Magic: The Gathering

Magic: The Gathering (1997)

by MicroProse Software, Inc.
Genres:Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical, Card & Board Game
Themes:Fantasy
Game modes:Single player
Story:Magic: The Gathering is a computer game published by MicroProse in April 1997 based on the collectible card game Magic: The Gathering. The game takes place in the plane of Shandalar, where the player must travel the land and fight random enemies to gain cards, and defeat five wizards representing the five colors. The player must prevent one color from gaining too much power, and defeat the planeswalker Arzakon, who has a deck of all five colors. Adventure game and role-playing game elements are present, including inventory, gold, towns, dungeons, random battles, and character progression in the form of new abilities and a higher life point total. An oversized version of Aswan Jaguar was included in the game box.Show more
user avatarAdded by @snap-d
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.
4 579
Trailers and screenshots
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Screenshot
Stories about this game (22)
What’s your memory of Magic: The Gathering?Share your favorite moments and see what others remember about this game.
user avatar@placeholder

Make sure to follow our Guidelines when adding new Stories.

If not sure what to write:
  • What made this game unforgettable?
  • Who did you play this game with?
  • What made it fun or challenging?
  • Why do you want this game on GOG?
user avatar@rapscallionuser avatar@rapscallion
January 29, 2025
Easily the best rendition of a collectible card game brought to PC, the player was free to build decks from Magic's library (even updated through 2 expansions) with cards earned through gameplay. The player then implements those decks against the game's opponents in an effort to protect the game world from the NPC card players. If the NPCs win, they permanently impact the map, eventually making victory impossible for the player, forcing you to start the game anew. Other games have tried to recreate CCG adaptations or even similar campaign sandboxes, and always pale in comparison to Shandalar, this game's campaign mode. Don't trust my words? Take a look at this game's wikipedia page and scroll down to "Reception." It's a faithful, innovative, and revolutionary adaptation for an entirely new genre of gaming for its time. It's a crime this game isn't already in GOG's forever library and maintained for future generations.
user avatar@unmelonuser avatar@unmelon
January 29, 2025
This games was, and still is, the best card collection game, with map exploration, progression. I realy have the words to descrive the moments playing this game. Back then this was also a great way to test decks before building them to play with your friends. Nowdays you have a brand new MTG game, with better graphics and cards, but, nowere near the experience of the campaing of this game.
Those of us that got into M:TG after 1995 never got to experience the sensation of getting a Black Lotus in a pack. This game is the next closest thing. Defeating a dungeon which had a Lotus or Mox or Time Walk almost felt like opening a pack.
The rogue like mechanics surrounding Shandalar are incredible. I would love to see semi-official support for the fan-made expansion packs that have been implemented as well…
user avatar@iofhuauser avatar@iofhua
January 30, 2025
I voted for this almost 10 years ago. Now I'm voting for it again. This is one of the best DOS games ever made and I would love to see it preserved on GOG. I liked the ability to build your own deck with any card from 4th edition, and IMO 4th and 5th were the best editions of Magic.
Used to play this game a lot, it was...iconic. Very low requirements, low size, excellent quality. A few updates might allow for later sets to played as well, along w/ specialized formats. Would love to see LAN support (that we can hook into other programs to have true multiplayer) to allow for tournies, along with Commander and the like.
user avatar@rooriiuser avatar@roorii
January 30, 2025
Honestly, if people want to play Magic, this is my go-to suggestion. It stands with the Pokémon Gameboy TCG as the best card game simulator ever released. All you need for a great TCG sim is a robust single player, yet it's so rare to find. Anyway, best era of Magic, great gimmick decks to fight, and a final boss that really challenges your ability to play optimally, just an overall great package.
user avatar@Prim4xuser avatar@Prim4x
January 30, 2025
This game introduced me into theis cardgame. Really good for old games and the first digital Cardgame at all. I think. Now i want the old game back and build my deck.
user avatar@heissmanuser avatar@heissman
February 13, 2025
This game was such a big part of my childhood. I remember getting into Magic the Gathering card game but not having anyone to play with. My parents got me this and I played it so much. I spent so much time creating new deck. The rendition of this game since have just been about the card game aspect. This was one of the first RPG like games that I played where could walk around the open world and my battles would have impact on my deck and world. I was a little too young to fully appreciate the game and have wanted so much to come back as an adult to try it again. Unfortunately because it was written for Win97 is has been really hard playing it since.
user avatar@devonm90user avatar@devonm90
January 30, 2025
It's been a struggle to get this game running on modern systems. I played it so much when I was a kid and was foundational to but love of MTG entirely. The game's possibilities are endless with the procedural overworld and random encounters, it feels like and RPG with cards. I would love to see it preserved.
Those games also need your vote!
Warcraft: Orcs & Humans
