RGB Classic Games - VGA games

Published by Crack dot Com

Graphics: VGA 640×400×256c

One of the most innovative platform games ever, Abuse is a cult classic. Players move using the arrow keys on their keyboard, but aim their weapons using the mouse. This allows the hero to fire in 360°, even while running in the opposite direction. The story changed between versions, though the rest of the game is largely unchanged. In v1.05, the game takes place in 2021, and Nick Vrenna is a Unified Underground agent fighting against the Ants. In v2.0, Nick Vrenna is wrongly incarcerated in the year 2009. Genetic experiments that isolated the aggression gene, called Abuse, have caused everyone in the prison to transform into hideous monsters. Using battle armor, Nick must prevent the Abuse-infected water supply from contaminating the outside world. The graphics are dark and almost photo-realistic, and the sound effects and music are terrifying. Monsters scream as they ambush, and the entire game has the feel of a science fiction horror movie. There are a variety of weapons, and various switches, doors and elevators, breakable walls, hidden areas, and teleports are arranged as puzzles that must be solved in order to advance. The commercial version has 17 levels, 12 network-only levels, and more weapons, enemies, sound effects and artwork.

Downloads

Abuse v2.0 Shareware Episode (3055k) Play online
Abuse v1.05 Shareware Episode (2296k)
Source code for Abuse in C (2467k)

Availability

Crack dot Com has generously released this game as freeware.

Adventure Math 1992

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Educational

Developed by Epic MegaGames

Published by Epic MegaGames

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Adventure Math has easily the best graphics and sound of any DOS math game I've ever seen. Wave synthesis even produces a voice that says the numbers as you type them. In the normal game, you answer math questions in a form where one of the numbers from the question and the answer are provided, and you have to provide the other number, such as "5 + ? = 8" instead of the usual "5 + 3 = ?" format. Answer enough questions correctly and you can play a bonus level, in which you have a space ship at the bottom of the screen, a math problem to solve, and three answers at the top of the screen. Objects are bouncing around on the screen, so you have to shoot the correct answer and avoid being destroyed by the bouncing objects. There are 10 difficulty levels, designed to engage children between Grades 1 and 5. Unlike Mather, this game will not provide a challenge for adults. The shareware version includes only addition and subtraction questions, the registered "Deluxe" version adds multiplication, division, and a timer, which are really the only things missing from this program.

Downloads

Complete version history:

Adventure Math v2.0 Shareware (373k)		22 September 1993
Adventure Math v1.0 Shareware (390k)		25 September 1992

Availability

The registered version of this game is still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $12 on floppy disk.

Alien Carnage 1993

User rating: 7

DOS Shareware-turned-freeware

Platform

Developed by Interactive Binary Illusions, SubZero Software

Published by Apogee Software

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

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
Mission 2 - Factory
Mission 3 - Office Block
Mission 4 - Alien Ship

Downloads

Complete version history:

Alien Carnage v1.0 Registered Version (2775k)		2 November 1994
Alien Carnage v1.0 Shareware Episode (1696k)		2 November 1994
Halloween Harry v1.2 Shareware Episode (1268k)		7 November 1993
Halloween Harry v1.1 Shareware Episode (1246k)		10 October 1993

Availability

John Passfield and Apogee generously released this game as freeware under the Alien Carnage Freeware License in May 2007.

Alone in the Dark 1992

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Adventure

Developed by I-Motion, Infogrames

Published by Interplay

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

The first in Infogrames' series of 3D action horror adventure games. Jeremy Hartwood has hanged himself in a mansion called Derceto, and you must play either his niece or a private investigator and search the mansion to solve the mystery of Hartwood's suicide. Filled with puzzles and supernatural monsters, the hero must solve puzzles and sometimes use weapons to explore and survive the mansion. One of the first truly 3D games for the PC, Alone in the Dark uses polygonal characters and multiple camera angles to create a realistic and immersive world. Two demos were released, the first of which ends when the hero leaves the attic. A later demo added an attract mode with screenshots from the full version, but the demo doesn't end when you try to leave the attic — you're just stuck up there! Only the first stage is playable in the shareware demo.

Downloads

Alone in the Dark Shareware Demo with attract mode (1219k)		15 January 1993	Play online
Alone in the Dark Shareware Demo (715k)		24 September 1992

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Alone in the Dark 2 1993

User rating: 10

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Adventure

Developed by Infogrames

Published by Infogrames

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

The second in Infogrames' series of 3D action horror adventure games. Little Grace Saunders has been kidnapped, and you play Edward Carnby (from the first game), trying to save her. The mansion is full of undead ghosts and zombies, and you pretty much have to fight your way through the whole game. The demo starts you out in the hedge maze, unarmed, so it's important to kill the first zombie and grab his weapon. All of the zombies can be killed with your bare hands, but it takes longer, which is important because the demo ends when one of three things happens: you get killed, you take more than a few minutes playing, or you rescue Grace by finding her, her satchel, and her teddy bear. It's a bit disappointing that you can run out of time, especially since there is no clock or countdown. Only the hedge maze is playable in the shareware demo.

Downloads

Alone in the Dark 2 Shareware Demo (1309k)

2 October 1993

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Amazing Learning Games With Rayman 1996

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Educational

Developed by Ubi Soft Entertainment

Published by Ubi Soft Entertainment

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Amazing Learning Games With Rayman was released as Rayman Junior in the United Kingdom, and re-released as Rayman Learning Centre in 1999. The game looks and plays exactly like the original Rayman game, except that the difficulty level has been reduced and the game is designed to be educational. Rayman can still punch enemies, grab onto ledges and use his helicopter hair. The game asks questions and Rayman has to choose which route to take. For instance, Rayman might be told to look for things that you find in the home, or given a math equation to solve. If he takes the route associated with the incorrect answer, he is killed instantly! There are still power-ups and Tings and everything you would expect in a Rayman game. Be sure to go into DEMO\RAYEDU and run SNDDEMO.BAT or you won't be able to hear the voice instructions! Only the first two levels are playable in the shareware version.

Downloads

Amazing Learning Games With Rayman Rayman Edutainment v1.01 Demo (4974k)

18 November 1996

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Arcy 2 1994

User rating: 3

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Puzzle

Developed by CAPS Softwaredesign ULM

Published by MVP Software

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

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.

Downloads

Arcy 2 Shareware Episode (440k)

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed on MVP's website.

Argo Checkers 1993

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Traditional

Developed by Argo Games

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

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.

