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

Sid Meier's Colonization
Sid Meier's Colonization – MS-DOS cover art
Sid Meier’s Colonization is a classic turn-based strategy game that challenges players to lead a European power to dominance in the New World. Originally released for MS-DOS in 1994 by MicroProse, the game builds upon the core mechanics of…
Genre: Strategy
Release: 1994
Developer: MicroProse
Publisher: -

Pirates! Gold
Pirates! Gold – MS-DOS cover art
Pirates! Gold (1993), developed by MicroProse for MS-DOS, is a refined remake of the classic pirate simulation originally designed by Sid Meier. Set in the Caribbean during the 16th and 17th centuries, the game places players in the role of an…
Genre: Strategy
Release: 1993
Developer: MPS Labs
Publisher: MicroProse

Civilization
Civilization – MS-DOS cover art
Sid Meier's Civilization, released in 1991 by MicroProse Software, is a groundbreaking strategy game that set the standard for the 4X (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate) genre. In "Civilization," players take on the role of a leader guiding…
Genre: Strategy
Release: 1991
Developer: MicroProse
Publisher: -

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

Command & Conquer
Command & Conquer – MS-DOS cover art
Command & Conquer is a groundbreaking real-time strategy game released in 1995 by Westwood Studios for MS-DOS. Set in an alternate near-future conflict, the game tells the story of a global war between the Global Defense Initiative (GDI) and the…
Genre: Strategy
Release: 1995
Developer: Westwood Studios
Publisher: Virgin Interactive

Heroes of Might and Magic
Heroes of Might and Magic – MS-DOS cover art
Heroes of Might and Magic (1995) is a classic turn-based strategy game developed by New World Computing for MS-DOS. It combines exploration, resource management, and tactical combat in a richly illustrated fantasy world. Players command one of…
Genre: Strategy
Release: 1995
Developer: New World Computing
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: -

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