Abandonware DOS title

The best underrated underdog games

In order to be an underdog, a game has to be "not well known" to the public (not now, nor at the time of its release) or underrated, but worth mentioning and playing for some reason. There are plenty of games that won the love of gamers against all odds; some of them even had a cult following. By the way, this keyword pays tribute to Sarinee Achavanuntakul, the owner of the first version of Home of the Underdogs, the site that started and popularized the abandonware concept.

Most popular underrated underdog games

Dope Wars
simulationWindows XP/98/95
Albion
rpgDOS, Windows XP/98/95
Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure
actionWindows XP/98/95
international-moto-x-05

International Moto X

DOS19964.4/5 Renegade
time-bandit-08

Time Bandit

DOS19894.4/5 MichTron
Time Bandit is a classic top-down arcade-style video game that was released in 1982 for various home computer systems, such as the Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, and others. It was developed by MichTron. In Time Bandit, players control a character who must navigate through a series of maze-like levels, battling various enemies and collecting treasure a...
driller-2

Driller

DOS19874.3/5 Incentive Software
Driller (also known as Space Station Oblivion) is an abandoned action-adventure game developed by Incentive and released by Epyx in 1987 based on the Freescape Engine. In Driller, you control an excavation probe in a real 3d environment, through a first person view. The goal of the game is to place a drilling rig in each of the 8 regions of the moo...
jagged-alliance-1-10

Jagged Alliance

DOS1994protected4.3/5 Sir-tech Software
celtic-tales-03

Celtic Tales: Balor of the Evil Eye

DOS19954.3/5 KOEI
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 legendary figure Balor of the Evil Eye. Players take on the role of a clan leader, managing their tribe's resources, engagi...
albion-4

Albion

DOSWindows XP/98/9519954.2/5 Blue Byte Software
Albion is a science fiction role-playing game (RPG) developed and published by German studio Blue Byte Software. It was released in 1995 for MS-DOS and later for Amiga. Albion is notable for its blend of traditional RPG elements with a unique setting and storyline.The game takes place on the planet Albion, a world with a rich history and diver...
battlechess-1

Battle Chess

DOS1988protected4.2/5 Interplay Productions
Chess was a niche genre in video gaming. There were lots of chess simulations: black and white very old games, licensed games from chess champions, etc. No one ever attempted to broaden the audience until Interplay published Battle Chess. Battle Chess appeal was almost entirely focused on the animations when two pieces ended on the same square.
blood-3

Blood

DOS1997protected4.2/5 Monolith Productions
bluesbrothers1-2

The Blues Brothers

DOS19914.2/5 Titus Interactive
The Blues Brothers is a platformer that follows the adventures of Jake and Elwood Blues as they try to put their band back together. The player controls one of the Blues Brothers through various levels, each filled with obstacles, enemies, and puzzles. The ultimate goal is to collect musical notes and instruments to assemble the band. develope...
dopewars-win-05

Dope Wars

Windows XP/98/9519984.2/5 Beermat Software
Dope Wars is a text-based simulation game that originated as a DOS program in the early 1980s, but gained popularity in its Windows version released in 1998. The game puts players in the role of a drug dealer navigating the underground economy of buying, selling, and transporting various illegal substances.In the Windows version of the game, player...
red-baron-05

Red Baron

DOS1990protected4.2/5 Dynamix
snood-03

Snood

DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1996freeware4.1/5
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...
wacky-wheels-04

Wacky Wheels

DOS1994protected4.1/5 Apogee Software
gabriel-knight-2-03

Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within

DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1995protecteddemo4.1/5 Sierra On-Line
Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within is a point-and-click adventure game developed and published by Sierra On-Line. It was released in 1995 as a sequel to the original Gabriel Knight game, "Sins of the Fathers". The game was designed by Jane Jensen, who also wrote the story and script.In GK2 The Beast Within, players assume the role of Gabriel Knight...
supaplex-5

Supaplex

DOS1991freeware4.1/5 Think!Ware Development
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Alter Ego: Female Version

DOS19864.1/5 Activision
simfarm-4

SimFarm

DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OS19934.1/5 Maxis
SimFarm is a simulation video game developed by Maxis and published by Electronic Arts in 1993. In SimFarm, players take on the role of a farmer and manage various aspects of running a farm, including planting crops, raising livestock, and dealing with natural disasters.Players start with a basic farm and a limited amount of resources, and they mus...
pitfall-mayan-02

Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure

Windows XP/98/9519954.1/5 Activision
Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure is a platform video game that was originally released in 1994. It is a sequel to the classic 1982 game Pitfall! but features updated graphics and gameplay mechanics. The game was developed by Activision and initially released for various platforms, including PC, the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNE...
ericunready-1

Eric the Unready

DOS1993protected4.1/5 Legend Entertainment
deathrally-02

Death Rally

DOS1996freeware4.1/5 Remedy Entertainment Ltd.
shadowgate-splash

Shadowgate

DOSWindows 3.xMac OS19884.1/5 ICOM Simulations
Shadowgate is an abandoned fantasy-themed adventure game developed by ICOM Simulations and released by Mindscape in 1988 for Macintosh, DOS, and also for Amiga, Apple IIgs, Atari ST, NES. Shadowgate uses the ICOM MacVenture engine (Deja Vu, Uninvited). Shadowgate was later remade in an enhanced version for Windows 3.1.
ihnom-4

I have no Mouth and I Must Scream

DOS1995protected4.1/5 The Dreamers Guild
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Betrayal at Krondor

DOS1993protected4.1/5 Dynamix
scorched-earth-05

Scorched Earth

DOS1991protected4/5
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Hill Street Blues

DOS19914/5 Krisalis
Hill Street Blues is an old DOS "driving" game developed by Krisalis in 1991. The gameplay it's similar to a Grand Theft Auto clone (we're talking about GTA 1 or 2) in which you are the police and you have to apprehend criminals. Hill Street Blues is a rare example of game based on a TV series.
dgeneration-3

D/Generation

DOS19914/5 The Software Toolworks
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Redneck Rampage

DOS1997protected4/5 Xatrix Entertainment
alteregom-5

Alter Ego: Male Version

DOS19864/5 Activision