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).
heroesmightmagic1-6

Heroes of Might and Magic

DOSWindows XP/98/951995protected4.2/5 New World Computing
mad-paradox-03

Mad Paradox

DOS1994NSFW3.8/5 Queen Soft
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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...
conancimmerian-3

Conan: the Cimmerian

DOS19914.2/5 Synergistic Software
populous-beginning-03

Populous: The Beginning

Windows XP/98/951998protected4.2/5 Bullfrog
panzerl-general-2-08

Panzer General 2

Windows XP/98/951997protected4.1/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
northandsouth-2

North and South

DOS19904.2/5 Infogrames
buckcountdown-04

Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday

DOS1990protected4.2/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
spacecrusade-1

Space Crusade

DOS19924.2/5 Gremlin Graphics / Gremlin Interactive
total-annihilation-kingdoms-02

Total Annihilation Kingdoms

Windows XP/98/951999protected4.1/5 Cavedog Entertainment
megalomania-4

Mega lo Mania

DOS19924.2/5 Sensible Software
Mega lo Mania, also known as Mega-Lo-Mania: The Battle for Elysium in some regions, is a real-time strategy (RTS) video game developed by Sensible Software and published by Image Works. It was originally released in 1991 for various platforms, including the Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS, and later on other systems like the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive). The ...
aleshar-05

Aleshar World of Ice

DOS19973.8/5
tempest-2000-03

Tempest 2000

DOS1996remake4.2/5 Atari
Tempest 2000 is a video game developed by Llamasoft and published by Atari Corporation. It was released in 1994 for DOS, Mac, the Atari Jaguar console, etc. Tempest 2000 is an enhanced remake of the original Tempest, which was released in arcades in 1981.In Tempest 2000, players control a claw-shaped ship that moves around the edges of geometric sh...
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...
darklands-3

Darklands

DOSLinuxWindows XP/98/95Mac1992protected4/5 MicroProse Software
Darklands was a unique historical isometric RPG that mixed real historical data from medieval Germany during the 15th century with a touch of folklore and fantasy. Unfortunately it was also the only Microprose RPG of that kind and beauty. The original game box contained a huge manual with info on european folklore (including the live...
command-conquer-sole-survivor-04

Command & Conquer: Sole Survivor

Windows XP/98/9519973.8/5 Westwood Studios
xonix-1

Xonix

DOS1984remake4/5
marble-cooking-05

Marble Cooking

DOS1994NSFW3.5/5 Negative
dark-reign-1-05

Dark Reign: The Future of War

Windows XP/98/951997protected4.1/5 Auran Games
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...
decisive-civil-war-2-08

Decisive Battles of the American Civil War: Vol. 2

DOS19893.9/5 SSG Strategic Studies Group
skateordie-5

Skate or Die

DOS19884.3/5 Electronic Arts
Skate or Die is an abandoned sports game, developed and released by Electronic Arts in 1988 for DOS and a number of other platforms. Skate or Die is a multi-sport kind of game, including every kind of unconventional "sport" done on skateboard. A sequel, Ski or Die, was released an year later.
akalabeth-4

Akalabeth: World of Doom

DOS1981freeware3.6/5 California Pacific Computer
Akalabeth is a RPG game allegedly developed in just one summer by the Ultima franchise creator Richard Garriott. It's a dungeon crawler with wire-frame black and white graphics. Akalabeth is played in both first person 3d and top down view points.
starcommand-4

Star Command

DOS1988protected4/5 SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
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It Came from the Desert

DOS1990freeware4.1/5 Cinemaware
It Came from the Desert is an abandonware action-adventure game developed by Cinemaware and released in 1990 for PC (DOS) and Amiga. It Came From the Desert is an action-adventure game with a peculiar flavor: it's set in the 50s, in the USA, and it's based on those old monster movies like Them! (also involving killer ants).
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NHL 96

DOS19954.2/5 Electronic Arts
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Rings of Medusa

DOS19904/5 Starbyte Software
Rings of Medusa is a strategy / RPG developed by the German studio Starbyte Software. It was released in 1989 for various platforms including the Commodore 64, Amiga, and MS-DOS. In Rings of Medusa, players assume the role of a hero tasked with defeating the evil sorceress Medusa who has taken control of the city of Olympus. The game world is ...
aethra_game_006

The Aethra Chronicles

DOS19943.9/5
The Aethra Chronicles is not a well know fantasy RPG, but it deserves some praise. It was developed by only one person (Micheal Lawrence) and, as the title implies, was intended to be the first volume of a saga. Unfortunately, volume two and three were never made. For a shareware game, Aethra was pretty solid and is still loved by the ones who play...