There are numerous classic DOS games that are fondly remembered by many, and some of these would run great on a retro laptop. Here are some fan favorites:
Doom
(1993)
Developed by id Software, Doom is often credited for being the pioneer of the first-person shooter genre. Its gameplay, graphics, and networked multiplayer gaming were revolutionary for its time.
Prince of Persia
(1990)
Known for its smooth animations and challenging gameplay, this platform game created by Jordan Mechner for Brøderbund left a lasting impact on the genre.
SimCity
(1989)
One of the first successful city-building games that introduced many players to the genre of simulation games. Designed by Will Wright, it was praised for its innovative gameplay.
Civilization
(1991)
This turn-based strategy game created by Sid Meier allows players to build and manage an entire civilization, from the dawn of agriculture through to the space age.
Wolfenstein 3D
(1992)
Another pioneer in the first-person shooter genre by id Software. Its fast-paced action and pseudo-3D graphics were groundbreaking at the time.
Commander Keen
(1990-1991)
A series of side-scrolling platform games developed by id Software. It was notable for its smooth scrolling graphics, which were technically impressive for the era.
Lemmings
(1991)
This unique and addictive puzzle game by DMA Design required the player to guide a group of lemmings through various obstacles to reach the level’s end.
The Oregon Trail
(1990)
A very popular educational game in many schools, where players take the role of a wagon leader guiding a group of settlers from Missouri to Oregon.
Monkey Island Series
(1990-1991)
These point-and-click adventure games are known for their humor and unique puzzles. They were developed by Lucasfilm Games (now LucasArts).
Ultima VII
(1992)
Widely considered one of the best in the Ultima series, this role-playing game from Richard Garriott was lauded for its deep storytelling and immersive world-building.
Remember that some of these games might require specific system requirements, and your mileage may vary depending on the specifics of your retro laptop. If you are having trouble running these games, you might want to consider using a DOS emulator such as DOSBox.