Before 95, Windows was not really suited for gaming, so most developers stuck to tried-and-true MS-DOS.
This was an era of many changes and creativity. Point and click adventure games were in vogue with companies like Sierra and Lucas Arts leading the charge. Due to simple graphics more emphasis was put on the plot in general with humor livening things up across multiple genres. Not everything was plain, however: this was also the time when the first 3D engines rolled out with games like Blood making use of the new tech to it's fullest.
Games didn't have to be politically correct and often weren't. This was especially true in the shooter genre, but sometimes even the more innocuous-seeming genres like platformers had content that would have been censored in modern eras! In fact, this is the era that brought the infamous Leisure Suit Larry and the associated lawsuit that led to the modern game ratings systems and stricter censorship rules in general. This is the era of playing games before you let the kids play them just to be sure they're "safe".
The vast majority of the games on this page can be played via DOSBox or purchased ready to play on modern systems from vendors such as Good Old Games for those wishing to experience old school games from this era.
Note: in the early days of PC gaming, there was a distinct type of software called "PC booter". The whole computer was started from the game's floppy disk, bypassing any installed operating system. This scheme was popular up to the mid-'80s, but quickly faded away and was basically nonexistent by the turn of the decade. A complete list of booter games can be found here.
A big bag of (almost) everything Apogee / 3D Realms has ever released. If you were a PC gamer in the DOS era, you surely know Commander Keen, Alien Carnage, Blake Stone, Death Rally, Wacky Wheels, Shadow Warrior, Duke Nukem 3D, Wolfenstein 3D, Stargunner, Terminal Velocity, and so on (some of which are mentioned elsewhere in this list). This compilation was only available for a very limited time... although there is still a more limited one, 3D Realms Arcade Collection, and other games sold piecemeal, but no way to get all of them except by pirating.
Abuse
Platformer
You got locked up in a prison where illegal genetic experiments take place, and all the inmates were transformed into monsters. A 2D platformer with a rather unique mouse-driven aim system, a gritty style, and merciless action. Was made free when the developer went bankrupt. Worth checking out.
After decades of war between two megacorporations, a fragile truce has finally been reached. But a mercenary group would much rather see the immensely profitable bloodshed continue, and that's where you come in! A hardcore mech shooter, from some of the people who would later do the Hitman series. The voxel environments give it an unusual visual style.
Another World (EU) Out of This World (US) Outer World (JP)
Cinematic platformer
An experiment gone wrong gets a scientist isekai'd to an alien world where everything is out to kill him. The gameplay is reminiscent of Prince of Persia, but the experience is much more cinematic and surreal. Warning: You WILL die a lot, even if it's a pretty short game. From the same creator of Heart of Darkness and From Dust.
Based in Raymond E. Feist's Midkemia, Betrayal at Krondor is often a forgotten gem of Western RPG history. Fire up DOSBox and enjoy one of the best RPGs from the Golden Age of PC games.
A rather risque simulator of a quack hospital strait from Germany (you'll be able to tell). Hire nurses based on their bust size, hire hooligans to beat people up on the street and get more patients your way. Excellent artwork, plenty of rather dark humor. Ridiculously hard, but very fun. Contrary to the popular belief, the English version does exist, but very hard to find. Play the German one if you speak German.
You were once a gunslinger and member of a cult, until the dark god you worshipped betrayed you. Now you're back from the dead, looking for answers and revenge. One of the greater boomer shooters, with tons of black humor and buckets of the aforementioned red liquid.
The version currently for sale is the Nightdive remaster, which is greatly improved in several ways but also somewhat buggy. The DOS release is included as a bonus; check the PCGW page for engine ports and workarounds.
You're a fireball-tossing wizard (and not some guy with a gun - whoever drew that cover didn't get the memo) going down the dungeons to slay all the orcs, trolls, and other evil beasts that cross your path. Wolfenstein 3D's older and less famous brother, an impressive game for its time, and still rather enjoyable to play.
