| The Adventures of MicroMan Brian L. Goble, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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MicroMan was originally a playable demo to promote Brian Goble's Windows Animation Package. It featured a variety of mechanical enemies, three weapon upgrades, a super jump ability and a shield, transporters, and had 14 rooms and two bottomless pits. An entire game, The Adventures of MicroMan, soon followed. MicroMan was shrunk to micron size as part of an experiment, and is now trapped in a computer full of unfriendly robots. There are 49 rooms and three bottomless pits in the first adventure, and the game added springboards, invisible platforms, and new enemies. There are platforms that will only move when MicroMan is standing on them, and platforms that will only move when he isn't standing on them. Version 1.5 added background music and save points, improved the sound effects and allowed multiple sounds to play simultaneously, allowed MicroMan to have more shots on the screen at a time, made the animation even smoother, and made one particularly frustrating room much easier. Version 2.0 converted the game to Win32 and added joystick support, changed some sound effects, and made one of the rooms much easier. There are 2 adventures in this game, with only the first adventure playable in the shareware version. Adventure 1: Crazy Computers The Adventures of MicroMan v1.5 Shareware Episode (533k) I have found no ordering information for this game. Brian Goble's company, HipSoft, still sells a new Win32 game called MicroMan's Crazy Computers.
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| Adventures of Robbo Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 6 | DOS Freeware (former commercial) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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Adventures of Robbo is a fun little puzzle game by the creators of Heartlight PC. You guide Robbo through levels in which push objects but not pull them, and he can shoot at enemies or blow up bombs when he has enough battery power. He must collect all bolts in every level without being destroyed or blocking his access to the bolts or the exit, so planning is very important. Along with Heartlight PC and Electro Man, this game was part of the Epic Puzzle Pack, and was the only game not to be released as a shareware version. The original, unreleased shareware version has been lost, but programmer Maciej Miasik has generously recompiled it from the original source code. The full version features more levels and voice.
Developer xLand generously released this game as freeware under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 license on 25 June 2006.
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| Alien Carnage Apogee Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 7 | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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This game was originally called Halloween Harry, presumably because everyone on Earth has been turned into a zombie. Version 1.0 was an incomplete version that only appeared in a UK Magazine. Following version 1.2 version, the game was renamed Alien Carnage and the version number returned to 1.0. The only other difference is that Mission 3 became Mission 1, and vice versa. Despite this change, it is still legal to distribute the shareware version of Halloween Harry, so you can try out Mission 1 and 3 before you buy! You play Harry, and your goal is to defeat the aliens who are turning everyone into zombies, killing the zombies that get in your way. You get a number of weapons and a jetpack to fly around levels. Gameplay looks and feels a lot like Hocus Pocus. The graphics and animation are good (even sexy in places), and most of the soundtrack is awesome. There are 4 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Mission 1 - Sewers Complete version history:
John Passfield and Apogee generously released this game as freeware under the Alien Carnage Freeware License in May 2007.
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| Ancients Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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An RPG with a 3D, first-person perspective, much like the Moraff games, but without the benefit of a map. It has all the usual elements of an RPG: you can pick character types, develop your attributes, cast spells, fight monsters. Episodes are titled as though they are separate games, but the second episode is a continuation of the first, and Epic advertised them as episodes of the same game. There are 2 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Ancients I: The Deathwatch Ancients v2.0 Shareware Episode (486k) I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed at www.epicclassics.com. It can be ordered from Amazon: Ancients II
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| Ant Run Soleau Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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Ant Run takes place in a grid maze made up of segments that can be rotated. The segments can contain a straight path, a corner, or a crossing path. The ant enters the maze through a starting point inside the maze, and you have ten seconds before gameplay begins. The segments can be rotated during gameplay, but you have to ensure that the ant has a clear passage ahead of it at all times. Segments turn yellow as the ant passes through them, preventing it from using them again, except for the crossing paths. Holes at both ends of each column and row wrap around to the hole on the opposite side. A progress meter counts the distance the ant has moved until it resets at 20 inches. Once it resets, the unusable segments of the path will be reset the next time the ant goes through a hole, and one segment of the maze will disappear. A certain score must be achieved in each level in order to advance. A "Fast" button causes the ant to move more quickly and doubles your score for the distance traveled, but you can no longer slow down or alter the maze until the ant reaches a hole or crashes. As the levels get harder, multiple starting points appear at the beginning of the maze, and there's no way to know which one the ant will come out of. Some levels have an ending point which the ant must enter in order to advance to the next level. Suitable for gamers of all ages, the game also manages to be educational by listing trivia about ants before each level. There are an infinite number of levels in this game, with only the first 7 playable in the shareware version. Ant Run v3.0 Shareware (149k) Soleau Software still sells the registered version of this game for $12 by download only.
