Abandonware DOS title

Top-down perspective sorted by year, newest first

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).
battlestar-05

Battlestar

Windows 3.x1996freeware3.7/5
birthright-win-05

Birthright: The Gorgon's Alliance

Windows XP/98/9519964.2/5 Synergistic Software
blood-and-magic-04

Blood & Magic

DOS19963.8/5 Tachyon Studios
cave-wars-01

Cave Wars

DOS19964.2/5
civilization2-4

Civilization 2

Windows XP/98/9519964.2/5 MicroProse Software
Civilization II is a turn-based strategy game developed by MicroProse and released in 1996. It's the second installment in the "Civilization" series, created by Sid Meier. The game builds upon the concept of its predecessor, Civilization, and expands on its gameplay mechanics, graphics, and depth.In Civilization II, players take on the role of a le...
red-alert-6

Command & Conquer: Red Alert

DOS1996freeware4.1/5 Westwood Studios
Command & Conquer: Red Alert is a real-time strategy (RTS) video game developed by Westwood Studios and published by Virgin Interactive in 1996. It is part of the Command & Conquer series and is set in an alternate history where World War II never occurred, leading to a different global conflict.The success of Red Alert led to several seque...
deathrally-02

Death Rally

DOS1996freeware4.1/5 Remedy Entertainment Ltd.
dogs-of-war-01

Dogs of War

Windows XP/98/951996demo4.2/5 Software Engineering
emperor-fading-suns-04

Emperor of the Fading Suns

Windows XP/98/9519964/5 Holistic Design
exile2-04

Exile II: Crystal Souls

Windows XP/98/95MacWindows 3.x1996freeware3.9/5 Spiderweb Software
fantasygeneral-1

Fantasy General

DOS1996protected4.2/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Fantasy General is a hex-based turn-based strategy fantasy wargame. The player can duel either against a computer or a human opponent or even take part in a longer campaign. There are two sides to chose from, one good and one evil, each with unique and colorful units.
free-enterprise-07

Free Enterprise

Windows XP/98/9519964.2/5 Tsunami Media
Dehumanizing offices? Check. Depressing environment? Check. No windows in the whole place? Check. Good, I'm ready to exploit my workers and become great entrepreneur. All of this thanks to Free Enterprise, a simulation for Windows by Tsunami Media, published in 1996.
homm2-10

Heroes of Might and Magic II

DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected4.2/5 New World Computing
indy-desktop-adventures-2

Indiana Jones and his Desktop Adventures

Windows 3.xMac1996demo4.1/5 LucasArts
joyous-rebel-01

Joyous Rebel

DOS1996freeware4.1/5
legendsilvertalisman-1

Legend of the Silver Talisman

DOS1996freeware3.9/5 Inter-Active Arts
opong-1

O-Pong

DOS19963.1/5
over-the-reich-07

Over the Reich

Windows XP/98/95Windows 3.x19963.9/5 Big Time Software
seek-and-destroy-06

Seek and Destroy

DOS19964.2/5 Safari Software
Seek and Destroy was a shoot'em up published by the well known Epic Megagames in 1996 that tried to change the usual shoot'em up gameplay for the better. Instead of wave after wave of enemies to shoot down, you are given short missions to accomplish with your helicopter or your tank (yes, you can choose). At first, missions could seem a bit repetit...
sensible-world-of-soccer-01

Sensible World of Soccer 96/97

DOS1996protected3.7/5 Sensible Software
starcontrol3_003

Star Control 3

DOS1996protected4/5 Legend Entertainment
star-general-combo-02

Star General

Windows XP/98/95DOS1996protected4/5 Catware, Inc.
super-stardust-02

Super Stardust

DOS19964.2/5 Housemarque
tempest-2000-03

Tempest 2000

DOS1996remake4.1/5 Atari
wembley-rugby-league-03

Wembley Rugby League

DOS19963/5 Denton Designs
z-03

Z

DOS1996protected4.1/5 Bitmap Brothers
Z is a real-time strategy game developed by The Bitmap Brothers and originally released in 1996 for MS-DOS. It's known for its fast-paced gameplay, humorous style, and distinctive art design.In Z, players control a robot army across various battlefields, aiming to conquer territories and defeat enemy forces. The game features a tongue-in-cheek narr...
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.
action-soccer-04

Action Soccer

DOS19954.1/5 UBI Soft
advanced-civilization-02

Advanced Civilization

DOS19954/5 Avalon Hill