After our readers so enthusiastically took to the idea of listing the best classic PC games of all time, I wanted to pull out the alphabetical directory in order to make it easy for everyone to find their favorite games.


Updated over several weeks in September of 2013, the list has an absolutely absurd number of excellent PC games—we’ve stopped doing official updates, but there are still new PC games coming in every now and then. Thanks so much to everyone who contributed.

2015 note: Sometime between when this article originally ran and now, Kinja decided to insert related links/images for every entry. On the one hand, it looks a little bit weird to see every game’s title listed twice. On the other hand, I really like the image thumbnails. So, for now, I’ll leave em in.


And so! Our full directory of the Classic PC Games You Must Play:

4D Sports Boxing

Why: In 1991, a sports masterpiece was born, 4D Sports Boxing! This game was one of the first… Read more

The 7th Guest (Seconded)

The 7th Guest 1993 Read more


XIII


A

Abe’s Oddysee


Adventure

Adventure (AKA Colossal Cave)Why: It's the first adventure game, and still one of the best. Unlike… Read more


Age of Empires II: Age of Kings (Seconded)

Age of Empires II - Age of Kings Read more


Age of Mythology

Age of Mythology and expansion Age of Mythology: The Titans Read more


Age of Wonders

Why: I just recently heard about the AOW series and was intrigued seeing as I enjoy a good strategy Read more


Albion


Aliens vs. Predator 2

Aliens Vs. Predator 2 Read more


Alley Cat


Alone in the Dark

Alone In The Dark Read more


America’s Army


American McGee’s Alice


Anachronox (Seconded)


Another World/Out of This World

Out of this World / Another World Read more


Arcanum: of Steamworks and Magick Obscura (Seconded)

Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura Read more


Arx Fatalis


Axis and Allies


B

B-17 Flying Fortress

Bad Mojo


Baldur’s Gate


Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn

Battle Bugs (Seconded)


Battle Chess


Battlefield 1942


Battle Isle

Battle Isle : Shadow of the Empire (aka 2220) Read more


Battle Realms: Winter of the Wolf

Battle Realms: Winter of the Wolf Read more


Battlezone (Seconded) (Thirded)


The Bard’s Tale


Beasts & Bumpkins

Game Name: Beast and Bumpkins Read more


Beneath a Steel Sky

Betrayal at Krondor (Seconded)

Betrayal at Krondor Read more


Black & White


Blade Runner (seconded)

BladeRunner The Game Read more


Blake Stone


Blood (Seconded)


BloodNet


Bioforge (Seconded)


Birth of the Federation

Birth Of The Federation Read more


Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars

Broken Sword: Shadow of the Templars (Circle of Blood in the US) Read more


C

Catechumen


Caesar III (Updated)


Carmageddon 1 & 2

Carmageddon 1 & 2 Read more


Castles II

Castles II: Siege & Conquest Read more


Chex Quest

Chex QuestWhy: Take Doom, and reskin it with green ooze aliens that sound like giant birds and the… Read more


Chuckie Egg

Might be cheating a little since it's originally a BBC Micro game but hey, there's a Windows… Read more


Circuit’s Edge


Clive Barker’s Undying (Seconded)

Why: Horror games are a difficult lot to make and judge. Pacing is almost always an issue. The fact Read more


Close Combat II - A Bridge too Far

Close Combat II - A Bridge too Far Read more


The Clue!


Combat Mission: Beyond Overlord

Commanche 4


Command & Conquer: Generals

Command & Conquer Generals Read more


Command & Conquer: Renegades


Command & Conquer: Red Alert

Command & Conquer: RED ALERT!Why: If it wasn't for this cult classic RTS game which put Red Alert… Read more


Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2

Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2 Read more


Commander Keen


Commander Keen 4

Commander Keen 4 - The lost oracle (first episode of "GoodBye Galaxy Series") Read more


Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines

Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines Read more


Conquests of Camelot

Conquests of Camelot Read more


Conquests of the Longbow: The Legend of Robin Hood

Conquests of the Longbow: The Legend of Robin Hood Read more


Constructor


Counter-Strike


Crimsonland


Crusader: No Regret

WHY: Awesome Sci-Fi isometric shooter. This game has tons of devastating weapons to be used… Read more


The Curse of Monkey Island

Why: You probably can't go wrong with any Lucas Arts adventure game, but this one's the best.… Read more


Cyber Gladiators


D

Dark Age of Camelot

Why: Dark age of Camelot or better known as DAOC was the first MMORPG to bring the emphasis on PVP… Read more


