The most popular abandonware strategy games
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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Empire: Wargame of the Century
DOS1987 wargame
Cossacks: The Art of War
Windows XP/98/952001protected real-time strategy, real-time tactics
Master of Orion 2: Battle at Antares
DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected 4x
Master of Orion II is a 4X turn-based sci-fi strategy game set in space. Master of Orion 2 gives the player an empire to run by controlling food and production, managing economy and researching new technology. The player can wage war against other races or use spies and diplomacy to achieve victory.
Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings
Windows XP/98/951999protecteddemo real-time strategy
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is a landmark real-time strategy (RTS) game developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft. Released in 1999, it is the second installment in the Age of Empires series and remains one of the most influential RTS games of all time. The game is set in the medieval period, and it builds upon the gameplay m...
Magic: The Gathering
Windows XP/98/951997 collectible card game, cards
Magic: The Gathering (sometimes also referred as Shandalar) is an abandoned strategy game based on the popular collectible card game Magic: The Gathering, developed and released by MicroProse Software for Windows in 1997. MTG is set on the fictional plane of Shandalar. You can play a single-player campaign or simply play duels against computer oppo...
Yu-Gi-Oh! Power of Chaos - Yugi the Destiny
Windows XP/98/952003 collectible card game, cards
Dune
DOS1992 real-time strategy
Dune, released in 1992, is a game developed by Cryo Interactive and published by Virgin Games. It's based on the iconic science fiction novel of the same name by Frank Herbert. In Dune, players assume the role of Paul Atreides, the young scion of House Atreides, as he arrives on the desert planet Arrakis with his family to take control of spice pro...
Command & Conquer: Red Alert
DOS1996freeware real-time strategy
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...
Civilization
DOSWindows 3.xMac OS1991 4x
Civilization is the critically acclaimed strategy game designed by Sid Meier and Bruce Campbell Shelley that became a staple in 4X turn-based strategy. Civilization was developed by MicroProse Software and released in 1991 for DOS, Windows 3.x, Amiga, Atari ST, Mac, etc. Civilization was followed by sequels, the last one being published recently. T...
Civilization 2
Windows XP/98/951996 4x
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...
Dune 2000
Windows XP/98/951998 real-time strategy
Dune 2000 is an abandoned science fiction classic real-time strategy game based on the popular Dune franchise. The Dune "universe" took form in the books of science fiction writer Frank Herbert and went on to include movies, TV series, comics, and of course video games. Dune 2000 is one of the finest RTS of its era; it was developed by We...
Hooligans: Storm Over Europe
Windows XP/98/952002 real-time tactics
Age of Empires
Windows XP/98/951997protecteddemo real-time strategy
Age of Empires, published by Microsoft and developed by Ensemble Studios, is one of the most popular historical RTS and started a successful series. The player must guide a civilization from prehistory to the iron age, battling other civilizations, building and gathering resources.
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 Stephen Goss (the original X-COM was designed by Julian Gollop) and was published by MicroProse Software in 1995. Terror fro...
Romance of the Three Kingdoms 2
DOS1990
Romance of the Three Kingdoms II is a turn-based strategy game developed and published by Koei. It was released in 1989 for various platforms, including the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), MS-DOS.In Romance of the Three Kingdoms II, players take on the role of a ruler during this period, and their objective is to unify China under their rule. ...
X-COM: Ufo Defense
DOS1994protected turn-based tactics
UFO: Enemy Unknown (or X-COM: Ufo Defense) is a sci-fi tactical strategy game created by Julian Gollop set in a not-to-distant future where aliens are invading the Earth. The gameplay switches between tactical combat, where you fight aliens in a turn-based fashion, and strategic micromanagement, where you manage your X-COM base and personnel.
Mick's Strip Poker
Windows XP/98/95Windows 3.x1999NSFW cards
Yu-Gi-Oh! Power of Chaos - Joey the Passion
Windows XP/98/952004 cards, collectible card game
Yu-Gi-Oh! Power of Chaos: Joey the Passion, released by Konami in 2004, is a PC video game that brings the popular Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game to life. This game is the third and final installment in the "Power of Chaos" series. Players engage in duels that adhere to the traditional rules of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, allowing them to construct and cu...
Empire Earth
Windows XP/98/952001protected real-time strategy
Empire Earth is a real-time strategy (RTS) game developed by Stainless Steel Studios and released by Sierra Entertainment in 2001. It's often compared to the "Age of Empires" series due to its similar gameplay mechanics and historical setting. However, "Empire Earth" stands out with its unique concept of spanning the entire history of mankind, from...
Star Saga: One - Beyond the Boundary
DOS1987 board game
Command & Conquer
DOS1995freeware real-time strategy
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
DOS1989
Reach for the Stars
DOS1988 4x
Strip Poker Professional: REV B
DOS1995NSFW cards
Army Men
Windows XP/98/951998 real-time tactics
Teenage Queen
DOS1988NSFW cards
Panzer General
DOS1994protected wargame, turn-based tactics
Panger General is a turn based strategy wargame developed by SSI set in World War 2. The player can choose Axis or Allies and fight against the AI or another human player in more than 30 scenarios on a classic hex based map.
Dune II: The building of a dynasty
DOS1992 real-time strategy
Dune II, released in 1992, is a pioneering real-time strategy game developed by Westwood Studios. Set in the world of Frank Herbert's Dune, players command noble houses in a battle for control over the planet Arrakis. With base-building, resource management, and tactical combat, the game introduced key elements of the genre and influenced future RT...
Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia
Windows XP/98/951999protected turn-based tactics