Classic MS-DOS Games from 1991

1991 produced some of the most foundational MS-DOS games ever made. Sid Meier's Civilization at MicroProse created a turn-based empire-building game of such depth and 'one more turn' compulsion that it spawned a genre and a franchise still active today. Commander Keen from id Software and Apogee brought console-quality platforming to the PC and proved the shareware distribution model could work at scale. Duke Nukem made his original side-scrolling debut. The Ultima Underworld prototype established the template for the first-person RPG.

Games from 1991 (recently added)

Related:

All Years 1990 1992 All Games

Lemmings
Lemmings – MS-DOS cover art
Lemmings, released in 1991 by Psygnosis, is a pioneering puzzle game that captivated players with its unique gameplay and charming characters. In the game, players are tasked with guiding a group of small, green-haired creatures called Lemmings…
Genre: Puzzle
Release: 1991
Developer: DMA Design
Publisher: Psygnosis

Blockout
Blockout – MS-DOS cover art
Blockout, is a 3D puzzle game developed by California Dreams and released in 1991. The game offers a fresh and challenging twist on the classic Tetris formula by introducing a three-dimensional playing field. Players must rotate and manipulate…
Genre: Puzzle
Release: 1991
Developer: Logical Design Works
Publisher: California Dreams

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: -

Prehistorik
Prehistorik – MS-DOS cover art
Prehistorik, released in 1991 by Titus Interactive, is a fun and colorful platformer that takes players back to the Stone Age. In the game, players control a caveman who must navigate through a variety of prehistoric environments, filled with…
Genre: Platformer
Release: 1991
Developer: Titus France
Publisher: -

Street Rod 2
Street Rod 2 – MS-DOS cover art
Street Rod 2: The Next Generation, released in 1991 by California Dreams, is a classic racing and car customization game set in the nostalgic world of 1960s American muscle cars. Building on the success of its predecessor, the game puts players in…
Genre: Racing
Release: 1991
Developer: Logical Design Works
Publisher: California Dreams

Gods
Gods – MS-DOS cover art
Gods, released in 1991 by The Bitmap Brothers, is a mythological action-platformer that plunges players into a dangerous world of ancient gods and mythical creatures. Set in a crumbling city overrun by chaos, players assume the role of Hercules,…
Genre: Platformer
Release: 1991
Developer: The Bitmap Brothers
Publisher: Renegade Software

Fantastic Dizzy
Fantastic Dizzy – MS-DOS cover art
Fantastic Dizzy, released in 1991 by Codemasters, is a charming puzzle-platformer that follows the adventures of Dizzy, a brave egg-shaped hero, on a quest to rescue his girlfriend Daisy and defeat the evil wizard Zaks. Set in the whimsical land of…
Genre: Platformer
Release: 1991
Developer: Codemasters
Publisher: -

Elite Plus
Elite Plus – MS-DOS cover art
Elite Plus, released in 1991 by Microplay Software, is an enhanced version of the classic space trading and combat simulation Elite. Building upon the original 1984 game, Elite Plus introduces improved graphics, smoother gameplay, and enhanced…
Genre: Simulation
Release: 1991
Developer: Microplay Software
Publisher: -

Commander Keen in Goodbye, Galaxy
Commander Keen in Goodbye, Galaxy – MS-DOS cover art
Commander Keen in Goodbye, Galaxy!, released in 1991 by Apogee Software, is a vibrant and humorous platformer that follows the adventures of Billy Blaze, an eight-year-old genius who dons the persona of Commander Keen to save the galaxy. This…
Genre: Platformer
Release: 1991
Developer: id Software
Publisher: 3D Realms

D/Generation
D/Generation – MS-DOS cover art
D/Generation, released in 1991 by Mindscape, is a sci-fi action-puzzle game that immerses players in a suspenseful and challenging mission. Set in a high-tech skyscraper in near-future Singapore, players take on the role of a courier tasked with…
Genre: Action
Release: 1991
Developer: Robert Cook
Publisher: Mindscape

Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge – MS-DOS cover art
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge, released in 1991 by LucasArts, is a legendary point-and-click adventure game that combines hilarious humor, clever puzzles, and a swashbuckling story. As the sequel to The Secret of Monkey Island, the game follows…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1991
Developer: LucasArts
Publisher: -

Metal Mutant
Metal Mutant – MS-DOS cover art
Metal Mutant, released in 1991 by Silmarils, is a unique side-scrolling action-adventure game that puts players in control of a powerful biomechanical warrior on a mission to overthrow an evil robotic empire. What sets Metal Mutant apart is its…
Genre: Action
Release: 1991
Developer: Silmarils
Publisher: -

The Games: Winter Challenge
The Games: Winter Challenge – MS-DOS cover art
The Games: Winter Challenge, released in 1991 by Accolade, is a thrilling winter sports simulation that brings the excitement of Olympic-style competition to the PC. Featuring eight challenging events, the game tests players’ reflexes, timing, and…
Genre: Sports
Release: 1991
Developer: MindSpan
Publisher: Accolade

Gunship 2000
Gunship 2000 – MS-DOS cover art
Gunship 2000, released in 1991 by MicroProse, is a highly detailed combat flight simulator that puts players in the cockpit of advanced attack helicopters. As the sequel to Gunship, the game expands on its predecessor with improved graphics,…
Genre: Simulation
Release: 1991
Developer: MicroProse
Publisher: -

The Simpsons
The Simpsons – MS-DOS cover art
The Simpsons, released in 1991 by Novotrade, is a side-scrolling action game based on the hit animated TV series. Originally an arcade game developed by Konami, this MS-DOS adaptation offers a single-player experience where players take on the role…
Genre: Action
Release: 1991
Developer: Novotrade
Publisher: Konami

Scorched Earth
Scorched Earth – MS-DOS cover art
Scorched Earth, released in 1991 by Wendell Hicken, is a turn-based artillery game that became a staple of early '90s PC gaming. Dubbed “The Mother of All Games,” it pits players against each other in strategic tank battles across destructible, 2D…
Genre: Strategy
Release: 1991
Developer: Wendell Hicken
Publisher: -

Heart of China
Heart of China – MS-DOS cover art
Heart of China, released in 1991 by Dynamix, is a cinematic point-and-click adventure that whisks players away to a romantic and dangerous journey across 1930s Asia. Blending action, drama, and light-hearted charm, the game follows Jake “Lucky”…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1991
Developer: Dynamix
Publisher: Sierra On-Line

Elf
Elf – MS-DOS cover art
Elf, released in 1991 by Ocean Software, is a side-scrolling action-platformer that plunges players into a vibrant fantasy world filled with danger, magic, and whimsy. You play as Cornelius, a young elf on a quest to rescue his kidnapped girlfriend…
Genre: Platformer
Release: 1991
Developer: Ocean Software
Publisher: -

Conan the Cimmerian
Conan the Cimmerian – MS-DOS cover art
Conan the Cimmerian, released in 1991 by Synergistic Software, is an action-adventure RPG that brings the brutal world of Robert E. Howard’s legendary barbarian to life. Players take on the role of Conan, rising from a pit-fighting slave to a…
Genre: Action
Release: 1991
Developer: Synergistic Software
Publisher: Virgin Interactive

RoboCop 3
RoboCop 3 – MS-DOS cover art
RoboCop 3 is a 3D action game developed by Digital Image Design and released for MS-DOS in 1991. Based on the movie of the same name, it puts players in the role of RoboCop as he battles to protect the citizens of Detroit from the corrupt OCP…
Genre: Action
Release: 1991
Developer: Digital Image Design
Publisher: Ocean Software

The Adventures of Robin Hood
The Adventures of Robin Hood – MS-DOS cover art
The Adventures of Robin Hood, released in 1991 by Millennium Interactive, is an isometric action-adventure game that reimagines the classic English legend. Players take on the role of Robin Hood, recently outlawed after losing his lands to the…
Genre: RPG
Release: 1991
Developer: Millennium Interactive
Publisher: -