The Dark Eye

The Dark Eye Read more


Darklands


Dark Legions


Dark Reign


Descent (Seconded)


Delta Force: Black Hawk Down

Why: In a time before COD dominated anything , there was a brave developer team that created a… Read more


Diablo I and II (Seconded) (Thirded)

Diablo II & Diablo II: Lord of Destruction (released on June 29, 2000 and June 27, 2001… Read more


Dink Smallwood


Dino Park Tycoon

Dino Park Tycoon Read more


Dark Seed


Day of the Tentacle (Seconded)

Day of the Tentacle Read more


DeathTrack

No other gaming platform can field a game library that can compete with PC's in terms of sheer… Read more


Deus Ex


Die by the Sword

Die by the Sword Read more


The Dig (Seconded)


Doom Collection (Seconded)

The Ultimate Doom Read more


DROD: Deadly Rooms of Death

DROD: Deadly Rooms of Death Read more


Duke Nukem 3D

Duke Nukem 3D: Atomic Edition Read more


Dune 2: The Building of a Dynasty

DUNE 2: The Building Of A Dynasty Read more


Dungeon Keeper (Seconded)


Dungeon Keeper 2

Because your Motherfucking dungeon is full of motherfucking yogurt!! Read more


Dungeon Siege

Dungeon Siege + Legends of Aranna Read more


Dust: A Tale Of The Wired West

Why: Released in 1995, this game's art and graphics pretty much hold up to date. It's gameplay is a Read more


E

Ecstatica

The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall (Seconded) (Thirded)

Why: Aside from its ridiculously large yet copy-paste world, the game is actually pretty fun and… Read more


The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Read more


Emperor: Battle for Dune

Emperor: Battle for Dune Read more


Emperor of the Fading Suns

Emperor of the Fading Suns Read more


Epic Pinball


Escape Velocity Nova (Seconded)

Escape Velocity Nova Read more


Exile 3: The Ruined World

Exile 3: Ruined World/Avernum 3 Read more


Eye of the Beholder I & II

General note: the requested format of 970x546 for the screenshot neglects the original format of… Read more


F

F-117A Nighthawk


Fatal Racing/Whiplash

Fatal Racing / Whiplash Read more


Fallout


Fallout 2 (Seconded)


Flashback

Why: The game was a insanely fun with smooth animation and an interesting story it was the highest… Read more


Freddy Pharkas, Frontier Pharmacist

Freddy Pharkas, Frontier Pharmacist Read more


Freedom Fighters

Why: Freedom Fighters is arguably the definition of a perfect game. It had a fantastic story. The… Read more


Freedom Force


FreeSpace 2 (Seconded)


Freelancer


Frontier Elite II


Full Throttle


Fury 3


Frontier: Elite 2


G

G-Nome


Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers

Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers Read more


Gabriel Knight: The Beast Within

The Beast Within: A Gabriel Knight Mystery Read more


Gender Wars


Giants: Citizen Kabuto (Seconded)


Goblins 3


Gothic (Seconded)


Gorillas


Gorky 17


Grand Prix Legends

Grand Prix Legends Read more


Grand Theft Auto 3

Grand Theft Auto 3 Read more


Grim Fandango (Seconded)

Why?: It's the swan song of the LucasArts adventure games, and a must play for any Tim Schafer fan… Read more


Ground Control (Seconded)


H

Half-Life


Halo: Combat Evolved (Seconded)

Halo: Combat Evolved PC Edition Read more


Hardwar


Heavy Gear (Seconded)

Game: Heavy Gear 2 Read more


H.E.D.Z. (Head Extreme Destruction Zone)

H.E.D.Z.(Head Extreme Destruction Zone) 1998 Read more


Hexen: Beyond Heretic


Hexxagon

Why: Currently casual gamers have long had addictions to Candy Crush or Bejeweled, however these… Read more


Heroes of Might & Magic III (Seconded) (Thirded)

Heroes of Might and Magic III complete Read more


Hidden and Dangerous 2

Hidden and Dangerous 2: Read more


Hocus Pocus

HOCUS POCUSWhy: It was a clever game by Apogee to release due to the sci-fi and fantasy stuff going Read more


Homeworld


Hostile Waters (Seconded)

Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising (2001) Read more


I

I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream

I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream Read more


I-War


Icewind Dale II

Why is Icewind Dale II not on this list!? Read more


Iji


Imperium Galactica 2

Imperium Galactica 2 Read more


Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos

Independence War 2: Edge of Chaos Read more


Incubation: Time is Running Out

Incubation : Time is Running Out (US title) Read more


Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis (Seconded) (Thirded) (Fourthed)

