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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The Ancient Art of War in the Skies
DOS1992 Evryware
Swap
DOS1992 Microids
Global Domination
DOS1993 Impressions Games
Frontline
DOS1990 Cases Computer Simulations
The Punisher
DOS1990 Paragon Software
Nanotank
Windows 3.x1993
Super Battleship
DOS1988
PHM Pegasus
DOS1987 LucasArts
Super Speed: Christmas Edition
DOS1995
Dragons of Flame
DOS1989protected U.S. Gold
Acquire
DOS1989 IBM
Acquire (1989, DOS) brings boardroom drama to your DOS screen, turning you into a hotel tycoon in a game where the real enemy is... math. It's a faithful adaptation of the classic board game, complete with mergers, hostile takeove...
Night Mission Pinball
DOS1982 subLOGIC
Cyrus
DOS1985
Commander Keen 5: The Armageddon Machine
DOS1991protected id software
Commander Keen 5: The Armageddon Machine is a science fiction action oriented platform game designed by Tom Hall, developed by id Software and released by Apogee Software in 1991 for DOS only. Commander Keen 5: The Armageddon Mach...
Dolphin Boating Simulator
DOS1988 Dolphine marine systems
Boxer Rebellion
DOS1982
Before realistic fighting games, there was Boxer Rebellion—a 1982 title so primitive, it makes Pong look flashy. It’s boxing with fewer rules and more pixels per punch. The controls are stiffer than a week-old baguette...
Moraff's Revenge
DOS1988 Moraffware
When Two Worlds War
DOS1993 Impressions Games
Return to Kroz
DOS1990freeware Apogee Software
O-Pong
DOS1996
Omega
DOSLinux1988freeware
Blues Brothers RPG
Windows XP/98/952004freeware
Yes, this exists. Blues Brothers RPG (2004, Windows XP) is what happens when someone looks at a legendary blues duo and says, “What if they fought zombies with saxophones?” Set in a world that’s part dungeon craw...
Rescue Rover
DOS1991protected id software
B-24 Combat Simulator
DOS1987protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Step aside, arcade action—B-24 Combat Simulator (1987) is here to test your patience, eyesight, and possibly your sanity. It’s all about realism, baby. You’ll take off, navigate, bomb targets, and hopefully land,...
Monopoly (Adam Stevens)
DOS1998
Carnage
DOS1993 Warped Minds
The name Carnage says it all—this top-down racer is less about precision driving and more about smashing into your enemies until they resemble digital roadkill. It’s fast, chaotic, and honestly looks like a game a 14-y...
Blitz Draughts
DOS1992 PC Solutions
Don’t let the title fool you — Blitz Draughts isn’t a military simulation but rather a gloriously intense checkers game from 1992. This DOS brain-bender turns the classic board game into a high-speed duel of wits...
Decision at Gettysburg
DOS1990 TigLon Software
Backgammon
DOS1986
Knights of the Desert
DOS1983protected Tactical Design Group