Top 50 DOSBox Games (Ultimate Retro PC Game Classics)

Remember the days of floppy disks, chunky CRT monitors, and 8-bit sound blasters? Whether you grew up battling pixelated monsters or you’re a curious newcomer to retro gaming, DOSBox opens the gateway to a treasure trove of MS-DOS classics. DOSBox is the magic emulator that lets us relive those golden oldies on modern machines, bringing back the beeps, boops, and thrill of vintage PC games. If you’re feeling nostalgic (or just adventurous), buckle up for a fun journey down memory lane!

In this blog, we count down the top 50 DOSBox games ever. These titles defined an era and still deliver heaps of entertainment. From pioneering FPS shooters to imaginative point-and-click adventures, this list has it all. Each game on this list is a legend in its own right – and we’ll explain why it earned a spot among the greats. Ready to jump in? Grab your joystick (or keyboard) as we dive into the 50 greatest DOS games that shaped PC gaming history.

Doom (1993) – Welcome to hell... literally! Doom is often hailed as the godfather of first-person shooters, and for good reason. This frenetic, demon-blasting action game set the standard for the genre with its fast-paced gameplay and eerie atmosphere. You play as a lone space marine (“Doomguy”) ripping through hordes of demons with an arsenal of outrageous weapons. The shotgun blasts, snarling monsters, and heavy metal soundtrack still get your heart racing. Doom’s impact was so huge that it basically invented the multiplayer deathmatch and modding scene. It’s included on this list because no collection of DOS games is complete without DOOM’s rip-and-tear excitement – an absolute must-play classic that defined PC gaming in the 90s.
Prince of Persia (1989) – Prince of Persia is a masterful cinematic platformer that left an indelible mark on gamers. With its fluid rotoscope animations and hair-trigger traps, this game raised the bar for realism in the 80s. You’re an acrobatic prince racing through dungeons to rescue the princess from an evil vizier, making death-defying leaps and sword-fighting guards along the way. Players still remember tense moments like narrowly dodging spiked pits or timing a leap over a closing gate. The game’s unforgiving timer (you have only 60 minutes to escape!) added heart-pounding pressure. It’s on our list because it pioneered the platforming genre and inspired countless adventures to come – the original Assassin’s Creed’s ancestor, if you will, but in charming side-scrolling 2D.
Wolfenstein 3D (1992) – Before Doom, there was Wolfenstein 3D – the granddaddy of 3D shooters. This game let players step into the boots of B.J. Blazkowicz, an Allied spy blasting his way out of a Nazi fortress. It was revolutionary for offering a first-person perspective with smooth scrolling graphics, immersing gamers like never before. Wolf3D is packed with secret rooms, hungry guard dogs, and of course, Nazi villains (including a show-down with a giant robot Hitler!). It’s included here not just for its historical significance, but because it’s still a blast to play. The simple run-and-gun action is pure, arcade-style fun. Wolfenstein 3D essentially sparked the FPS craze – an epic fight against evil that paved the way for every FPS that followed.
SimCity (1989) – Take a break from shooting and try your hand at city planning! SimCity is the classic simulation that proved games didn’t need explosions to be engrossing. As the mayor of a fledgling city, you lay down zones, build roads, and manage budgets to grow a thriving metropolis. There are no set win conditions – the joy comes from watching your city come alive, from towering skyscrapers to pesky traffic jams. Unexpected disasters (Godzilla attacks or earthquakes, anyone?) keep you on your toes as you scramble to save your citizens. Why is SimCity on this list? It launched an entire genre of simulation games, teaching players that balancing taxes and building power plants could be just as exciting as battling aliens. Creating something from nothing and watching pixels turn into a living city is an incredibly rewarding experience that never gets old.
The Secret of Monkey Island (1990) – Arrr, matey! Few games have as much witty charm as The Secret of Monkey Island. This point-and-click adventure put you in the boots of Guybrush Threepwood, a wannabe pirate with a knack for hilarious banter. Set in the mysterious Caribbean, the game is famous for its clever puzzles and laugh-out-loud dialogue – especially the iconic insult sword-fighting (“You fight like a dairy farmer!” “How appropriate, you fight like a cow!”). Monkey Island is a staple on this list because it redefined adventure games with humor and creativity. You’ll explore pirate ships and spooky voodoo swamps, meet ghost pirates, and solve puzzles with offbeat solutions. It’s included for its enduring ability to make players grin from ear to ear – a true gem that exemplifies how storytelling and comedy in games can create an unforgettable experience.
Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards (1987) – Ready for some cheeky adult humor? Leisure Suit Larry was the naughty comedy-adventure that snuck its way into many a 90s kid’s heart (often without parents knowing!). You play as Larry Laffer, a lovably clumsy middle-aged guy on a quest to find true love (or at least a fun night) in the city of Lost Wages. Full of tongue-in-cheek humor, innuendo, and goofy situations, this game had players solving puzzles to help Larry woo the ladies – or hilariously fail trying. It’s on our list for being ingeniously humorous and pushing boundaries with its adult-themed content (all in good fun). Beyond the laughs, it’s a solid adventure game with challenging puzzles. Leisure Suit Larry showed that games could tackle mature themes with comedy, and its cult classic status is well deserved for the endless chuckles it still provides.
King’s Quest II: Romancing the Throne (1985) – The King’s Quest series brought fairy tales to life, and King’s Quest II stands out as a crown jewel of adventure gaming. In this enchanting quest, Prince Alexander searches for his true love across a series of magical islands. The game is renowned for its rich storytelling and beautifully illustrated scenes – from the gloomy Land of the Dead to the whimsical Isle of Wonder. King’s Quest II is on this list because it exemplifies the depth and creativity of 90s point-and-click adventures. It has clever puzzles (with multiple solutions and endings!), memorable characters, and a sweeping story of love and destiny. Whether you’re outsmarting a minotaur or reciting magic spells, you’ll feel like you’re part of an interactive storybook. This game is included for capturing the awe and wonder of childhood fairy tales in playable form – a nostalgic adventure that still feels magical today.
Commander Keen (1990) – Time to bounce around the galaxy with an 8-year-old genius! Commander Keen is a series of side-scrolling platformers that were a staple of DOS gaming. Created by id Software (before their FPS days), the very first Keen episode landed in 1990 and introduced us to Billy Blaze, a kid who dons his brother’s football helmet and becomes Commander Keen to save the Earth from aliens. With its colorful EGA graphics, pogo stick jumps, and raygun shootouts, Commander Keen was pure joy for PC gamers who until then had envied console Mario games. It’s included here as a representative of classic PC platformers – it proved the PC could do smooth side-scrolling action too! The levels are packed with secret areas and quirky alien creatures (Dopefish lives!). Commander Keen’s charming humor and fun gameplay made it an instant hit, spawning numerous sequels and a lasting legacy in the shareware era.