Downloads

Argo Checkers v1.2 Shareware (531k)

25 October 1993

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Astro3D 1997

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

3D Shooter

Developed by Jarrod Davis Software

Published by Jarrod Davis Software, Xtreme Games LLC

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Sometimes described as Asteroids on steroids, Astro3D is a 3D space shooter in which your job is to clear a field of debris from a massive three-dimensional space. Far more challenging than just shooting rocks, the debris field is full of alien ships and mines, and you are constantly in combat fighting for your life. You have an unlimited number of photon cannon shots, two nuke blasts to destroy everything within a large radius, seeker torpedoes that locks onto a target, and there are also cluster bombs in the registered version. Power-ups left behind can replenish your weapons and shields. Originally published by the developer, there was a second release listing the new publisher in the documents only, followed by a recompiled version that listed the publisher in-game and has a Win16 installer. Otherwise all versions are identical. There are 12 levels in this game, with only the first 3 playable in the shareware version.

Downloads

Astro3D v1.00 Xtreme Games Release Shareware (2360k)		31 January 1998
Astro3D v1.00 Xtreme Games Documentation Shareware (2360k)		17 January 1998
Astro3D v1.00 Shareware (2305k)		14 October 1997

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

AstroFire 1994

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Shooter

Developed by ORT Software

Published by ORT Software

Graphics: VGA 320×240×256c

Another one of those extremely simple but addictively fun games. Your ship is in a single-screen wraparound environment full of asteroids, but there are waves of aliens flying onto the screen in formation. Kind of a mix between Asteroids and Galaga. Graphics and sound are quite good, and there's even voice. Versions 3.0 and above have Win32-only installers but are still DOS games. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1 - Into The Storm
Episode 2 - Whirlpool of Death
Episode 3 - Heart of the Fire

Downloads

Complete version history:

AstroFire v3.06 Shareware Episode (914k)	29 March 2004
AstroFire v3.05 Shareware Episode (924k)	26 February 2001
AstroFire v3.04 Shareware Episode (921k)	1 November 2000
AstroFire v3.03 Shareware Episode (Still searching)	12 April 2000
AstroFire v3.02 Shareware Episode (Still searching)	23 March 2000
AstroFire v3.01 Shareware Episode (Still searching)	22 December 1999
AstroFire v3.0 Shareware Episode (Still searching)	16 December 1999
AstroFire v2.01 Shareware Episode (Still searching)	21 June 1999
AstroFire v2.0 Shareware Episode (611k)	1 October 1997
AstroFire v1.1 Shareware Episode (307k)	24 May 1994	Play online
AstroFire v1.0 Shareware Episode (307k)	29 April 1994

Availability

ORT Software still sells the registered version of this game for $24.95 on CD-ROM or for $14.95 by download.

Atomic Tetris 1991

User rating: No rating

DOS Freeware (always)

Puzzle

Developed by Jared Tarbell

Published by Jared Tarbell

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Atomic Tetris is a two-player competitive game of Tetris. Features the same graphics as VGATetris, and the same lack of music and minimal sound effects. Two players play Tetris at the same time, while special blocks occasionally appear on the screen. Eliminating those blocks can do things like add lines to the bottom of your opponent's screen, reverse his controls, or speed up or slow down the game. Unlike some other Tetris battle games, removing two or more lines from your own screen doesn't add to your opponent's screen, and the special blocks are random, so there is a bit more luck in this game than others. Still, a bit of luck can shake things up a bit if one player would otherwise always beat the other.

Downloads

Atomic Tetris v1.1 Freeware (35k)

17 May 1991

Availability

This game was originally released under a freeware license.

Boppin' 1994

User rating: 7

DOS Shareware-turned-freeware

Puzzle

Developed by Accursed Toys

Published by Apogee Software

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Boppin' is an original puzzle game which takes place in a pocket universe created by an arcade machine. The villains from other games have been captured by a hero named Hunnybunz, putting all of the heroes out of work. Your job is to free the villains and defeat the good Hunnybunz. You clear levels by moving one of the "heroes", Yeet and Boik, and having him throw a block at one or more connected matching blocks, which destroys the entire set. If the block hits a group of blocks so that it creates a square or cross, a monster is released, earning bonus points. Each character has a "miss counter" which is reduced every time you miss a shot. If the game gives you a piece that you can't use at the moment, you can discard it at a cost of 20 points. If you don't have 20 points, it costs you a miss. Your character commits suicide if he runs out of misses, which can be censored in version 1.0 and is censored by default in 1.1. The game claims to be only for adults but, other than the suicide animations, it's fun for all ages. Each episode has 40 levels, for a total of 160 episodes (the final episode is for custom levels). There are 5 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1 - Bothersome Hunnybunz!
Episode 2 - Significant Other of Hunnybunz!
Episode 3 - Love Child of Hunnybunz!
Episode 4 - Hunnybunz Defrocked!
Episode 5 - Aleph-Zero Hunnybunz!

Downloads

Complete version history:

Boppin' v1.1 Registered Version (1457k)	9 December 1994	Play online
Boppin' v1.1 Shareware Episode (1309k)	9 December 1994
Boppin' v1.0 Registered Version (1350k)	15 November 1994
Boppin' v1.0 Shareware Episode (1264k)	15 November 1994

Availability

Developer Accursed Toys has generously released this game as freeware. Boppin' v2.03, a Win32 port of the game, is available as a free download at the official home of Boppin'.

Brix 1991

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Puzzle

Developed by Epic MegaGames, Radiesel

Published by Epic MegaGames, Radiesel

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

A nearly identical clone of Puzznic, right down to the appearance of the pieces and brick backgrounds. Brix is a challenging and entertaining puzzle game in which you push blocks around the levels and to try get them beside identical blocks to eliminate them. Two or more of the same block will eliminate each other, and all must be eliminated to finish each level. Pushing the pieces will require you to think about how to make a path for them, how to eliminate them in the right order, and how to use gravity and elevators to your advantage while avoiding obstacles like lasers. Author Michael Riedel distributed v1.0, with 112 levels, under the developer name "Radiesel", and the documentation declares the game public domain. Version 2.0 added content developed by Epic MegaGames, adding a soundtrack, backgrounds, animation, and other bells and whistles. Many of the levels are recycled, but there a number of new levels with new gameplay elements like barriers that slowly break when a block is on top of them, levels where gravity reverses every time an hourglass runs out of sand, teleporters, and two kinds of acid: one which destroys blocks and counts as elimination, and one that destroys blocks and prevents you from completing the level. Registering the game gives you Brix 2 Deluxe, which adds 112 new levels and a level editor.

