Top 10 · 1989

The 10 best DOS games of 1989

The 10 best DOS games of 1989, as the players of dos.games rate them. SimCity leads the list, ahead of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Action Game and Star Wars.

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 5, 2026How the lists are ranked

39DOS games of 1989 in the archive
10 of 10Play in your browser
3.3Score of #1, out of 5

1. SimCity
1989 · Maxis Software Inc. · Simulation
3.3 out of 5Played all the time
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
2. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Action Game
1989 · Tiertex Ltd. · Action
3.3 out of 5Played a lot
As in the movie (and the more famous graphic adventure), your task is to find the Holy Grail.
Play now: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Action Game About the game
3. Star Wars
1989 · Atari, Inc. · Action
3.3 out of 5Played a lot
Star Wars is a conversion of Atari Games' first-person shoot 'em up based around the original Star Wars film.You take on the role of Luke Skywalker, aiming to destroy the Death Star - which, as any fan knows, involves attacking the 'weak spot' near the exhaust.
Play now: Star Wars About the game
4. Leisure Suit Larry 3: Passionate Patti in Pursuit of the Pulsating Pectorals
1989 · Sierra On-Line, Inc. · Adventure
3.3 out of 5Played a lot
Passionate Patti in Pursuit of the Pulsating Pectorals!
Play now: Leisure Suit Larry 3: Passionate Patti in Pursuit of the Pulsating Pectorals About the game
5. Populous
1989 · Bullfrog Productions, Ltd. · Strategy / tactics
3.2 out of 5Played a lot
You play a god, gaming against other gods in a celestial game of conquest.
Play now: Populous About the game
6. Batman: The Caped Crusader
1989 · Special FX Software Ltd · Action
3.2 out of 5Played a lot
Batman: The Caped Crusader is a combination of an arcade and adventure game.
Play now: Batman: The Caped Crusader About the game
7. A-10 Tank Killer
1989 · Dynamix, Inc. · Simulation
3.2 out of 5Played a lot
This simulation puts you in the cockpit of the A-10 Thunderbolt II, which is also known as the "Warthog".
Play now: A-10 Tank Killer About the game
8. A Nightmare on Elm Street
1989 · Westwood Associates · Action
3.2 out of 5Played a lot
A Nightmare of Elm Street is an action game based on the movie of the same name, where the player attempts to free friends from the grasp of the evil Freddy Krueger.
Play now: A Nightmare on Elm Street About the game
9. Street Rod
1989 · Magic Partners · Racing / Driving
3.2 out of 5Played a lot
Year is 1963 and you're one of the hotshots aspiring to be king of the county.
Play now: Street Rod About the game
10. Out Run
1989 · Unlimited Software, Inc. · Racing / Driving
3.2 out of 5Played a lot
OutRun is a racing game originating in the arcades.
Play now: Out Run About the game

Ranks 11–20

More great DOS games of 1989

11. AusterlitzMirrorsoft · Strategy / tactics · 1989Played a lot
A lot
3.2 out of 5
12. Alice in WonderlandFreeware · Adventure · 1989Played a lot
A lot
3.2 out of 5
13. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic AdventureLucasArts Entertainment Company, LLC · Adventure · 1989Played a lot
A lot
3.2 out of 5
14. Turbo Out RunU.S. Gold · Racing / Driving · 1989Played a lot
A lot
3.2 out of 5
15. Dragon's LairSullivan Bluth Interactive Media, Inc. · Adventure · 1989Played a lot
A lot
3.2 out of 5
16. Microprose Pro SoccerMicroplay Software · Sports · 1989Played a lot
A lot
3.2 out of 5
17. Space Quest III: The Pirates of PestulonSierra On-Line, Inc. · Adventure · 1989Played a lot
A lot
3.2 out of 5
18. Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego?Brøderbund Software, Inc. · Educational · 1989Played a lot
A lot
3.2 out of 5
19. Wings of FuryBrøderbund Software, Inc. · Action · 1989Played a lot
A lot
3.2 out of 5
20. CD-Man Version 2.0Creative Dimensions · Action · 1989Played a lot
A lot
3.2 out of 5

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Questions

Frequently asked

How Best DOS Games are ranked

What is the best DOS game of 1989?

SimCity (1989, Maxis Software Inc.) is the best DOS game of 1989 by our players' ratings, ahead of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Action Game and Star Wars. The ranking follows players' ratings and real play time, so it changes as people play.

Can I play these DOS games of 1989 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 games of 1989 are there on dos.games?

39. 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.

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.