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)

Better Dead Than Alien
Better Dead Than Alien
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

Arkanoid II: Revenge of Doh
Arkanoid II: Revenge of Doh
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: -

Crusader: No Remorse
Crusader: No Remorse
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 join...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1995
Developer: Origin Systems
Publisher: Electronic Arts

Starquake
Starquake
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 s...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1988
Developer: Bubble Bus Software
Publisher: -

Gauntlet II
Gauntlet II
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 f...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1989
Developer: Atari Games
Publisher: -

DragonStrike
DragonStrike
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 arcade-st...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1990
Developer: Westwood Studios
Publisher: Strategic Simulations

Magic Carpet
Magic Carpet
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, and...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1994
Developer: Bullfrog Productions
Publisher: Electronic Arts

Karateka
Karateka
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 firs...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1984
Developer: Jordan Mechner
Publisher: Broderbund

Space Hulk
Space Hulk
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 Genestea...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1993
Developer: Electronic Arts
Publisher: -

Cadaver
Cadaver
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 of...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1990
Developer: The Bitmap Brothers
Publisher: Image Works

The Last Ninja
The Last Ninja
The Last Ninja is an action-adventure game developed by System 3 and released for MS-DOS in 1987. Set in a mythical version of feudal Japan, it follows the journey of Armakuni, the last surviving ninja of his clan, who seeks revenge against the evil ...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1987
Developer: System 3
Publisher: Activision

RoboCop 3
RoboCop 3
RoboCop 3 is a 3D action game developed by Digital Image Design and released for MS-DOS in 1991. Based on the movie of the same name, it puts players in the role of RoboCop as he battles to protect the citizens of Detroit from the corrupt OCP corpora...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1991
Developer: Digital Image Design
Publisher: Ocean Software

Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto is an open-world action game developed by DMA Design and released for MS-DOS in 1997. Played from a top-down perspective, the game lets players step into the shoes of a criminal rising through the ranks by completing missions, steali...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1997
Developer: DMA Design
Publisher: BMG Interactive

Arkanoid
Arkanoid
Arkanoid is a classic arcade-style brick-breaking game developed by Taito and released for MS-DOS in 1986. A spiritual successor to Breakout, the game puts players in control of the "Vaus," a small paddle-like spacecraft tasked with destroying rows o...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1986
Developer: Taito
Publisher: -

Conan the Cimmerian
Conan the Cimmerian
Conan the Cimmerian, released in 1991 by Synergistic Software, is an action-adventure RPG that brings the brutal world of Robert E. Howard’s legendary barbarian to life. Players take on the role of Conan, rising from a pit-fighting slave to a fearsom...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1991
Developer: Synergistic Software
Publisher: Virgin Interactive

Tom & Jerry: Yankee Doodle's CAT-astrophe
Tom & Jerry: Yankee Doodle's CAT-astrophe
Tom & Jerry: Yankee Doodle's CAT-astrophe, released in 1990 by Hi-Tech Expressions, is a lighthearted action game based on the classic animated duo. Set during the American Revolutionary War, the game follows Jerry the mouse as he tries to outsmart T...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1990
Developer: Hi-Tech Expressions
Publisher: -

SEAL Team
SEAL Team
SEAL Team, released in 1993 by Electronic Arts for MS-DOS, is a tactical military simulation that puts players in command of an elite squad of U.S. Navy SEALs during the Vietnam War. Combining first-person action with strategic planning, the game off...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1993
Developer: Electronic Arts
Publisher: -

System Shock
System Shock
System Shock, released in 1994 by LookingGlass Technologies, is a groundbreaking first-person action-adventure that redefined immersive gameplay and storytelling in the cyberpunk genre. Set aboard the derelict space station Citadel in the year 2072, ...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1994
Developer: LookingGlass Technologies
Publisher: Origin Systems

Alien Breed
Alien Breed
Alien Breed, released in 1993 by Team17, is a top-down sci-fi shooter that plunges players into the heart of a deadly alien invasion aboard a futuristic space station. Drawing inspiration from classic sci-fi horror, the game puts you in the role of a...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1993
Developer: Team17
Publisher: -

Quarantine
Quarantine
Quarantine, released in 1996 by GameTek, is a gritty, futuristic vehicular combat game that blends high-speed driving with first-person shooter elements. Set in the dystopian city of Kemo, where a failed corporate experiment has turned the population...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1996
Developer: Imagexcel
Publisher: GameTek

The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons, released in 1991 by Novotrade, is a side-scrolling action game based on the hit animated TV series. Originally an arcade game developed by Konami, this MS-DOS adaptation offers a single-player experience where players take on the role o...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1991
Developer: Novotrade
Publisher: Konami

Cannon Fodder
Cannon Fodder
Cannon Fodder, released in 1993 by Sensible Software, is a tactical action-strategy game that blends humor, fast-paced combat, and strategic squad-based gameplay. Players command a small team of soldiers as they embark on deadly missions across vario...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1993
Developer: Sensible Software
Publisher: Virgin Interactive

The Chaos Engine
The Chaos Engine
The Chaos Engine, released in 1993 by The Bitmap Brothers, is a top-down run-and-gun shooter set in a steampunk-inspired alternate history. In a world where a rogue inventor’s machine has twisted time and unleashed monstrous cybernetic creatures, pla...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1993
Developer: The Bitmap Brothers
Publisher: Renegade Software

Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park, released in 1994 by Ocean Software, is an action-adventure game based on the blockbuster movie and novel by Michael Crichton. Combining top-down exploration with first-person shooter sequences, the game puts players in the role of Dr. ...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1994
Developer: Ocean Software
Publisher: -

Metal Mutant
Metal Mutant
Metal Mutant, released in 1991 by Silmarils, is a unique side-scrolling action-adventure game that puts players in control of a powerful biomechanical warrior on a mission to overthrow an evil robotic empire. What sets Metal Mutant apart is its trans...
Genre: ACTION
Release: 1991
Developer: Silmarils
Publisher: -