10 Best DOS Platform Games

If you are a fan of classic DOS platform games, you might be wondering which ones are worth playing today.

Platform games, also known as platformers, are games where the player controls a character that jumps, runs, climbs, or flies across platforms and obstacles to reach a goal. Platform games are one of the oldest and most popular genres in video games, and DOS had many great examples of them.

In this blog post, I will list some of the best old-school platformers that you can play on DOS or with a DOS emulator. These games are not ranked in any particular order, but they are all highly acclaimed and influential in the history of gaming.

Here are my top DOS platform games:

Commander Keen in Goodbye, Galaxy
This game is actually a compilation of two episodes: Keen Dreams and The Armageddon Machine. The game follows the adventures of Billy Blaze, a young genius who travels to outer space as Commander Keen to stop an alien invasion. The game features colorful graphics, smooth scrolling, varied levels, humorous enemies, and clever puzzles. It also has a secret level that pays homage to Super Mario Bros. 3.

Prince of Persia
In the 1980s, you had several talented programmers creating games in their free time. One of them was Jordan Mechner, who created Prince of Persia in his dorm room. The game is set in ancient Persia, where the player has to escape from a dungeon and rescue the princess from the evil vizier Jaffar. The game is famous for its realistic animation, which was achieved by rotoscoping footage of Mechner's brother. The game also has a time limit of one hour, adding to the challenge and tension.

Jill of the Jungle
The game stars Jill, a female warrior who can transform into various animals to explore the jungle and fight enemies. The game has three episodes, each with different levels and transformations. The game is notable for its female protagonist, which was rare at the time, and its catchy music.

The Lion King
Based on the Disney animated film of the same name, this game follows the story of Simba, a lion cub who grows up to become the king of the Pride Lands. The game has stunning graphics that recreate the scenes from the movie, as well as voice samples and music from the original soundtrack. The game is also notoriously difficult, especially in some levels like "The Stampede" and "Hakuna Matata". The game is a must-play for fans of the film and Disney games in general.

Bio Menace
A side-scrolling shooter game that borrows elements from other classics like Contra and Duke Nukem. The game stars Snake Logan, a secret agent who has to stop Dr. Mangle from unleashing his army of mutated creatures on Metro City. The game has three episodes, each with different weapons, enemies, and bosses. The game also has secrets, power-ups, and environmental hazards that add to the gameplay.

Blackthorne
A dark and gritty platformer that was developed by Blizzard Entertainment, the same company behind Warcraft and Diablo. The game is set on the planet Tuul, where the player controls Kyle Blackthorne, a rebel leader who returns to his home world after 20 years to overthrow the evil Sarlac and his orc army. The game has a unique feature that allows the player to hide in the shadows and shoot enemies from behind. The game also has puzzles, traps, and cinematic cutscenes that enhance the story.

Cyril Cyberpunk
A futuristic platformer that takes place in Neo York City in 2099. The player controls Cyril, a young hacker who has to stop an evil corporation from taking over the city with their cybernetic army. The game has colorful graphics, fast-paced action, and diverse levels that include rooftops, sewers, subways, and cyberspace. The game also has a variety of weapons and items that can be used to fight or evade enemies.

Monster Bash
A horror-themed platformer that stars Johnny Dash, a boy who has to rescue his dog Tex from Count Chuck. Along the way, he has to face various monsters like zombies, vampires, werewolves, and mummies. The game has three episodes, each with different themes and settings. The game also has hidden bonuses and secrets that reward exploration.

Duke Nukem 3D
A first-person shooter game that also has platforming elements. The game stars Duke Nukem, a macho hero who has to save the world from an alien invasion. The game is famous for its humor, violence, and interactivity. The game allows the player to interact with various objects and environments, such as shooting pool, playing arcade games, tipping strippers, and blowing up walls. The game also has a variety of weapons and items, such as jetpacks, pipe bombs, and shrink rays.

Disney's Aladdin
Based on the Disney animated film of the same name, this game follows the story of Aladdin, a street urchin who finds a magic lamp and falls in love with Princess Jasmine. The game has beautiful graphics that mimic the style of the movie, as well as music and voice samples from the original soundtrack. The game also has different gameplay modes, such as running, jumping, swinging, flying, and fighting. The game is a must-play for fans of the film and Disney games in general.