Classic MS-DOS Games from 1990

1990 was the year VGA became the new standard, and MS-DOS games grew dramatically more colourful and detailed overnight. Wing Commander from Origin Systems delivered cinematic space combat that felt like playing a science-fiction film. The Secret of Monkey Island — LucasArts' debut SCUMM masterpiece — reinvented the adventure game with perfect comic writing and clever puzzles. King's Quest V transitioned Sierra's flagship series to a fully point-and-click interface. The golden age of DOS gaming had definitively arrived.

Games from 1990 (recently added)

Related:

All Years 1989 1991 All Games

Elvira: Mistress of the Dark
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark – MS-DOS cover art
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, released in 1990 by Horror Soft, is a horror-themed adventure RPG that blends dungeon-crawling mechanics with point-and-click gameplay. Based on the iconic horror hostess Elvira, the game follows the player, a hero…
Genre: Horror
Release: 1990
Developer: Horror Soft
Publisher: Accolade

Dyna Blaster
Dyna Blaster – MS-DOS cover art
Dyna Blaster, released in 1990 by Hudson Soft, is a fast-paced action-puzzle game better known as Bomberman in other regions. This classic arcade-style game challenges players to strategically place bombs, destroy obstacles, and defeat enemies while…
Genre: Action
Release: 1990
Developer: Hudson Soft
Publisher: -

Atomix
Atomix – MS-DOS cover art
Atomix, released in 1990 by Thalion Software, is a challenging and addictive puzzle game that tasks players with assembling molecules from individual atoms. Set on a grid-based playing field, players must slide atoms into position to recreate the…
Genre: Puzzle
Release: 1990
Developer: Günter Krämer
Publisher: Thalion Software

Test Drive III: The Passion
Test Drive III: The Passion – MS-DOS cover art
Test Drive III: The Passion, released in 1990 by Accolade, is a revolutionary entry in the Test Drive series that brought open-world exploration and advanced 3D graphics to the racing genre. Departing from the linear courses of its predecessors, the…
Genre: Racing
Release: 1990
Developer: Accolade
Publisher: -

Centurion: Defender of Rome
Centurion: Defender of Rome – MS-DOS cover art
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,…
Genre: Strategy
Release: 1990
Developer: Bits of Magic
Publisher: Electronic Arts

Stunts
Stunts – MS-DOS cover art
Stunts, released in 1990 by Broderbund, is a groundbreaking racing game that lets players experience high-speed thrills on insane stunt tracks. Known for its innovative gameplay and freedom of creativity, Stunts allows players to race against the…
Genre: Racing
Release: 1990
Developer: Distinctive Software
Publisher: Broderbund

Ski or Die
Ski or Die – MS-DOS cover art
Ski or Die, released in 1990 by Electronic Arts, is a high-energy sports game that brings the thrill of extreme winter sports to life. Packed with humor and adrenaline-pumping action, the game offers players a variety of quirky and challenging…
Genre: Sports
Release: 1990
Developer: Electronic Arts
Publisher: -

North & South
North & South – MS-DOS cover art
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…
Genre: Strategy
Release: 1990
Developer: Infogrames
Publisher: -

Loom
Loom – MS-DOS cover art
Loom, released in 1990 by Lucasfilm Games, is a unique and atmospheric point-and-click adventure game set in a mystical, fantasy world. The game tells the story of Bobbin Threadbare, a young Weaver who discovers that his guild's elders have been…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1990
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: -

The Secret of Monkey Island
The Secret of Monkey Island – MS-DOS cover art
The Secret of Monkey Island, released in 1990 by Lucasfilm Games, is a seminal point-and-click adventure game that has become one of the most beloved titles in gaming history. Set in a whimsical and humorous pirate-themed world, the game follows the…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1990
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: -

Prince of Persia
Prince of Persia – MS-DOS cover art
Prince of Persia, released in 1990 by Broderbund, is a groundbreaking action-platformer that set new standards for fluid animation and cinematic gameplay. Set in an exotic, ancient Persian setting, the game follows the story of an unnamed prince who…
Genre: Platformer
Release: 1990
Developer: Broderbund
Publisher: -