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 (by rating)

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

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

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: -

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: -

Gobliiins
Gobliiins – MS-DOS cover art
Gobliiins (1991) is a puzzle-adventure game developed and published by the French studio Coktel Vision for MS-DOS. It is the first entry in the well-known Gobliiins series and stands out for its unusual spelling, stylized visuals, and focus on…
Genre: Adventure
Release: 1991
Developer: Coktel Vision
Publisher: Sierra On-Line

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: -

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: -

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: -

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

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: -

Battle Isle
Battle Isle – MS-DOS cover art
Battle Isle is a turn-based strategy game developed and published by Blue Byte in 1991. Set on the fictional planet Chromos, the game puts players in command of futuristic military forces fighting across a series of tactical battlefields. With its…
Genre: Strategy
Release: 1991
Developer: Blue Byte
Publisher: Ubisoft

Duke Nukem
Duke Nukem – MS-DOS cover art
Released in 1991 by Apogee Software, Duke Nukem is the game that introduced one of PC gaming's most iconic action heroes. This classic side-scrolling platformer follows Duke as he battles the evil Dr. Proton and his army of Techbots across three…
Genre: Platformer
Release: 1991
Developer: 3D Realms
Publisher: -

Eye of the Beholder
Eye of the Beholder – MS-DOS cover art
Eye of the Beholder is a legendary first-person dungeon crawler released for MS-DOS in 1991 by Westwood Associates and published by Strategic Simulations, Inc.. Set in the famous Dungeons & Dragons world of Forgotten Realms, the game sends a party…
Genre: RPG
Release: 1991
Developer: Westwood Studios
Publisher: Strategic Simulations

Falcon 3.0
Falcon 3.0 – MS-DOS cover art
Falcon 3.0 is a landmark combat flight simulator released in 1991 for MS-DOS, developed by Spectrum HoloByte. Renowned for its unprecedented realism at the time, the game puts players in the cockpit of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, delivering a deeply…
Genre: Simulation
Release: 1991
Developer: Sphere Inc.
Publisher: Spectrum HoloByte

Chuck Yeager's Air Combat
Chuck Yeager's Air Combat – MS-DOS cover art
Chuck Yeager’s Air Combat is a classic combat flight simulator released in 1991 for MS-DOS by Electronic Arts. The game places players in the cockpit of a variety of real-world military aircraft, spanning different eras from the early jet age to…
Genre: Simulation
Release: 1991
Developer: Brent Iverson
Publisher: Electronic Arts

HeroQuest
HeroQuest – MS-DOS cover art
HeroQuest (MS-DOS, 1991) is a classic fantasy role-playing game developed by Gremlin Interactive, inspired by the popular board game of the same name. It brings the tabletop dungeon-crawling experience to computers, allowing players to step into the…
Genre: RPG
Release: 1991
Developer: Gremlin Interactive
Publisher: -

Crystal Caves
Crystal Caves – MS-DOS cover art
Crystal Caves, released in 1991 by Apogee Software, is a colorful side-scrolling platform game starring the quirky space prospector Mylo Steamwitz. Always on the lookout for a quick profit, Mylo ventures into a series of dangerous caves on distant…
Genre: Platformer
Release: 1991
Developer: 3D Realms
Publisher: -

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

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

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

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

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