Conquest for DOS: A Forgotten Flight of Feathers and Fury
Released in the mid-1980s, Conquest for DOS is one of those overlooked arcade-style gems that perfectly captures the charm and challenge of early PC gaming. Developed and published by Windmill Software in 1983, Conquest was part of a wave of early IBM PC titles that brought arcade action to the home computer — no small feat for machines better known for spreadsheets and text adventures.
At first glance, Conquest may remind players of the classic arcade hit Joust from Williams Electronics, and for good reason. The gameplay follows a similar formula: players control a bird-mounted knight who must defeat enemies by colliding with them while maintaining a higher altitude. The simple premise hides a surprising amount of depth, thanks to precise controls, gravity-driven physics, and increasingly aggressive enemy AI.
The DOS version of Conquest pushed early PC hardware to its limits. Like other Windmill Software releases (Digger, Rollo and the Brush Brothers), it used clever programming tricks to produce smooth animation and responsive controls on CGA graphics hardware. The game’s vivid brown and green color palette — typical of CGA’s limited options — gave Conquest its unique visual identity. Despite the simple graphics, the game’s fluidity and addictive challenge made it stand out among its contemporaries.
Gameplay was straightforward but intense. You guided your bird through a series of platforms, eliminating enemy riders by timing your jumps and flaps. Each level ramped up the difficulty with faster opponents and trickier terrain, demanding sharp reflexes and spatial awareness. Once you cleared a wave of enemies, the next round began with even more perilous odds.
Conquest also deserves recognition for its contribution to the early PC arcade scene. Before sound cards and EGA graphics, it proved that fast, fun, and competitive gameplay could exist on DOS systems. The controls were simple, but mastery required patience — a hallmark of the best arcade experiences of the era.
While Conquest never reached the fame of Joust or Digger, it remains a fascinating piece of PC gaming history. For retro gaming fans, it’s a reminder of an era when developers had to outsmart hardware limitations to deliver arcade thrills on home computers.
If you’re a DOS enthusiast or a collector of early PC action titles, Conquest is well worth a revisit. Its feathered battles and fierce duels are as challenging today as they were four decades ago — a true test of skill from the golden age of DOS gaming.
