Games with grid-based movement sorted by release date
Grid-based movement in video games refers to a movement system where characters or objects can only move along a predefined grid or set of discrete positions. The game world is divided into a grid, composed of squares or tiles, and the movement is typically restricted to the cardinal directions (up, down, left, and right).
Grid-based movement has been widely used in various types of games, including turn-based strategy games, role-playing games (RPGs), and tactical games. This movement system allows for precise positioning and strategic planning, as the player must consider the grid layout and plan their movements accordingly.
One of the advantages of grid-based movement is that it simplifies navigation and collision detection, as the game engine can easily determine valid movement paths and detect collisions with other objects on the grid.
Most popular grid-based movement games
strategyDOS, Windows 3.x, Mac OS
strategyWindows XP/98/95
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Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord
DOS1981 Sir-tech Software
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord is a role-playing video game that was first released in 1981. It's one of the pioneering titles in the dungeon-crawling genre and one of the first computer role-playing games (CRPGs).Developed by Andrew C. Greenberg and Robert Woodhead, and published by Sir-Tech, Wizardry was initially released for the ...
Wizardry 2: The knight of diamonds
DOS1982 Sir-tech Software
Ultima 2: Revenge of the Enchantress
DOS1983 Origin Systems
The second chapter of the Ultima saga is much similar to the first one (same top down visual, same dungeon 3d visual, same gameplay), although there are many small improvements. The series begins to take the shape of the detailed, deep, rpg saga that gamers will always remember.
Wizardry 3: Legacy of Llylgamyn
DOS1983 Sir-tech Software
Wizardry III: Legacy of Llylgamyn is a classic role-playing video game developed by Sir-Tech and released in 1983. It is the third installment in the Wizardry series. Originally released for the Apple II, it was later ported to other platforms, including the Commodore 64, IBM PC, and various Japanese computers. The game is set in the fant...
Archon: the Light and the Dark
DOS1984 Free Fall Associates
Archon: The Light and the Dark is an abandoned DOS fantasy blend of strategy and action game, developed by Free Fall Associates and published for DOS by Electronic Arts in 1984. Archon and its sequels are a unique mix of chess-like turn-based strategy and arcade action games. Take chess and add the fact that every time two pieces land on the same s...
Boulder Dash
DOS1984 First Star Software
Boulder Dash is a classic action-puzzle video game that was first released in 1984 by First Star Software. In Boulder Dash, players control a character named Rockford as he digs through caves to collect diamonds while avoiding falling boulders and other hazards. The game is set in a scrolling, grid-based environment, and players must strategic...
Hack
DOS1984freeware
Rogue
Windows XP/98/95DOSLinuxMac OS1984 Artificial Intelligence Design
Rogue is one of the first RPGs in the history of video gaming. It's a text-based dungeon crawler in which you have to fight your way in the dungeon to recover the Amulet of Yendor. Rogue became popular around 1980 on mainframes and later ported to various platforms, including DOS in 1984. Rogue is simply the father of all the roguelike games that c...
Amulet of Yendor
DOS1985 Keypunch Software
Boulder Dash 2: Rockford's Revenge
DOS1985 First Star Software
Boulder Dash II is the sequel to the original Boulder Dash game. It was released in 1985 and follows the same basic gameplay mechanics as its predecessor while introducing new levels and features.In Boulder Dash II, players once again control the character Rockford as he explores caves, collects diamonds, and avoids various hazards such as falling ...
Ultima 3: Exodus
DOSMac OS1985 Origin Systems
Ultima III: Exodus is a role-playing video game developed by Richard Garriott and published by Origin Systems. It was released in 1983 for the Apple II and later ported to various other platforms such as the Commodore 64, MS-DOS, and NES.The game is set in the fantasy world of Sosaria, where the player controls a party of adventurers on a quest to ...
Ultima 4: Quest of the Avatar
DOS1985freeware Origin Systems
Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar is one of the most influential and innovative role-playing games (RPGs) in video game history. Released in 1985 by Richard Garriott under the Origin Systems banner, it is the fourth installment of the Ultima series and marked a significant shift in the genre of RPGs at the time. Unlike previous RPGs which revolve...
221B Baker Street
DOS1986 Datasoft
221B Baker Street is a turn-based strategy strategy game developed by Datasoft. 221B Baker Street is base on the tabletop game of the same name "221B Baker Street" and it plays in a very similar way, with dices, etc.
Larn
DOS1986freeware
Kampfgruppe
DOS1987protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Le Maitre Des Ames
DOS1987 UBI Soft
Mech Brigade
DOS1987protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Might and Magic Book One: Secret of the Inner Sanctum
DOS1987 New World Computing
Might and Magic Book One: The Secret of the Inner Sanctum is a classic first-person role-playing video game (RPG) released in 1986 for DOS and other platforms. It was developed and published by New World Computing and designed by Jon Van Caneghem. This game is considered one of the pioneers of the RPG genre.
NetHack
DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OSLinux1987freeware
NetHack is an open-source roguelike game that's been around since the early 1980s. It's a single-player dungeon exploration game where you navigate your character through a randomly generated dungeon filled with monsters, traps, treasures, and various items. The goal is to retrieve the Amulet of Yendor, located deep within the dungeon's lowest leve...
Shard of Spring
DOS1987protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
The Bard's Tale
DOS1987 Interplay Productions
The Bard's Tale: Tales of the Unknown was developed by Interplay Productions and published by Electronic Arts for DOS and other systems. The game takes place in the fictional city of Skara Brae, which is overrun by monsters and under the control of the evil wizard Mangar the Dark. Your goal as the player is to assemble a party of adventurers t...
Ultima 1: The First Age of Darkness
DOS1987 Origin Systems
Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness is a seminal role-playing video game developed by Richard Garriott and released by California Pacific Computer Company in 1981. It is the first game in the long-running and influential Ultima series. Initially released for the Apple II, it was later ported to various platforms including DOS, Commodore 64, At...
2400 A.D.
DOS1988 Origin Systems
Arnhem: The Market Garden Operation
DOS1988 Cases Computer Simulations
Might and Magic 2: Gates to Another World
DOS1988 New World Computing
Might and Magic II: Gates to Another World is a classic role-playing video game developed and published by New World Computing. It was originally released in 1988 for various home computer platforms, including the Apple II, MS-DOS, and Commodore 64. The game is part of the long-running Might and Magic series and is known for its deep gameplay, and ...
Moraff's Revenge
DOS1988 Moraffware
Omega
DOSLinux1988freeware
Pool of Radiance
DOSMac OS1988protected SSI Strategic Simulations Inc.
Questron 2
DOS1988protected Westwood Studios
Questron II is a role-playing game (RPG) developed by Westwood Associates and published by Strategic Simulations Inc. (SSI) in 1988. It serves as the sequel to the original Questron (1984) and builds upon its predecessor’s formula, offering more expansive gameplay, refined mechanics, and a richer world to explore. The player embarks on a...
The Bard's Tale 2: The Destiny Knight
DOS1988 Interplay Productions