Classic MS-DOS Strategy Games

Strategy games thrived on MS-DOS, benefiting from the keyboard and mouse interface that PCs offered over consoles. Turn-based games like Civilization and Master of Orion offered deep empire-building and diplomacy, while Dune II and Command & Conquer invented and popularised the real-time strategy genre. City-builders like SimCity and Theme Park gave players creative control over virtual worlds. DOS strategy games rewarded patience, planning and long-term thinking — and many of them still feel remarkably modern to play today.

Games in the "strategy" genre (by rating)

Jagged Alliance
Jagged Alliance – MS-DOS cover art
Jagged Alliance, released in 1995 by Sir-Tech for MS-DOS, is a tactical turn-based strategy game that combines deep gameplay mechanics with a gripping narrative. Set on the tropical island of Metavira, players take on the role of a commander tasked…
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1995
Developer: Madlab Software
Publisher: Sir-Tech

Centurion: Defender of Rome
Centurion: Defender of Rome – MS-DOS cover art
Centurion: Defender of Rome, released in 1990 by Electronic Arts, is a strategy game that places players in the role of a Roman centurion tasked with building and leading the Roman Empire to glory. Combining elements of turn-based strategy,…
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1990
Developer: Bits of Magic
Publisher: Electronic Arts

North & South
North & South – MS-DOS cover art
North & South, released in 1989 by Infogrames, is a unique blend of strategy and action that brings the American Civil War to life with a mix of humor and historical themes. Based on the popular French-Belgian comic series Les Tuniques Bleues, the…
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1990
Developer: Infogrames
Publisher: -

Millennium: Return to Earth
Millennium: Return to Earth – MS-DOS cover art
Millennium: Return to Earth is a 1989 MS-DOS strategy and resource management game developed by Software Studios and published by Electric Dreams Software. Set in a distant, post-apocalyptic future, it places the player in command of humanity’s last…
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1989
Developer: Ian Bird
Publisher: Electric Dreams

The Settlers II
The Settlers II – MS-DOS cover art
The Settlers II (1996) by Blue Byte Software is a classic real-time strategy and city-building game originally released for MS-DOS. The game challenges players to guide a stranded Roman expedition as they build a thriving settlement from the ground…
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1996
Developer: Blue Byte
Publisher: -

Scorched Earth
Scorched Earth – MS-DOS cover art
Scorched Earth, released in 1991 by Wendell Hicken, is a turn-based artillery game that became a staple of early '90s PC gaming. Dubbed “The Mother of All Games,” it pits players against each other in strategic tank battles across destructible, 2D…
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1991
Developer: Wendell Hicken
Publisher: -

SimCity
SimCity – MS-DOS cover art
SimCity, released in 1989 by Maxis, is a groundbreaking city-building simulation game that pioneered the genre and became an instant classic. In "SimCity," players take on the role of a city planner and mayor, tasked with designing, building, and…
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1989
Developer: Maxis
Publisher: -

Theme Hospital
Theme Hospital – MS-DOS cover art
Theme Hospital is a classic isometric management simulation developed by Bullfrog Productions and released for MS-DOS in 1997. As a hospital administrator, the player is tasked with building, expanding, and managing a fully functional medical…
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1997
Developer: Bullfrog Productions
Publisher: Electronic Arts