Downloads

Brix v2.0 Shareware Episode (312k)		1992	Play online
Brix v1.0 Public Domain (32k)		October 1991

Availability

The registered version of this game is still sold with Brix 2 Deluxe through www.epicclassics.com for $14 on floppy disk.

Cargo Bay 1995

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Puzzle

Developed by Cytherean Adventures

Published by MVP Software

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Cargo Bay is a Sokoban clone that takes place on space station Altair-217. Five alien races have agreed to peaceful coexistence, but terrorists have placed iradium explosives in the cargo bays in order to destroy that peace. You must push all of the crates of explosives onto designated squares in order to clear the level. Instead of keeping track of how much time you've used, a timer ticks down to detonation, forcing you to complete the level within the time limit. A good soundtrack, VGA graphics and voice acting make this one of the more attractive Sokoban games for DOS. There are 60 levels in this game, with only the first 20 playable in the shareware version.

Downloads

Cargo Bay Shareware Episode (797k) Play online

Availability

MVP Software no longer sells this game.

Catch, If You Can! 1992

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (full version)

Sports

Developed by Colin Buckley

Published by Colin Buckley

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

This game is about as simple as it gets: you're an outfielder and you have to catch fly balls by moving left or right. Features voice and VGA graphics. There's not a lot to do in this game, but sometimes that's good when you just want to relieve your boredom for a few minutes. The registered version eliminates two delay screens.

Downloads

Catch, If You Can! v1.00 Shareware (98k)

22 December 1992

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Chaos Engine, The 1995

User rating: 8

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Shooter

Developed by The Bitmap Brothers

Published by Renegade Software

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Originally an Amiga game, The Chaos Engine was eventually ported to DOS. Playing cooperatively with a computer or human partner, two guys with guns shoot everything that moves in this overhead view shooter set in Victorian era England. A genre known as "steampunk", the premise is that a scientist in the era of steam engines and the age of rapid advancement of science and technology creates a device called the Chaos Engine, which quickly fills the world with monsters and robots. Both characters start with very little health in the demo, which makes it difficult to play for very long. Only the first level is playable in the shareware version.

Downloads

The Chaos Engine Shareware Demo (518k)

Availability

The Bitmap Brothers no longer sell this game. It can be purchased from Amazon: The Chaos Engine.

Charlie II 2001

User rating: 8.5

DOS Win9x Shareware (partial game)

Platform

Developed by Wiering Software

Published by Wiering Software

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Charlie II is a nice improvement over the original, Charlie the Duck. Every level is full of hidden and secret areas, and the challenge is to find them in order to collect coins and diamonds. Charlie can't leave the level until he has found enough coins, which is determined by the difficulty setting. There are also hidden levels to unlock. The game looks better and has more types of enemies than the original, and Charlie can now enter some areas by diving in the water. Starting with version 2.0, each version includes both a DOS version and a Win9x version that takes advantage of DirectX, adding Scale2x image smoothing, as well as background music and realistic quacking. Both versions are in the same archive. There are 18 levels in this game, with only the first 6 levels playable in the shareware version. There is also an expansion pack that adds 18 additional levels to the registered version.

Downloads

Charlie II v3.11 Shareware (1777k)	31 January 2008	DOS, Win9x
Charlie II v3.10 for Win9x and v3.01 for DOS Shareware (1734k)	27 December 2006	DOS, Win9x
Charlie II v3.00 Shareware (1588k)	24 October 2006	DOS, Win9x
Charlie II v2.07 Shareware (Still searching)	9 February 2006	DOS, Win9x
Charlie II v2.06 for Win9x and v2.05 for DOS Shareware (1506k)	2 March 2005	DOS, Win9x
Charlie II v2.05 Shareware (1220k)	23 December 2003	DOS, Win9x
Charlie II v2.04 Shareware (1216k)	23 November 2003	DOS, Win9x
Charlie II v2.03 Shareware (932k)	2 February 2003	DOS, Win9x
Charlie II v2.02 Shareware (Still searching)	14 January 2003
Charlie II v2.01 Shareware (Still searching)	30 December 2002
Charlie II v2.0 Shareware (Still searching)	18 December 2002
Charlie II v1.02 Shareware (Still searching)	18 February 2002
Charlie II v1.01 Shareware (Still searching)	19 November 2001
Charlie II v1.0 Shareware (Still searching)	1 November 2001

Availability

Wiering Software still sells the registered version of this game for $15 by download.

Charlie the Duck 1996

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Platform

Developed by Wiering Software

Published by Wiering Software

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Charlie the Duck is a beautifully animated sidescroller designed to be appropriate for gamers of all ages. Charlie can bounce on his enemies; jump, but not fly; and wade in the water, but not dive or swim. The boss of the first level is a giant fish that spits fireballs and is protected by two smaller, invincible fish. You have to jump directly onto its eyes five times to defeat it. After studying the demo video, I was able to beat the level after a few dozen attempts, but it's unlikely that any child born of human parents can beat this level, so just tell your kids that they've won when they get that far. There are 3 worlds in this game, with only the first world playable in the shareware version.

Downloads

Charlie the Duck v2.4 Shareware Episode (391k)		24 January 2004
Charlie the Duck v2.3 Shareware Episode (404k)		2 August 2002
Charlie the Duck v2.2 Shareware Episode (339k)		12 July 2001
Charlie the Duck v2.1 Shareware Episode (Still searching)		1 June 2001
Charlie the Duck v2.0 Shareware Episode (Still searching)
Charlie the Duck v1.9 Shareware Episode (265k)		14 August 2000

Availability

Wiering Software still sells the registered version of this game for $7.50 by download.

Color Wizard, The 1994

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware-turned-freeware

Educational

Developed by ImagiSOFT

Published by ImagiSOFT

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

At first glance, The Color Wizard appears to be just a coloring book for children. Actually, it's an advanced drawing program and tutorial. The Color Wizard makes it easy to apply shading, and uses dithering to simulate 700 colors. If you click on the Artist button, the artist teaches you drawing techniques, such as shading and the effect of light on objects, and reflections. The Book button gives information about the subject of the drawing, such as dinosaurs and sharks. It's educational and fun. There are 40 pictures in this game, with only 8 available in the shareware version. 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.

