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

Battle Isle 2

Battle Isle 2
Battle Isle 2, released in 1994 by Blue Byte, is a turn-based strategy game that continues the sci-fi conflict on the planet Chromos. As the commander of the Drullian forces, players are tasked with repelling the invading Titan-Net army across a seri...
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1994
Developer: Blue Byte
Publisher: -

Jagged Alliance

Jagged Alliance
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 w...
Genre: STRATEGY
Release: 1995
Developer: Madlab Software
Publisher: Sir-Tech

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

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: -

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: -

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: -

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