Billy Blaze, a child genius who built a spaceship, has found that aliens intend to invade Earth. Id Software's first game, and possibly the first PC game with smooth scrolling in all directions (an amazing feat with the PC's shitty hardware of that time). Fun fact: our hero is the grandson of B.J. Blazkowicz from Wolfenstein 3D.
Tip: use the Commander Genius interpreter to run the Keen games on modern systems natively.
Earth has once again been overun by aliens, fielding armies of cyborg human clones. Fortunately fringe Wisconsin conspiracy theorists have cobbled together enough alien tech to create you, the cyborg HAVOC unit, to run a covert guerrilla operations against the occupying invaders.
The most notable aspect is the fullscreen mouse aiming system, resembling the much later Metroid Prime's wiimote control scheme, albeit with turning controlled with the keyboard. Expect intricate 1990s map designs too.
A cyberpunk isometric action game where you're sent into a corporate building of a bioweapons developer to stop the actual weapons that have taken the building and its inhabitants hostage.
Dark Seed
Point and Click/Horror
H.R. Giger's mindfuck brainchild, in it you are a man who has been experiencing strange dreams after having moved into a mansion, which you soon find to be caused by a rift connecting his world to the "Darkworld", he must switch between these worlds and destroy the machine that is causing the rift, and save the world. A very "original" story I know, but with Giger's psychotic art style mixed with the best/worst writing seen in an adventure game since Kings Quest, adds up to make one of the best adventure games of the time, being hard (but enjoyable) all the way through.
Don't bother with the sequel.
Day of the Tentacle
Adventure
Adventure game with lots of quality art, puzzles, humor and story. Sequel to Maniac Mansion, but DotT is considered by many to be one of the greatest Adventures you can play.
Be a mercenary hired to eliminate the corporation's virus-infected mining robots all over the solar system. One of the first fully 3D games (a whole year before Quake), this is a shooter with "six degrees of freedom" - you can turn 360 degrees in any direction, and there is no clear up or down in these twisty tunnels. If you're used to the linear, cinematic, hand-holding bullshit for wussies they call FPS nowadays, this will be truly brain-twisting. Better have a barf bag handy! Also, use DXX-Rebirth to run it on modern systems at high resolution.
A megacorporation was doing teleportation experiments on Mars, but accidentally opened a portal to hell. While Doom was far from the first FPS, it was the megahit that brought the genre to the mainstream, as well as online multiplayer gaming.
While there's a modern official port, there are many community-made source ports, so all you need is the original DOOM.WAD and DOOM2.WAD files. (Chocolate Doom and PrBoom+ are most accurate to the original experience, GZDoom and Doomsday are much modernized, Helion does insane optimizations.) Also, grab the SC-55 Music Pack here.
Duke Nukem's pre-3D games were pretty cool too! Technically, they're quite aged (especially the awful PC speaker audio of the first one), but they're still a lot of fun. These were previously available from GOG.com as a 2-in-1 pack, but this has been delisted now so the only place to legally buy them is off the ZOOM Platform. Thanks Gearbox.
To run these games natively on modern platforms, use: ReDuke for Duke I, and Rigel Engine for Duke II.
Always bet on Duke. This is a classic of the genre, that stood above the sea of "Doom-clones" of the 90s with nice graphics (possibly the first 3D game with working mirrors), complex lifelike environments, unique weapons such as the freezethrower and the shrinker, cool special items such as jetpacks and steroids, a raunchy sense of humor, a wealth of cool one-liners, and of course, strippers. NOTE: the current version on Steam, 20th Anniversary World Tour, is controversial for having less content than the delisted Megaton Edition as it doesn't include all of the released expansions. However, the Atomic Edition on the ZOOM Platform does and is currently the only legal avenue to buy those old expansions, but doesn't have the new fifth episode from the World Tour version. So, pick your poison.
Also, get the fan-made High Resolution Pack that adds real 3D models and better textures.
Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty (US) Battle for Arrakis (EU)
RTS
Old school RTS, one of the first (if not the first). Dated interface but fun for its age. Will run on fucking old machines.