Downloads

The Color Wizard v1.2 Shareware (665k)		1 April 1995	Play online
The Color Wizard v1.0 Shareware (619k)		1 April 1994

Availability

ImagiSOFT has generously released this game as freeware, which can be downloaded from their website.

Command & Conquer 1995

User rating: 8

DOS Freeware (former commercial)

RTS

Developed by Westwood Studios (Virgin Interactive)

Published by Virgin Interactive

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Command & Conquer is the first game in one of the most popular real-time strategy series of all time. Two factions, the Global Defense Initiative and the Brotherhood of Nod, fight to control an extraterrestrial element called Tiberium. You choose one side to command, build factories to process Tiberium, and build vehicles and weapons to destroy the enemy. The levels are imaginatively designed, and there is a great variety of vehicles and attacks at your disposal. Developed by Westwood Studios, a Virgin Interactive company since 1992. There are only 3 levels in the shareware demo, all of them GDI levels. In order, they are levels 1, 10 and 6.

Downloads

Command & Conquer Shareware Demo v1.0a (9149k)

Availability

Copyright holder Electronic Arts generously declared Command & Conquer Gold, a Windows 95 version of this game with a Windows XP patch, freeware on 31 August 2007.

Cool Spot 1994

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Platform

Developed by Virgin Interactive

Published by Virgin Interactive

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Despite being an advertisement for 7 Up, this platform game about Cool Spot's quest to collect 7 Up spots is really good, winning fans and even awards for its music. Cool Spot can shoot soda bubbles in eight directions, and can jump and grab onto things like balloons. The game features challenging gameplay and smooth graphics. Cool Spot searches for spots in a number of beach levels, and can rescue a Cool Spot who is locked in a cage when he collects enough spots, which depends on the difficulty level. If he collects enough spots, he can go to a bonus level. A time limit prevents you from taking forever to find all 100 spots in each level. Virtually identical to console versions of the game. Only the first level is playable in the shareware demo.

Downloads

Cool Spot Shareware Demo (409k)

Availability

Virgin Games no longer sells this game.

Crazy Eights 1992

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware-turned-freeware

Traditional

Developed by Moonlite Software

Published by Moonlite Software

Graphics: VGA 640×480×16c

This is about as good a Crazy Eights game as you could expect from DOS. You can configure whether or not the "miss a turn", "pick up cards", and "change suits" rules are in effect and which cards trigger them, and what score wins the match. Only one player can play against the computer, who plays a decent game. There is no feature to organize the cards in your hand, though your cards do nicely overlap when you get too many of them. The shareware version includes a non-playable copy of Cribbage, which was free with the registered version of Crazy Eights. Both are now freeware, but I have only located the shareware version so far.

Downloads

Crazy Eights v1.0 Shareware Version (108k)

15 October 1992

Availability

Moonlite Software has generously released this game as freeware.

Detroit 1994

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Simulation

Developed by Impressions Games

Published by Sierra On-Line

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Detroit is a business simulation game where you control every aspect of an automobile company. You design cars and trucks, build factories, choose where and how much to advertise, fund research and development of new parts, and control production, all while competing against three other car companies. You can take out a loan or put money in a savings account. Despite the large number of things that you have to control, this game is surprisingly addictive and a classic of the genre. The shareware demo isn't appear to be crippled in any way, except that you can only play for 60 months, which should take several hours.

Downloads

Detroit Shareware Demo (1462k)

31 May 1994

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Disney's Aladdin 1994

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Platform

Developed by Virgin Interactive

Published by Virgin Interactive

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Based on the Disney animated movie, Aladdin must escape capture in the marketplace and, ultimately, defeat the wizard Jafar to save the kingdom. The animation is extremely smooth and looks very much like the movie. Aladdin can throw apples and fight with a scimitar, as well as jump and climbing. There are save points within levels so that Aladdin doesn't have to start the level from the beginning if he is defeated. The game is virtually identical to the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive game from which it was ported. Among the impressive music and voice acting in this game is a vocal rendition of "A Whole New World" at the title screen. There are 10 levels in this game, with only the first level playable in the shareware demo.

Downloads

Disney's Aladdin Shareware Demo (1336k)

Availability

Virgin Games no longer sells this game.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast 1993

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Puzzle

Developed by The Walt Disney Company

Published by The Walt Disney Company

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Based on the Disney animated movie, Beauty and the Beast is a puzzle game for younger gamers. Your goal is to assist the enchanted the objects in Beast's castle so that Belle can fall in love with him at the ball. To assist in tasks like cooking, you can click on objects to solve puzzles. The game features digital versions of songs from the movie, but no has no voice acting. There are 7 levels in this game, with only the first level playable in the shareware demo.

Downloads

Disney's Beauty and the Beast Shareware Demo (648k)

Availability

The Walt Disney Company no longer sells this game.

Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II 1995

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Traditional

Developed by Arcanum Computing

Published by Arcanum Computing

Graphics: VGA 640×480×16c SVGA 640×480×256c

An enhanced version of Arcanum's original Mahjong solitaire game. The game calls itself as "Dragons Bane" everywhere except for one instance of "Dragon's Bane" on the title screen. Mah Jongg II upgrades Mah Jongg's EGA graphics to VGA and SVGA, and adds animation and sound effects when pairs of tiles are removed. You can also choose from a number of backgrounds, board layouts and tile sets. The bells and whistles can be turned off if you prefer a more meditative experience. The game also tells you when you run out of moves by default and includes a timer. The registered version includes additional tile sets and layouts.

Downloads

Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II v1.2 Shareware (937k)		27 March 1996
Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II v1.1 Shareware (933k)		22 September 1995
Dragons Bane: Mah Jongg II v1.0 Shareware (938k)		1 June 1995

Availability

Arcanum Computing still sells the registered version of this game for $16 on floppy disk only

Duel 2000 1991

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware-turned-freeware

Shooter

Developed by Damon Hastings

Published by Damon Hastings

Graphics: VGA 640×480×16c

A neat little star battle game from the days when you could write a game in computer class and have it distributed by BBS and shareware compilation CD-ROMs. The game can be played by two humans or against the computer. The premise is simple: two space ships try to destroy each other by firing bullets. A planet in the center of the screen has gravity which attracts both of the ships and their bullets. Many options can be configured, such as bouncing off of the planet instead of being destroyed if you crash into it, and changing the walls from wraparound to bouncy. Using the planet's gravity to arc a bullet towards your enemy on the other side, or getting bullets into orbit are interesting applications of the game's physics. Using thrusters and fire shots cause the engine to heat up, and it will become useless if it overheats. Three random power-ups can appear: the Cool Box cools your engine, the Hot Box heats up your opponent's engine, and The Happy Reaper sends Death to destroy your opponent. The author released a new version in 2006 with his new contact information hex-edited into the exit screen, declaring it freeware with no restrictions.

