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
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 facilit...
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1997
Developer: Bullfrog Productions
Publisher: Electronic Arts

The Settlers

The Settlers
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 resource...
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1993
Developer: Blue Byte
Publisher: Ubisoft

The Settlers II

The Settlers II
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 u...
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1996
Developer: Blue Byte
Publisher: -

Transport Tycoon Deluxe

Transport Tycoon Deluxe
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 an...
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1995
Developer: Chris Sawyer
Publisher: MicroProse

Warcraft: Orcs & Humans

Warcraft: Orcs & Humans
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
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 co...
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1995
Developer: Strategic Studies Group
Publisher: -

X-COM: UFO Defense

X-COM: UFO Defense
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: -