Flashback
Action-adventure
The year is 2142, and you find yourself in an alien jungle with a gun and erased memories. A fantastic and challenging game from France, with interesting puzzle/platforming gameplay, rotoscoped animation (meaning super smooth movement), impressive vector cutscenes, and a neat sci-fi plot. The DOS versions has some extra cutscenes not found in the Amiga version. You can use the REminiscence Engine to play it on modern systems.
In a near future where hovercars are quickly replacing combustion engines, you're an old-school biker, framed for murder and left for dead on the roadside. Full Throttle features an amazingly simple interface and fast-paced action. Brilliant graphics and animation provide a strong cartoon feel, while the voice acting is powerful and cinematic. Players find themselves racing to the finish to help Ben find the bad guys.
Great platformer with unique atmosphere of pseudo-Greece. Average rating 93%.
Heretic
FPS
Three demonic brothers have taken over the land and forced all the races to worship them; the elves have resisted and thus branded heretics. Fantasy FPS by Raven (Soldier of Fortune, Jedi Knight II) running on the Doom engine, the gameplay is similar but introduces an item inventory and physics effects. The first game in a series, followed by Hexen and Hexen II (there is a Heretic II, but it's not in any digital store due to publishing issues). HG101 article
The sequel to Heretic introduces the choice of character class: you can choose to play as a fighter, cleric, or mage, each with unique weapons and physical characteristics, lending an additional degree of variety and replayability to the gameplay. The fighter relies mainly on melee attacks and is tougher and faster than the other characters. The cleric uses specialized weapons, some of which have limited range or healing effects. The mage uses long-range weapons, whose reach is counterbalanced by dealing relatively little damage and the fact that the mage is the most fragile of the classes.
Classic mascot platformer by Epic, with run 'n gun elements. Has expansions which add more levels, including a christmas-themed one, as well as tons of fan-made levels.
Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards
Erotic Adventure
Set in the fictional city of Lost Wages, the story follows a middle-aged virgin named Larry Laffer who resolves to sleep with a woman before midnight. Land of the Lounge Lizards establishes several elements which recur in later games, including Larry's out-of-date attire, perpetually bad luck with women, and penchant for double-entendres. There's also a "Reloaded" new version with new graphics and extra content.
Set in the exclusive health spa, La Costa Lotta, Larry returns in his funniest adventure game to date. The graphics are hi-res, there are far more girls to test your luck with, much more things you can do and Larry is given his memorable voice (by Jan Rabson). It's also one of the few Sierra adventure games that has no dead ends so you can die as much as you want in the many humorous situations because you won't have to restart the game. Be sure to find the hi-res CD version that has audio dialogue rather than the text only lo-res version.
a.k.a. Lezac. Simple DOS platformer. Collect treasure, use bombs to blow up chunks of the level, and avoid being buried in the rubble. The bombs range from tiny firecrackers that can boost your jump height to giant explosives that vaporize entire levels. Also has bosses and two player co-op. The shareware version is floating around all the DOS game portals. But the creator's official sites aren't online anymore and the various other sites that used to have the full version + art packs have disappeared. The zip file aside has version 1.8, which is the complete full version. Not sure if there's a better source. Apparently, abandonware, or at least the creator has allowed it to be so, given its archive.org entry.
Little Big Adventure (EU) Relentless: Twinsen's Adventure (US)
Action Adventure
You play as Twinsen, an escapee from an asylum on the planet Twinsun, in a quest to overthrow the evil dictator Funfrock. Graphics are the same as the sequel and the music and gameplay is top notch. Also to be admired is the freedom in the game that is sort of a proto-sandbox title. You can punch anyone in this world, give your girlfriend a bloody nose or knock civilians down a flight of stairs. A remaster is under development.
A television station management simulation, You're in charge of selecting programming and earning advertising for the station, while simultaneously trying to marry Betty. Not related to MADtv or the MAD magazine at all.