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis Read more


Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine

Indiana Jones And The Infernal Machine (1999) Read more


Interstate 76 (Seconded)


The Incredible Machine

The Incredible Machine Read more


It Came From The Desert

It Came From The DesertWhy: This is an adventure game done in a B-Movie style that includes some… Read more


J

Jazz Jackrabbit 2

Jazz Jackrabbit 2 Read more


Jagged Alliance 2

Jagged Alliance 2 and JA2: Unfinished Bussiness Read more


Jill of the Jungle

Jill of the Jungle Read more


The Journeyman Project

The Journeyman ProjectWhy? This was one of the first CD based games I really got into so it holds a Read more


The Journeyman Project 2: Buried in Time

Journeyman Project 2: Buried in Time Read more


Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death

Judge Dredd Dredd Vs Death Read more


Jumpman


Jurassic Park: Trespasser (Seconded)


K

King of Dragon Pass

King of Dragon Pass (1999): Read more


King’s Quest V: Absence Makes The Heart Go Yonder!

Kings Quest V Read more


L

Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos

Lands of Lore : The Throne of Chaos Read more


The Last Express

The Last Express Read more


Lemmings


The Legend of Kyrandia, Book 2: Hand of Fate (Seconded)

Legend of Kyrandia – Book 2: The Hand of Fate Read more


Lego Island


Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards

Leisure Suit Larry in the Land of the Lounge Lizards Read more


Lighthouse: The Dark Being

Lighthouse: The Dark Being (1996, Sierra On-Line)Why: Lighthouse was one of those underdog games… Read more


Little Big Adventure 2 (Seconded) (Thrirded) (Fourthed!)

Little Big Adventure 2 - Twinsen's Odyssey Read more


The Longest Journey

The Longest Journey Read more


Loom


Lords of the Realm 2

Lords of the Realm 2 Read more


M

Mafia


Manhunter: New York


Maniac Mansion

Maniac MansionHis ambition was to rule the world...one teenager at a time! Read more


Marathon Series (Seconded) (Thirded)


Master of Magic

Master of Magic Read more


Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim

Majesty: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim Read more


Master of Orion (s) (Seconded) (Thirded) (Fourthed) (Fifthed)

Master of Orion Read more


Master of Orion 2

Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares Read more


Max Payne 1 & 2


MDK (Seconded)


MDK 2

Why: because that's a Bioware game from times when Bioware made funny third person action games.… Read more


Mean Streets


Medieval: Total War

WHY: This is another borderline in to modernity game you could say and that is true, but still this Read more


Metal Fatigue


Metal Marines

Metal Marines (PC) 1994 Read more


Medal of Honor: Allied Assault

Medal of Honor: Allied Assault Read more


MegaZeux


Mech Commander 2

Mech Commander 2 Read more


MechWarrior 2

MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat Read more


Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries

Meridian 59


Microsoft’s “Best of Windows Entertainment Pack”

Microsoft's "Best of Windows Entertainment Pack" Read more


Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven (Seconded)

Might & Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven Read more


Might & Magic: World of Xeen

Might and Magic: World of Xeen Read more


Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge

Moraff’s Dungeons of the Unforgiven

Why: This is a simple dungeon/maze turn based game. I found it on a floppy at a computer convention Read more


Motocross Madness


Myst (Seconded)


Myth: The Fallen Lords

Myth: The Fallen Lords Read more


Myth II: Soulblighter (Seconded) (Thirded)


N

Nethack


Neverwinter Nights


The Neverhood


Neuromancer


Nitemare 3D


Nocturne


No One Lives Forever 1 & 2

No One Lives Forever 1 & 2 Read more


Nosferatu: The Wrath of Malachi

Nosferatu: the Wrath of Malachi Read more


Nox (Seconded)


O

Omikron: The Nomad Soul

Omikron: The Nomad Soul Read more


One Must Fall: 2097

One Must Fall: 2097 Read more


OpenTTD


Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis (Seconded)

Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis Read more


The Oregon Trail

The Oregon Trail Deluxe Read more


OutPost 2

OutPost 2Released: 1997 Published By: Sierra Developed By: Dynamix Read more


Outlaws


Outcast

Why: Because this game does what every modern game does now... sandbox universe, movie-like… Read more


P

Panzer General II

Panzer General 2Why: One of the best wargames ever made. Other games like the Operational Art of… Read more


Patrician III (Seconded)