Civilization (1991) – Just one more turn, I promise! Sid Meier’s Civilization is a game so addictive and groundbreaking that it practically created the turn-based strategy genre. You start in 4000 BC with a simple settler and through careful planning build an empire that stands the test of time. Will you win through military might, scientific advancement, or cultural glory? The magic of Civilization is the freedom to shape history. Build Wonders of the World, negotiate with famous leaders, or defend against barbarian attacks – the fate of your people is in your hands. It’s on this list because of its unparalleled depth and replayability. Every game is a unique story, and hours fly by as your tiny village grows into a global superpower. Civilization taught a generation of gamers about history and strategy, all while being incredibly entertaining. It’s included for being a genre-defining masterpiece that turned countless players into armchair emperors.
Ultima VII: The Black Gate (1992) – Ultima VII is often considered one of the greatest RPGs of all time – a true epic that pushed the boundaries of world-building in DOS games. As the Avatar, you return to Britannia to face a new sinister threat called The Guardian. What makes Ultima VII so special is its astonishing level of interactivity and depth: you can bake bread, mix potions, play with a clock, or snoop through every drawer in someone’s house. The world feels alive, with NPCs following daily schedules and reacting to your actions. Its story is rich with lore, memorable companions, and moral dilemmas. We include Ultima VII on this list because it delivered a sandbox RPG experience years before the term “open world” was common. The game’s immersive simulation of a fantasy world was revolutionary. Even today, roaming Britannia and uncovering its mysteries provides a sense of freedom and wonder that few games can match. If you want to see the roots of modern RPGs, Ultima VII is an essential play.
X-COM: UFO Defense (1994) – Do you have what it takes to save Earth from an alien invasion? X-COM: UFO Defense (known as UFO: Enemy Unknown in Europe) blends strategy, simulation, and sheer terror in a way that few games can match. You manage the X-COM organization: build bases, research alien tech, and lead tactical missions against extraterrestrial foes. The tactical battles are tense and unforgiving – one wrong move and your squad of soldiers gets obliterated by aliens lurking in the dark. (And don’t even get us started on the panic of meeting your first Chryssalid!). X-COM makes our top 50 because of its deep strategic gameplay and nail-biting suspense. Every decision, from funding allocation to which weapon to equip, can be a matter of life or death for humanity. It’s included for being one of the most influential strategy games ever made – the grandfather of modern tactical strategy titles. Triumphing over a tough X-COM mission leaves you feeling like a genius, and that’s a gaming high that stands the test of time.
Duke Nukem 3D (1996) – It’s time to kick alien butt and chew bubblegum… and Duke’s never out of gum! Duke Nukem 3D exploded onto the scene with over-the-top action and attitude. As the wisecracking Duke, you blast through strip clubs, city streets, and even outer space to save Earth’s women from alien invaders. The game was edgy, violent, and incredibly fun, mixing first-person shooting with interactive environments (you could play pool, shatter toilets, and tip strippers – unheard of at the time!). We include Duke 3D because it broke new ground with its level of interactivity and its cheeky B-movie style humor. One minute you’re fighting pig-cops in a movie theater, the next you’re shrinking enemies and stomping on them. Its multiplayer was a riot as well. Duke Nukem 3D remains a beloved DOSBox game because it doesn’t take itself too seriously – it’s an unapologetic, testosterone-fueled romp that still makes players laugh and cheer while mowing down aliens. Hail to the King, baby!
Wing Commander (1990) – Wing Commander took PC gamers to the stars in an epic space combat saga. Long before cinematic games were common, Wing Commander delivered a Hollywood-like experience with animated cutscenes, rich characters, and a branching storyline. You play a starfighter pilot in the war against the feline-like Kilrathi aliens. Between missions, you hang out with your crew on the Tiger’s Claw carrier, forging friendships (or rivalries), then jump into the cockpit for intense space dogfights. This game is on the list for pioneering the space-sim genre and showing how storytelling can enhance action. Each successful mission (or failure) can affect the war’s outcome, making your choices feel meaningful. The graphics and sound were groundbreaking in 1990, really making you feel like an ace pilot blasting enemies amid asteroids and stars. We include Wing Commander for its ingenuity and cinematic flair – it’s a thrilling blend of Top Gun and Star Wars that still fills players with a sense of heroism and adventure.
Alone in the Dark (1992) – Turn off the lights and prepare for some genuine spooks. Alone in the Dark is the grandfather of survival horror, a game that had players trembling long before Resident Evil hit the scene. Set in a haunted mansion in 1920s Louisiana, you choose to play as Edward Carnby or Emily Hartwood, investigating the suicide of Emily’s uncle. What ensues is a dread-filled exploration as you solve puzzles and fend off nightmare creatures drawn from H.P. Lovecraft’s mythos. Polygons were new back then, and Alone in the Dark used early 3D graphics with fixed camera angles to create a cinematic horror experience. Why is it on our list? Because it practically invented the survival horror genre. The creepy atmosphere, scarce ammo, and unnerving sounds (that piano in the attic still gives chills) kept gamers on the edge of their seats. It’s included for its historical importance and because, even now, the game’s eerie ambiance and clever puzzles make for an exciting – if hair-raising – trip into darkness.
SimCity 2000 (1993) – How do you top a legend like SimCity? By going bigger and deeper! SimCity 2000 took the city-building formula and supercharged it with new features and a gorgeous isometric view. Not only do you manage zones and utilities, now you can terraform land, build underground subways and water pipes, and even construct arcologies (gigantic futuristic mega-cities). The detail and complexity leaped forward – you’ll juggle issues like pollution, crime, and education funding as your city grows into a teeming metropolis. It’s on our list for being wildly addictive and inventive. Who knew managing sewage systems could be fun? SimCity 2000 also packed a lot of personality, with humorous newspaper headlines and quirky advisor comments. This game is included because it’s considered one of the best simulators ever made – an absolute sandbox of creativity. Watching your skyline fill with skyscrapers or seeing your citizens celebrate a new stadium you built is surprisingly satisfying. Just beware: hours will vanish as you tinker with the perfect city in this hallmark of the simulation genre.
Quake (1996) – If Doom was a thunderclap, Quake was a full-on earthquake in the FPS world. id Software followed up their Doom success by delivering true 3D graphics, a gritty Gothic aesthetic, and an unforgettable soundtrack by Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor. In Quake you run through eldritch dimensions, blasting grotesque monsters with nailguns and rocket launchers. The eerie, brown-shaded 3D environments were unlike anything seen before, creating a sense of foreboding with every shadowy hallway. We include Quake because it pushed technology forward (introducing mouselook and online multiplayer) and because it’s still insanely fun to play. The movement is buttery smooth, the weapons pack a punch, and the level design is superbly labyrinthine. Quake also birthed a huge modding and esports scene – including the first popular capture the flag and Team Fortress mods. It’s on this list as a testament to how this game took FPS to a new dimension (literally) and kept us fragging friends in deathmatch till the wee hours of the morning.
