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)

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: -

Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade
Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade – MS-DOS cover art
Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure, released in 1989 by Lucasfilm Games, is an adventure game based on the iconic Indiana Jones film of the same name. In this point-and-click adventure, players take on the role of the…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1989
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: -

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

KGB
KGB – MS-DOS cover art
KGB, released in 1992 by Cryo Interactive, is a tense and atmospheric point-and-click adventure that plunges players into the world of Cold War espionage. Set in the final days of the Soviet Union, the game follows Captain Maksim Rukov, a young KGB…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1992
Developer: Cryo Interactive
Publisher: Virgin Interactive

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: -

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 IV: The Perils of Rosella
King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella – MS-DOS cover art
King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella is a fantasy adventure game developed and published by Sierra On-Line in 1988. The story follows Princess Rosella, daughter of King Graham, who must find a magical fruit capable of saving her dying father. Her…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1988
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

King's Quest: Quest for the Crown
King's Quest: Quest for the Crown – MS-DOS cover art
King's Quest: Quest for the Crown, released in 1984 by Sierra On-Line, is a groundbreaking adventure game that laid the foundation for the graphic adventure genre. Created by Roberta Williams, the game is set in the fantasy kingdom of Daventry,…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1984
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

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: -

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: -

Lost in Time
Lost in Time – MS-DOS cover art
Lost in Time, released in 1993 by Coktel Vision, is an innovative point-and-click adventure game that combines time travel with a gripping mystery. Players take on the role of Doralice, a woman who finds herself trapped in a labyrinth of time after…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1993
Developer: Coktel Vision
Publisher: -

Lure of the Temptress
Lure of the Temptress – MS-DOS cover art
Lure of the Temptress, released in 1992 by Revolution Software, is a fantasy point-and-click adventure that marked the studio’s debut. Players step into the role of a reluctant hero named Diermot, who finds himself imprisoned in the medieval town of…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1992
Developer: Revolution Software
Publisher: Virgin Interactive

Maniac Mansion
Maniac Mansion – MS-DOS cover art
Maniac Mansion is a groundbreaking point-and-click adventure game that set the standard for the genre. Developed by Lucasfilm Games (later LucasArts), it follows a group of teenagers who must infiltrate the eerie Edison mansion to rescue their…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1989
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: -

Maupiti Island
Maupiti Island – MS-DOS cover art
Maupiti Island, released in 1990 by Lankhor, is a deep and atmospheric detective adventure that immerses players in a gripping noir-style mystery. As private investigator Jérôme Lange, players find themselves stranded on the remote Maupiti Island…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1990
Developer: Lankhor
Publisher: Ubisoft

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: -

Operation Stealth
Operation Stealth – MS-DOS cover art
Operation Stealth, known as James Bond: The Stealth Affair in North America, is a spy-themed point-and-click adventure developed by Delphine Software and released for MS-DOS in 1990. The game follows CIA agent John Glames as he is assigned to…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1990
Developer: Delphine Software
Publisher: U.S. Gold

Quest for Glory
Quest for Glory – MS-DOS cover art
Quest for Glory I: So You Want to Be a Hero, re-released in 1992 by Sierra On-Line in a VGA remake of the 1989 classic, is a hybrid adventure/RPG that blends Sierra’s signature point-and-click interface with role-playing depth. Players create a…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1992
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

Quest for Glory III: Wages of War
Quest for Glory III: Wages of War – MS-DOS cover art
Quest for Glory III: Wages of War, released in 1992 by Sierra On-Line, is a unique blend of adventure and role-playing that continues the hero’s journey in the acclaimed Quest for Glory series. Set in the vibrant, African-inspired land of Tarna, the…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1992
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

Return of the Phantom
Return of the Phantom – MS-DOS cover art
Return of the Phantom, released in 1993 by MicroProse, is a point-and-click adventure game steeped in gothic mystery and theatrical intrigue. Set in the opulent Paris Opera House, the story begins when a tragic accident strikes during a performance,…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1993
Developer: MPS Labs
Publisher: MicroProse