Feeling nostalgic and want to play some old DOS games, but don’t want to go through the trouble of installing and getting the games to run on DosBox? Well, the Internet Archive is here to help. Besides hosting tremendous amounts of information, including books, websites, movies and music, it also provides access to a bunch of old retro video games that you can play right in your browser. Want to waste 5 minutes at work playing some games that will make you feel like you’re behind that i486 again and it’s way past your bedtime and mom’s yelling at you to go to bed, but you can’t stop, at least not until you get to the next level? Well, don’t let the boss see you, but here are some great picks for you to choose from.
DOOM
This game is a real classic in the shooter genre and I don’t know anyone who hasn’t at least heard the name “DOOM”. Blast those demons with your BFG 9000 and send them back to hell where they belong. While this is the shareware version without all the maps unlocked, it should keep you well entertained until your next coffee break. Click here to play Doom.
SimCity
This legendary city building strategy game has inspired a series of sequels but the original 1989 version is playable right in your browser. Build a city, then tear it down by summoning tornadoes and earthquakes. Click here to play SimCity
Oregon Trail
This game is the one of the pioneers (pun intended) of computer games, having been originally released in 1971. Learn about the frontier days of America, as you try to make the 2000-mile trip from the West to the East. Despite this being an educational game, it had a surprisingly fun and varied gameplay. You could trade, hunt, choose between different routes and members of your party could fall ill at any point, which is why this game is often remembered by a particular ominous message “You Have Died of Dysentery”. Click here to play Oregon Trail
Dune 2
Westwood Studios is absolutely the granddaddy of RTS games, developing a host of successful RTS games from the Dune series to the Command & Conquer games and Dune 2 is one you don't want to miss. Click here to play Dune 2
Prince of Persia
Prince of Persia was a bit of a failure when it first came out, but this Jordan Mechner game has inspired a whole franchise and even has a movie based on it. This platformer's rotoscoped animations looked smooth and realistic, compared to other games of that era. Click here to try Prince of Persia
Wolfenstein 3D
Last, but not least, arguably the first FPS - Wolfenstein 3D. This game, running on John Carmack's experimental and truly innovative 3D engine, is probably my favorite game of all time. I mean, who doesn't want to shoot hordes of Nazis, until you reach Hitler himself in a huge robotic suit and carrying chainguns, and then take him out? Click here to play Wolfenstein 3D