Lemmings (1991) – Don’t let those cute little guys fall to their doom! Lemmings is a puzzle game that captured everyone’s hearts with its simple yet fiendishly clever concept. You’re tasked with guiding a horde of doe-eyed lemming creatures from an entrance to an exit across perilous levels. The catch? These little fellows will walk mindlessly off cliffs unless you assign them jobs like Builder, Basher, or Parachutist at the right moment. Lemmings is on the list because it’s addictive, adorable, and ingeniously designed. Each level is like a puzzle sandbox where timing and strategy are everything – one small mistake and splat, the lemmings meet a tragic (but oddly comical) end. The game starts easy but later levels really test your brainpower and reflexes. It’s included here for its wide appeal and legendary status in puzzle gaming. Even today, saving those tiny green-haired goofballs from danger is just as rewarding. And let’s be honest, few things in gaming are as satisfying as seeing “Let’s go!” and successfully escorting 100 lemmings to safety!
Fallout (1997) – War. War never changes. Fallout introduced players to a post-apocalyptic wasteland with a retro-futuristic 1950s style that became instantly iconic. As a Vault Dweller venturing out into the irradiated ruins of California, you face mutants, radiated ghouls, and the harsh reality of survival after nuclear war. What sets Fallout apart is its open-ended gameplay and dark humor. Want to talk your way out of conflict, become a savvy trader, or just blast everything in sight? The choice is yours. Fallout’s S.P.E.C.I.A.L. system let you create any kind of character – from a silver-tongued diplomat to a brute force berserker. It’s included in our top 50 because it revolutionized RPGs with its freedom of choice and moral complexity. The game is filled with memorable moments, like deciding the fate of entire communities or encountering the twisted Master in his lair. Despite the grim setting, Fallout sprinkles in comedic touches (the Vault Boy animations and witty dialogues are classics). It’s a massive game that truly lets you decide how the story unfolds – a benchmark for non-linear RPG design that still influences games today.
Star Control II (1992) – Part space exploration, part intense arcade combat, Star Control II is a sci-fi epic that many consider one of the finest PC games ever made. You pilot a lone vessel, gathering allies to form a fleet and save the galaxy from the evil Ur-Quan aliens. What makes SC2 shine is its rich universe: over 20 unique alien races with their own personalities, history, and awesome starship designs. Diplomacy and dialogue are as important as dogfights – one moment you’re laughing at the witty quips of the spathi or Pkunk aliens, the next you’re locked in a tense battle using each race’s ship special abilities. It’s on this list for its incredible depth and storytelling. Exploring the galaxy feels like a true adventure; you never know what quirky species or ancient secret you’ll stumble on next. The game seamlessly blends genres – you’ve got exploration, resource management, RPG elements, and top-down ship combat all in one. We include Star Control II because it’s bursting with creativity and replayability. It’s a love letter to sci-fi fans, packed with humor, mystery, and strategic gameplay that remains unmatched. If you want to captain your own starship and forge alliances to save the universe, SC2 still delivers that thrill decades later.
Star Wars: TIE Fighter (1994) – Ever wondered what it’s like to serve the Dark Side? TIE Fighter turned the tables by letting us play as an Imperial pilot, and the result is one of DOS’s greatest simulation games. As a member of the Imperial Navy, you fly various TIE starfighters (from the nimble TIE Interceptor to Darth Vader’s Advanced TIE) on missions to crush the Rebel Alliance and other threats to the Empire. The space combat in TIE Fighter is sublime – smooth dogfighting physics, tons of mission variety, and the need to manage your fighter’s energy between engines, lasers, and shields (for ships that have them!). It’s on this list because of its fantastic narrative and gameplay polish. The story has you secretly working with the Emperor’s elite agent to root out traitors, making you feel like an insider in the imperial war machine. With dynamic mission objectives and optional secret goals, each sortie is thrilling and different. Add an atmospheric soundtrack that reacts to the action, and you’ve got an immersive Star Wars experience. We include TIE Fighter as it’s often hailed as the best space combat sim ever – a game that made being the “bad guy” incredibly fun and gave Star Wars fans a chance to fly for the Empire with pride.
Syndicate (1993) – In the dystopian future of Syndicate, corporations rule the world and you’re the one pulling the strings (with a little cybernetic persuasion). This game is a unique blend of tactical combat and strategy. You direct a squad of cyborg agents carrying out missions like assassinations, rescues, and brainwashing across a gritty cyberpunk globe. The isometric perspective and squad-based action gave Syndicate a distinctive flavor – imagine a real-time tactical GTA set in Blade Runner’s universe. It’s on our list for its innovative gameplay and style. You had the freedom to equip your agents with flamethrowers, Gauss guns, or the infamous Persuadertron to mind-control hordes of civilians (who then follow you like an obedient zombie army!). Between missions, you manage your syndicate’s funds, research new tech, and even install upgrades into your agents’ bodies. We include Syndicate because it was bold and brutal, with a dark satirical edge. Causing mayhem in a living city felt revolutionary, and the game’s moody atmosphere was unmatched. If you love cyberpunk vibes and tactical carnage, Syndicate remains a shining example of both – a game that lets you be the faceless villain in a trench coat, orchestrating chaos from behind reflective sunglasses.
Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers (1993) – Not all adventures in the 90s were bright and funny – some were deliciously dark. Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers is a point-and-click adventure that mixes supernatural horror with a gripping detective story. You play as Gabriel Knight, a struggling novelist and bookstore owner in New Orleans, investigating a series of voodoo murders for inspiration. The deeper you dig, the more Gabriel discovers about occult secrets and his own family’s mysterious past. This game is on the list because of its top-notch writing and atmosphere. The dialogue (voiced by talent like Tim Curry and Mark Hamill) is stellar, dripping with southern gothic charm. As Gabriel, you interrogate locals, solve intricate puzzles, and even perform voodoo rituals. The story’s blend of real-world lore and fiction is so engaging, you’ll be glued to see how it unfolds. We include Gabriel Knight for demonstrating how games can deliver narrative with the quality of a great novel or film. It’s an engrossing experience that will have you filling a notebook with clues and theories. Adventure fans still laud this title for its mature storytelling, memorable characters, and the goosebumps it leaves you with as you uncover the sins of the fathers.
Full Throttle (1995) – Biker badassery meets LucasArts brilliance in Full Throttle. In this rock-and-roll graphic adventure, you’re Ben Throttle, leader of the Polecats biker gang, framed for murder in a tale of corporate treachery on the open road. Full Throttle roars onto our list thanks to its attitude, style, and cinematic presentation. The game is filled with heavy metal vibes, fantastic voice acting (featuring Mark Hamill as the villainous Adrian Ripburger), and a great soundtrack by the Gone Jackals. While it’s a shorter adventure, every scene is packed with personality – from demolishing rival bikers with chain-whips and 2x4s on a desert highway, to solving puzzles in a trailer park full of explosives. It’s included because fans remember it so fondly for its memorable one-liners and Ben’s no-nonsense charisma (“I’m not puttin’ my lips on that.”). Full Throttle showed that adventure games could be cool and edgy, not just whimsical. It’s a high-octane ride that’s equal parts laughs and thrills, embodying a unique 90s biker punk spirit that still resonates with players looking for something a little tougher from their point-and-click fare.