Downloads

Duel 2000 v1.0 (updated email) Freeware (43k)		26 July 2006	Play online
Duel 2000 v1.0 Freeware (44k)		22 February 1993

Availability

Author Damon Hastings generously released this game as freeware on 26 July 2006.

Duke Nukem II 1993

User rating: 9

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Platform

Developed by Apogee Software

Published by Apogee Software

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

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. This time Duke can fire up and down, and can also scroll the screen up and down. The intro features beautiful 256 color VGA graphics, but the game reverts to 16 color graphics once the game starts. Still, the graphics are so good that it's hard to believe that you're only seeing 16 colors. 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.

Downloads

Complete version history:

Duke Nukem II v1.0 Shareware Episode (1119k)

3 December 1993

Availability

Apogee still sells the registered version of this game for $5.99 by download.

Electranoid 1994

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Paddle

Developed by Pixel Painters

Published by Pixel Painters

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Electranoid is like an enhanced version of Arkanoid. There are one-hit, multi-hit and unbreakable bricks, and the usual assortment of power-ups, such as being able to catch the ball, split the ball in three, or fire lasers, as well as missiles which can destroy an entire column of bricks. What makes Electranoid unique is that there are two kinds of enemies that dramatically alter the gameplay. Menacers come in six varieties, and release balls of their own. Those balls each have a different effect, such as making the paddle hard to see, turning regular bricks into multi-hit bricks, or turning them into bricks that can only be destroyed with the ball from a red Menacer. You can keep Menacer balls in play, but if you drop your regular ball, you lose a life. There are also four kinds of Destroyers, who release balls that will destroy your paddle. There are 100 levels in the registered version.

Downloads

Electranoid v1.11s Shareware Episode (189k)	1 July 1995	Play online
Electranoid v1.10s Shareware Episode (187k)	15 January 1995
Electranoid v1.03s Shareware Episode (181k)	1 November 1994
Electranoid v1.02s Shareware Episode (138k)	1994
Electranoid v1.01s Shareware Episode (138k)	14 May 1994
Electranoid v1.0s Shareware Episode (150k)	2 May 1994

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Epic Baseball 1993

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Sports

Developed by MicroLeague Interactive Software

Published by Epic MegaGames

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Originally commercial software, Epic released the game as shareware in 1993. Epic Baseball is not so much a baseball game as a baseball simulation. You are the manager in a "fantasy league," responsible for choosing players and handling the management of a virtual baseball team. You can tell the pitcher how to pitch and when to intentionally walk players, and then watch what happens as the computer plays both teams. Sometimes black and white video clips pop up during play, and there is voice acting. Only Exhibition Play is available in the shareware version, while the registered version adds League Play and advanced options.

Downloads

Epic Baseball v1.1 Shareware Episode (607k)

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed at www.epicclassics.com.

Epic Pinball 1993

User rating: 8

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Pinball

Developed by Epic MegaGames

Published by Epic MegaGames

Graphics: VGA 320×240×256c

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
Pack 2: Magic, Jungle Pinball, Deep Sea, Enigma
Pack 3: Cyborgirl, Pangaea, Space Journey, Toy Factory
CD-ROM exclusive: African Safari

Downloads

Epic Pinball v2.1 Shareware Episode (844k) Play online
Epic Pinball v2.0 Shareware Episode (826k)
Epic Pinball v1.1 Shareware Episode (757k)

Availability

The registered version of this game is still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $29 on CD-ROM.

Fuzzy's World of Miniature Space Golf 1995

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Sports

Developed by Pixel Painters

Published by Pixel Painters

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Fuzzy's is a miniature golf game with beautiful graphics, a lively soundtrack, and whimsically creative holes. Many holes are broken into two or three stages. Instead of trying to see how low a score you can achieve, your goal is to actually complete the course! The scoring system is cumulative: each hole has a par, which is the number of strokes you get to complete the hole, and any remaining strokes are carried over to the next hole. It's fair to reward the player for being under par, but one problem with this approach is that it penalizes bad play on any hole. If you have a bad start, you may not be able to recover. When you run out of strokes, the game ends. You can't save your game, and there are no level codes. It's quite possible to carry 10 extra strokes throughout the first 9 holes, so the par in later holes starts to becomes unreasonable. For instance, Hole 14 is a two-stage par 5 but, with conservative play, the minimum number of strokes required to complete the hole is 7, and it's unreasonable to expect anyone to complete the hole in less than 8 to 10 strokes. The shareware version is a sample of the holes in the registered version (1=1, 2=5, 3=9, 4=11, 5=14, 6=15), but that doesn't leave time to carry enough bonus strokes into the back nine. Having played hundreds of rounds, I am confident that, with perfect play, it's impossible to get past Hole 6 in the shareware version. There are 18 holes in this game, with an unknown number playable in the shareware version.

Downloads

Fuzzy's World of Miniature Space Golf v1.00s Shareware (2030k)

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Galacta 1992

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Shooter

Developed by Albino Frog Software

Published by Albino Frog Software

Graphics: CGA 320×200×4c EGA 320×200×16c VGA 320×200×256c

A ridiculously hard shooter, but more than just a Galaga clone. Hostile aliens have destroyed Pluto, Neptune and Uranus, as well as the defense force that was sent to engage them. This game is so difficult that you get seven ships to fight them with. Galacta adds power-ups like shields and lasers, occasionally an asteroid will enter the playing field, and the enemies don't merely enter the screen in formation, they fly in formation for the entire level. That means that enemies are never standing still, and the screen frequently fills with enemy fire. The first episode was shareware and there were supposed to be two additional episodes for registered users, but they were never created.

Episode 1: The Battle for Saturn
Episode 2: Last Stand on Mars
Episode 3: In Defense of Earth

Downloads

Complete version history:

Galacta v1.1 Shareware Episode (152k)		1993	Play online
Galacta v1.0 Shareware Episode (110k)		November 1992

Availability

Albino Frog Software has apparently released this game as freeware. Confirmation to follow.

