Abandonware DOS title

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 have collected quite a few of those games and own a small big-box PC game collection, which I cherish as a testament to this golden age. 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. These games not only bring back memories but also showcase the pioneering spirit of early game development.

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 old PC games ever

# game title year status rating
01 Tetris Classic 1992 4.35/5
02 Mortal Kombat 1993 4.35/5
03 Volfied 1991 4.33/5
04 Street Fighter 2 1992 4.32/5
05 The Secret of Monkey Island 1990 4.32/5
06 Ultima 7 Part 1: The Black Gate 1992 4.32/5
07 Unreal Gold 2000 4.31/5
08 Football Manager 3 1993 4.31/5
09 Lemmings 2: The Tribes 1993 4.31/5
10 Yu-Gi-Oh! Power of Chaos - Joey the Passion 2004 4.30/5
11 X-COM: Ufo Defense 1994 4.30/5
12 Alley Cat 1984 4.29/5
13 Leisure Suit Larry 1: In the Land of the Lounge Lizards 1987 4.29/5
14 Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge 1991 4.28/5
15 Operation Wolf 1989 4.28/5
16 Super Street Fighter 2 1996 4.28/5
17 Micro Machines 1994 4.28/5
18 Jagged Alliance 2 1999 4.28/5
19 King's Quest 1: Quest for the Crown 1984 4.28/5
20 Space Quest 1: The Sarien Encounter 1986 4.28/5
21 Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? 1985 4.28/5
22 Broken Sword: The Shadow of the Templars 2009 4.28/5
23 Master of Orion 2: Battle at Antares 1996 4.27/5
24 Doom 2: Hell on Earth 1994 4.27/5
25 Chuck Yeager's Air Combat 1991 4.27/5
26 Lamborghini: American Challenge 1992 4.27/5
27 Loom 1990 4.27/5
28 Lode Runner 1983 4.27/5
29 Chip's Challenge 1991 4.27/5
30 Pipe Dream 1989 4.27/5
31 Gloriana 1996 4.26/5
32 Skate or Die 1988 4.26/5
33 Eye of the Beholder 1991 4.26/5
34 ZZT 1991 4.26/5
35 Police Quest 1: In Pursuit of the Death Angel 1987 4.26/5
36 Grand Prix 2 1995 4.26/5
37 Rick Dangerous 1989 4.25/5
38 Whiplash 1995 4.25/5
39 Battlezone 1983 4.25/5
40 Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings 1999 4.25/5
41 UFO 2000 2004 4.25/5
42 World Class Leader Board 1988 4.25/5
43 Eye of the Beholder 2: The Legend of Darkmoon 1991 4.25/5
44 Interstate '76 1997 4.25/5
45 The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall 1996 4.25/5
46 Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe 1991 4.25/5
47 Road Rash 1996 4.24/5
48 Empire Earth 2001 4.24/5
49 Wizardry 7: Crusaders of the Dark Savant 1992 4.24/5
50 Brutal Sports Football 1993 4.24/5
This chart takes into consideration the games I have actually included on Abandonware DOS. There are many more games published 20 or more years ago, and my time to add them to the site is limited. However, I'm determined to continue expanding the collection, no matter what!