Theme Hospital (1997) – Who knew running a hospital could be so funny? Theme Hospital is a brilliant management sim that has you building and operating a private hospital – curing hilarious fictional diseases and dealing with all the chaos that ensues. Patients with “Bloaty Head” (their heads inflate like balloons) need popping and re-inflating, those with “Slack Tongue” require a tongue-stretching machine, and don’t forget to hire a psychiatrist to handle cases of “King Complex” (where patients think they are Elvis). It’s on this list for its perfect blend of strategy and humor. You have to design efficient rooms, manage finances, and keep both patients and staff happy – all while chuckling at the game’s cheeky announcements (“Patients are reminded not to die in the corridors”). The cute cartoony graphics and increasingly challenging scenarios keep you hooked as epidemics, earthquakes, and VIP visits spice things up. We include Theme Hospital because it turned a mundane setting into an absurdly entertaining experience. It’s as fun as it is challenging, and few things are as satisfying as turning a failing, rat-infested clinic into a five-star medical facility. Just keep an eye on those queues, or you’ll have sick people rage-quitting your hospital in droves!
Hexen (1995) – Take the Doom formula, add a dash of dark fantasy, and you get the spells-and-shotguns insanity of Hexen. Actually a sequel (of sorts) to Heretic, Hexen let players choose between three character classes – Fighter, Cleric, or Mage – each with unique weapons and abilities to battle the demonic forces of the evil Serpent Riders. The game’s world is grim and gothic, full of twisting medieval levels, puzzles, and portals. It innovated by introducing hub-based levels: you’d revisit areas, flipping switches and opening new passages across multiple maps, which added depth to the usual straightforward shooter. Hexen makes our top 50 because it successfully mixed action and exploration with a pinch of RPG flavor. Smashing enemies with the Fighter’s spiked gauntlets or incinerating them with the Mage’s lightning spell never gets old. The atmosphere is haunting, with moody music and grotesque creatures at every turn. And it allowed looking up and down – a novelty at the time in FPS games! We include Hexen not only for its brute-force fun of gibbing monsters with medieval weaponry, but because it dared to experiment with the shooter genre. The result is a creepy, challenging, and exhilarating journey through cursed lands that remains a DOS era favorite for many.
Another World (Out of This World) (1991) – A lightning strike, a scientific experiment gone awry, and suddenly you’re… in Another World. This cinematic platformer, also known as Out of This World in the US, is an artistic masterpiece that’s frequently remembered for its stunning vector graphics and minimalist storytelling. You play Lester, a scientist transported to an alien planet, where you immediately have to run from beastly predators and befriend an alien prisoner to survive. With no HUD or dialogue, the game relies on visuals and music to convey the story – and it works brilliantly. It’s on our list because of its innovation and emotional impact. Each screen is like a scene in a movie, with challenges that range from timing tricky jumps to solving environmental puzzles, all while telling a silent tale of friendship and survival. The fluid animation and cinematic cutscenes were way ahead of their time, making you feel like you were playing a sci-fi film. Included for its cult classic status and influence, Another World shows how games can be art. It’s tough as nails (be prepared to die a lot figuring out solutions), but finishing this game feels like you’ve lived through an incredible adventure. It’s an experience that stays with anyone who journeys through its alien landscapes.
Grand Theft Auto (1997) – The monster franchise that became a household name had humble 2D origins on DOS. Grand Theft Auto (the original) is a top-down open-world game that set players loose in a city to cause mayhem. And boy, did we cause mayhem! Steal any car you want, outrun the cops, take on missions for criminal gangs, or just go on a reckless joyride – GTA offered an unprecedented level of freedom. It’s on the list because this game was the birth of a genre, effectively creating the open-world sandbox. The cities (Liberty City, San Andreas, Vice City) were packed with pedestrians to run over and secrets to find. You could answer payphones to start missions like bank heists or hit jobs, but the real fun was in ignoring the objectives and seeing how high you could crank your felony meter before the cops finally took you down. The game’s controversial violence and tongue-in-cheek humor (remember the crazy taxi bomb missions?) gave it an edgy rep. We include GTA because it was pure, guilty pleasure chaos and something truly new in 1997. It laid the groundwork for one of the biggest gaming series of all time, and even in its simplistic original form, there’s a special thrill in hearing that police siren and stomping the gas to make a clean getaway.
Descent (1995) – Prepare for vertigo! Descent tossed players into claustrophobic mines and said, “Here’s a six-degrees-of-freedom spaceship – aliens have taken over, now go blast ’em.” This game was a technological marvel, offering full 360° movement in 3D space when most shooters still had you glued to the floor. Flying down tunnels, you could turn and roll in any direction, which was both amazing and disorienting (many a player ended up accidentally flying upside-down!). It’s on the list for its innovative gameplay and intense action. The feeling of true 3D flight, complete with thrusters and afterburners, made Descent stand out immediately. You fight virus-infected mining robots and rescue hostages while trying not to lose your bearings in the maze-like levels. And who can forget the adrenaline rush of destroying a reactor and then frantically racing back through winding corridors to reach the exit before the mine self-destructs? We include Descent because it delivered an experience that literally added a new dimension to the shooter genre. It was challenging and often scary (those smart missiles chasing you through tight tunnels – yikes!), yet incredibly satisfying when you outmaneuver an enemy in a loop-de-loop dogfight. Strap in for Descent if you want a retro game that will truly test your spatial awareness and piloting skills.
Flashback: The Quest for Identity (1992) – Often considered a spiritual successor to Another World, Flashback is another cinematic platformer that dazzled gamers with its slick animations and engaging sci-fi narrative. You play as Conrad, a young man who has erased his memory and recorded a holocube message to himself – setting up a quest to uncover his identity and thwart an alien plot. Flashback’s gameplay is about exploration, puzzle-solving, and smooth gunplay, all presented in a beautiful rotoscoped art style. It makes our list because of its compelling mix of action and brain-teasing. One moment you’re in a jungle dodging death traps, the next you’re infiltrating a cyberpunk city and entering a gameshow-style death tournament (yes, really!). The variety keeps things fresh, and the storytelling – told through comic-book style cutscenes – keeps you hooked. Flashback is included for pushing the envelope of what action-adventure games could be in the early 90s. It’s challenging and requires patience, but finishing it feels like you’ve played through a fantastic sci-fi thriller. The controls and level design were top-notch for the era, making Conrad’s adventure one of the most memorable journeys on DOS (so much so that it held a Guinness World Record as the best-selling French game of its time!).
