The 1980s was really the beginning of home computer gaming as we know it today. Several games from the 80s are still able to be played today and hold a special place in gaming history for inspiring some of today’s most popular genres and titles.
Here are my 10 picks for the best computer games of the 80s, all of which can still be played today!
Pac-Man (1980)
One of the most famous arcade games of all time, Pac-Man was released in 1980 and quickly became a pop culture phenomenon. The game’s simple yet surprisingly addictive gameplay and colorful characters (Inky, Blinky, Pinky, and Clyde) have made it a classic that has spawned many spinoffs and updated variants.
You can find out more about the game, see gameplay videos and download a copy of it here.
Donkey Kong (1981)
Created by legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, Donkey Kong marked the debut of the iconic Nintendo character, Mario. The goal of this game is to rescue Jumpman’s (Mario’s) girlfriend from the Donkey Kong boss.
The fast-paced, platformer gameplay and challenging levels made this a game to remember that spawned multiple series featuring Mario and Donkey Kong. It’s still fun to play today!
Zork (1980)
Zork is a text-based adventure game that requires players to type in commands to navigate a vast underground world. While visually simple, the game’s intricate puzzles and engaging storyline have earned it a place in gaming history and spawned a bunch of spin-offs.
I recently posted about this one after downloading the Zork Anthology from GOG! It’s still makes for a great adventure.
Ultima III: Exodus (1983)
This role-playing game (RPG) was one of the first to introduce a persistent world, where the player’s actions would have consequences throughout the game. It was also one of the first games to feature an in-game soundtrack.
I spent a lot of time playing this one growing up, so I can’t wait to revisit this title soon!
Rogue (1984)
Rogue is the original game that started the rogue-like, dungeon-crawler genre. The gameplay is fairly straightforward, yet addicting as the levels get more challenging. You will face snakes, orcs, yetis and more in your pursuit of treasures. Plan wisely, because you never know what’s lurking down the path!
You can find out more about Rogue, including videos and keyboard shortcuts, as well as get a free download in my post on Rogue gameplay.
Elite (1984)
This space trading and combat simulator is one of the best computer games of the 80s due to its groundbreaking 3D graphics and open world gameplay style. Originally developed in 1984, the game proved to be a hit and was soon ported to multiple home gaming systems, including PC, NES, Amiga, and Commodore 64.
Elite has gone on to have a couple of sequels and influence many modern titles, including the popular No Man’s Sky.
King’s Quest (1984)
King’s Quest was one of the first adventure games to feature a graphical interface, allowing players to move their character around and interact with the environment with a mouse. The game’s fairy tale setting, puzzles, and humorous writing made it a beloved classic.
You start off as a brave knight, Sir Graham, and in the first title you must find the three lost treasures of the Kingom of Daventry and return them to King Edward in order to inherit the throne. Later, the saga of the now King Graham was continued in two King’s Quest sequels.
You can download and play all three King’s Quest titles in this bundle from GOG.
The Oregon Trail (1985)
A staple in US schools during the 80s and 90s, The Oregon Trail is an educational game that simulates the experience of traveling across America in a wagon train. Players must manage their resources, deal with hazards, and navigate treacherous terrain.
You can find out more about the Oregon Trail series and download a free version of the game in this post.
SimCity (1989)
SimCity is a city-building simulator that lets players design and manage their own urban environments. The game’s complexity and depth made it a hit with strategy fans, and it has since spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs, including SimCity 2000 and SimCity: Build It.
This game is a fun, creative time waster that I always enjoyed as a kid and continue to occasionally revisit in adulthood. It has definitely earned a place in my top 10 best computer games of the 80s, and I’m sure many other people would agree with this pick!
Little Computer People (1985)
Little Computer People, created by Activision in 1985, is one of the first advanced life simulation games. It has inspired or directly influenced modern life simulation games, such as The Sims series
What made this game unique and ground-breaking for its time is not only the fact that you could interact with the character in his tiny house and get varying responses based on his mood, but also that the character is able to understand over 100 different words and commands. We will include a game guide that goes over the many features and commands available in Little Computer People and how you can download a copy of it soon!
There Are Many Great 1980s Computer Games
The 1980s brought us so many revolutionary titles with great replay value that it is hard to pick just ten. I hope you enjoyed reading my list of the ten best computer games of the 80s based on my personal preferences and the games I feel contributed the most to gaming history and popular genres. There are probably some great games you like that are not included in this post.
Please discuss any of these great 1980s games, plus any that you wish were on the list, in the comments section below!