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 games of the month: July 2024

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

# game title year status rating
01 Grand Theft Auto 1997
5.00
/ 5
02 Yu-Gi-Oh! Power of Chaos - Yugi the Destiny 2003
4.82
/ 5
03 Dope Wars 1998
4.80
/ 5
04 Three Sisters' Story 1999
4.67
/ 5
05 Spider-Man 2: The Game 2004
4.60
/ 5

The best old PC games ever

# game title year status rating
01 Tetris Classic 1992
4.33
/ 5
02 Mortal Kombat 1993
4.33
/ 5
03 Street Fighter 2 1992
4.32
/ 5
04 Ultima 7 Part 1: The Black Gate 1992
4.32
/ 5
05 The Secret of Monkey Island 1990
4.32
/ 5
06 Lemmings 2: The Tribes 1993
4.32
/ 5
07 Jagged Alliance 2 1999
4.30
/ 5
08 Alley Cat 1984
4.30
/ 5
09 Driller 1987
4.30
/ 5
10 Warlords 3: Reign of Heroes 1997
4.30
/ 5
11 X-COM: Ufo Defense 1994
4.30
/ 5
12 Volfied 1991
4.30
/ 5
13 Leisure Suit Larry 1: In the Land of the Lounge Lizards 1987
4.29
/ 5
14 Skate or Die 1988
4.29
/ 5
15 Lode Runner 1983
4.29
/ 5
16 Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge 1991
4.28
/ 5
17 King's Quest 1: Quest for the Crown 1984
4.28
/ 5
18 The Incredible Machine 2 1994
4.28
/ 5
19 Operation Wolf 1989
4.28
/ 5
20 Master of Orion 2: Battle at Antares 1996
4.28
/ 5
21 Super Street Fighter 2 1996
4.28
/ 5
22 Space Hulk 1993
4.28
/ 5
23 Panza Kick Boxing 1991
4.27
/ 5
24 Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe 1991
4.27
/ 5
25 Space Quest 1: The Sarien Encounter 1986
4.27
/ 5
26 Micro Machines 1994
4.27
/ 5
27 Doom 2: Hell on Earth 1994
4.27
/ 5
28 Transport Tycoon Deluxe 1995
4.26
/ 5
29 Chuck Yeager's Air Combat 1991
4.26
/ 5
30 Pipe Dream 1989
4.26
/ 5
31 Football Manager 3 1993
4.26
/ 5
32 Eye of the Beholder 2: The Legend of Darkmoon 1991
4.26
/ 5
33 Eye of the Beholder 1991
4.26
/ 5
34 Interstate '76 1997
4.26
/ 5
35 Empire Earth 2001
4.26
/ 5
36 Jagged Alliance 1994
4.26
/ 5
37 Road Rash 1996
4.25
/ 5
38 Chip's Challenge 1991
4.25
/ 5
39 Grand Prix 2 1995
4.25
/ 5
40 Face Off! 1989
4.25
/ 5
41 Rick Dangerous 1989
4.25
/ 5
42 Sid & Al's Incredible Toons 1993
4.25
/ 5
43 Police Quest 1: In Pursuit of the Death Angel 1987
4.25
/ 5
44 Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings 1999
4.25
/ 5
45 The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall 1996
4.25
/ 5
46 Albion 1995
4.25
/ 5
47 Quake 1996
4.25
/ 5
48 Aces Over Europe 1993
4.25
/ 5
49 Das Boot: German U-Boat Simulation 1990
4.24
/ 5
50 Outcast 1999
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!
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