Top 10 · Top-down

The 10 best DOS top-down games

The 10 best DOS top-down games, as the players of dos.games rate them. Theme Hospital leads the list, ahead of Grand Theft Auto and Z.

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 11, 2026How the lists are ranked

150DOS top-down games in the archive
10 of 10Play in your browser
3.9Score of #1, out of 5

1. Theme Hospital
1997 · Bullfrog Productions, Ltd. · Strategy / tactics
3.9 out of 5Played all the time
Theme Hospital is a level-based hospital management simulation where players have to start on an empty building, and then assemble rooms with all kinds of material, from desks and file cabinets for the general diagnosis to the expensive ultra-scanners and x-rays to diagnose such bizarre diseases such as Bloaty Head, Slack Songue or Alien DNA, and treat them with with even more bizarre machines like an Head Inflator or a DNA fixer.
Play now: Theme Hospital About the game
2. Grand Theft Auto
1997 · DMA Design Limited · Racing / Driving
3.8 out of 5Played all the time
Play now: Grand Theft Auto About the game
3. Z
1996 · The Bitmap Brothers · Strategy / tactics
3.8 out of 5Played all the time
Z is a real-time strategy game in which you fight for control of the sectors, some of which contains manufactories that can gain you additional units.
Play now: Z About the game
4. Earth 2140
1997 · TopWare Programmy Sp. z o.o. · Strategy / tactics
3.7 out of 5Played a lot
It's the year 2140, earth is almost completely destroyed after numerous wars and environmental catastrophes, and the people primarily live underground.
Play now: Earth 2140 About the game
5. Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness
1995 · Blizzard Entertainment · Strategy / tactics
3.6 out of 5Played all the time
For the kingdoms of Azeroth the real-time battle between Humans and Orcs continues with Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, the sequel to its highly succesful predecessor...
Play now: Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness About the game
6. SimCity Enhanced CD-ROM
1993 · Maxis Software Inc. · Simulation
3.5 out of 5Played a lot
Build up your city and provide your citizens with what they need.
Play now: SimCity Enhanced CD-ROM About the game
7. Heroes of Might and Magic
1995 · New World Computing, Inc. · Strategy / tactics
3.5 out of 5Played all the time
Heroes of Might and Magic is a turn-based strategy game in which the player takes on the role of one of four different heroes: the warlock, sorceress, barbarian, or knight.
Play now: Heroes of Might and Magic About the game
8. Jagged Alliance
1995 · Madlab Software · Strategy / tactics
3.5 out of 5Played often
The land of Metavira needs your help!
Play now: Jagged Alliance About the game
9. Machiavelli The Prince
1995 · Holistic Design, Inc. · Strategy / tactics
3.5 out of 5Played a lot
This game is a remake of the popular trading simulation Merchant Prince.
Play now: Machiavelli The Prince About the game
10. SimCity
1989 · Maxis Software Inc. · Simulation
3.3 out of 5Played a lot
SimCity sets you as the mayor of a new municipality, with the responsibility of building and maintaining a place where citizens can move to and work and be happy.
Play now: SimCity About the game

Ranks 11–20

More great DOS top-down games

11. SpellcrossJRC Interactive · Strategy / tactics · 1997Played all the time
All the time
3.3 out of 5
12. Ultima VI: The False ProphetORIGIN Systems, Inc. · Role-playing (RPG) · 1990Played a lot
A lot
3.3 out of 5
13. Panzer GeneralStrategic Simulations, Inc. · Strategy / tactics · 1994Played a lot
A lot
3.3 out of 5
14. Cannon Fodder 2Virgin Interactive Entertainment, Inc. · Action · 1994Played a lot
A lot
3.3 out of 5
15. AlbionBlue Byte Software, Inc. · Role-playing (RPG) · 1996Played a lot
A lot
3.3 out of 5
16. Dune II: The Building of a DynastyVirgin Interactive Entertainment, Inc. · Strategy / tactics · 1992Played a lot
A lot
3.3 out of 5
17. DuneVirgin Interactive Entertainment, Inc. · Adventure · 1992Played a lot
A lot
3.3 out of 5
18. Steel Panthers III: Brigade Command - 1939-1999Strategic Simulations, Inc. · Strategy / tactics · 1997Played a lot
A lot
3.3 out of 5
19. DarklandsMicroProse · Role-playing (RPG) · 1992Played often
Often
3.3 out of 5
20. Ultima III: ExodusORIGIN Systems, Inc. · Role-playing (RPG) · 1985Played often
Often
3.3 out of 5

Keep exploring

More top lists by perspective

See them all in the catalogue

Questions

Frequently asked

How Best DOS Games are ranked

What is the best DOS top-down game?

Theme Hospital (1997, Bullfrog Productions, Ltd.) is the best DOS top-down game by our players' ratings, ahead of Grand Theft Auto and Z. The ranking follows players' ratings and real play time, so it changes as people play.

Can I play these DOS top-down 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 top-down games are there on dos.games?

150. 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 top-down games?

1995. 4 of the games on this list came out that year: Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, Heroes of Might and Magic, Jagged Alliance and Machiavelli The Prince.

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.