Whether you’re 40 or 14, you’ll love playing these games from the golden age of PC gaming. Back when your PC’s operating system was DOS or MS-DOS, the foundation of gaming was laid.
If you’re in the older category, why not bring your children, niece or nephew back to memory by introducing them to the following list of the best DOS games. One way or another, they will be surprised,
Oregon Trail is one of the best DOS games for classrooms since recess. Believe it or not, it was first created in 1971 in Minnesota. It was distributed more widely through Minnesota in 1974 and then eventually worldwide.
Selling over 65 million copies and spawning countless computer-related careers, who knew dysentery could be so entertaining and educational?
Sim City has proven that there’s something about humans that attracts us to building empires and then smashing them for fun. Check out the development and management of the city without risking anyone getting hurt.
Published in 1989, this city building game is the first installment in a series of Sim-related games. You’ve certainly played at least one of its related DOS games.
Wolfenstein 3D is the second DOS game in the Wolfenstein series, after Castle Wolfenstein. The classic first-person shooter (FPS) puts you in control of the hero BJ Blazkowicz in a three-dimensional maze. The goal is to beat Nazi level by level and boss by boss.
Some consider Wolfenstein 3D to be the first FPS. That distinction is held by Maze Wars and dates back to 1973. Wolfenstein 3D is what makes FPS such a household word, at least for gamers.
Pac-Man has been synonymous with computer games for over a decade. It nearly drained America’s supply from the banks, spawned gaming injuries and a top hit song, “Pac-Man Fever”.
As the quintessential DOS game of the 80s, it made the leap from box to home computer quickly for every platform you can think of. It continues to be available today on Xbox and in countless clone apps. The DOS version is close to the arcade experience you’ll get these days.
Maniac Mansion, since 1987, introduced the SCUMM interface from Lucasfilm Games. Yes, Lucasfilm as in Star Wars, and SCUMM stands for Scenario Creation Utility for Maniac Mansion.
As the name suggests, Maniac Mansion is a quirky game with weird things going on and a science madman, Dr. Fred. Your mission is to infiltrate the mansion with your best friend Dave from high school to find Sandy, a girl who has gone missing from your school. It sounds odd, but it’s fun and strangely addictive.
Prince of Persia was a 2D PC adventure 20 years ago when Jake Gyllenhaal was cast as the street hedgehog Dastan. Driven by his love for the Sultan’s daughter, our hero must escape from prison, running, jumping and sword fighting his way to save her from the evil Grand Vizier Jaffar.
Prince of Persia was the first DOS game to give a cinematic feel to the gameplay.
Where in the World Carmen Sandiego is another educational game that has leaked into pop culture history. Since 1985, kids have been learning about geography and world history by chasing the puzzling thief Carmen around the world.
The game spills out of classrooms and on TV with a theme song you’re hearing in your head right now, if you’ve heard it before. There are rumors that a movie is also in the works.
Championship manager may seem like an oddball on this list if you’re from North America. In the UK, it is the pastime of every football fanatic, when they are not watching or talking about football.
It wasn’t even the first fantasy sports type game, but it got noticed and annual editions were published from 1992 until 2011. That’s by anyone’s standard.
DOOM must be on the list. It’s on every list. If Wolfenstein 3D opens the FPS door, DOOM will march through it and unload BFG 9000 for everyone.
Released as a free, 9-tier shareware in 1993, the game reached an estimated 20 million players in 2 years. Additional levels were sold by mail order. DOOM’s innovative multiplayer mode allows you and your friends to work together to destroy the Cacodemons, or you can play Deathmatch against each other.
Wish the sea the best space to live.
Street Fighter II is the iconic head-to-head fighting DOS game of the 90s. When we were kids, most of us didn’t even know there was Street Fighter I. Starting in video games, it made its way into the world. available in regions, and its popularity hasn’t waned as it transitions to indoor gaming.
The hybrid fighting style it introduces is truly a bug. Producer Noritaka Funamizu found during testing that combos are possible, very difficult to do, but still doable. He felt that no one could detect it so they just let it in. It is now a feature in every fighting game.
Video games are always open
These 10 best DOS games might not be your personal top 10, but they’re all hugely popular and influential on gaming, game development, and popular culture around the world. Every game you play today has a tribute and more than a few lines of code to these pioneers.
With sites like Internet Archive’s MS-DOS LibraryThese gems are preserved for today and the future.
