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 release years)

Powermonger

Powermonger
Powermonger, released in 1990 by Bullfrog Productions, is a real-time strategy game that challenges players to conquer a living, breathing world through cunning, diplomacy, and military might. Set in a medieval-style landscape of towns, villages, and...
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1990
Developer: Bullfrog Productions
Publisher: Electronic Arts

Centurion: Defender of Rome

Centurion: Defender of Rome
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, real-time...
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1990
Developer: Bits of Magic
Publisher: Electronic Arts

North & South

North & South
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 ga...
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1990
Developer: Infogrames
Publisher: -

Millennium: Return to Earth

Millennium: Return to Earth
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

Populous

Populous
Populous, released in 1989 by Bullfrog Productions, is a groundbreaking real-time strategy game that pioneered the “god game” genre. As a deity, players wield divine powers to guide and protect their followers while shaping the landscape and waging s...
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1989
Developer: Bullfrog Productions
Publisher: Electronic Arts

SimCity

SimCity
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 man...
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1989
Developer: Maxis
Publisher: -

Battle Chess

Battle Chess
Battle Chess, released for MS-DOS in 1988 by Interplay Productions, brought the classic game of chess to life with a unique and entertaining twist. Instead of simple moves on a static board, each piece was represented by a fully animated character, t...
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1988
Developer: Interplay Productions
Publisher: -

Defender of the Crown

Defender of the Crown
Defender of the Crown, released in 1986 by Cinemaware, is a visually striking strategy game set in the turbulent era of medieval England. Combining turn-based strategy, action, and cinematic storytelling, players assume the role of a Saxon noble seek...
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1986
Developer: Cinemaware
Publisher: -