Master of Orion (1993) – Eager to conquer the galaxy not in a ship, but through strategy and diplomacy? Master of Orion is the 4X space strategy game (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate) that had gamers channeling their inner galactic emperor. You choose one of 10 alien races, each with different strengths, and set out to colonize star systems, research advanced tech, build mighty fleets, and either befriend or battle other space-faring races. It’s on the list because it set the gold standard for space strategy. Managing colonies, designing custom starships, and negotiating trade or treaties with aliens felt incredibly deep. Would you be a benevolent leader or a feared warmonger? Master of Orion gave you the tools to play either way. The turn-based galactic map and real-time (but pausable) ship combat were addictive, and there’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of turning a small colony into the capital of a galactic empire. We include Master of Orion for its huge influence on strategy games (often dubbed “Civilization in space”) and its still-enjoyable gameplay. The phrase “Just one more turn” definitely applied here, as hours would slip by while you perfected your grand strategy to rule the stars. If you dream of leading alien races to victory among the stars, this DOS classic is your jam.
Tyrian (1995) – Shmup fans, rejoice! Tyrian is a vertical-scrolling shooter bursting with power-ups, explosions, and even a surprisingly rich storyline for its genre. You pilot the spacecraft Stalker through increasingly challenging levels across planets and space stations, blasting waves of enemies and ginormous bosses. What makes Tyrian special (and on our list) is its customization and personality. You earn cash to upgrade your ship’s front and rear weapons, add sidekicks, and bolster your shields – allowing you to tailor the destruction to your liking. From super fast laser barrages to massive destructive beams, the arsenal is a blast to experiment with. The campaign mode has cutscenes and dialogue that build a cool sci-fi plot about corporate conspiracies and alien fruits (yes, mutant fruit!). Plus, Tyrian is filled with secret game modes and Easter eggs (like a whole hidden mini-game menu) that show the developers had a lot of fun making it. It’s included because it’s one of the best shoot-’em-ups on DOS, with tight controls and satisfying progression. The pixel art is colorful and detailed, and the FM-synth soundtrack absolutely rocks, pumping you up for the frenetic action. Tyrian proves that sometimes you just need to turn off your brain, upgrade that mega cannon, and dodge a screen full of bullets in the name of high scores and pure entertainment.
Quest for Glory: So You Want to Be a Hero (1992) – What do you get when you blend classic Sierra adventure gameplay with RPG elements? The delightful hybrid known as Quest for Glory. The first title, So You Want to Be a Hero, drops you in the land of Spielburg as a fledgling adventurer looking to make a name for yourself. You choose a class – Fighter, Magic User, or Thief – and your approach to solving puzzles and quests can vary depending on your skills. (Maybe you’ll lockpick your way into a treasure, or cast a spell, or just use brute force!). It’s on our list for redefining the adventure genre with its RPG twist and huge replayability. The game world is rich with fairy-tale creatures, from friendly centaurs to menacing brigands and even a sly fox (err, fox woman) you can rescue. Your character’s stats improve as you use them, a novel idea back then – want to get stronger? Go practice throwing rocks at targets or sparring with the sheriff. We include Quest for Glory for its warm humor, open-ended problem solving, and the satisfying growth of your hero. The day-night cycles, need for sleep and food, and colorful hand-painted scenes all contribute to a sense of immersion. By the end, you truly feel like you’ve earned the title of Hero, making it one of the most rewarding adventures you can play on DOS.
SimTower (1994) – Ever dream of running your own skyscraper? SimTower made that oddly specific dream a reality! In this unique simulation, you construct and manage a towering building filled with a mix of offices, apartments, hotel rooms, restaurants, and more. Starting with just a few floors, you’ll slowly expand upwards (and even underground) while luring more tenants and visitors to keep that rent money flowing. It’s on the list because of its addictive and relaxing gameplay. There’s something zen about watching your tiny sim-people (represented by colored dots) go about their daily routines – riding elevators, working, shopping, sleeping – all within the ecosystem you created. But don’t get too relaxed; as your tower grows, so do the challenges. You’ll juggle elevator traffic jams (who hasn’t cursed a slow elevator?), cleaning up trash, preventing fires, and keeping noise levels under control. Aim for that coveted “Tower” star rating that unlocks a cathedral at the very top! We include SimTower for its originality in the Sim genre – it’s not a city or a farm, but a single building that feels like a living puzzle to optimize. It’s incredibly satisfying to design an efficient tower where every floor thrives. Just beware: hitting fast-forward and watching your creation bustle with life can be hypnotizing, and hours will disappear faster than an express elevator zipping to the penthouse!
Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness (1995) – “Zug zug!” In the mid-90s, Warcraft II set the bar for real-time strategy greatness. Building on the foundation of the original Warcraft, Tides of Darkness polished everything to a shine: better controls, sharper SVGA graphics, larger armies, naval and air units, and an epic fantasy war storyline. Humans and Orcs return to battle, each side with distinct units and charming voice lines we can still quote by heart (“Stop poking me!” from annoyed peons, anyone?). It’s on our list for being one of the quintessential RTS games of the era. The campaign takes you through varied missions – from gathering allies like Elves and Dwarves (or Ogres and Trolls for the Horde), to all-out assaults on enemy strongholds. Managing peasants/peons to harvest lumber and gold while you churn out footmen or axe-throwers became a delightful balancing act. And just when you think you’ve mastered land warfare, the game throws transport ships, battleships, and dragons into the mix! We include Warcraft II not only for its fantastic single-player, but also because it helped popularize multiplayer RTS mayhem via direct connections and early online services. The map editor sparked creativity and custom scenarios galore. This game holds a special place as a gateway into strategy gaming for many folks, and its influence echoes in strategy titles even beyond its legendary successor, StarCraft. For the Alliance! (Or Horde, if you prefer green skins).
Worms (1995) – Holy hand grenades and exploding sheep – it’s Worms! This turn-based artillery strategy game is pure chaotic fun, pitting teams of heavily armed cartoon worms against each other in destructible landscapes. Imagine a mix of chess, aim-and-fire strategy like Scorched Earth, and Looney Tunes style humor, and you’ve got Worms. It lands on our list for its party-game appeal and laugh-out-loud moments. Each worm carries weapons ranging from bazookas and grenades to the outrageous banana bomb (which splits into multiple cluster bombs). The beauty is in the strategy and physics: you have to account for wind direction when launching an attack across the map, and every miss or hit changes the terrain, opening new tactical possibilities. Nothing is more satisfying (or hilarious) than sending an opponent’s last worm flying into the water with a perfectly placed explosion. Worms is included because it became a staple of hot-seat multiplayer – gather some friends around one keyboard, and you’ve got an evening of comedy and competition sorted. The little worm voices yelling “Incoming!” or “We’ll get you!” are iconic. Even as a single-player (taking on the computer or doing challenges), it’s addicting. With endless randomly generated levels and countless ways a match can unfold, Worms has remained a beloved DOS-era classic that exemplifies how simple concepts can yield endless fun.
