Released in 1995 by Team17, Worms quickly became one of the most memorable turn-based strategy games of the DOS era. Instead of controlling tanks, soldiers, or spaceships, players commanded teams of cartoon worms armed with outrageous weapons and dark humor. The simple concept, mixed with surprisingly deep gameplay, helped make the game a classic on PC.
In Worms, players take turns moving a single worm across destructible 2D landscapes while attempting to eliminate enemy teams. Matches are played using a huge variety of weapons, including bazookas, grenades, shotguns, air strikes, and the famous exploding sheep. Every shot requires careful aim because wind strength, terrain shape, and timing all affect the outcome. A missed rocket could easily send your own worm flying into the water.
One of the game’s biggest strengths was its personality. The worms shouted funny voice lines, celebrated successful attacks, and panicked when explosives landed nearby. The cartoon visuals and exaggerated sound effects made the game entertaining even for people simply watching. Multiplayer was especially popular, with friends often taking turns on the same keyboard in hot-seat matches that could become surprisingly competitive.
The DOS version ran well on many mid-1990s PCs and became a staple of LAN parties and family computers. Despite its simple appearance, Worms demanded strategy, patience, and creativity. Players learned trick shots, grenade timing, and terrain tactics that could completely change a match.
Worms helped establish a long-running franchise that still exists today, but many fans consider the original DOS release one of the purest and most enjoyable entries in the series. Its blend of humor, chaos, and tactical gameplay remains timeless decades later.
Each game uses different controls, most DOS games use the keyboard arrows. Some will use the mouse.
