Abandonware DOS title

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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Lords of Conquest

DOS1987 Eon Software
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Panzer Battles

DOS1990 SSG Strategic Studies Group
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Decision at Gettysburg

DOS1990 TigLon Software
If adrenaline-fueled car chases aren’t your thing, maybe meticulous Civil War simulations are. Decision at Gettysburg (1990) is a detailed, turn-based strategy game that lets...
tinyskweeks-splash

Tiny Skweeks

DOS1992 Kalisto Entertainment
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Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space

Windows XP/98/95LinuxMac OS2005protected Digital Eel
Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space is a science fiction roguelike game developed by Digital Eel. Originally released in 2005, it is the sequel to Strange Adventures in Infinite...
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Demon's Winter

DOS1989protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
In this 1989 DOS game, you survive in a post-apocalyptic world where demons have taken over. Scavenge for resources, fight off demonic creatures, and try to rebuild civilization. I...
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Unnecessary Roughness

DOS1993 Accolade
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The Great War: 1914 - 1918

DOS1993protected Blue Byte Software
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The Final Crusade of Kroz

DOS1990freeware Apogee Software
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Joan of Arc

DOS1989 Chip
flixmix-02

FlixMix

DOS1993 Celeris
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Iron Cross

DOS1994 New World Computing
Released in 1994 for DOS, Iron Cross is a historical strategy game that tries very hard to make military planning look sexy. Spoiler: it doesn’t. You’re dealing with Wo...
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Decisive Battles of the American Civil War: Vol. 3

DOS1992 SSG Strategic Studies Group
By 1992, Vol. 3 wrapped up the trilogy with even more complex scenarios. At this point, the series had become less of a game and more of an interactive textbook—though that&r...
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Super Speed

DOS1995
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Gary Grigsby's Pacific War

DOS1992 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
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Rescue at Rigel

DOS1983 Epyx
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IVAN (Iter Vehemens ad Necem)

DOSLinuxMac OSWindows XP/98/952001freeware
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Caverns of Kroz

DOS1989freeware Apogee Software
Forget modern physics—Caverns of Kroz lets you destroy walls with whips. Yes, whips. This 1989 ASCII masterpiece from Apogee is part puzzle, part action, and all danger. You ...
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Frogger Jr.

DOS1984
Released in 1984, Frogger Jr. takes the familiar Frogger concept and gives it a slightly friendlier, more educational twist. Levels are themed around letters, numbers, and simple l...
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Nanotank

Windows 3.x1993
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Subtrade: Return to Irata

DOS1993 Century Interactive
Subtrade: Return to Irata is an abandoned science fiction business simulation game developed by Century Interactive and published by Boeder Software in 1993 for Amiga and later por...
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Encyclopedia of War: Ancient Battles

DOS1988 Cases Computer Simulations
If you’ve ever wanted to command armies older than your great-great-great-grandparents, Encyclopedia of War: Ancient Battles is your time machine with a keyboard. Released in...
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Postman Pat 3: To the Rescue

DOS1992 Alternative Software
Postman Pat 3 is a retro video game based on the popular British children's television series Postman Pat. Released in 1992 by Alternative Software, it was available for platforms ...
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Chessmaster 3000

DOS1991 The Software Toolworks
Ah, Chessmaster 3000. The title alone sounds like it should have lasers and robot arms, but what you get is a thoughtful, elegant chess sim that finally brings charisma to the game...
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The Hunt for Red October

DOSMac OS1987 Oxford Digital Enterprises
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Royal Flush Pinball

DOS1994 Amtex
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Decisive Battles of the American Civil War: Vol. 1

DOS1988 SSG Strategic Studies Group
Released in 1988, Decisive Battles of the American Civil War: Vol. 1 is as straightforward as its title. You get historical accuracy, a serious strategy engine, and about as many g...
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Chess88

DOS1984
With Chess88, you’re entering the elite club of DOS chess nerds who appreciate ASCII art and precision time controls. Compared to its 1981 predecessor, it’s a leap forw...