Classic MS-DOS Games from 1987

1987 was a pivotal year for MS-DOS gaming. LucasArts (then Lucasfilm Games) released Maniac Mansion — the first game built on the SCUMM engine — introducing the point-and-click adventure genre to PC audiences. Beyond Zork blended the text parser with RPG elements. Space Quest II and King's Quest III continued Sierra's prolific adventure game output. The foundations of what would become the adventure game's golden age were firmly being laid.

Games from 1987

Related:

All Years 1986 1988 All Games

The Sentinel
The Sentinel – MS-DOS cover art
The Sentinel is a pioneering puzzle game developed by Geoff Crammond and published by Firebird Software in 1987, later ported to MS-DOS. It stands out for its highly unusual concept and minimalist presentation, combining strategic planning with a…
Genre: Puzzle
Release: 1987
Developer: Geoff Crammond
Publisher: Firebird Software

The Last Ninja
The Last Ninja – MS-DOS cover art
The Last Ninja is an action-adventure game developed by System 3 and released for MS-DOS in 1987. Set in a mythical version of feudal Japan, it follows the journey of Armakuni, the last surviving ninja of his clan, who seeks revenge against the evil…
Genre: Action
Release: 1987
Developer: System 3
Publisher: Activision

Phantis
Phantis – MS-DOS cover art
Phantis is a science fiction action game released in 1987 for MS-DOS by the Spanish company Dinamic Multimedia, originally known as Dinamic Software. Also released internationally as Game Over II, the game takes players on a dangerous rescue mission…
Genre: Shooter
Release: 1987
Developer: Dinamic Multimedia
Publisher: -

Karnov
Karnov – MS-DOS cover art
Karnov is a classic side-scrolling action platformer developed by Data East and originally released in arcades in 1987. The game follows Jinborov Karnovski, a muscular, fire-breathing former circus strongman on a dangerous quest to recover the…
Genre: Platformer
Release: 1987
Developer: Data East
Publisher: -

Ikari Warriors
Ikari Warriors – MS-DOS cover art
Ikari Warriors is a classic top-down run-and-gun action game released for MS-DOS in 1987 by Data East, based on SNK's popular 1986 arcade hit. Inspired by military action movies of the 1980s, the game puts you in control of an elite commando on a…
Genre: Action
Release: 1987
Developer: SNK
Publisher: Data East

Dizzy – The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure
Dizzy – The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure – MS-DOS cover art
Dizzy – The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure is a classic action-adventure platform game originally released in 1987 by Codemasters and created by the legendary Oliver Twins. The game introduces Dizzy, a lovable egg-shaped hero with a knack for rolling,…
Genre: Platformer
Release: 1987
Developer: Codemasters
Publisher: -

Death Sword
Death Sword – MS-DOS cover art
Death Sword is a brutal fantasy fighting game released for MS-DOS by Palace Software in 1987. Players take control of a powerful barbarian warrior and battle a series of deadly opponents in one-on-one combat, using swords, kicks, and carefully timed…
Genre: Fighting
Release: 1987
Developer: Palace Software
Publisher: Epyx

Beyond Zork: The Coconut of Quendor
Beyond Zork: The Coconut of Quendor – MS-DOS cover art
Beyond Zork: The Coconut of Quendor is a 1987 MS-DOS interactive fiction adventure from Infocom, set in the strange and witty fantasy world of Zork. As the magic of Quendor fades, the legendary Coconut of Quendor has fallen into dangerous hands, and…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1987
Developer: Infocom
Publisher: -