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).
battletechcrescent-8

BattleTech: The Crescent Hawks' Revenge

DOS19904.1/5 Westwood Studios
BattleTech: The Crescent Hawks' Revenge is a turn-based strategy game developed by Westwood Associates and published by Infocom in 1990. It is the sequel to "Crescent Hawk's Inception" and is set in the BattleTech universe, a fictional universe where noble houses and mercenary groups vie for power using giant robotic vehicles known as BattleMe...
volfied-0004

Volfied

DOS19914.3/5 Taito
Volfied is an abandoned action heavily inspired by the classic Qix (draw rectangles in a fixed screen to trap and destroy enemies). Volfied was designed by Fukio Mitsuji, developed by Taito and released by Empire Interactive in 1991 for DOS.
outbound-02

Outbound

Windows XP/98/952001freeware3.8/5
sensiblesoccer-2

Sensible Soccer

DOS19924.2/5 Sensible Software
galpanix-07

Gal Pani X

Windows XP/98/952000freewareNSFW4.1/5
Gal Pani X is an action-puzzle game reminiscent of the classic arcade Qix, developed by D2 and released in 2000 for Windows. Gal Pani X is an adult-themed Doujin game: it was made by fans and wasn't for profit.
warcraft2tides-4

Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness

DOS1995protected4.2/5 Blizzard Entertainment
4play-01

4Play

Windows 3.x1995NSFW3.9/5
4Play is a multi-player board-like strategy party-game for adults released for Windows 3.1 in 1995. 4Play is a board-game very similar to Monopoly in which players have to perform certain (adult) actions in response to events happening on the board.
spacewar-splash

Spacewar

DOS19854.1/5
Spacewar is one of the earliest digital computer games and is often considered the first interactive video game. It was created in 1962 by Steve Russell, Martin Graetz, and Wayne Wiitanen at the MIT. The game was developed on the PDP-1 minicomputer; this is a DOS port, released in 1985.Spacewar! features two spaceships, controlled by players, that ...
tristanpinball-1

Tristan Pinball

DOS19914/5 Littlewing
ultima3-2

Ultima 3: Exodus

DOS19854.2/5 Origin Systems
arrakis-05

Arrakis

DOS20003.9/5
knightsxentar-1

Knights of Xentar

DOS1994NSFW4.1/5 MegaTech Software
xenon2-4

Xenon 2: Megablast

DOS19904.2/5 Bitmap Brothers
Xenon 2: Megablast is a classic shoot'em up developed by Bitmap Brothers and released by Image Works in 1990 for DOS and for a plethora of other systems. Xenon was good, Xenon 2 was far better. Compared to today standards Xenon 2 is perhaps a mediocre shoot 'em up, but at the time every shooter fan loved it. Plus, it was developed by Bitmap Brother...
northandsouth-2

North and South

DOS19904.2/5 Infogrames
birth-of-the-federation-05

Star Trek: Birth of the Federation

Windows XP/98/9519994.1/5 MicroProse Software
Star Trek: Birth of the Federation is a turn-based strategy video game set in the Star Trek universe. The game was developed by MicroProse Software and published by Infogrames for Windows in 1999. Players take on the role of one of five major Star Trek races: the United Federation of Planets, the Klingon Empire, the Romulan Star Empire, the Ca...
steelpanthers-6

Steel Panthers

DOS19954.2/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Steel Panthers is the first game in the Steel Panthers series. It was released in 1995 by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI). This initial release laid the foundation for the series and introduced players to the turn-based tactical wargame experience that would be further developed in subsequent titles. The game focused on armored warfare and featur...
warcraft-1

Warcraft: Orcs and Humans

DOS1994protecteddemo4.2/5 Blizzard Entertainment
Warcraft: Orcs & Humans is the first real-time fantasy strategy game from Blizzard Entertainment. Two separate story lines (Orcs and Humans) evolve with 12 scenarios per side telling the tale of the battle for the Kingdom of Azeroth. Players must mine gold and chop wood in order to construct buildings and create units. Each side tries to destro...
solar-winds-2-02

Solar Winds 2: Galaxy

DOS19933.9/5 Stone Interactive Media
minesoftitan-3

Mines of Titan

DOS19893.6/5 Westwood Studios
Mines of Titan (also known as Mars Saga for other platforms) is an abandoned single-player RPG with a sci-fi setting (you're going to Mars!). Mines of Titan was developed by Westwood Studios and released by Infocom in 1989 for DOS, Apple II and Commodore 64.
keen4-1

Commander Keen 4: Secret of the Oracle

DOS1991protected4/5 id software
ultima7part2-9

Ultima 7 Part 2: Serpent Isle

DOS19934/5 Origin Systems
After the well received Ultima 7 The Black Gate, Origin decided that their Ultima engine could be used for one more game. Ultima 7 Part 2: Serpent Isle begins right after The Black Gate ends. This time the Avatar travels to a whole new land, far away from the usual Britannia. Serpent Isle brings its own charm to the series; exploring new lands...
ultima2-08

Ultima 2: Revenge of the Enchantress

DOS19834/5 Origin Systems
The second chapter of the Ultima saga is much similar to the first one (same top down visual, same dungeon 3d visual, same gameplay), although there are many small improvements. The series begins to take the shape of the detailed, deep, rpg saga that gamers will always remember.
starflight-3

Starflight

DOS19864.1/5 Binary Systems
Starflight is a classic space exploration and role-playing video game released in 1986 by Binary Systems and published by Electronic Arts. It is known for its innovative gameplay, as well as its open-ended approach to space exploration and storytelling.The game is set in a massive, procedurally generated universe with thousands of star systems to e...
billy-the-kid-01

Billy The Kid

DOS19903.8/5 Level 9 Computing
xonix-1

Xonix

DOS1984remake4.1/5
magiccandle3-5

The Magic Candle 3

DOS19923.9/5 Mindcraft Software
tyrian2000-02

Tyrian 2000

DOS1999freeware4.1/5 Eclipse Software
Tyrian 2000 is an old DOS science fiction classic shoot'em up, developed by Eclipse Software and designed by Alexander Brandon, Jason Emery, Daniel Cook. Tyrian 2000 is one of the most popular shoot'em ups ever published for DOS and it's still remembered by retro gaming fans to this day.
pinball-illusions-02

Pinball Illusions

DOS19953.8/5 Digital Illusions
populous-beginning-03

Populous: The Beginning

Windows XP/98/951998protected4.2/5 Bullfrog