Magic Carpet
FPS
As the cover notes, you're a wizard and you go around in an all-range flying carpet, blasting beasts who inhabit the land, sea, and sky (and also enemy wizards). What it doesn't tell show you is that you can use all sorts of spells, including other offense-based spells, but also defense-based spells (like healing and magic shields), but also terrain-based spells, where you create and destroy sections of landmass. You can drown enemies by destroying the land beneath them, even summon a volcano! It had an expansion, Hidden Worlds, which offered more levels and a bit more variety. The sequel, Magic Carpet 2 has some mixed pros and cons, mainly for what it added (foes and spells) and the mixed effectiveness of them. It also got flak for being buggy. (Were there any patches?)
Hilarious and somewhat spooky adventure game with a stellar reputation for all the right reasons. After playing through the game, you'll definitely feel rewarded, it's that good. Be sure to read a walkthrough before you start or you can get trapped in an unwinnable game. Widely ported, and there's a free fan remake.
One of the best TBS games ever. It plays like Civilization, but there's magic in this game, making it very interesting. You start with a small Hamlet and a few units, you will need to explore and expand, while researching new spells and managing your armies and cities. You can also get heroes, thay may be weak at low levels, but will become god-like after some battles. There are six type of magic, and hundred of spells, that will make each game interesting and challenging. You can get the Official Strategy Guide from here.
Old-ass space 4X game with well-balanced and varied gameplay. Lots of tech and economy management, with optional tactical battles. Many different valid strategies to win the game.
Based in the BattleTech universe. Pilot 3 giant robots (you can switch between them to take it off computer control), kill other giant robots, salvage their parts and proceed to kill more robots. The lack of terrible Japanese influence means this is a very good game with balanced and interesting combat. More recent versions are also around and playable, though avoid the Japanese-influenced ones.
MechWarrior 2
Simulation / FPS
A major departure from the previous game, dropping the RPG/economy elements while improving the simulation, including mech customization, damage modeling, squad tactics, and so on. The graphics are great for the time, the gameplay is very enjoyable, and the music is absolutely flawless; hands down, one of the best vidya soundtracks ever.[1] The game had an expansion (Ghost Bear's Legacy) and a prequel (Mercenaries), which were bundled together in a box set (The Titanium Trilogy).
Also on Saturn and PlayStation, but the console versions have more arcadey gameplay and a different soundtrack.
Might and Magic: World of Xeen
RPG
World of Xeen is actually two games, the fourth (Clouds of Xeen) and fifth (Darkside of Xeen) combined into one huge game, as both were meant to be played one after another. World of Xeen is the epic conclusion of the Sheltem arc which began with the first game and the single best game in the series. Note: GOG sells a pack with the first six games.
Old platformer starring a fat old Prehistoric guy who eats everything. Even insects, remote controls and fridges. Fun and with an end-game boss so hard it's stupid.
A teleportation experiment opens a way to a dimension of monstrous creatures who use it to invade our world. Doesn't that plot sound familiar? Not that it matters, Quake is all about fast gameplay, dark environments, lovecraftian beasts, and a haunting soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails. It was one of the first fully 3D shooters (Descent and Terminator: Future Shock came first, but still relied on sprites for some objects), and it remains a joy to play. A very dark, brutal joy.
Be sure to try a modern source port. Some are faithful to the original, but some (like Darkplaces and Tenebrae) do seriously improved graphics.
Recently got a remaster by Nightdive in 2021 on modern platforms, which includes a new level pack developed by Machine Games.
An ex-cop turned private eye infiltrates the underworld of 2053 Los Angeles to investigate a dangerous new synthetic drug. A traditionally witty and misanthropic cyberpunk point & click adventure. An adult game worthy of being played.
A fast-paced, intentionally silly and over-the-top shooter with some plot about secret ops trying to destroy an alien cult, but who cares about plot when you can get hopped up on 'shrooms, turn yourself into a dog, and wield the almighty Excalibat? Also contains lots of blood and fleshy chunks spraying everywhere! Good times, even by modern standards. Fun fact: it began development as a sequel to Wolfenstein 3D.
In 2023 Rise of The Triad: Ludicrous Edition was ported by Nightdive to modern platforms, with assistance from New Blood Interactive, and Apogee. The port includes all the levels from the Base game, Demo, and Extreme along with 24 new levels.
