Abandonware strategy games sorted by year, newest first
Games based on strategy allow for reasoning and planning of one’s moves and actions. The gameplay may be based on player’s turns (Turn-based Strategy) or it may be in real time (Real-Time Strategy, RTS). These games focus on strategy and tactics rather than action, sometimes with the addition of financial or logistic features.
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Star General
Windows XP/98/95DOS1996protected turn-based tactics, wargame
Star General is a turn-based strategy game developed by Catware and published by SSI (Strategic Simulations, Inc.). It was released in 1996 for MS-DOS and later for Windows. The game is set in a science fiction universe where play...
Syndicate Wars
DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1996protected real-time tactics
Syndicate Wars is the sequel to the much acclaimed Syndicate developed by Bullfrog in its golden years. Like its predecessor, Syndicate Wars is a real-time tactics strategy game set in a cyberpunk dystopian world involving excessi...
The Settlers II: Veni, Vidi, Vici
DOSMac OS1996protected sandbox strategy, real-time strategy, city building
Z
DOS1996protected real-time strategy
Welcome to Z, the real-time strategy game where psychotic robots with British accents duke it out over territory in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Think Command & Conquer if the developers had a few too many pints and a twisted...
4Play
Windows XP/98/95Windows 3.x1995NSFW board game
4Play was a risqué trivia and multi-player board-style game released in the mid-1990s. Designed as a party game, it combined trivia questions, mini-games, and challenges that often leaned toward suggestive or adult the...
Advanced Civilization
DOS1995 board game
Think you’re good at making tough decisions under pressure? Advanced Civilization dares you to prove it by turning diplomacy into passive-aggressive warfare. Based on the classic board game, this DOS gem lets you take your a...
Ascendancy
DOS1995 4x
Ascendancy is the friendlier, trippier cousin of Master of Orion. It’s 4X strategy in space, with bizarre alien races, psychedelic menus, and a soundtrack that sounds like it was composed by a stoned dolphin. The early game ...
Black Crown
DOS1995 board game
In Black Crown (1995), you play as a prince with a very punchable name, trying to reclaim his rightful throne by solving puzzles and dying a lot. It's one of those DOS-era games where half the difficulty is figuring out which pixe...
Celtic Tales: Balor of the Evil Eye
DOS1995 kingdom simulation
Celtic Tales: Balor of the Evil Eye is a strategy video game developed by KOEI and released in 1995. It is set in a mythical version of ancient Ireland and draws heavily from Celtic mythology, particularly focusing on the legendar...
Command & Conquer
DOS1995freeware real-time strategy
Empire II: The Art of War
DOSWindows XP/98/951995 wargame, turn-based tactics
Heroes of Might and Magic
DOSWindows XP/98/951995protected turn-based tactics
Lords of Midnight: The Citadel
DOS1995 first-person party-based RPG
Mario's Game Gallery
DOSMac OS1995 cards, board game
Nectaris
DOS1995 turn-based tactics
Queen of Tenshindo 95
Windows XP/98/951995NSFW cards
Sid Meier's CivNet
Windows XP/98/95Windows 3.x1995 4x
CivNet is a multiplayer adaptation of the original Sid Meier's Civilization game, released in 1995. It was developed and published by MicroProse for MS-DOS and Windows. This version of Civilization brought networked multiplayer ga...
Steel Panthers
DOS1995 wargame, turn-based tactics
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...
Strip Poker Professional: REV B
DOS1995NSFW cards
The Civil War
DOS1995 real-time strategy
Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness
DOS1995protected real-time strategy
Warlords 2 Deluxe
DOS1995 4x
Worms
DOS1995protecteddemo artillery
X-COM: Terror from the Deep
DOS1995protected turn-based tactics
X-COM: Terror from the Deep (also known as X-COM 2) is a DOS science fiction tactical strategy game and the sequel to one of the most popular DOS games in history, X-COM: UFO Defense. Terror from the Deep was designed by Step...
5th Fleet
DOS1994 turn-based tactics, wargame, board game
This 1994 naval strategy game for DOS is based on the board game of the same name, which means you’ll spend more time squinting at menus than blowing up ships. It’s cerebral, methodical, and incredibly satisfying - if ...
Alien Legacy
DOS1994 4x
Alien Legacy (1994) is like SimCity crashed into Star Trek and nobody called the insurance company. It’s a real-time strategy/simulation game that has you managing a colony in deep space while solving the mystery of what hap...
Archon Ultra
DOS1994protected board game
Archon Ultra is what happens when you smash chess into an arcade cabinet and call it a day. This updated version of the original Archon throws in jazzed-up graphics and faster gameplay, but keeps the core idea: when pieces meet, t...
Battle Bugs
DOS1994 real-time tactics
What if ants could use bazookas and beetles had battle plans? Battle Bugs answers this crucial question by turning your screen into a war zone where tiny insects wage strategic warfare over leftovers. The stakes are high and the t...
Battle Isle 2200
DOS1994protected turn-based tactics
With Battle Isle 2200 (1994), the series goes full 3D cinematic—with cutscenes so dramatic you’d think they were auditioning for a soap opera in space. The gameplay is classic hex strategy, but now with upgraded visual...
Bobby Fisher teaches chess
DOS1994 chess
Ever wanted to get chess lessons from a genius who could crush your soul with a bishop and a glare? Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess (1994, DOS) is your chance. Based on the classic book, the game patiently walks you through strategies...