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 (by release years)

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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: -

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: -

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: -

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

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

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

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
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