Gargoyle Medieval Pack 1995

User rating: 4.5

DOS Shareware-turned-freeware

Adventure

Developed by Synaptic Entertainment

Published by Synaptic Entertainment

Graphics: VGA 320×240×256c

Gargoyle Medieval Pack is a collection of three games in which elves battle gargoyles. In Gargoyle, gargoyles have taken over the castle, and the elves are trying to get to the throne room to retrieve their gold. The elves move a bucket of water and have to catch every fireball that the gargoyle drops in order to advance. Falling rocks temporarily shrink the size of the bucket by half, while falling rubies double the size of the bucket. This game gets pretty fast by the end. In Gargoyle Revenge, the gargoyles throw elves from three stories of the castle, while the elves below catch them with a trampoline and bounce them to a hay wagon. The elves land in each of three locations on the ground before reaching the wagon, and the height of each bounce depends on how high they were thrown from. The gargoyles eventually throw the elves in staggered waves from different heights, but timing the landings never becomes difficult. This game might be entertaining for children. Gargoyle Mania is, by far, the most ambitious game of the trilogy. Waves of gargoyles drop rocks on the elves, who use a cart to shoot them down with arrows. When the gargoyles are killed, they sometimes drop items which can be caught in baskets on either side of the cart (unless they've been destroyed by enemy attacks), such as potions which restore health, grant invincibility, or upgrade the buckets, as well bronze, silver and gold coins, which can be used to by weapon and shield upgrades between stages. There are double or triple arrows, smart bombs which kill everything on the screen, unbreakable metal buckets, and even magnets which pull money towards the buckets. Most gargoyles take several hits to kill, and there are huge bosses at the end of each stage. It's quite addictive. The registered version adds additional levels to all three games, and additional weapons to Gargoyle Mania.

Downloads

Gargoyle Medieval Pack v1.4 Registered Version (1380k) Play online
Gargoyle Medieval Pack v1.4 Shareware (1397k) Play online

Availability

Author Jeff Souders generously released this game as freeware on 2 August 2008.

Gobliiins 1991

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Adventure

Developed by Coktel Vision (Sierra On-Line)

Published by Sierra On-Line

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

In the first game in the legendary Goblins series, someone is using a voodoo doll to drive the king crazy, and you must seek out a wizard to save him. Gobliiins is a point-and-click adventure in which you control three goblins, named Dwayne, Bobo and Hooter. Only one character can be controlled at a time, and each goblin has different abilities. Bobo is a warrior and can punch things. Hooter is a magician and can cast spells on things. Dwayne is a technician, and is the only character who can pick up and use objects, but he can only hold one object at a time. Sometimes making a mistake will cause one of your goblins to be injured in a humorous way, which reduces their collective life bar. Some actions will even kill them instantly! When all of the goals on the screen have been achieved, the game indicates that you can move to the next screen and gives you a save code. A CD-ROM version of the game, called "Gobliiins Gold" featured voice acting in several languages during the interlude between screens, which helped develop the story. There are 20 levels in this game, with only the first 3 playable in the shareware version.

Downloads

Gobliiins Shareware Demo (765k) Play online

Availability

Sierra no longer sells this game. It can be ordered from Amazon: Gobliiins

Gobliins 2: The Prince Buffoon 1992

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Adventure

Developed by Coktel Vision (Sierra On-Line)

Published by Sierra On-Line

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

In the second game in the legendary Goblins series, the king's son has been kidnapped, and you must rescue him and bring him home. As the name implies, there are only two goblins this time, named Fingus and Winkle. This time both goblins can carry and use objects, so the difference between is their personalities. Fingus is intelligent and tactful, while Winkle is discourteous and violent. Their personalities determine how a goblin will use an object or talk to other characters. The first major improvement over Gobliiins is that both goblins can be controlled simultaneously, and must sometimes work together to solve a problem. You can also keep more than one object in your inventory at once, and objects can be instantly assigned and transferred between goblins. There is no longer a health bar, which dramatically increases the number of situations where the goblins can be hilariously injured. The dialog is witty and sarcastic, the goblins' antics are hysterical, and there's a lot to do on every screen. Another improvement is that the goblins can (and must) move back and forth between screens. Sometimes a goal must be achieved on another screen before success can be achieved on the first one. Many of the solutions are devilishly hard, so with the addition of more to do on each screen, the playable demo for Gobliins 2 offers much more content than the demo for Gobliiins, and could take a newcomer to the game hours to complete. Only the first level, consisting of 4 screens, is playable in the shareware version.

Downloads

Gobliins 2: The Prince Buffoon v1.01 Shareware Demo (535k) Play online

Availability

Sierra no longer sells this game. It can be ordered from Amazon: Gobliins 2: The Prince Buffoon.

Goblins Quest 3 1993

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Adventure

Developed by Coktel Vision (Sierra On-Line)

Published by Sierra On-Line

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

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.

Downloads

Gobliiins Quest 3 v0.02 French Shareware Demo (1290k)

Availability

Sierra no longer sells this game. It can be ordered from Amazon: Goblins Quest 3.

GobMan 1992

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Arcade

Developed by Filipe Mateus

Published by Filipe Mateus

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Gobman is a Pac-Man with a number of additions. Your goal is to eat all of the dots in each screen while evading four ghosts. GobMan can temporarily eat the ghosts when he eats a power pill. Each level is associated with a fruit bonus. There are a number of new power-ups, such as bombs that can kill every ghost on the screen, an hourglass that freezes all ghosts for 10 seconds, a red pill that temporarily turns off the walls, a case that contains 5 bombs, a door to the next level, and a 1-up item. There is a good variety of level designs, most of which feature wraparound exits. Thanks to the beatiful VGA graphics, this is one of the best Pac-Man games I've ever played. The registered version contains more challenges and more levels.