Mortal Kombat II (1993) – “Fatality!” The 90s arcade fighting craze wouldn’t have been the same without Mortal Kombat, and PC gamers got a hefty taste of it with Mortal Kombat II on DOS. MKII took the gore and intensity of the first game and dialed everything up to 11: more fighters, more special moves, more secrets, and of course, more insanely over-the-top fatalities. It’s on our list for delivering console-quality fighting action to DOS and being a pop culture phenomenon of its time. Who can forget the thrill of pulling off Sub-Zero’s spine rip or Liu Kang’s dragon transformation fatality? The gameplay is fast and responsive – sweep kicks, uppercuts, and projectile attacks in a dance of nerve and timing against your opponent. MKII also introduced stage fatalities (knocking foes into pits of spikes or acid) and humorous “Babalities” and “Friendships” to toy with your defeated rivals. We include Mortal Kombat II because it was the game that had kids crowding around any PC that had it installed, eager to see every gruesome finishing move. Its digitized graphics and iconic sound effects (“Finish Him!”) created an atmosphere all its own. Beyond the shock factor, it’s a genuinely great competitive game that’s still fun with a buddy on the same keyboard. MKII cemented Mortal Kombat as a legendary franchise, and playing it now on DOSBox is like stepping into a time machine of fighting game history – one that might punch your head off at any moment.
Master of Magic (1994) – Take the empire-building of Civilization, mix in the fantasy flavor of casting spells and summoning dragons, and you get the enchanting Master of Magic. This turn-based 4X strategy gem lets you play as a wizard lord in the world of Arcanus (and a parallel magic realm called Myrror), vying to be the dominant sorcerer. You customize your wizard with spell books from schools like Life, Death, Chaos, etc., which determines what spells and fantastic creatures you can bring to bear. It’s on the list for its ambitious blend of strategy and fantasy RPG elements. You found cities of various races (High Men, Elves, Dwarves, even Gnolls – each with unique units), manage resources and research, all while channeling magic to buff your armies or curse your enemies. You can even explore dungeons and towers on the map with hero units, finding powerful artifacts or imprisoned monsters to recruit. We include Master of Magic because it’s endlessly replayable – the combination of wizard abilities and world setups means no two games are the same. One game you might rain fire and brimstone with Chaos spells, another you might raise an undead legion with Death magic. The tactical battles when armies clash are the cherry on top, letting you manually direct units and cast spells in combat, like a tabletop war game. Though a bit rough around the edges (it was famous for some bugs back in the day), patches and fan mods have refined it. It stands as a testament to the creative heights of 90s PC game design, earning its place among the all-time greats for strategy fans who love a little sorcery in the mix.
Doom II: Hell on Earth (1994) – The only thing better than Doom? More Doom! Doom II: Hell on Earth took everything we loved about the original and gave us more levels, more demons, and the beloved Super Shotgun. The story, such as it is, picks up with the demons overrunning Earth, and Doomguy fighting to save humanity. But all you really need to know is: there are 30 new sprawling levels full of hellspawn waiting to be blown apart. We include Doom II on the list because it cemented Doom’s legacy and gave us some of the most memorable FPS moments of the 90s. The level design is a bit more complex and challenging, often filled with enormous hordes of monsters to slay (the sight of 50+ enemies in one area was mind-blowing in ’94). And the new monsters kept players on their toes – the brutally tough Arch-Vile that can resurrect other demons, the charging horned Revenants, the slithering Mancubus with dual fireball cannons, etc. But players quickly learned that the double-barreled Super Shotgun is your best friend, making an extremely satisfying “BOOM-CHA-CHIK” sound as it gibbed demons in two. Doom II is included not just because it’s more of a good thing, but because it refined the formula and gave us endless replayability (thanks to fan-made WADs and mods that continued to use Doom II as a base for years). It’s a must-play for any FPS enthusiast – after all, who can resist the cathartic fun of mowing down a room full of demons with a trusty shotgun?
Day of the Tentacle (1993) – Time travel has never been this zany! Day of the Tentacle, also known as Maniac Mansion II, is LucasArts’ comedy adventure masterpiece that has delighted gamers for decades. The premise: a purple mutant tentacle is bent on world domination, so three unlikely friends (geeky Bernard, roadie Hoagie, and ditzy Laverne) use a time machine toilet to travel to the past and future to stop it. Naturally, things go awry and each character ends up in a different era – one in colonial 1776, one in a bizarre tentacle-ruled future, and one stuck in the present. The time-hopping puzzle mechanic is brilliant: actions in one time period can affect another (need a tree gone in the future? Better convince George Washington to chop it down in the past!). It’s on our list for its inventive puzzles, zany humor, and cartoon-perfect art. The hand-drawn visuals and voice acting make it feel like an interactive Saturday morning cartoon. Day of the Tentacle is included because it represents the pinnacle of point-and-click design – not only are the puzzles challenging and clever, they’re hilarious. Where else will you trick a founding father into creating the American flag design or enter a human beauty pageant judged by tentacles? It’s a game where you might spend as much time laughing as thinking. Even today, the comic timing and puzzle logic stand strong. And as a bonus, it even contains the entire original Maniac Mansion game as an Easter egg on a computer in-game! Talk about value and a nod to fans. If you love to laugh and love to think, DOTT is simply one of the best adventures you can experience.
Command & Conquer: Red Alert (1996) – What if Einstein went back in time and removed Hitler from history? Red Alert explores that mind-bending premise in an alternate World War II where the Allies face off against an aggressive Soviet Union, led by Stalin, without Nazi Germany in the mix. The result is one of the most beloved RTS games ever. Building on the success of Command & Conquer, Red Alert delivered fast-paced strategy with a Cold War twist. Each faction has its own cool units – the Allies have high-tech gizmos like Chronospheres (teleportation devices) and Gap Generators (for stealth), while the Soviets bring brute force with Tesla coils (electric zap defense) and mammoth tanks. It’s on the list because of its tight gameplay and memorable style. The resource-gathering, base-building, and rush-or-turtle decisions make every match exciting. And who can forget the campy FMV cutscenes with overacting generals briefing you between missions? They’re cheese, but delicious cheese that added to the game’s charm. Red Alert is included as an RTS classic that many still hold dear for multiplayer skirmishes – it was easy to learn but had depth for skilled play. Also, the music is absolutely banging; Frank Klepacki’s soundtrack (“Hell March” especially) practically makes you want to march into battle yourself. Loading up Red Alert on DOSBox today will instantly transport you to an era of ore trucks, spy planes, and Kirov airships – where you’ll be plotting the perfect tank rush by minute five or laughing maniacally as your attack dogs chase down pesky enemy engineers. Good times.
Heroes of Might and Magic II (1996) – The phrase “Just one more turn” applies not only to Civilization but also to Heroes of Might and Magic II, a turn-based strategy/RPG hybrid that can devour hours of your life in the blink of an eye. HoMM2 continues the medieval fantasy chess match of its predecessor, pitting warlords against each other on rich, colorful maps filled with treasure, artifacts, and monsters to recruit or slay. It’s on the list because it perfected the formula of army building and exploration. You hire heroes, capture castles, gather resources, and assemble armies of fantastical creatures (from vampires and dragons to unicorns and phoenixes, depending on your chosen faction). The tactical turn-based battles are easy to get into but deceptively deep – unit positioning and spellcasting can turn the tide of war. We include Heroes II for its incredibly addictive gameplay loop: explore, expand, exploit, exterminate – all wrapped in a charming art style and an operatic soundtrack that’s still hauntingly beautiful. Each faction (Knight, Barbarian, Sorceress, Warlock, Wizard, Necromancer) has its own campaign storyline, offering tons of content, and custom scenarios give endless replayability. Nothing beats the thrill of finding that week's creature growth has bolstered your army, and now you can take the fight to your rival’s castle and siege it with catapults and gryphons. Heroes of Might and Magic II exemplifies “simple to learn, hard to master,” and it’s included as a shining example of strategy and fantasy perfectly blended into one compelling package.