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| Arcy 2 MVP Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 3 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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Arcy 2 is a VGA puzzle game that might remind you a little of Kroz. You play a smiley face who must collect all of the keys in a level before you can leave. Each enemy moves in a specific way, so the puzzle is figuring out how to move through the level without getting killed. Some enemies will only move if you cross their path, some will kill you instantly, some move in straight lines and only turn left or right, and some will try to trap you. Rocks can be used to interpose something between yourself and your enemies, and sometimes must be used to destroy walls or barriers. The soundtrack gets old quickly (one stanza of "The Entertainer" plays in a loop forever), but the game is very challenging and should entertain anyone who is up to the challenge. There are 3 volumes in this game, with only the first volume playable in the shareware version. Arcy 2 Shareware Episode (440k) I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed on MVP's website.
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| Argo Checkers Software Creations (Impulse Software), 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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Argo Checkers is a VGA version of the ancient game known as Checkers or Draughts. Around the world, the game is played with different board sizes and capturing rules, but this version is played on an 8×8 board with the capturing rules commonly used in Britain and North America. That means that men can only capture forward, kings can capture in any direction, and men cannot continue capturing if they capture into the promotion row. Capturing is compulsory, and a piece can and must continue to capture if it is able to jump multiple pieces but, unlike some international variants, the player is not obligated to take the path that leads to the greatest number of captures. That is, if a piece can make two captures by jumping left, or three captures by jumping right, the player can choose which move to play. Black is supposed to go first, but in this game red goes first. The game is for two human players only. Registered users can play against Craniac, a powerful computer opponent. Argo Checkers v1.2 Shareware (531k) I have found no ordering information for this game.
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| Balloon Challenge Soleau Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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Basically the opposite of Bolo Ball, Balloon Challenge is a very clever puzzle game that pits you against the computer. Both sides have a row of 25 balloons at the bottom of the screen. When you let one go, it will rise until it hits something, or reaches the top of the screen. Arrows will cause the balloon to move left or right, but it also changes the direction of the arrow. Hurricanes will teleport the balloon somewhere else in the level. Airplanes will destroy the balloons, but they move one column every turn. The higher the balloon gets, the more points it scores, and there are also bonus points scattered throughout the level. There is some random chance involved but, for the most part, the key to winning is to make the best use of each turn. A wonderfully addictive little game, the registered version can be played against a human opponent in addition to the computer. Balloon Challenge v2.0 Shareware (108k) Soleau Software still sells the registered version of this game for $12 by download only.
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| Bio Menace Apogee Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 8 | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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An odd little platform game in which a mutant army created by Dr. Mangle has invaded Metro City. As Snake Logan, a CIA agent, you have to shoot everything that moves and rescue the citizens. Graphics and sound aren't great, but the irreverent dialog is humorous. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - Dr. Mangle's Lab Complete version history:
Apogee generously released this game as freeware under the Bio Menace Freeware License in December 2005.
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| Blake Stone: Aliens of Gold Apogee Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 6 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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Basically Wolfenstein 3D with aliens. Controls and gameplay are identical to Wolfenstein, as this game is clearly based on the same engine. You are Blake Stone and, well, you kill aliens and other bad guys. There are 6 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Mission 1: Star Institute Complete version history:
Apogee still sells the registered version of this game for $10 on floppy disk or registered download.