Downloads

GobMan v1.1 Shareware (71k)		July 1994
GobMan v1.0 Shareware (76k)		9 April 1992

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Heroes 1998

User rating: No rating

DOS Freeware (always)

Arcade

Developed by RealTech VR

Published by RealTech VR

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

A super-enhanced version of SNAFU with five modes of play. Four snakes, played by the computer and 1 or 2 humans, move about a playing field and die if they are unable to move because they are surrounded by their own body, an enemy, or the terrain. An auto-pilot feature causes your snake to automatically turn when it runs into something, but this feature can be disabled. You won't survive long in this fast-paced game without it! Game maps are usually wraparound, and have two levels connected by ramps, and some have tunnels that allow you to pass underneath levels. Every map has a different background, graphics and soundtrack. Maps can have dips and hills, squares that prevent you from turning, speed you up, slow you down, or bring you to a complete stop for a few seconds. A boost bar allows you to speed up to outrun opponents. The speed of this game can get pretty intense. There are power-ups that make the snake longer or shorter, faster or slower, gain lives, score points, temporarily invert the direction keys, and they can effect either the player or all opponents. There are power-ups that cause the playing field to rotate 360° during play, and a "wave" effect that stretches and warps the screen like waves on the ocean. The soundtrack is awesome, and the visual effects are the most impressive that I have ever seen in a DOS game. Touching certain squares causes fiery explosions on a short time delay, which will kill any snake. The screen can fill with flames as they chase snakes across the explosion squares. The snakes' bodies are opaque so that you can see the squares underneath them. A radar screen shows all of the snakes and power-ups. In Quest mode, you must grow your snake and then find the gateway to the next level. In Kill'em All, the levels are full of "lemmings" in the color of the four snakes, and you must kill all of your opponents' lemmings while trying not to kill your own. The floor gets covered in blood. Death Match is a battle mode where the last snake alive wins. In Time Ca$h, the level is full of money, and the first snake to collect a randomly set amount wins. In Colors, there are pyramids in the color of the four snakes which are worth points, and X-pyramids that take points away. Collect your own pyramids and your opponents' X-pyramids until a random amount of time runs out, and the highest score wins. Custom levels can be created with a built-in level editor. This game must be seen to be believed.

Downloads

Heroes v1.0 Freeware (2914k)

Availability

This game was originally released under a freeware license.

Hexen: Beyond Heretic 1995

User rating: 7.3

DOS Shareware (partial game)

3D Shooter

Developed by Raven Software

Published by id Software

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

In Heretic, three Serpent Riders conquered the world by enslaving the minds of men. Hexen is the story of battle against the second rider, Korax. This time, you can choose between three warrior classes: fighter, cleric or mage. Fighters use short-range weapons, mages use long-range magic, and clerics are half way between. Still using a modified Doom engine, the character can jump and move around in three dimensions. Instead of a linear set of levels, there are level hubs that lead to connected levels, and levels can and must be revisited to complete the hub. There are four levels in the shareware demo.

Downloads

Hexen: Beyond Heretic Shareware Demo (5532k)

18 October 1995

Source code for Hexen in C (438k)

Availability

id Software still sells the registered version of this game for $15 by download.

Hexxagon 1993

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Traditional

Developed by Argo Games

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

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.

Downloads

Hexxagon v2.0 Shareware (516k)	28 February 1994
Hexxagon v1.4 Shareware (608k)	23 May 1993	Play online
Hexxagon v1.3 Shareware (548k)	3 May 1993
Hexxagon v1.2 Shareware (628k)	20 March 1993
Hexxagon v1.1 Shareware (607k)	19 March 1993

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Hocus Pocus 1994

User rating: 2.5

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Platform

Developed by Moonlite Software

Published by Apogee Software

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Proof that the simplest concept can lead to some of the best games. Guide a young wizard through strange worlds and shoot enemies with lightning bolts. It's fun, and it even has excellent graphics and sound. There are 4 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1 - Time Tripping
Episode 2 - Shattered Worlds
Episode 3 - Warped and Weary
Episode 4 - Destination Home

Downloads

Complete version history:

Hocus Pocus v1.1 Shareware Episode (915k)		5 October 1994	Play online
Hocus Pocus v1.0 Shareware Episode (892k)		1 June 1994

Availability

Apogee still sells the registered version of this game for $5.99 by download.

Hubie 1996

User rating: 4

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Puzzle

Developed by Serendipity Software

Published by Serendipity Software

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Hubie is another puzzle game where the object is to get to the exit of each level. To accomplish this, Hubie can break objects with his head, climb, "copter" short distances, push or blow objects, bounce on trampolines, use magnets and fans to push or pull objects, and ride on balloons. The wide array of actions that Hubie can perform and objects that he can use make for fun and varied gameplay, and the difficulty level ranges from levels for children to levels that are challenging for the smartest puzzle solvers. The graphics are decent, too. There are over 100 levels in this game, with only 17 playable in the shareware version.

Downloads

Hubie v1.2 Shareware (524k)		13 June 1996
Hubie v1.0 Shareware (523k)		12 March 1996

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis 1992

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Adventure

Developed by LucasArts Entertainment

Published by LucasArts Entertainment

Graphics: EGA 640×200×16c VGA 320×200×256c

Based on the legendary SCUMM engine, Fate of Atlantis is a point-and-click adventure. Set in 1939, you play the roles of Indiana Jones and Sophia Hapgood as they try to prevent the Nazis from using a powerful metal from the lost city of Atlantis to take over the world. The game features some of the most beautiful graphics to ever appear in a DOS game and a memorable musical score. Part way through the game, you can choose between three paths to take, each of which will take you to different locations and cause a different storyline to play out: the Wits Path (hard puzzles), Fists Path (easier puzzles, more fighting), and the Team Path (requires Sophia Hapgood to solve many puzzles). The shareware version contains the final stage of the Fists Path up to the point where the paths converge at Atlantis.

Downloads

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis Interactive Demonstration v2 (799k)		18 June 1992
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis Interactive Demonstration (771k)		7 May 1992	Play online

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed on LucasArts's website. It can be ordered from Amazon: Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, or as part of LucasArts Triple Pack or LucasArts Archives Volume 1.

Jelly Bean Factory 1993

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Puzzle

Developed by Summit Software

Published by Summit Software

Graphics: VGA 320×240×256c

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.

Downloads

Jelly Bean Factory v1.01.19 Shareware (577k)

8 November 1993

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Jetpack Christmas Special! 1993

User rating: No rating

DOS Freeware (always)

Platform

Developed by Adam Pedersen

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

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.

Downloads

Jetpack Christmas Special! Freeware (461k)

2 November 1993

Availability

This game was originally released under a freeware license.

Kiloblaster 1992

User rating: 10

DOS Shareware-turned-freeware

Shooter

Developed by Epic MegaGames

Published by Epic MegaGames

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Essentially an updated version of Galaxian, you shoot your way through wave after wave of alien ships in classic arcade shooter style. Your ship has shields, and there are frequent power-ups to restore hit points, become invulnerable, or be able to fire more shots simultaneously. You can also move vertically as well as horizontally. All of those upgrades would make the game much more fun if it wasn't limited by the fact that you have to wait for your shot (or shots) to clear the screen before you can fire again, which really slows down the gameplay. The backgrounds are quite nice. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1 - Death of a Starship
Episode 2 - No Way Out
Episode 3 - The Final Battle

Downloads

Complete version history:

Kiloblaster v2.0 Registered Version (1378k)
Kiloblaster v2.0 Shareware Episode (530k) Play online
Kiloblaster v1.0 Registered Version (1374k)
Kiloblaster v1.0 Shareware Episode (489k)
Source code for Kiloblaster in Borland Turbo C (103k)

Availability

Author Allen Pilgrim generously released this game as freeware under the Kiloblaster and Xargon Freeware License on 4 August 2008.