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge (1991) – How do you follow up one of the funniest adventure games ever? With an even bigger and bolder sequel. Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge reunites us with Guybrush Threepwood, now on a quest for the legendary treasure of Big Whoop. The witty writing and creative puzzles from the first game are back in full force, but now the game world spans multiple islands, and the stakes (and laughs) are even higher. We put Monkey Island 2 on the list for being an outstanding sequel that some might say is even better than the original. The insult sword-fighting returns in a new form (this time, insult arm-wrestling with a spitting contest thrown in for good measure – yes, really!). The puzzles are delightfully devious, often solved by out-of-the-box thinking and a cheeky use of items (who knew a bucket of mud and a pig could be so useful?). It’s included for its memorable moments – like infiltrating the infamous Scabb Island, or the entire sequence where you assemble a makeshift voodoo doll in a showdown with the villainous Largo LaGrande. The game also has one of the most talked-about twist endings in gaming (no spoilers here, but it left players both baffled and amused). The jaunty Caribbean tunes, the lovable/cartoonish art style, and the endearing cast of characters (everybody loves Wally the cartographer) make MI2 an absolute joy. It’s proof that comedy in games can be top-notch, and why the Monkey Island series remains a high-water mark for humorous storytelling.
Rayman (1995) – In a world dominated by 3D, Rayman proudly showed off the beauty of 2D platforming and became an instant classic. This limbless hero with big floating hands and feet brought us on a whimsical journey through the Glade of Dreams, to rescue the Electoons and defeat the evil Mr. Dark. What lands Rayman on our list is its stunning artwork and challenging gameplay. The hand-drawn graphics are bursting with color and imagination, from lush forests to musical lands where trumpets and musical notes form the platforms. Rayman himself gains abilities as you progress – starting with just a punch, soon he can hang from ledges, glide with his hair (helicopter hair, woo!), and run at high speeds. Don’t be fooled by its cute looks; Rayman is tough as nails. You’ll need precision and patience to get through later stages (Band Land’s slippery musical scales have tested many a gamer’s sanity). We include Rayman because it proved the PC could produce console-quality platformers with its own unique flair. The characters are charming (Betilla the fairy, the loveable magician, and goofy bosses like Moskito), and the animations are silky smooth, making the world feel alive and cartoonish. The game’s joyful personality and fairytale-meets-slapstick vibe appeal to all ages. It stands as a reminder that sometimes you don’t need polygons to be impressed; a well-crafted sprite can be just as magical. Rayman’s first outing was the start of a beloved franchise, and playing it today still delivers that pure platforming delight that will have you grinning (even as you hit that “Game Over, try again” screen a few times).
The Incredible Machine (1993) – Get ready to channel your inner Rube Goldberg! The Incredible Machine (TIM for short) is a puzzle/sandbox game that’s all about creating elaborate contraptions to accomplish simple tasks. Each level gives you a goal – like putting a ball into a basket or popping a balloon – and a set of wacky parts to use: think ropes, pulleys, conveyor belts, fans, seesaws, mice on treadmills, even fireworks and bowling balls. It’s on our list because it tickles the brain and funny bone in equal measure. Solving a puzzle often involves trial and error, but the process is so entertaining you don’t mind. There’s glee in finding out that connecting a candle to a magnifying glass will eventually burn a rope, releasing a boxing glove that punches a ball into a hoop! The game actively encourages creativity; many puzzles have multiple solutions, and the freeform mode lets you build your own crazy machines from scratch. We include The Incredible Machine as a shining example of an educational-ish game that never feels like homework. It’s pure creative chaos, showing that learning physics concepts (gravity, momentum, etc.) can be a blast when you attach them to catapulting cats and exploding blimps. The feeling of “Eureka!” when your contraption finally works is immensely satisfying. Whether you carefully engineer a solution or slap parts together in hopes of a miracle, TIM always brings out your imaginative side. It’s a timeless classic that’s as incredible as its name suggests, reminding us that sometimes the best games are the ones that make you feel smart and make you laugh.
Theme Park (1994) – Roll up, roll up! Build the amusement park of your dreams (or nightmares) in Theme Park, Bullfrog’s charming park management sim. Ever visited a carnival and thought, “I could design this better”? This game gives you that chance – letting you place rides, hire staff, set concession stand prices, and even decide how much salt to put on the fries (to make guests buy more soda, naturally). We put Theme Park on our list because it’s endlessly entertaining to create and manage your own funfair. The variety of rides ranges from gentle carousels to wild roller coasters, and you can even design your own coaster layouts for maximum thrills. But watch out: too much excitement and your guests might end up sick (cue the janitor with a mop!). The sim aspect is engaging – you have to balance making profits with keeping visitors happy. Tweak your ticket prices, research new attractions, and expand your park globally once you hit certain milestones. We include Theme Park for its lighthearted approach that hides a sneaky depth. The cartoony graphics and squishy sound effects (the delighted squeals on rides, or the less delighted sounds of someone losing their lunch) make it approachable, but getting a 5-star park requires strategy. And let’s be honest, part of the fun is a little mischief: maybe setting the roller coaster speed too high or the maintenance budget too low to watch the hilarious chaos unfold (just don’t do this in a real park!). Theme Park encapsulates the idea that management games don’t have to be dry – they can be a wild ride in themselves.
Stunts (1990) – For those who feel the need for speed and loops, jumps, and crazy corkscrews, Stunts (also known as 4D Sports Driving) was a dream come true. This early 3D racing game didn’t just let you race sports cars – it let you race them on death-defying stunt tracks that you could design yourself. Imagine barreling down a track, hitting a loop-the-loop, then a huge jump, trying to stick the landing without crashing – that’s Stunts in a nutshell. It’s on the list because it unlocked players’ creativity and adrenaline in equal measure. The built-in track editor was incredibly powerful for its time, allowing you to place ramps, obstacles, slalom cones, even sharken loops (vertical corkscrews) wherever you wanted. Many of us spent hours crafting the most absurdly challenging tracks and then daring our friends to set a record time on them. The racing itself was a blast, with a variety of cars (from Acura NSX to Formula 1 racers) each handling differently. And who can forget the replay camera showing your epic wipeouts in polygon-glory? We include Stunts because it was essentially playground sandbox meets racing. Long before games like TrackMania or Mario Kart’s track builder, we had Stunts fueling our imaginations (and wrecking many digital cars). Even against AI opponents, it was fun to see if you could survive the track you built. The physics were surprisingly good – you had to manage speed to avoid losing control mid-loop or flying off a turn. It’s a DOS classic that perfectly captures why early PC gaming was so exciting: you weren’t just consuming content, you were creating it. And nothing beat the bragging rights of building a track that nobody but you could finish!