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| Block-man Soleau Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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Block-man is one of those refreshingly simple, yet incredibly challenging puzzle games. Block-man can move left and right, jump up one step, fall from any height, and pick up or drop blocks in his quest to reach the exit of each level. The PC speaker sounds and cut scenes can be a bit irritating, so you might want to play without sound. Other than the first few levels, this game will probably be too difficult for children, but it's lots of fun for adults. There are 17 levels in this game, with only the first 10 playable in the shareware version. Complete version history:Block-man v1.0 Shareware (95k)Soleau Software still sells the registered version of this game for $12 by download only.
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| Crusher Castle II Soleau Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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The sequel to Crusher, Crusher Castle II is an adventure game that takes place in a haunted mansion with 25 rooms arranged in a 5×5 grid. Each room is randomly generated at the beginning of each game, so the game is different every time. Each room is full of boxes, bags of gold, and ghosts. The ghosts come in three colors, indicating their speed. This time the unmovable blocks are gone, the rooms are bigger, there are more enemies in each room, and ghosts of different speeds can appear in the same room together. Bombs can be used to clear a path through the boxes. Instead of oxygen tanks, you need candles to help you escape. Candles are depleted with every step you take. Touching a ghost will cost you a life, but running out of candles will instantly end the game. The boxes can be pushed if there is nothing behind them, which allows you to create a protective barrier between yourself and the ghosts, or to trap them. You can crush a ghost by trapping it with boxes so that it can't move. Crushed ghosts disappear, and a candle will appear somewhere in the level. Every time you re-enter a room, all of the ghosts will return. After scoring 10,000 points, you can begin to work on your objectives, so that you can achieve your ultimate goal of escaping from the mansion. As you achieve each objective, one of the rooms will change to contain the next objective, so the entire mansion has to be searched for each one. The registered version allows you to save a game in progress. Crusher Castle II v2.2 Shareware (138k) Soleau Software still sells the registered version of this game for $12 by download only.
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| Dare to Dream Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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Dare to Dream is a point-and-click adventure that takes place inside the mind of a troubled ten year-old boy. Tyler Norris lost his father eight months ago, and his dreams have been haunted by someone named Christian. His concerned mother has taken him to a psychiatrist, and that's where the story begins. You must explore the world inside Tyler's mind, examining objects and solving puzzles to rescue Tyler from his own dreams. Dare to Dream features imaginative characters and locations, and the experience is enhanced by very nice musical scores throughout the game. There are 3 parts in this game, with only the first part playable in the shareware version. Part 1: In a Darkened Room Dare to Dream Shareware Episode (743k) I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed at www.epicclassics.com.
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| Doom id Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 9.5 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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Not sure if anyone has heard of this game before. It's based on the wildly popular Wolfenstein 3D, with virtually identical gameplay, and it went on to be one of the most recognized and groundbreaking series of all time! Originally a trilogy, a commercial release called Ultimate DOOM added a fourth episode. There are 4 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - Knee-deep in the Dead Doom v1.9 Shareware Episode (2394k) id Software still sells the registered version of this game for $25 as a registered download only.
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| Dotso Soleau Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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Based on Dots and Boxes, the traditional pencil and paper game, Dotso starts the game with a number of lines already randomly drawn on the board, and a few squares may already be completed, but not credited to either side. When taking a box, the computer will automatically draw the fourth line in any boxes that you can still complete. The computer can be played at three difficulty levels. The registered version allows a human opponent to play. Complete version history:Dotso v1.1 Shareware (112k)Dotso v1.0 Shareware (104k) Soleau Software still sells the registered version of this game for $12 by download only.
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| Duke Nukem II Apogee Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 8 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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The sequel to the popular original Duke Nukem game, with vastly superior graphics, sound and gameplay. Duke has been captured by aliens and needs to frag his way through alien worlds. There are 4 episodes in this game, creatively named Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, and Episode 4, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Complete version history:
Apogee still sells the registered version of this game for $10 on floppy disk or registered download.
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| Dungeons of Grimlor Tactical Neuronics, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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A simple adventure game with a huge emphasis on exploration. Using nothing but a bow and arrow, you battle monsters and locate treasures and keys by navigating from screen to screen through obvious exists, locked doors and secret passages. Your ultimate goal is to defeat a dragon named Grimlor. Your character can take a lot of damage, and his health is restored every 10,000 points, so the real challenge is finding your way through the endless dungeons. John Reder originally published The Dungeons of Grimlor under the name RederWare. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - The GEM of Souls Dungeons of Grimlor v1.1 Registered Version (897k) Tactical Neuronics generously released this game as freeware under The Dungeons of Grimlor Freeware License.
