Classic MS-DOS Action Games

Action games were one of the most popular genres in the MS-DOS era, offering fast-paced, adrenaline-fuelled gameplay that pushed early PC hardware to its limits. From side-scrolling platform shooters to top-down brawlers, DOS action games demanded quick reflexes and sharp timing. Iconic titles like Commander Keen, Duke Nukem, Dangerous Dave and Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure were staples of the shareware scene, often distributed on floppy disks through Apogee Software. If you like your games immediate, kinetic and challenging, DOS action titles deliver.

Games in the action genre (recently added)

Cadaver
Cadaver – MS-DOS cover art
Cadaver, released in 1990 by The Bitmap Brothers, is an isometric action-adventure game that combines puzzle solving, exploration, and combat. Players step into the role of Karadoc, a lone dwarf adventurer who dares to enter the sprawling fortress…
Genre: Action
Release: 1990
Developer: The Bitmap Brothers
Publisher: Image Works

Space Hulk
Space Hulk – MS-DOS cover art
Space Hulk, released in 1993 by Electronic Arts, is a tactical turn-based strategy game set in the dark, war-torn universe of Warhammer 40,000. Players command squads of Space Marines as they navigate derelict spacecraft infested with deadly…
Genre: Action
Release: 1993
Developer: Electronic Arts
Publisher: -

Karateka
Karateka – MS-DOS cover art
Karateka (1984) is a classic side-scrolling martial arts game developed by Jordan Mechner and published by Brøderbund for MS-DOS and other platforms. Renowned for its cinematic presentation and fluid rotoscoped animation, Karateka was one of the…
Genre: Action
Release: 1984
Developer: Jordan Mechner
Publisher: Broderbund

Magic Carpet
Magic Carpet – MS-DOS cover art
Magic Carpet is a groundbreaking first-person action game developed by Bullfrog Productions and released for MS-DOS in 1994. Set in a fully 3D world, the game places players in the role of a wizard flying a magic carpet, battling rival sorcerers,…
Genre: Action
Release: 1994
Developer: Bullfrog Productions
Publisher: Electronic Arts

DragonStrike
DragonStrike – MS-DOS cover art
DragonStrike is a fantasy flight-combat simulator that puts players in the saddle of a mighty dragon, soaring across the war-torn skies of Krynn. Developed by Westwood Associates and published by Strategic Simulations, Inc., the game blends…
Genre: Action
Release: 1990
Developer: Westwood Studios
Publisher: Strategic Simulations

Gauntlet II
Gauntlet II – MS-DOS cover art
Gauntlet II is a classic arcade-style dungeon crawler developed by Atari Games and released for MS-DOS in 1989. As a sequel to the original hit, it expands on the fast-paced, top-down action that made its predecessor so popular. Players choose from…
Genre: Action
Release: 1989
Developer: Atari Games
Publisher: -

Starquake
Starquake – MS-DOS cover art
Starquake is a classic sci-fi action platformer released for MS-DOS in 1988 by Bubble Bus Software. Originally created by Stephen Crow, the game places you in the role of BLOB (Bio-Logically Operated Being), a robotic explorer sent deep beneath the…
Genre: Action
Release: 1988
Developer: Bubble Bus Software
Publisher: -

Crusader: No Remorse
Crusader: No Remorse – MS-DOS cover art
Crusader: No Remorse is a classic isometric action game released for MS-DOS in 1995 by Origin Systems. Set in a dystopian 22nd century, you take on the role of a former elite Silencer who defects from the oppressive World Economic Consortium and…
Genre: Action
Release: 1995
Developer: Origin Systems
Publisher: Electronic Arts

Arkanoid II: Revenge of Doh
Arkanoid II: Revenge of Doh – MS-DOS cover art
Arkanoid II: Revenge of Doh is a classic brick-breaking arcade game released for MS-DOS in 1989 by Taito. As the sequel to the original Arkanoid, it expands the familiar Breakout-style formula with more elaborate level designs, improved visuals, and…
Genre: Action
Release: 1989
Developer: Taito
Publisher: -

Better Dead Than Alien
Better Dead Than Alien – MS-DOS cover art
Better Dead Than Alien is a fast-paced sci-fi shoot ’em up developed by Oxford Digital Enterprises and released for MS-DOS in 1988. Taking control of a lone spacecraft, the player must fight through relentless waves of alien enemies while navigating…
Genre: Action
Release: 1988
Developer: Oxford Digital Enterprises
Publisher: Electra

Lost Patrol
Lost Patrol – MS-DOS cover art
Lost Patrol is an atmospheric action-strategy game released for MS-DOS in 1991 by Ocean Software. Set during the Vietnam War, the game follows a small squad of American soldiers stranded deep behind enemy lines after their helicopter crashes. With…
Genre: Action
Release: 1991
Developer: Astros Productions
Publisher: Ocean Software

Rambo III
Rambo III – MS-DOS cover art
Based on the 1988 action movie starring Sylvester Stallone, Rambo III is an action game developed by Ocean Software and released for MS-DOS in 1989. Taking on the role of John Rambo, the player travels to Soviet-occupied Afghanistan to rescue his…
Genre: Action
Release: 1989
Developer: Taito
Publisher: -

Cannon Fodder 2
Cannon Fodder 2 – MS-DOS cover art
Cannon Fodder 2 is a tactical action game developed by Sensible Software and released for MS-DOS in 1994. Building on the distinctive style of the original, the game once again puts you in command of a small squad of soldiers as they fight their way…
Genre: Action
Release: 1994
Developer: Sensible Software
Publisher: Virgin Interactive

Pinball Magic
Pinball Magic – MS-DOS cover art
Pinball Magic is a classic pinball game developed and published by the French company Loriciel for MS-DOS in 1990. Presented from a top-down perspective, it combines traditional pinball mechanics with a more arcade-oriented progression system,…
Genre: Action
Release: 1990
Developer: Loriciel
Publisher: -

Paperboy 2
Paperboy 2 – MS-DOS cover art
Paperboy 2 is an action-packed arcade game released for MS-DOS in 1991 by Mindscape. As the sequel to the classic Paperboy, the game puts players in the role of a newspaper delivery boy or girl riding a bicycle through chaotic suburban…
Genre: Action
Release: 1991
Developer: Tengen
Publisher: Mindscape

Ikari Warriors
Ikari Warriors – MS-DOS cover art
Ikari Warriors is a classic top-down run-and-gun action game released for MS-DOS in 1987 by Data East, based on SNK's popular 1986 arcade hit. Inspired by military action movies of the 1980s, the game puts you in control of an elite commando on a…
Genre: Action
Release: 1987
Developer: SNK
Publisher: Data East