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (1992) – Many consider this the best Indiana Jones story that never became a movie – it only existed as a game! Fate of Atlantis is a point-and-click adventure that sends the famous archaeologist on a globe-trotting quest to find the lost city of Atlantis before the Nazis do. Packed with clever puzzles, fist-fights, and ancient mysteries, it truly feels like an Indy film you get to play. We put it on our list because of its outstanding narrative and replay value. Midway through the game, you actually choose how you want to proceed: via Wit (more puzzles), Fists (more action), or Team (working together with Indy’s smart and sassy partner, Sophia Hapgood). This branching path means you can replay and get new content and solutions. The writing nails Indy’s humor and charm, making you feel like you’re cracking a whip right alongside him. It’s included for being a masterclass in adventure design – puzzles are logically integrated into the story (deciphering an ancient tomb or figuring out how to start a broken down submarine), and the pacing keeps you hooked from New York to Algiers to Atlantis itself. And unlike the punishing adventures of the 80s, Fate of Atlantis rarely if ever leaves you unfairly stuck. The hand-drawn visuals and delightful John Williams-inspired music score pull you into Indy’s world. If you’ve ever yearned for one more classic Indy romp after The Last Crusade, this game delivers in spades. It’s like discovering a lost Indiana Jones movie – one where you get to do all the cool stuff.
Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame (1993) – The prince is back, and this time the stakes are higher! Prince of Persia 2 took the groundbreaking platforming of the original and expanded upon it with larger levels, new moves, and a compelling story that picks up after the first game’s happy ending goes awry. The evil wizard Jaffar returns, usurps the throne by transforming himself into the Prince’s likeness, and our hero becomes a fugitive who must fight to reclaim his identity and save the kingdom. It’s on our list for how it built on a classic without losing touch with what made it great. The animation is still incredibly fluid, making every sword duel and daring leap feel real and weighty. PoP2 added the ability to swing on ropes and introduced more varied environments (from palaces to caves to a shipwreck) with intricate traps that demand precise timing. It’s a notoriously challenging game – mastering it requires patience as you learn each level’s layout, but the satisfaction of progressing is immense. We include Prince of Persia 2 because it’s an essential part of the DOS platforming canon. The sense of adventure is strong, with a plot that even features some cool supernatural twists – the titular shadow and flame hint at mystical elements that come into play. The thrilling escape sequences (like riding a magic carpet through collapsing caves) will get your pulse up, even in pixel form. If you loved the first Prince, this sequel gave you more prince, more peril, and more puzzles to overcome, solidifying the franchise’s legendary status long before the Sands of Time rebooted it in 3D.
Heretic (1994) – Imagine Doom, but instead of guns and space Marines, you’ve got magic weapons and an evil horde of undead fantasy creatures – that’s Heretic in a nutshell. Developed by Raven Software with id Software’s blessing, Heretic used a modified Doom engine to create a dark fantasy FPS that stood out from the pack. You play as Corvus, an elf warrior battling the forces of D’Sparil (one of three malevolent sorcerer brothers) who have corrupted your world. We include Heretic because it introduced cool innovations and a fresh theme to the genre. Most notably, it allowed players to look up and down, a simple thing we take for granted now, but a big deal in the Doom era! It also introduced an inventory system – you could pick up artifacts and use them whenever you wanted, adding a layer of strategy. For example, the Tome of Power would supercharge your weapons (like turning your humble wand into a rapid-fire death beam or your Phoenix Rod shots into nuclear blasts), while a Morph Ovum could hilariously turn enemies into chickens. Heretic’s weapons – from the ethereal crossbow to the fiery hellstaff – were fun equivalents to Doom’s arsenal but with a mystical twist. The atmosphere was delightfully evil and moody; you’d hear the gargoyles screech or the golems moan and get that good old adrenaline kick. It’s on this list as a testament to 90s creativity: when everyone was making Doom clones, Raven made one with unique flair and gameplay tweaks that influenced future fantasy shooters (like their own Hexen, which we mentioned earlier). Plus, who doesn’t want to slay gargoyles and undead warriors in first-person? Heretic remains a magical trip worth taking for any retro shooter fan.
Dune II: The Building of a Dynasty (1992) – Last but absolutely not least, the RTS that started it all: Dune II. Often credited as the game that established the template for real-time strategy, Dune II is Westwood Studios’ classic based loosely on Frank Herbert’s Dune universe. In this game, you choose one of three houses – noble Atreides, treacherous Harkonnen, or insidious Ordos – and battle for control of the desert planet Arrakis, the only source of the valuable Spice Melange. We include Dune II because it laid the groundwork for Warcraft, C&C, StarCraft, and every other RTS. Harvesters gather spice (your resource) and you use it to build structures, train troops, and churn out tanks and ornithopters. The thrill of setting up a base, fortifying it with walls and gun turrets, and then commanding a mixed force of infantry and vehicles to crush an enemy base was revolutionary and addictive. Each house had unique units or superweapons: Atreides had the formidable Fremen and sonic tank, Harkonnen had the devastating Devastator tank and Death Hand missile, etc. As the campaign progresses, you face the native Fremen, gigantic sandworms (which can eat your units whole!), and the escalating aggression of rival houses. It’s on our list not just for nostalgia – it’s still fun! The pixel art and sound effects are charmingly retro, and the strategic challenge is real. Mission after mission, that “just one more battle” feeling kicks in hard. By the time you’re defending your base from a combined enemy assault while trying to sneak an engineer into their construction yard, you’ll understand why Dune II is a legend. It rightfully takes its place as one of the top DOSBox games because it’s a piece of gaming history – one that deserves to be played and remembered by every strategy enthusiast.

Closing Thoughts: There you have it – 50 incredible DOS games that showcase the creativity, challenge, and charm of retro PC gaming. Whether you were blasting demons in Doom, building empires in Civilization, or laughing through Monkey Island’s hijinks, the DOS era had something for everyone. These games may be pixelated and polygonal, but their gameplay and spirit remain timeless. They taught us that good graphics are nice, but good game design is what truly sticks with you for decades.

Thanks to DOSBox, diving back into these classics is easy and just as enjoyable as ever. In a world of photorealistic graphics and complex online worlds, sometimes it’s refreshing (and downright exciting) to fire up a 30-year-old game and find yourself just as hooked as when you first played it. Nostalgia aside, many of these titles can still captivate new players who appreciate engaging stories and rewarding gameplay.

So, whether you’re a veteran PC gamer looking to relive the glory days or a newcomer curious about gaming’s roots, give these DOSBox games a try. Setup that soundblaster emulation, get your fingers ready on the arrow keys, and enjoy a trip to an era where imagination was king and every floppy disk could uncover a new adventure. Happy gaming, and may your shareware days be merry and bright!

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