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| Epic Baseball Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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Not a baseball game, but a baseball simulation. You are the manager in a "fantasy league," responsible for choosing players and handling the management of a virtual baseball team. Epic Baseball v1.1 Shareware Episode (615k) I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed at www.epicclassics.com.
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| Epic Pinball Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 8 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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Simply one of the best DOS games ever. This pinball game has realistic graphics, sound, physics and gameplay. A shareware legend. Tables were organized into 3 packs of 4 tables each, and one table was exclusive to the registered CD-ROM. There are 13 tables in this game, with only the first table playable in the shareware version. Pack 1: Android, Pot of Gold, Excalibur, Crash and Burn Epic Pinball v2.1 Shareware Episode (844k) The registered version of this game is still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $29 on CD-ROM only.
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| General Budda's Labyrinth Tactical Neuronics, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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A very simple adventure in which you drive a tank through a maze filled with robot orbs. Your goal is to find your way out of the labyrinth, so the emphasis is exploration rather than combat. John Reder originally published General Budda's Labyrinth under the name RederWare. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - The Orbs of Destruction General Budda's Labyrinth v1.1 Registered Version (961k) Tactical Neuronics generously released this game as freeware under General Buddas Labyrinth Freeware License.
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| Goblins Quest 3 Sierra On-Line, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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In the third game in the legendary Goblins series, a single goblin named Blount sets out with no particular quest in mind, but eventually needs to rescue a damsel in distress. There are secondary playable characters in some levels, which allows for puzzles that require teamwork by controlling both characters simultaneously. You can still keep more than one object in your inventory at once, and there is no health bar. The only obvious improvement since Gobliins 2 is that some levels are larger than the screen, which can be scrolled with the mouse pointer. Only the first level is playable in the shareware version. Gobliiins Quest 3 v0.02 French Shareware Demo (1290k) I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed on Sierra's website.
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| Heartlight PC Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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Heartlight PC is a simple, but challenging puzzle game in which you must guide a dwarf through levels by collecting all of the hearts in a level. You can move up, down, left and right, in levels where hearts, rocks, bombs, and other objects are suspended in a field of grass. The challenge comes from properly using gravity to drop obstacles out of your path without trapping yourself or the hearts, or strategically dropping explosives to reach new areas. The are 60 levels in this game, with only the first 20 playable in the shareware version. Heartlight PC Creative Commons Registered Version (455k) Developer xLand generously released this game as freeware under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 license on 25 June 2006.
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| Hexxagon Software Creations (Impulse Software), 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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Hexxagon is based on the board and video game, Ataxx, which itself was based on a board game called Infection. The board and squares are now hexagonal, with three spaces missing in the center. Both players start with three pieces, and your goal is to fill the board with more pieces than your opponent. Every move, you have the option of "moving" one of your pieces one space in any direction, which causes it to replicate into the new space, or to move it two spaces, which causes it to leap to the new space without replicating. In either case, any adjacent enemy pieces are converted into friendly pieces (switch color). It's a very simple game to learn, but is as difficult to master as most other traditional board games. Users can play against another human or a computer opponent that has three difficulty levels. Registered users get Hexxagon II, which features a new board, new graphics and sounds, and a slighter harder computer opponent. Hexxagon v1.4 Shareware (608k) I have found no ordering information for this game.
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| Invasion of the Mutant Space Bats of Doom Pop Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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One of my favorite games. This is a strange variation on the shooter sub-genre that developed through Space Invaders to Galaxian to Galaga. Waves of weird-looking aliens arrive in formation and attack you. Your ship can move vertically as well as horizontally, which is a nice touch that was sadly missing in its predecessors. No more getting trapped by aliens that are sweeping left to right across the screen once they're too low to shoot. Various power-ups can be collected which make your ship a bit more powerful without feeling like gimmicks. Mini-games test your accuracy and contribute to an overall fun factor that's hard to find in games of any era. The graphics and sound are attractive and the gameplay is addictive. Originally published by Elven Software Company, the company changed their name to Pop Software by version 2. Version 3 includes a copy of DOSBox v0.63.
