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 (alphabetical)

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

The Settlers
The Settlers – MS-DOS cover art
The Settlers, released in 1993 by Blue Byte, is a groundbreaking real-time strategy and city-building game that invites players to build and manage a thriving medieval settlement. Players oversee every aspect of their growing community, from…
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1993
Developer: Blue Byte
Publisher: Ubisoft

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: -

Transport Tycoon Deluxe
Transport Tycoon Deluxe – MS-DOS cover art
Transport Tycoon Deluxe, released in 1995 by Chris Sawyer, is a refined and expanded version of the beloved transport management simulation game. As the head of a transport company, players are tasked with building a profitable empire by designing…
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1995
Developer: Chris Sawyer
Publisher: MicroProse

Warcraft: Orcs & Humans
Warcraft: Orcs & Humans – MS-DOS cover art
Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, released in 1994 by Blizzard Entertainment, is a landmark real-time strategy (RTS) game that laid the foundation for one of the most iconic franchises in gaming history. Set in the fantasy world of Azeroth, the game pits the…
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1994
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher: -

Warlords II Deluxe
Warlords II Deluxe – MS-DOS cover art
Warlords II Deluxe, released in 1995 by Strategic Studies Group, is an enhanced version of the classic turn-based strategy game that immerses players in epic fantasy warfare. Set in a richly detailed world of swords, sorcery, and conquest, players…
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1995
Developer: Strategic Studies Group
Publisher: -

X-COM: UFO Defense
X-COM: UFO Defense – MS-DOS cover art
X-COM: UFO Defense, released in 1994 by MicroProse, is a groundbreaking strategy game that blends tactical combat with deep resource management. Known as UFO: Enemy Unknown in Europe, the game tasks players with leading X-COM, an elite international…
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1994
Developer: MicroProse
Publisher: -