Phantasmagoria


Pharaoh


Pizza Tycoon


Planescape Torment (Seconded) (Thirded)


Prehistorik 1 & 2

Prehistorik 1 & 2 Read more


Project: Snowblind


POD Gold


Police Quest III

Police Quest III Read more


Populous 3: The Beginning

Why: Not only was it a big jump forward visually compared to the other Populous before it, but it… Read more


Prince of Persia

IMAGE [preferably at 970x546] Game Name Why: Explain why the game is great. Make your case! Try to… Read more


Project Eden


Pune


Q

Quake

Quake II


Quake 3 Arena

Quake 3 Arena Read more


Quarantine


The Quest for Glory Series (Seconded) (Thirded)

The Quest For Glory Series.Why: The Quest For Glory Series was an expansive set of games which gave Read more


R

Rama

RamaWhy: This game is great if you are a fan of the legendary science fiction writer Arthur C.… Read more


Raptor: Call of the Shadows

Raptor: Call of the Shadows Read more


Rayman


Rainbow Six: Raven Shield

Rainbow Six: Raven Shield Read more


Realms of the Haunting

Realms of the Haunting Read more


Redneck Rampage (Seconded)

One of my favorite whimsical PC games. Been greyed out forever. Why the fuck bother posting? IDK Read more


Republic: The Revolution


Return to Castle Wolfenstein

Return to Castle Wolfenstein Read more


Rise of Nations

Rise of Nations Read more


Rise of the Robots

Rise of the Robots Read more


Rise of the Triad

Rise of the Triad Read more


Riven (Seconded)

Riven: The Sequel to Myst Read more


Rocket Jockey

Rocket Jockey. The most 'Goddammit why is there no modern sequel' game I can possibly think of.… Read more


Roller Coaster Tycoon

Roller Coaster Tycoon Read more


Roller Coaster Tycoon 2

RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 Read more


Rune


Runescape


S

Sacrifice (Seconded)


Sam & Max Hit The Road

Sam and Max hit the road/Day of the Tentacle bundle. Read more


Sanatarium (Seconded)


The Scarab of Ra

The Scarab of Ra Read more


Scorched Earth


Septerra Core: Legacy of the Creator

Septerra Core: Legacy of the Creator Read more


Serious Sam 2: The Second Encounter

Serious Sam: the Second Encounter Read more


Settlers 2


Severance: Blade of Darkness

Severance: Blade of DarknessBlade of Darkness (US)Blade: The Edge of Darkness (Spain) Read more


Shogo: Mobile Armor Division

Why: Loved playing this in old school LAN parties and hearing all the scopes zooming in and out 2nd Read more


Shogun: Total War


Shufflepuck Cafe


Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri/Alien Crossfire (Seconded)

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri/Alien Crossfire (1999) Read more


Sid Meier’s Covert Action

Sid Meier's Covert Action (Microprose, 1990; MS-DOS, Amiga) Read more


Sid Meier’s Civilization II

Sid Meier's Civilization II Read more


Sid Meier’s Colonization


Sid Meier’s Pirates!

Sid Meier's Pirates!Why: Pirates! is, quite simply, a marvel of game design, and one that refuses… Read more


Silver


SimCity 2000


SimCity 4

Sim City 4 Read more


SimTower

Sim Tower: The Vertical Empire 1994 Read more


Simon the Sorcerer 1 and 2

Simon The Sorcerer 1 and 2 Read more


SkiFree (Ha, ha.)

SkiFreeWhy: Because you're running a computer that has less power than your Verizon flip phone from Read more


SkyRoads


Space Quest

Why: Space Quest was a humorous text adventure filled with wit and cunning. It's incredibly… Read more


Speedbusters

Why: it looks like this Ubisoft franchise has been forgotten, however with its fun and varied… Read more


Spellforce: The Order of Dawn

Spellforce : The Order of Dawn Read more


Spycraft: The Great Game (Seconded)

Spycraft: The Great Game Read more


Star Control II (Seconded) (Thirded) (Fourthed)

Star Control II Read more


Starflight


StarCraft


StarGoose!