Pop Software still sells the registered version of this game with Return of the Mutant Space Bats of Doom for $24 by e-mail.
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| Jelly Bean Factory Summit Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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The Jelly Bean Factory is a superb Columns clone. Columns of three jelly beans fall from the ceiling, and their order can be rotated. Get three or more of the same color jelly bean, horizontally, vertically or diagonally, and they disappear. Special jelly beans will destroy all jelly beans of one color on the entire screen. Striped jelly beans can only be destroyed by the special jelly beans. The graphics, music and sound are excellent, and there are a number of difficulty levels and soundtracks. Gameplay stops after the completion of any level in the shareware version.
I have found no ordering information for this game.
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| Jetpack Adept Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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One of my all-time favorite games. Jetpack has similarities to Lode Runner, except that you control a character who has a jetpack that allows him to fly (when he has fuel), in addition to the ability to temporarily phase change bricks in order to trap enemies or move through walls, floors and ceilings. In every level various enemies try to kill you, and you must collect all of the green orbs and make it through the door to advance to the next stage. The levels and challenges are excellent, and make good use of stairs, barriers and different types of terrain. There is also an extremely good level editor, and hundreds of user-created levels can be found on fan sites throughout the internet. There are 100 levels in the game. Complete version history:Jetpack v1.5 Registered (484k)Jetpack v1.4 Shareware (337k) Jetpack v1.3 Shareware (441k) Jetpack v1.2 Shareware (299k) Jetpack v1.1 Shareware (299k) Jetpack v1.0 (Still searching) Author Adam Pedersen generously released Jetpack and Squarez Deluxe as freeware under the Jetpack and Squarez Deluxe Freeware License on 17 December 1998. They are both in the same zip file.
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| Jetpack Christmas Special! Adept Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (always) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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In this free promotional Christmas version of Jetpack, you play as Santa Claus! Instead of green orbs, you now need to collect all of the Christmas presents to move to the next level. Santa has a jetpack that allows him to fly (when he has fuel), and he can temporarily phase change bricks to trap enemies or move through walls, floors and ceilings. The levels and challenges are excellent, and make good use of stairs, barriers and different types of terrain. The Christmas edition still comes with a level editor, so you can make your own Christmas-themed levels. There are 10 levels in the game. Jetpack Christmas Special! Freeware (461k) This game has always been freeware.
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| Ken's Labyrinth Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 5.5 | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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The author calls this the first Wolfenstein 3D clone. Aliens from the planet Zogar, led by Ken, have abducted your dog, Sparky, and discovered dogs to be the most intelligent species in the universe. They've also abducted you and put you in a labyrinth that they use to test the strength and intelligence of different species. There are lots of weird aliens to shoot and a dog to save in this unusual first-person shooter. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - Search for Sparky Ken's Labyrinth v2.01 Registered (867k) Author Ken Silverman generously released this game under the Ken's Labyrinth Freeware License on 16 November 1999.
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| Major Stryker Apogee Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 6 | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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A great EGA shooter with a surprisingly good soundtrack and lots of firepower. Major Stryker must fly to three different planets to fight aliens which are threatening the Earth. He destroys alien space ships and rescues humans in beautifully layered, triple parallax scrolling EGA levels. Mission briefings are delivered by a beautiful woman who adds some rather tame sexual innuendo, but the game is still appropriate for children. Apogee's FAQ used to claim that versions 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 were never released to the public, but I was able to prove that v1.3 appeared on a number of shareware compilation CDs and set the record straight. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - Lava Planet Complete version history:
Apogee generously released this game as freeware under the Major Stryker Freeware License in March 2006.
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| Monster Bash Apogee Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 8 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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A Halloween-themed game with lots of animated blood and gore, by the standards of the time. You play a kid named Johnny Dash, and you need to rescue your dog, and many other cats and dogs, from a bunch of monsters using only a slingshot. Version 2.1 was also released as "Monster Bash Lite", which included only the first three levels to make it a smaller download. There are 3 episodes in this game, creatively named Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Complete version history:
Apogee still sells the registered version of this game for $10 on floppy disk or registered download.
