The best top down games

Top down games were very popular in the 80s and the 90s, when graphic cards were not capable of supporting 3D, and even when 3D started to become popular, 2D games continued to be easier to develop, at least in the infancy of 3D gaming. 2D game offered the player a viewpoint that helped keeping things easily under control (think about top down party-based RPGs or hex-based strategy games).

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Autoduel

DOS1985 Origin Systems

Autoduel is an abandoned top-down open world post apocalyptic RPG/driving game hybrid designed by Chuck Bueche and Richard Garriott of Ultima fame. Autoduel was developed by Origin Systems and was released in 1985 for DOS, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST, C64, Apple II, Macintosh, Amiga. Autoduel is based on a board game designed by Steve Jackson himself.

Avalon

DOS1998freeware MiG Outpost

Styx

DOS1984 Windmill Software

Dragons of Flame

DOS1989protected U.S. Gold

Loopz

DOS1990 Audiogenic

Phantasie 1

DOS1987protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.

Entomorph: Plague Of The Darkfall

Windows XP/98/95Windows 3.xMac OS1995protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.

Spirit of Excalibur

DOS1990 Synergistic Software

Azalta: Cult of the Raven

DOS1996

Blasteroids

DOS1989 Atari

Blasteroids is a video game developed and released by Atari, Inc. in 1987. It's a sequel to the classic arcade game Asteroids, which was released in 1979. In Blasteroids, players control a spaceship tasked with destroying asteroids and enemy ships while avoiding collisions and enemy fire. The game features updated graphics and gameplay mechanics co...

Carrier Strike: South Pacific 1942-44

DOS1992protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.

Defender of the Crown

DOS1991protected Cinemaware

Defender of the crown is a strategy game set in the middle ages, in England. You control a Saxon and must fight Normans to control the country. The player can conquest territories, lay siege to castles, join tournaments, rescue damsels.