOS1992 Simulmondo
Moonstone: A Hard Days Knight
DOS1992 Mindscape
Moonstone: A Hard Days Knight is an action-RPG and strategy game developed by Rob Anderson and published by Mindscape in 1991 for the Amiga and later for MS-DOS. The game is famous for its combination of strategic, RPG elements with fast-paced, brutal action combat, as well as its dark medieval fantasy setting. Up to four players can take turn...
Super Cauldron
DOS1992 Titus Interactive
Super Cauldron is a platforming game developed by Titus Interactive and released in 1993 for platforms like MS-DOS, Amiga, and Amstrad CPC. In the game, you play as a witch on a mission to restore peace to her land. Armed with a magical cauldron and spells, she must traverse through various enchanted levels. Super Cauldron is a class...
Swap
DOS1992 Microids
Thomas the Tank Engine
DOS1992 Peakstar Software
Utopia: The Creation of a Nation
DOS1992 Celestial software
Utopia: The Creation of a Nation is a simulation video game released in 1992 by Konami. It allows players to build and manage a colony on a distant planet, where they must ensure the survival and prosperity of their people. The game was originally released for various platforms, including the Amiga, DOS, and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNE...
Betrayal at Krondor
DOS1993protected Dynamix
Body Blows
DOS1993 Team 17
Body Blows is a 2D fighting game developed and published by Team17, released in 1993. It was initially launched for the Amiga and later ported to MS-DOS. Body Blows was one of the few fighting games to emerge from Europe during the early 1990s and was heavily inspired by the success of games like Street Fighter II. Body Blows features traditio...
Capture the Flag
DOS1993
Epic Pinball
DOSMac OS1993protected Digital Extremes
Eric the Unready
DOS1993protected Legend Entertainment
SimFarm
DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1993 Maxis
SimFarm is a simulation video game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts in 1993. In SimFarm, players take on the role of a farmer and manage various aspects of running a farm, including planting crops, raising livestock, and dealing with natural disasters.Players start with a basic farm and a limited amount of resources, and they mus...
Thomas the Tank Engine 2
DOS1993 Peakstar Software
Jagged Alliance
DOS1994protected Sir-tech Software
Jazz Jackrabbit
DOS1994protected Epic MegaGames
Legions
Windows 3.xMac OS1994 Mindscape
Magic Carpet
DOSMac OS1994protected Bullfrog
Magic Carpet is an action shooter game set in a fictional Middle East developed by Bullfrog and released by Electronic Arts in 1994 for DOS and Macintosh. Your goal is to fly around a magic carpet and collect mana to expand your castle. When you reach the required mana "equilibrium" you move on to the next world and so on.
Superfrog
DOS1994protected Team 17
Wacky Wheels
DOS1994protected Apogee Software
Abuse
DOSLinuxMac OS1995freeware Crack dot Com
AIV Networks
DOS1995 ERE Informatique
Albion
DOSWindows XP/98/951995 Blue Byte Software
Albion is a science fiction role-playing game (RPG) developed and published by German studio Blue Byte Software. It was released in 1995 for MS-DOS and later for Amiga. Albion is notable for its blend of traditional RPG elements with a unique setting and storyline.The game takes place on the planet Albion, a world with a rich history and diver...
Celtic Tales: Balor of the Evil Eye
DOS1995 KOEI
Celtic Tales: Balor of the Evil Eye is a strategy video game developed by KOEI and released in 1995. It is set in a mythical version of ancient Ireland and draws heavily from Celtic mythology, particularly focusing on the legendary figure Balor of the Evil Eye. Players take on the role of a clan leader, managing their tribe's resources, engagi...
Flight of the Amazon Queen
DOS1995freeware Interactive Binary Illusions
Flight of the Amazon Queen is a point-and-click adventure game developed by Interactive Binary Illusions and originally released in 1995. The game is heavily inspired by the likes of Indiana Jones and Monkey Island, combining humor, a pulp-style adventure, and a variety of puzzles. The game is set in the 1940s and follows the story of Joe King...
Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within
DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1995protecteddemo Sierra On-Line
Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within is a point-and-click adventure game developed and published by Sierra On-Line. It was released in 1995 as a sequel to the original Gabriel Knight game, "Sins of the Fathers". The game was designed by Jane Jensen, who also wrote the story and script.In GK2 The Beast Within, players assume the role of Gabriel Knight...