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| Moraff's Dungeons of the Unforgiven MoraffWare, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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The final game in the legendary Moraff RPG series. As you would expect, the maps are larger, there are more levels, enemies, spells, weapons, armor, and better graphics than in the previous games. There are 5 modules in this game, named Module I to V, with only the first module playable in the shareware version.
Moraff still sells the registered version of this game through Software Diversions for $10 by registered download, or as part of Moraff's Dungeon Pack for $19 by download.
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| Numlo Soleau Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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Numlo is a Reversi game for three players, like Tribolo. Numlo differs from Tibolo by removing the unplayable squares, the size of the board is reduced to 12×12, and there are random point values scattered across the board which are added to each player's total. As in Reversi, players take turns placing a piece on the board, which must sandwich opponent's pieces between another of their own pieces, causing all of the pieces in between to switch to the capturing player's color. Players earn one point for each piece they have on the board. When capturing in Numlo, all of the pieces in the middle must belong to a single opponent. That means that blue must sandwich pieces belonging to red or green, but not both. In Reversi, capturing the corners and the edge of the board is a strong strategy, unless the center becomes cluttered with pieces from both sides, because it can capture whole rows or columns at a time. In Numlo this doesn't seem to be a good strategy, since there is bound to be at least one piece of each color between your own on a row or column of 12 squares, instead of the usual 8. Point values on the board must be considered in one's strategy, which reduces the value of memorizing "openings", much like Fischer Random Chess does for the traditional game of chess, to a greater extent. I suspect that, by playing moves that would be strong if there were no point values, you can capture enough territory to get a proportional share of the "bonus points". The registered version allows up to three humans to play. Complete version history:
Soleau Software still sells the registered version of this game for $12 by download only.
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| One Must Fall Diversions Entertainment, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 4 | DOS Freeware (always) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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Before releasing One Must Fall 2097, Diversions Entertainment released One Must Fall as freeware as a sort of public beta test. There is only one fighter, and you can only play against a human opponent. The characters look like low resolution photographs, reminiscent of Mortal Kombat. Fighters can punch, kick, throw fireballs, teleport, and shadow kick. There's not much to do, but it's a decent little fighter, and it's historically interesting for being an early version of One Must Fall 2097. Complete version history:
Diversions Entertainment released this game under a freeware license.
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| Pickle Wars MVP Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 9 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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A strange platformer in which the peaceful planet Arcadia has been invaded by aliens who look like pickles. You must guide both the hero and heroine as they find ancient weapons to fight off the invasion. The hero and heroine look surprisingly real, but the graphics and sound are otherwise not very impressive. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - Invasion of the Pickle People Pickle Wars Shareware Episode (1550k) MVP Software still sells the registered version of this game for $19.95 by mail or registered download.
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| Redhook's Revenge ImagiSOFT, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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Redhook's Revenge is a pirate-themed board game. Players roll a die and move their ship around the board. Some spaces require you to answer trivia questions, and the rewards will often include items that will help you during the game. Insurance, for instance, can be used to protect yourself from disasters. Most items, like ropes or cotton, only protect against specific disasters. Winning cannons will help you attack cities, or other players if you land on their square. The more cannons you have, the more dice you can roll. Perhaps not as practical as the trivia in most educational games, there is some interesting information about the age of pirates, and the game is infused with a sense of humor as well. The full version is now freeware, but it can't be distributed without permission, so you'll need to go to ImagiSOFT's website to download it.
ImagiSOFT has generously released this game as freeware, which can be download from their website.
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| Sango Fighter Accend, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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A Street Fighter clone, Sango Fighter is set in ancient China at the end of the Han Dynasty. Choose a general to fight enemy generals in detailed Chinese locales to restore peace to the empire. The graphics and sound are quite good and the scrolling is smooth for a DOS fighting game. There are 5 playable fighters in the registered version, with only 2 playable in the shareware version. Sango Fighter v1.1 Shareware (1005k) I have found no ordering information for this game.
