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)

Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders
Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders
Zak McKracken and the Alien Mindbenders, released in 1989 by Lucasfilm Games, is a comedic point-and-click adventure that follows tabloid reporter Zak McKracken on a bizarre quest to save humanity. The plot begins with Zak stumbling upon an alien con...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1989
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: -

The Secret of Monkey Island
The Secret of Monkey Island
The Secret of Monkey Island, released in 1990 by Lucasfilm Games, is a seminal point-and-click adventure game that has become one of the most beloved titles in gaming history. Set in a whimsical and humorous pirate-themed world, the game follows the ...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1990
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: -

The Legend of Kyrandia
The Legend of Kyrandia
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 i...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: Westwood Studios
Publisher: Virgin Interactive

The Dagger of Amon Ra
The Dagger of Amon Ra
Roberta Williams' Laura Bow in The Dagger of Amon Ra, released in 1992 by Sierra On-Line, is a thrilling point-and-click murder mystery set in the glamorous yet treacherous world of 1920s New York. As Laura Bow, a rookie journalist, players investiga...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

The Colonel's Bequest
The Colonel's Bequest
The Colonel's Bequest, released in 1989 by Sierra On-Line, is a mystery-adventure game that plunges players into a thrilling whodunit set in the 1920s. As Laura Bow, an inquisitive young journalist, players are invited to a secluded Louisiana mansion...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1989
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

Teenagent
Teenagent
Teenagent, released in 1995 by Metropolis Software, is a humorous point-and-click adventure game that blends quirky humor with classic detective storytelling. Players step into the shoes of Mark Hopper, an ordinary teenager unexpectedly recruited by ...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1995
Developer: Metropolis Software House
Publisher: Metropolis Software

Tajemství Oslího ostrova
Tajemství Oslího ostrova
Tajemství Oslího ostrova is a charming and distinctly offbeat adventure game released in 1994 for MS-DOS by the Czech company Vochozka Trading. Set on a mysterious island shrouded in secrets, the game invites players into a quirky narrative filled wi...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1994
Developer: Vochozka Trading
Publisher: -

Star Trek: Judgment Rites
Star Trek: Judgment Rites
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 a...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1993
Developer: Interplay Productions
Publisher: -

Star Trek: 25th Anniversary
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary
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 f...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: Interplay Productions
Publisher: -

Space Quest V
Space Quest V
Space Quest V: The Next Mutation, released in 1993 by Sierra On-Line, is a comedic point-and-click adventure game that continues the misadventures of Roger Wilco, an intergalactic janitor turned starship captain. This installment takes the series to ...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1993
Developer: Dynamix
Publisher: Sierra On-Line

Space Quest I
Space Quest I
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 become...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1986
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

Simon the Sorcerer
Simon the Sorcerer
Simon the Sorcerer, released in 1993 by Adventure Soft, is a whimsical point-and-click adventure game that combines clever puzzles, witty dialogue, and a charming fantasy world. Players step into the shoes of Simon, an ordinary teenager who is unexpe...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1993
Developer: Adventure Soft
Publisher: -

Shadow of the Comet
Shadow of the Comet
Shadow of the Comet is a classic point-and-click adventure game developed by Infogrames and released for MS-DOS in 1993. Set in the eerie New England town of Illsmouth in 1910, the story follows British journalist John T. Parker, who arrives to photo...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1993
Developer: Infogrames
Publisher: -

Sam & Max Hit the Road
Sam & Max Hit the Road
Sam & Max Hit the Road, released in 1993 by LucasArts, is a classic point-and-click adventure game that follows the zany exploits of Sam, a laid-back canine detective, and Max, his hyperactive "rabbity-thing" sidekick. Based on Steve Purcell’s cult c...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1993
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: -

Rise of the Dragon
Rise of the Dragon
Rise of the Dragon, released in 1990 by Dynamix, is a cyberpunk adventure game that blends noir storytelling with point-and-click gameplay in a gritty, dystopian future. Set in a crime-ridden Los Angeles in the year 2053, players assume the role of B...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1990
Developer: Dynamix
Publisher: Sierra On-Line

Return of the Phantom
Return of the Phantom
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

Quest for Glory III: Wages of War
Quest for Glory III: Wages of War
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: -

Quest for Glory
Quest for Glory
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 custo...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1992
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel
Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel
Police Quest: In Pursuit of the Death Angel, released in 1987 by Sierra On-Line, is a realistic police adventure that blends narrative-driven gameplay with authentic law enforcement procedures. Players take on the role of Sonny Bonds, a patrol office...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1987
Developer: Sierra On-Line
Publisher: -

Operation Stealth
Operation Stealth
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 recover...
Genre: ADVENTURE
Release: 1990
Developer: Delphine Software
Publisher: U.S. Gold

Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge
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: -