Warcraft: Orcs & HumansWarcraft: Orcs & Humans is the first strategy game from Warcraft series developed by Blizzard Entertainment. The Orcish hordes are summoned through the dark portal to the peaceful human Kingdom of Azeroth. When the two races met each other, terrible war has began. Only one race can dominate the land. Player can choose to play for Humans or Orcs. There are 12 scenarios for both sites with mostly single objective: to destroy the enemies. You have to mine gold and wood and produce buildings and soldiers.
Fantasy
Fantasy
29 588
4
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earthThe players control the heroes or villians from the famous Lord of The Rings movies. With a hero characters similar to the Warcraft series you control both the armies and all the unique heroes. The game follows the movies very closely and even got scenes from the films appear in game. Not only does the game contain a giant campaign where you play through the journey of the ring as the good side, the game also features an evil campaign where as the players play as the evil forces of Middle Earth. With multiple diffrent races from all over Middle Earth, a giant spell tree to customize your game and a unique basebuilding layout the game was great for its time.
Top
Fantasy
Warfare
Top
Fantasy
Warfare
49 456
124
Gauntlet / Rampart
Gauntlet / RampartGauntlet is an action-adventure, "hack 'n'-slash” style videogame that allows players to battle cooperatively. Using a force of special weapons, exotic magical powers and deadly combination attacks, players slay hordes of evil minions and hideous creatures while searching for treasure, evading traps and solving the many mysteries of Gauntlet. In Rampart, the peace of the realm Is over. Battles rage throughout the land Enemy lords in nearby castles are shooting their mighty cannons at your walls. To make matters worse, powerful armadas from distant lands have joined the fray, blasting your ramparts and sending their best warriors ashore to destroy your realm. You must defend your lands at all costs. If you succeed, you can capture neighboring
Fantasy
Fantasy
23
Chromehounds
ChromehoundsWith dozens of parts to choose from, players are able to create their own giant mech. With a built in squad mechanic, Chromehounds' biggest draw was it's persistent online play.
Action
Fantasy
Historical
Science fiction
Action
Fantasy
Historical
Science fiction
137
6
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the PatriotsMetal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is the final canonical Metal Gear game to feature Solid Snake as the main character. The gameplay of the previous games have been kept along with some new features, such as the ability to roll on your back and also to hide in bins scattered around the environment. Most of the story and the relationship between the characters are explained through cut-scenes with a considerable length, so knowledge of the prior games is recommended to fully understand the story. The game also features a complex multiplayer mode entitled Metal Gear Online with some original missions based on the stealth aspects of the single-player games.
Action
Fantasy
Historical
Stealth
Survival
Action
Fantasy
Historical
Stealth
Survival
16 792
18
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North
The Lord of the Rings: War in the NorthThe Lord of the Rings: War in the North is a co-op Action RPG that immerses you and your friends in a brutal new chapter in the War of the Ring. Snowblind Studios is in the unique position of drawing inspiration from both the literary and film rights to world of Middle-earth, allowing players to bloody their axes on a wide range of deadly enemies and traverse both established and never-before-seen locations. The result is a journey that is both epic and intimate, familiar yet unexpected.
Open world
Action
Fantasy
Open world
Action
Fantasy
1 660
12
Rise of Industry 2
Rise of Industry 2Navigate the competitive industrial landscape of vibrant 1980's USA! Make strategic manufacturing decisions, optimize production chains, acquire technologies, and expand your global business network with key contacts. Opportunities await those savvy enough to capitalize on them!
15
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II
The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth IIWage war in the North and assume command of the most storied civilizations in all of Middle-earth history - the Elven and Dwarven armies - or fight on the side of Evil with heroes and creatures that have never been seen in The Lord of the Rings films. Defend or overtake never before seen lands such as Dol Guldur, The Misty Mountains, and Mirkwood as you unleash powerful new weapons and abilities, such as summoning dragons.
Fantasy
Warfare
Fantasy
Warfare
29 333
70
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Gold Edition
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Gold EditionRaven Shield: Command an elite multinational squad of special operatives against hidden terrorist forces. In Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield, the third installment to the wildly popular Rainbow Six series, Team Rainbow faces the hidden global forces of a new and secretive foe. Rainbow Six 3 Gold Download Features: - All-new eight-mission campaign in locations from Italy and Croatia to Greece. - Five new multiplayer levels (Chemical Factory, Ferry Boat, University, Italian Alleys, and Jungle). - Three new multiplayer game modes (Adversarial Terrorist Hunt, Adversarial Scattered Hunt, and Capture the Enemy). - Seven additional real-world weapons (for a total of 64) with sound effects from the team that worked on the blockbuster movie The Matrix.
Action
Stealth
Action
Stealth
33
Myth II: Soulblighter
Myth II: SoulblighterTake control of squads or individual units in order to accomplish tactically-challenging missions in the epic battle of the Forces of Light versus Dark.
Action
Fantasy
Action
Fantasy
8 452
14