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| SinkSub Anders Wihlborg (Wihlborg Entertainment), 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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SinkSub is a very simple game where you take control of a Swedish naval vessel and try to hit submarines with sinkbombs, while they try to hit you with floatbombs. It's just that simple! Originally distributed independently by Anders Wihlborg, it remained a part of their catalog after Wihlborg Entertainment came along. Only the first 8 levels are playable in the shareware version. SinkSub v1.1 Shareware (341k) Wihlborg Entertainment still sells SinkSub Pro v2.03, a Win32 version of this game, for $19.95 by download only.
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| SkyRoads BlueMoon Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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The sequel and remake of Kosmonaut, with vastly better graphics and excellent music. More of a driving game than a racing game, since there are no other cars. This challenging game requires you to make it to the end of interstellar highways without being destroyed by obstacles, or running out of gas or oxygen. Gravity varies by level. The game has an awesome soundtrack, the backgrounds are beautiful, and the levels are full of color. There are 30 roads in this game, with only the first 6 playable in the shareware version. SkyRoads Registered Version (580k) Bluemoon Interactive generously released this game as freeware under the Bluemoon Interactive Freeware License.
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| SkyRoads Xmas Special BlueMoon Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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An extremely challenging "Christmas version" of SkyRoads. Features identical gameplay but all new levels, many of which have Christmas-themed backgrounds. There are 30 roads in this game, with only the first 6 playable in the shareware version. SkyRoads Xmas Special Registered Version (587k) Bluemoon Interactive generously released this game as freeware under the Bluemoon Interactive Freeware License.
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| Skunny: Back to the Forest Copysoft, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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Skunny: Back to the Forest is a speedy sidescroller that attempts to be the PC version of Sonic the Hedgehog. You can play as either Skunny or Rosie, who seem to differ only in their gender. Rather than health, there is a time limit. Time is removed from the clock when you are hurt by enemies, and replaced when you eat food. Skunny and Rosie have no weapons and can only kill enemies by jumping on them. Your goal in each level is to find a nut that makes you invincible and allows you to fly and destroy everything in your path, landscape and all. Once invincible, you can defeat the evil toad in each level and save your friend. There are 10 episodes in this game, with only the first 2 episodes playable in the shareware version. Skunny: Back to the Forest v1.0 Shareware (570k) Copysoft still sells the full version of this game for $30.
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| Skunny: Desert Raid Copysoft, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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A sidescrolling shooter starring Skunny the squirrel. Desert Raid is so ridiculously difficult that no one in their right mind would play it. It's so awful that it's famous which, unfortunately, make it classic. In the most political and offensive game of the Skunny series, Desert Raid is based on the Gulf War. Skunny flies an airplane that has unlimited bullets and limited bombs and must defeat the evil Sadman Insane for possessing weapons of mass destruction. Skunny's plane can take several missiles and bullets, but is destroyed instantly if it touches a palm tree. Play it to appreciate how lucky we are to live in the modern gaming era and bask in it's awfulness. The registered version has more and longer levels. Skunny: Desert Raid v1.0 Shareware (499k) Copysoft still sells the full version of this game for $20.
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| Skunny: Lost in Space Copysoft, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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Based on the classic Moon Patrol game, Skunny drives a space buggy that fires two shots forward and upward simultaneously and can jump over holes. It's ridiculously hard and, along with Desert Raid, is one of the two games in the Skunny series that gives the series a bad name and puts people off of trying the others. The registered version has more and longer levels. Skunny: Lost in Space v1.0 Shareware (424k) Copysoft still sells the full version of this game for $20.
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| Skunny: Save Our Pizzas Copysoft, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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An evil chef has caused everyone in the world to forget how to make pizza and only a squirrel named Skunny can restore pizza to the world by going back in time to ancient Rome to recover the recipe and ingredients. I am not making this up. In this platformer, Skunny can jump on mindless Roman soldiers or blow them up with bombs, which apparently were plentiful at the time. There are 10 episodes in this game, with only the first 2 episodes playable in the shareware version. Skunny: Save Our Pizzas v1.1 Shareware (470k) Copysoft still sells the full version of this game for $30.
