Play classic action games online
Action games are perhaps the best genre to play online in short, intense sessions. They don’t require long tutorials, complex mechanics, or hours of commitment to be enjoyable. There’s no waiting for turns and no careful strategic planning, just quick reflexes, simple controls, and immediate fun. You jump in, play for a few minutes, and walk away satisfied, which makes them perfect for quick breaks or casual gaming moments.
These titles often relied on tight gameplay and clever design rather than flashy graphics, proving that fun doesn’t need complexity. Many of them were originally designed for arcades or home computers, where instant accessibility was key.
Below are some of the action games available on Abandonware DOS, ready to download or play directly in your browser—no installation headaches, just pure retro adrenaline.
Castlevania
Castlevania is such a classic that it lent half its name to the “Metroidvania” genre (Metroid + Castlevania). Surprisingly, the DOS version is quite enjoyable, especially when you consider the state of platform games at the time.
Rampage
One of my favorite arcade games of the late eighties. You take control of a giant monster and quite literally rampage through cities—fixed screens with only a handful of buildings—smashing skyscrapers, eating people, and punching helicopters out of the sky.
World Karate Championship
I used to play this on my old Commodore 64, where it was called International Karate+, if I remember correctly. It can be seen as an early ancestor of modern versus fighting games like Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter.
Arkanoid
Another timeless classic. Based on the much older Breakout by Atari, Arkanoid is far more than a simple clone. It reinvented the brick-breaking genre, spawning several sequels and countless imitators.
Spacewar
The original Spacewar! arcade game was one of the very first video games in history—even predating Pong. This DOS version is essentially a clone, but it still manages to capture some of the charm of the original.