Top 10 · Action

The 10 best DOS action games

The 10 best DOS action games, as the players of dos.games rate them. DOOM II: Hell on Earth leads the list, ahead of Blood and DOOM.

Every game on the list plays in your browser, with nothing to install. The order comes from players' ratings and real play time, so it moves as people play.

Updated November 4, 2026How the lists are ranked

336DOS action games in the archive
10 of 10Play in your browser
3.9Score of #1, out of 5

1. DOOM II: Hell on Earth
1994 · id Software, Inc. · Action
3.9 out of 5Played all the time
In id Software's 1994 sequel to the original Doom, you play the same hero: the last remaining space marine.
Play now: DOOM II: Hell on Earth About the game
2. Blood
1997 · Monolith Productions · Action
3.8 out of 5Played all the time
Caleb was once a feared gunslinger, until he met a woman who was involved with a mysterious cult known as Cabal.
Play now: Blood About the game
3. DOOM
1993 · id Software, Inc. · Action
3.8 out of 5Played all the time
The Union Aerospace Corporation has been experimenting with teleportation technology on Mars' moons Phobos and Deimos.
Play now: DOOM About the game
4. Street Fighter II
1992 · Capcom Co., Ltd. · Action
3.8 out of 5Played all the time
Street Fighter II is a fighting game.
Play now: Street Fighter II About the game
5. Dig Dug
1983 · Namco Limited · Action
3.6 out of 5Played often
Dig Dug is a 1-2 player arcade game in which you have to use your shovel to dig your way through the earth.
Play now: Dig Dug About the game
6. Jazz Jackrabbit
1994 · Epic MegaGames, Inc. · Action
3.6 out of 5Played all the time
Jazz Jackrabbit is the PC world's answer to Sonic the Hedgehog.
Play now: Jazz Jackrabbit About the game
7. Star Wars: Dark Forces
1995 · LucasArts Entertainment Company LLC · Action
3.6 out of 5Played a lot
Kyle Katarn is a former Imperial officer turned mercenary, now hired by the Rebel Alliance.
Play now: Star Wars: Dark Forces About the game
8. Tomb Raider Gold
1998 · Core Design Ltd. · Action
3.6 out of 5Played all the time
The Gold Edition of Tomb Raider adds two new chapters to the original release.
Play now: Tomb Raider Gold About the game
9. Owl Fly II
2026 · Denis Kirin · Action
3.6 out of 5Played all the time
OWL FLY III A combat flight simulator for DOS, in 8086 assembly
Play now: Owl Fly II About the game
10. System Shock
1994 · LookingGlass Technologies · Action
3.6 out of 5Played a lot
System Shock is a first-person shooter with puzzle-solving and light role-playing elements.
Play now: System Shock About the game

Ranks 11–20

More great DOS action games

11. Hereticid Software, Inc. · Action · 1994Played often
Often
3.5 out of 5
12. Moonstone: A Hard Days KnightMindscape International Ltd. · Action · 1992Played often
Often
3.5 out of 5
13. Grand Theft Auto: London 1969Rockstar Games · Action · 1999Played a lot
A lot
3.5 out of 5
14. Final DOOMid Software · Action · 1996Played a lot
A lot
3.5 out of 5
15. Dangerous Dave in the Deserted Pirate's HideoutSoftdisk Publishing · Action · 1990Played often
Often
3.5 out of 5
16. X-Men: Children of the AtomAcclaim Entertainment · Action · 1997Played a lot
A lot
3.5 out of 5
17. Prehistorik 2Titus Software Corporation · Action · 1993Played often
Often
3.5 out of 5
18. Super Street Fighter II TurboGameTek, Inc. · Action · 1995Played all the time
All the time
3.4 out of 5
19. CyberiaInterplay Productions, Inc. · Action · 1994Played all the time
All the time
3.4 out of 5
20. The Ultimate DOOMGT Interactive Software Corp. · Action · 1995Played a lot
A lot
3.4 out of 5

Keep exploring

More top lists by genre

See them all in the catalogue

Questions

Frequently asked

How Best DOS Games are ranked

What is the best DOS action game?

DOOM II: Hell on Earth (1994, id Software, Inc.) is the best DOS action game by our players' ratings, ahead of Blood and DOOM. The ranking follows players' ratings and real play time, so it changes as people play.

Can I play these DOS action games online?

Yes. 10 of the games on this list play free in your browser on dos.games, with no download and no emulator to set up. Press Play on any of them; your progress can be saved.

How many DOS action games are there on dos.games?

336. This list ranks the best 10 in full and the next ones below them; the catalogue has every one, with filters for year, studio and more.

Which year had the most great DOS action games?

1994. 3 of the games on this list came out that year: DOOM II: Hell on Earth, Jazz Jackrabbit and System Shock.

How is this list ranked?

With the same score as our Best DOS Games ranking: players' ratings, pulled toward the archive's own rating while a game has few of them, plus a small bonus for the games people actually keep playing. No editor and no sponsor decides a place.