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| Slam! Robert Epps, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 10 | Win16 Freeware (former shareware) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||||
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After all these years, Slam! is still the best air hockey game I've ever played. The puck moves smoothly, the speed is intense, and the sound effects are perfect. This game just looks, sounds and feels like air hockey. The computer's skill can be adjusted to make the game challenging for any player. Even the colors can be customized. The game is first to 11 points, which is one of the few settings that can't be adjusted. Fun for all ages. Slam! v1.0 Freeware (44k) Author Robert Epps generously released this game as freeware on 5 February 2008.
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| Solar Winds Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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This is not a typical RPG. The game takes place in a far away galaxy, where humans live in a solar system orbiting a star called Enigma. You are Jake Stone, a notorious smuggler, and you have a cool space ship. It's an odd premise for an RPG, but a story unfolds as you talk to people throughout the solar system, and you have a lot of freedom in the decisions you make. You can do some things out of order, and decide whether to negotiate with people, or just kill them. The game goes on regardless of what decision you make. Defeating enemy space ships increases the energy available for you to allocate to your ship's attributes, such as shields and weapons, and you get new items to improve your ship as you progress. Other than a lack of swords, magic and dragons, this really is an RPG. The first episode is a little shorter than I expected, but otherwise I find it engrossing and original. There are 2 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. NOTE: Solar Winds v2.0 lists as v2.0 in the documentation by Tim Sweeney, but v1.1 in the configuration screen. Episode I: The Escape Solar Winds v2.0 Shareware Episode (499k) The registered version of this game is still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $25 on floppy disk only.
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| Space Chase Safari Software (Epic MegaGames), 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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The graphics, sound and engine should remind you a lot of Crystal Caves and Secret Agent in this simple EGA platformer. There's no map screen, though; this game is linear. In Space Chase you play Jason Chase, a former marine who can really jump. Your mission is to defeat the leaders of Evil Guys, Inc. Levels are full of jewels and other bonuses, as well as monsters and robots. Ammunition is limited, so it's sometimes wiser to avoid enemies rather than shoot everything that moves. The graphics and sound aren't the greatest, but they're better than some EGA games I've played, and the fun factor makes the game worth playing through. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1: City Under Siege Space Chase v2.02D Shareware Episode (410k) I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed at www.epicclassics.com.
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| Squarez Deluxe Adept Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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Squarez is a puzzle game in which blocks of various shapes can enter the screen from the bottom corner of the screen and can be rotated and placed anywhere, provided that they can be moved through the blocks that are already sitting in the playing field. The goal is to place the blocks so that squares of at least 3×3 are formed, which causes them to disappear. There are also special blocks, such as bombs, missiles, and goo, that can remove blocks or hinder your ability to move or place blocks. The game ends when you can no longer move pieces onto the playing field. Squarez Deluxe v1.5 Registered (484k) Author Adam Pedersen generously released Jetpack and Squarez Deluxe as freeware under the Jetpack and Squarez Deluxe Freeware License on 17 December 1998. They are both in the same zip file.
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| Three Point Basketball MVP Software, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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A humorous little game based on the three point shooting contest at the annual NBA All-Star Game. You use the mouse to control the power and angle of your shot as you shoot five balls from five positions before the time runs out. Five difficulty levels let you select how precise your shot needs to be, and the target can be moving or fixed. There is a practice mode and a tournament mode that up to four humans can play against the computer. A fun little diversion. Three Point Basketball Freeware (2718k)
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| Zone 66 Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 8 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||||
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Zone 66 is a 360° scrolling shooter that takes place two centuries in the future in a time when Earth is unified by single world government. Terrorism has been a problem, but now there have been nuclear attacks. You are a former member of the Global Security Agency and your city has been destroyed, and your wife and child with it. Defeat the terrorists and have your revenge. There are a number of aircraft to choose from, and you can choose what weapons you arm them with. You can return to the hangar during battle to repair and reload. The intro is a gritty anime sequence with a killer soundtrack (in SoundBlaster mode; cool and powerful in Ultrasound mode; rather tame in Adlib mode), and bits of the story are revealed after each level. There are 8 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - Foreign Shores Zone 66 v1.5 Shareware Episode (994k) I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed at www.epicclassics.com. It can be ordered from Amazon: Zone 66
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