The most popular 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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Conflict: Korea

DOS1992protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.

Allan Border's Cricket

DOS1993 Audiogenic

In Allan Border’s Cricket (1993), you get to live the thrill of... waiting. A lot. But when the action kicks in, it’s surprisingly engaging. Named after the Australian cricket legend, the game offers realistic mechanics, a full-featured simulation mode, and all the statistical depth you could dream of. For non-cricket fans, it’s p...

Dungeon of Shalan

DOS1988

O-Pong

DOS1996

Black Moon Chronicles

DOS1999protected Cryo Interactive Entertainment

Based on a French comic series, Black Moon Chronicles (1999) is what you'd get if a fantasy novel and a real-time strategy game had a slightly awkward baby. The art is dark, the tone is darker, and the gameplay is surprisingly complex. You’ll command armies, cast spells, and occasionally wonder what’s happening. The interface takes some...

Tracon for Windows

Windows 3.x1993 Wesson International

Super Speed

DOS1995

Dungeons of Kairn

DOS1989

Unnecessary Roughness

DOS1993 Accolade

Battle Master

DOS1991 Personal Software Services

In Battle Master (1991), you play as a heavily armored murder-hobo leading an army across a fantasy world that really doesn’t want you there. It’s part action-RPG, part tactical slog, with clunky pathfinding and surprisingly fun chaos. The graphics are gritty, the music growls, and the gameplay feels like someone fed an RTS through a me...

Major Stryker

DOSWindows XP/98/951993freeware Apogee Software

Beyond the Black Hole

DOS1989 The Software Toolworks

Beyond the Black Hole promises an interstellar voyage into mystery—and delivers... a disorienting 3D shooter that kind of feels like flying a cardboard spaceship through a kaleidoscope. The idea is noble: space combat meets puzzle-solving. The execution? Let’s say it was ambitious for 1989. You fly through wormholes, blast weird shapes,...

Epidemic!

DOS1983protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.

Bass Tour

DOS1992

Think of Bass Tour (1992) as the road trip version of virtual fishing. More simulation than arcade, it lets you travel, pick locations, study conditions, and obsess over bait types like you're preparing for a National Geographic special. It’s fishing, but with menus. Lots of menus. Perfect for those who like their relaxation served with a sid...

Sword Quest 2: Tale of the Talisman

DOS1993

Zoop

DOS1995 Hookstone

The Ancient Art of War in the Skies

DOS1992 Evryware

Sarge

DOS1989

Sorcerer Lord

DOS1987 Personal Software Services

Tracon 2

DOS1990 Wesson International

If It Moves, Shoot It!

DOS1989 Emerald Software

Waterworld

DOS1997 Intelligent Games

Grand Monster Slam

DOS1989 Golden Goblins

Grand Monster Slam is an action sports game developed by Golden Goblins and published by Rainbow Arts in 1989. The game was released for a variety of platforms, including the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, and MS-DOS. The game is set in a fantasy world where players compete in a sport called Monster Slam. The sport involves two opposing player...