Starlancer


Stars

StarsIt was released in multiple languages (including English) and is a decent cousin of sorts to… Read more


Starsiege: Tribes (Seconded)


Startopia (Seconded)


Star Wars: Dark Forces

Star Wars: Dark Forces Read more


Star Wars: Dark Forces 2: Jedi Knight

Star Wars Jedi Knight Dark Forces 2/Mystery of the Sith Read more


Star Wars Episode 1: Racer

Star Wars Episode 1: Racer Read more


Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds

Why:This game takes your age of empires II gameplay and turns it on its head with the starwars… Read more


Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast

Star Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast Read more


Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Read more


Star Wars: Pit Droids

￼Star Wars Pit Droids Read more


Star Wars: X-Wing


Star Wars: X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter

Star Wars X-wing Vs Tie Fighter. Read more


Strife


SubCulture


The Summoning

Superhero League of Hoboken

Superhero League of Hoboken Read more


Sword of the Samurai

Why: There's way too much to say here. If you ever wanted to be a samurai, roam the feudal Japanese Read more


Syberia

Syberia 1 & 2 Read more


Syndicate

I didn't see this one mentioned! (I searched!) Read more


Syndicate Wars


System Shock


System Shock 2

System Shock 2 Read more


T

Temple of Elemental Evil

Temple of Elemental Evil Read more


Tex Murphy: Under a Killing Moon

Under a Killing Moon Read more


Theme Hospital (Seconded)


THEXDER


Thief 1 & 2

Thief: The Dark Project & Thief II: The Metal Age Read more


Time Commando


Titanic: Adventure out of Time

Why: Titanic was the ultimate adventure then and now. It still provides a harrowing experience of… Read more


Total Annihilation (Seconded) (Thirded ) (Fourthed) (Fifthed)

Total Annihilation (1997)By Cavedog entertainment. Read more


Tomb Raider


Tomb of the Taskmaster

Why: This was one of the unknown greats in my mind, it's a sequel to a probably better known game… Read more


Traffic Department 2192

Traffic Department 2192 Read more


Treasure Quest


TRON 2.0


Tyrian (Seconded) (Thirded)


U

Ultrabots


Urban Assault


Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar


Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny

Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny Read more


Ultima VI: The False Prophet


Ultima VII: The Black Gate

Ultima VII: The Black Gate Read more


Ultima VIII: Pagan

Ultima VIII: PaganWhy: As much as the rest of the Ultima series deserves all of its credit, Ultima… Read more


Ultima Underworld


Ultima Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams

Game: Ultima Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams Read more


Unreal

Why: We have Unreal Tournament but not the game that kicked it all off. This game was amazing,… Read more


Unreal Tournament


Uprising


V

Vampire: The Masquerade: Redemption (Seconded)

Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption Read more


W

Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness (Seconded)

WARCRAFT II: TIDES OF DARKNESS Read more


Warcraft III (Seconded)


Warlords III: Darklords Rising

Warlords III: Darklords Rising Read more


Warpath

Warpath (for Windows 3.x)Used to come in all the freeware and trial CD packs as a trial. Pretty… Read more


Warzone 2100


Wasteland


Wizardry VI: Bane of the Cosmic Forge

Wizardy VI: Bane of the Cosmic Forge Read more


Wizardry VII: Crusaders of Dark Savant (Seconded)

Wizardry VI: Bane of the Cosmic Forge and Wizardry VII: Crusaders of the Dark Savant Read more


Wizardry 8


Wing Commander: Privateer (Seconded)


Wing Commander III

Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger Read more


The Wheel of Time

The Wheel of Time Read more


Wolfenstein 3D

Why: First FPS of hitory!!! Read more


Wolfenstein 3D: Spear of Destiny

Spear of Destiny Read more


Worlds of Ultima 1: Savage Empire

Worlds of Ultima 1: Savage Empire Read more


Worms World Party

Worms World Party Read more


WWF Wrestlemania The Arcade Game

WWF Wrestlemania The Arcade Game Read more


X

X-COM: UFO Defense


X-COM: Terror From The Deep

X-COM: TERROR FROM THE DEEP Read more


X-COM Apocalypse


Z

Zeus: Master of Olympus

Zeus: Master of Olympus Read more


Zoombinis: Logical Journey

Zoombinis: Logical JourneyWhy: If you don't remember playing Zoombinis at any point in your life,… Read more


Zork (Seconded) (Thirded)


Zork: Grand Inquisitor


Zork Nemesis

Zork NemesisWhy: Zork Nemesis is one and only game I played from the Zork series. This one is not a Read more


Second update: 9/5/2013 AM, added 150+ games. Keep ‘em coming.

Third update: 9/6/2013 PM, added 80+ games.

Fourth update: 9/18/2013 AM, added 20+ games. This will probably be our last official update. If you’ve added a game that you feel desperately needs to be included in the list, don’t hesitate to email me.


Image via Shutterstock .

To contact the author of this post, write to kirk@kotaku.com or find him on Twitter @kirkhamilton .

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