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 (alphabetical)

7 dní a 7 nocí

7 dní a 7 nocí – MS-DOS cover art
7 Days and 7 Nights is a distinctive MS-DOS adventure released in 1994 by Pterodon Software, offering players a dark, atmospheric journey through a mysterious and unforgiving world. Built on a foundation of exploration and puzzle-solving, the game…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1994
Developer: Pterodon Software
Publisher: Vochozka Trading

Amazon: Guardians of Eden

Amazon: Guardians of Eden – MS-DOS cover art
Amazon: Guardians of Eden, released in 1992 by Access Software, is a classic point-and-click adventure set deep in the mysterious South American jungle. Players take on the role of private investigator Nigel Danvers, who embarks on a perilous…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1992
Developer: Access Software
Publisher: -

B.A.T.

B.A.T. – MS-DOS cover art
B.A.T. is a futuristic cyberpunk role-playing adventure game developed and published by Ubi Soft in 1990 for MS-DOS and other platforms. Set in a gritty sci-fi metropolis, it blends traditional RPG elements with a strong emphasis on investigation,…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1990
Developer: Computer's Dream
Publisher: Ubisoft

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: -

BloodNet

BloodNet – MS-DOS cover art
BloodNet is a cyberpunk role-playing adventure game developed by MicroProse and released for MS-DOS in 1993. Set in a dystopian near-future New York, the game blends science fiction with gothic horror, creating a unique mix of cyberspace hacking,…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1993
Developer: MicroProse
Publisher: -

Countdown

Countdown – MS-DOS cover art
Countdown is a gripping point-and-click adventure thriller that plunges players into a world of espionage, conspiracy, and psychological intrigue. You awaken in a Turkish asylum with no memory of who you are, accused of a murder you don’t remember…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1990
Developer: Access Software
Publisher: -

Curse of Enchantia

Curse of Enchantia – MS-DOS cover art
Curse of Enchantia, released in 1992 by Core Design, is a whimsical point-and-click adventure game set in a fantastical world filled with magic, humor, and bizarre characters. Players assume the role of Brad, a teenager mysteriously transported to…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1992
Developer: Core Design
Publisher: -

Dark Seed

Dark Seed – MS-DOS cover art
Dark Seed, released in 1992 by Cyberdreams, is a psychological horror adventure game that plunges players into a nightmarish world inspired by the disturbing biomechanical art of H.R. Giger. The game follows Mike Dawson, a writer who moves into a…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1992
Developer: Cyberdreams
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: -

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

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

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: -

Future Wars

Future Wars – MS-DOS cover art
Future Wars, released in 1989 by Delphine Software, is a cinematic point-and-click adventure that blends science fiction with time travel. Players assume the role of a humble janitor who unexpectedly stumbles upon an alien conspiracy threatening…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1989
Developer: Delphine Software
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: -

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

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

Goblins 3

Goblins 3 – MS-DOS cover art
Goblins 3, released in 1993 by Coktel Vision, is the third installment in the beloved Goblins series, combining quirky humor, intricate puzzles, and a richly detailed fantasy world. In this point-and-click adventure, players take on the role of…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1993
Developer: Coktel Vision
Publisher: Sierra On-Line

Heart of China

Heart of China – MS-DOS cover art
Heart of China, released in 1991 by Dynamix, is a cinematic point-and-click adventure that whisks players away to a romantic and dangerous journey across 1930s Asia. Blending action, drama, and light-hearted charm, the game follows Jake “Lucky”…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1991
Developer: Dynamix
Publisher: Sierra On-Line

Hook

Hook – MS-DOS cover art
Hook is a side-scrolling action-adventure game based on Steven Spielberg's 1991 film of the same name. Players step into the shoes of Peter Banning—now rediscovering his identity as the legendary Peter Pan—as he embarks on a perilous journey to…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1992
Developer: Ocean Software
Publisher: -