Classic MS-DOS Adventure Games

Adventure games defined MS-DOS gaming for an entire generation. LucasArts and Sierra On-Line turned the genre into an art form with classics like The Secret of Monkey Island, King's Quest, Space Quest, Leisure Suit Larry and Gabriel Knight. These point-and-click (and often text-parser) experiences placed storytelling, puzzle-solving and atmosphere above everything else. Many of the best DOS adventure games remain unsurpassed for their wit, writing and world-building — a true golden age for interactive fiction on the PC.

Games in the "adventure" genre

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis – MS-DOS cover art
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, released in 1992 by LucasArts, is a classic point-and-click adventure that takes players on a thrilling archaeological journey alongside the legendary Indiana Jones. Set in 1939, on the brink of World War II,…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: -

Loom
Loom – MS-DOS cover art
Loom, released in 1990 by Lucasfilm Games, is a unique and atmospheric point-and-click adventure game set in a mystical, fantasy world. The game tells the story of Bobbin Threadbare, a young Weaver who discovers that his guild's elders have been…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1990
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: -

Star Trek: Judgment Rites
Star Trek: Judgment Rites – MS-DOS cover art
Star Trek: Judgment Rites is a classic point-and-click adventure game for MS-DOS that places the player in command of the USS Enterprise during the era of Star Trek: The Original Series. Released in 1993 by Interplay Productions, the game serves as…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1993
Developer: Interplay Productions
Publisher: -

Star Trek: 25th Anniversary
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary – MS-DOS cover art
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary for MS-DOS, released by Interplay Productions in 1992, is a story-driven adventure that captures the spirit of the original Star Trek series. Players take command of the USS Enterprise as Captain Kirk, accompanied by the…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: Interplay Productions
Publisher: -

Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers
Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers – MS-DOS cover art
Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers, released in 1993 by Sierra On-Line, is a critically acclaimed point-and-click adventure game that masterfully blends mystery, horror, and supernatural intrigue. Created by Jane Jensen, the game follows Gabriel…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1993
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

Day of the Tentacle
Day of the Tentacle – MS-DOS cover art
Day of the Tentacle, released in 1993 by LucasArts, is a beloved point-and-click adventure game that blends time-travel shenanigans with zany humor and imaginative puzzles. A sequel to Maniac Mansion, the game follows Bernard Bernoulli and his…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1993
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: -

Space Quest I
Space Quest I – MS-DOS cover art
Space Quest: Chapter I – The Sarien Encounter is a classic science-fiction adventure game released for MS-DOS by Sierra On-Line in 1986. Players take on the role of Roger Wilco, an ordinary janitor aboard the spaceship Arcada, who unexpectedly…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1986
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

Gobliiins
Gobliiins – MS-DOS cover art
Gobliiins (1991) is a puzzle-adventure game developed and published by the French studio Coktel Vision for MS-DOS. It is the first entry in the well-known Gobliiins series and stands out for its unusual spelling, stylized visuals, and focus on…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1991
Developer: Coktel Vision
Publisher: Sierra On-Line

Discworld
Discworld – MS-DOS cover art
Set in Terry Pratchett’s fantastical Discworld universe, this classic point-and-click adventure casts players as the inept yet lovable wizard Rincewind. When a deadly dragon threatens the city of Ankh-Morpork, it’s up to Rincewind — and his…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1995
Developer: Perfect 10 Productions
Publisher: Psygnosis

DreamWeb
DreamWeb – MS-DOS cover art
DreamWeb, released in 1994 by Creative Reality, is a dark, top-down point-and-click adventure that delves into themes of destiny, morality, and madness. Players control Ryan, a troubled bartender plagued by disturbing dreams, who is chosen by…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1994
Developer: Creative Reality
Publisher: Empire Interactive

King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow
King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow – MS-DOS cover art
King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow, released in 1992 by Sierra On-Line, is a masterpiece in the classic point-and-click adventure series, combining stunning visuals, a richly woven narrative, and challenging puzzles. Written by Roberta…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

The Legend of Kyrandia
The Legend of Kyrandia – MS-DOS cover art
The Legend of Kyrandia, released in 1992 by Virgin Games, is a visually stunning point-and-click adventure game that takes players on a magical journey through the enchanting kingdom of Kyrandia. Developed by Westwood Studios, the game is the first…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: Westwood Studios
Publisher: Virgin Interactive

Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge – MS-DOS cover art
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge, released in 1991 by LucasArts, is a legendary point-and-click adventure game that combines hilarious humor, clever puzzles, and a swashbuckling story. As the sequel to The Secret of Monkey Island, the game follows…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1991
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: -

Gobliins 2
Gobliins 2 – MS-DOS cover art
Gobliins 2: The Prince Buffoon is a charming puzzle-adventure game developed by Coktel Vision and released for MS-DOS in 1992. As the sequel to the original Gobliiins, it continues the series’ distinctive blend of colorful cartoon graphics, surreal…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: Coktel Vision
Publisher: Sierra On-Line

King's Quest III
King's Quest III – MS-DOS cover art
King's Quest III: To Heir Is Human is a classic graphic adventure game developed and published by Sierra On-Line in 1986. Unlike the previous games in the series, the story initially moves away from the kingdom of Daventry and follows a young man…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1986
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

King's Quest II
King's Quest II – MS-DOS cover art
King's Quest II: Romancing the Throne is a classic fantasy adventure game developed and published by Sierra On-Line in 1985. Designed by Roberta Williams as the second installment in the legendary King's Quest series, the game once again puts…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1985
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

Beyond Zork: The Coconut of Quendor
Beyond Zork: The Coconut of Quendor – MS-DOS cover art
Beyond Zork: The Coconut of Quendor is a 1987 MS-DOS interactive fiction adventure from Infocom, set in the strange and witty fantasy world of Zork. As the magic of Quendor fades, the legendary Coconut of Quendor has fallen into dangerous hands, and…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1987
Developer: Infocom
Publisher: -

Eternam
Eternam – MS-DOS cover art
Eternam is a point-and-click adventure game released for MS-DOS in 1992 by Infogrames. The game tells the story of Bob Wilson, a young man living in the distant future, where society is obsessed with achieving immortality through advanced technology…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: Infogrames
Publisher: -

Dune
Dune – MS-DOS cover art
Dune, released in 1992 by Cryo Interactive and published by Virgin Games, is a unique blend of adventure and strategy inspired by Frank Herbert’s legendary science fiction novel. Players step into the role of Paul Atreides, heir of House Atreides,…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: Cryo Interactive
Publisher: Virgin Interactive

Innocent Until Caught
Innocent Until Caught – MS-DOS cover art
Innocent Until Caught, released in 1993 by Psygnosis, is a humorous sci-fi point-and-click adventure set in a galaxy of corruption, crime, and interstellar bureaucracy. Players step into the shoes of Jack T. Ladd, a smooth-talking thief with a knack…
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1993
Developer: Divide By Zero
Publisher: Psygnosis