The best abandonware PC games of all time

Retro gamers like myself are convinced that the best PC games ever published were developed during the golden age of PC gaming, in the 80s and 90s. This era was marked by innovation, creativity, and the birth of many genres that defined the industry. I myself have collected quite a few of those games and own a small big-box PC game collection. Some of you may remember most of these titles fondly, while a few of you probably remember and played every single "abandoned" Windows and DOS game that made it into this chart.

Actually, some of the games listed below are not abandoned at all - you can buy them on GOG or Steam - but they definitely deserve to be included anyway.

I know that every "best games" chart is far from perfect; there's always a couple of games that you think are missing. Personal preferences and nostalgic memories often influence our opinions on what should be included. That's why this abandonware games list is exclusively based on votes cast by users, reflecting a broader consensus within the community.

The best games of the month: August 2026

These are the top games based on user votes for the current month.

#	game title	year	rating
01	Risk: the World Conquest Game strategy	1989	5.00/5
02	Civilization 2 strategy	1996	5.00/5
03	Alpha Centauri strategy	1999	5.00/5
04	Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit racing	1998	5.00/5
05	Civilization strategy	1991	5.00/5
06	House of the Dead shooter	1998	5.00/5
07	Crazy Taxi racing	2002	4.75/5
08	Age of Empires strategy	1997	4.67/5
09	Romance of the Three Kingdoms strategy	1989	4.67/5
10	Re-Volt racing	1999	4.50/5

The best old PC games ever

These are the best games on Abandonware DOS, according to your votes.

#	game title	year	rating
01	Tetris Classic puzzle	1992	4.31/5
02	The Secret of Monkey Island adventure	1990	4.31/5
03	Street Fighter 2 action	1992	4.31/5
04	Ultima 7 Part 1: The Black Gate rpg	1992	4.30/5
05	X-COM: Ufo Defense strategy	1994	4.29/5
06	Volfied action	1991	4.28/5
07	Mortal Kombat action	1993	4.27/5
08	Master of Orion 2: Battle at Antares strategy	1996	4.27/5
09	Micro Machines racing	1994	4.27/5
10	Doom 2: Hell on Earth shooter	1994	4.26/5
11	Pipe Dream puzzle	1989	4.25/5
12	Alley Cat action	1984	4.24/5
13	Leisure Suit Larry 1: In the Land of the Lounge Lizards adventure	1987	4.24/5
14	Eye of the Beholder 2: The Legend of Darkmoon rpg	1991	4.24/5
15	Rampage action	1988	4.24/5
16	Populous 2: Trials of the Olympian Gods strategy	1993	4.24/5
17	Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings strategy	1999	4.24/5
18	Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis adventure	1992	4.23/5
19	The Incredible Machine 2 puzzle	1994	4.23/5
20	Chuck Yeager's Air Combat vehicle simulation	1991	4.23/5
21	SimCity 2000 simulation	1993	4.23/5
22	Desert Strike: Return to the Gulf shooter	1994	4.23/5
23	Police Quest: Open Season adventure	1993	4.22/5
24	Virtua Cop 2 shooter	1997	4.22/5
25	Civilization strategy	1991	4.22/5
26	Zeus: Master of Olympus simulation	2000	4.22/5
27	Chip's Challenge puzzle	1991	4.22/5
28	Night Hawk: F-117A Stealth Fighter vehicle simulation	1991	4.22/5
29	Jagged Alliance: Deadly Games strategy	1996	4.22/5
30	Prince of Persia action	1990	4.22/5

This chart takes into account only the games I’ve actually included on Abandonware DOS. Many more games were published 20 or more years ago, and my time to add them is limited. That said, I’m determined to keep expanding the collection, no matter what!