Pretty crazy adventure featuring a detective dog and his partner, a cute homicidical rabbit on their mission to find a disappeared yeti. Puzzles are sometimes TOO crazy, but the game's a lot of fun nevertheless.
PC gaming is full of realistic driving simulators, but sometimes all you want is an arcade-style racer. Screamer was one of the first to bring home the simple, smooth, high-speed fun of Daytona or Ridge Racer. The weak point of the series is the limited content - just a handful of tracks and cars, much like those arcades. Even so, they're still enjoyable and worth a look.
You're a loyal corporate ninja/bodyguard/mercenary, but when you find your boss is summoning demons from hell to conquer the world, that's a bit too much for you. From the makers of Duke Nukem 3D, so you know what to expect: very complex levels, lots of gore, and politically incorrect humor. A great game that didn't get the attention it deserved at the time, maybe because its tech was a bit outdated. Just use SWP and the High Resolution Pack for better textures and real 3D objects. Had a reboot in 2013 that is almost completely different but also extremely good.
Big TBS series, comprising four games and a bunch of expansions. Play as any number of civs with a leader and build armies to conquer other dipshits. (I'm looking at you Gandhi) Or, play as a nice guy and win with nice cities, or ally everyone and win that way. Pansy. You know you wanna nuke their shit up.
Highly addictive, just ONE MORE TURN... PROTIP: Civilization IV is still very easy to get into (3D graphics, great interface etc.) and is regarded by many as the best in the series. Civilization V is still fun, but is basically Civ IV with nicer graphics and very, very watered-down gameplay and contains some different mechanics to keep it interesting, but lacks content compared to Civ IV. Buy the GOTY Edition if possible.
Unique Space-Tripping-RPG where you play as a guy who has to organise an alliance of alien races to fight off galactic assholes, the ur-quan and kohr-ah. In addition to the marvelous plot and music, the game has a funky arcade-style battle game blended into the main quest that makes the fighting a lot of fun. The 3DO version was unshackled from copyright in 2002, and thus an open source version, know as The Ur-Quan Masters due to copyright bullshit, was born. There is also an "HD" version with "better" artwork, if you just can't stand old school pixel art go for that... I guess... but this editor thinks it loses a bit of it's charm with the new artwork.
Note: This game has a hidden timer that will bite you in the ass if you waste too much time.
You are badass mercenary Kyle Katarn, assisting the Rebel Alliance in their war against the Galactic Empire. The first in a great series, it's like Doom in a galaxy far, far away. Tip: use the Force Engine to run natively on modern systems.
Pirates, traitors, and Rebel scum are terrorizing the galaxy. In the name of the Emperor, join Lord Vader and Vice Admiral Thrawn in 13 campaigns to kill them all. One of the first Star Wars titles to show the Imperials as something other than the "bad guys", this set the standard for every story-centric flight sim that followed. Seven fighters are available, including classic TIEs from the films and new ships like the awesome TIE Defender and the godly Missile Boat. The 1995 collector's CD version has the impressive iMuse MIDI soundtrack, but the 1998 re-release on GOG uses the John Williams score with updated graphics from X-Wing vs TIE Fighter.
After a comet hit Earth and unleashed a deadly plague, civilization fell back to a medieval stage ruled by a tyrannical technological cult. Rather than separate levels, Strife has a vast world with interconnected areas to explore, lots of NPCs to interact, and even a rudimentary stealth system - pretty impressive for a game running on good old Doom engine. The original version is supported on engine ports like GZDoom or VaVoom, but there is a modern re-release (aka the "Veteran Edition") with improved graphics and multiplatform support.
Like Trackmania for MS-DOS. Tracks Includes: loops, jumps (including over tall buildings), slalom roads and corkscrews. Design tracks or modify existing ones, features 11 different drivable cars Porsche March IndyCar.
Super Street Fighter II Turbo
Fighting
Not too long after US Gold shat out a dreadful port of Street Fighter II for DOS, Eurocom delivers the polar opposite: possibly the best home port of Super Turbo at the time, more accurate than the 3DO one, with all the combos and moves. One difference is that the low resolution makes the sprites of all characters a bit bigger, but that's only for the better. The soundtrack is an unique remixed version. You can use a 6-button controller with this beast.
Strangely, an MS-DOS port of Super Street Fighter II (not Turbo) by Rozner Labs came out AFTER this one. Disregard that one, this is better.
Set in the future, you play an unknown soldier reminiscent of John Connor, sent out to stop the Terminator menace and destroy Skynet. Packing every weapon imaginable, from shotguns, to rocket launchers, to laser rifles, you carve your way through an apocalyptic landscape full of T-1000's, spider mechs, and other droids hell bent on your death. Conserve ammo, blow shit up, and shoot for the moon. Literally.
The Secret of Monkey Island
Adventure
One of the most famous and successful adventure games ever made, this one is considered a cult classic by many. Help the "mighty pirate" Guybrush Threepwood defeat the evil ghost pirate LeChuck, win the love of the beautiful Elaine Marley and uncover the titular secret of Monkey Island. Exceptional writing and humor, this game is a mandatory play for everyone who loves adventures. Has a remake with modern graphics and voice acting on Steam. The artstyle is generally agreed upon to be ugly and the controls are fucktarded, but you can also switch to the original graphics and interface just with the press of a button.
Just like Monkey Island 1, but longer, funnier, and all around better. Get a job by tainting soup with a rat, kidnap two large animals for your twisted machinations, practice voodoo against your foes, and cause two huge explosions while stealing everything that's not nailed down. (Fun Fact: Pirates of the Caribbean stole a lot of stuff from this series.) Also has a remake with redone graphics and full voice acting which is available on Steam.
Badass aristocratic adventurer Lara Croft globetrots through ancient ruins full of magical treasures, brain-melting puzzles, and deadly traps to uncover the secret of Atlantis. Be sure to check PCGW for the updated ports and fixes. For something even more modern, check the remake, Tomb Raider Anniversary.
A remaster (read, same level design, and graphical touch ups.) of the game and its numbered sequels is in the works for more modern platforms as of 2023.
Ultima VII: The Black Gate is a fantastic RPG and single best title on the classic Ultima series. This time the Avatar, hero of Britannia, has to investigate a series of strange happenings which all seem to be connected, as well as the presence of a mysterious being calling himself the Guardian who is apparently behind everything. It later received an expansion called Serpent Isle, which is actually a entire new game using the same engine. Both games were compiled into the Complete Edition.
First person action-RPG spin-offs of the Ultima series, notable for their depth and advanced 3D tech that demanded some seriously high-end hardware for its day.
Drive your Corvette through the streets of a realistic 3D recreation of San Francisco, with police to avoid, multiple camera views, and car damage affecting the gameplay. One of the earliest "open world" driving games, truly ahead of its time.
Warcraft: Orcs & Humans
RTS
Starcraft is better for rated games. Warcraft has more features and better custom games.
In the 27th century, we finally met an alien species. Too bad they immediately decided they want us dead! Wing Commander was a landmark due to its refined movie-like presentation (3 and 4 had actual video cutscenes starring none other than Mark Hamill), and the gameplay was also pretty good. Warning: WC1 under DOSBox (like the GOG release) has some speed issues. The rare Kilrathi Saga compilation fixes that and brings improvements like re-orchestrated music, but only runs well under Windows 95. There's also Super Wing Commander, a 3DO/Mac remake with totally redone graphics.
The pinnacle of this classic series, Crusaders of the Dark Savant ditches the swords and sorcery setting from earlier titles and goes for a more medieval sci-fi blend, as the heroes have to prevent the titular villain from acquiring a ancient alien artifact. It follows the plot set by the previous title, and thus allows importing your saves from it. Beware, for the game is still as crushingly hard as ever!
VERY brown, but good fun. Take on Nazis, then Zombies, then other weird occult things (such as a flying monster torso), all within the time frame of WWII.
Turn-based, squad-level strategy with management aspect too. Tense sci-fi atmosphere. Practically the creator of its genre, and still one of the best offerings of it.