Lion King, The 1994

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Platform

Developed by Virgin Interactive

Published by Virgin Interactive

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Based on the Disney animated movie, Simba must survive long enough to grow up and avenge the death of his father. The animation is extremely smooth and the game looks very much like the movie. The Lion King was acclaimed for the quality of Simba's animation. Simba crouches, jumps, and pulls himself onto ledges so realistically that he seems like a real lion. Simba can roar at enemies to stun them, or kill them by jumping on them. When he grows up, he can also slash them with his claws. Virtually identical to console versions of the game. The soundtrack features songs from the movie. Only the first level is playable in the shareware demo.

Downloads

The Lion King Shareware Demo (1336k)

Availability

Virgin Games no longer sells this game.

Magic Pockets 1992

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Platform

Developed by The Bitmap Brothers

Published by Renegade Software

Graphics: CGA 320×200×4c EGA 640×200×16c VGA 640×400×256c

Magic Pockets is an incredibly straightforward platformer. You play the Bitmap Kid, whose pockets hold an infinite number of toys. Some of your toys have captured by monsters escaped, so you must enter worlds inside of the pockets, throwing objects from your pockets to kill enemies. Sometimes you find a helmet which will transport you to a secret area, or give you powers like the ability to fire lasers. The gameplay is a bit slow, but the graphics are decent. Only the first level is playable in the shareware version.

Downloads

Magic Pockets Shareware Demo (240k) Play online

Availability

The Bitmap Brothers no longer sell this game.

Mah Jongg -V-G-A- 1989

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware-turned-freeware

Traditional

Developed by Ron Balewski

Published by Ron Balewski

Graphics: VGA 640×480×16c

One of my all-time favorite DOS games. I had never played Mahjong solitaire when I discovered this game, but it was so easy to use that I was able to figure it out without reading the instructions, and now it's the only DOS version I play. It looks great, it tells you when you're out of moves, and it's easy and intuitive to use. After each "official" release, a number of revisions were released with the same version number. Differences are listed in fixes.doc. Version 3.1 / Serial No. 5524 fixes a bug that existed in v3.0 and 3.1 that caused a divide by zero error on CPUs faster than 50 MHz, and also includes Mah Jongg for Windows v1.0.

Downloads

Mah Jongg -V-G-A- v3.1 / Serial No. 5524 (304k)	18 July 1994	Play online
Mah Jongg -V-G-A- v3.1 / Serial No. 2544 (258k)	3 February 1992
Mah Jongg -V-G-A- v3.1 / Serial No. 2483 (429k)	19 December 1991
Mah Jongg -V-G-A- v3.0 / Serial No. 2183 (309k)	3 August 1991
Mah Jongg -V-G-A- v3.0 / Serial No. 1655 (309k)	18 February 1991
Mah Jongg -V-G-A- v3.0 / Serial No. 1597 (299k)	25 December 1990
Mah Jongg -V-G-A- v3.0 / Serial No. 1525 (296k)	1 December 1990
Mah Jongg -V-G-A- v2.2 / Serial No. 1270 (292k)	1 June 1990
Mah Jongg -V-G-A- v2.2 / Serial No. 1242 (262k)	1 June 1990
Mah Jongg -V-G-A- v2.1 / Serial No. 1129 (233k)	10 February 1990
Mah Jongg -V-G-A- v2.1 / Serial No. 1059 (202k)	3 December 1989
Mah Jongg -V-G-A- v2.0 / Serial No. 1016 (137k)	23 August 1989
Mah Jongg -V-G-A- v1.1 (76k)	6 July 1989

Availability

Author Ron Balewski has generously released this game as freeware. Mah Jongg '97, a Win32 version, is still sold for $20 on CD-ROM or registered download.

Mega Man X 1995

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Platform

Developed by Capcom

Published by Capcom

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

An excellent DOS port of Mega Man X for SNES. In the 22nd Century, a new Mega Man named X must fight an army of maverick sentient robots led by Sigma, a robot who used to lead the Maverick Hunters. X has most of the abilities of the previous Mega Man, and can charge his beam and wall jump. The game features highly detailed graphics and beautiful backgrounds taken directly from the SNES game. There are 15 levels in this game, with only the first level playable in the shareware demo.

Downloads

Mega Man X Shareware Demo (1031k) Play online

Availability

Capcom no longer sells this game. It can be ordered from Amazon: Mega Man X.

Moraff's Entrap 1990

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Puzzle

Developed by MoraffWare

Published by MoraffWare

Graphics: Hercules 720×348 mono CGA 320×200×4c EGA 320×200×16c EGA 640×350×16c VGA 640×400×256c

A turn-based strategy game where you attempt to reach the other end of the playing field while robots of progressively increasing intelligence home in on your position. You can move around in the eight compass directions, filling gaps to create new paths in the playing field, and putting holes in the playing field to block or entrap your enemies. A map allows you to see the entire level and the location of all of the enemies, which you can't otherwise do because screen only shows your immediate area and scrolls as you change position. There is only one episode in the shareware "Beginner's Version", but the registered "Advanced Version" has 10 difficulty levels.

Moraff's Entrap v1.11 Shareware (104k) Play online

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed on Moraff's website.

Moraff's Pinball 1989

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Pinball

Developed by MoraffWare

Published by MoraffWare

Graphics: EGA 640×350×16c VGA 640×480×16c

Moraff's Pinball claims to be the first game to ever support 640×480 VGA mode (it also supports 640×350 EGA mode), which is pretty much this game's only claim to fame. The graphics are unimpressive for a pinball game, but remember that it was 1989. There are five paddles that can each be operated independently, two of which are part of a mini table on the left side of the table. There are bumpers and drop targets. Multi-ball can be played with three to five balls. Your goal is to catch and lock five balls inside chutes that are located around the table. Version 2.0 refers to the game as a "free 'try out' copy", which only gives you one ball unless a $10 registration code is entered to allow five balls. Version 3.0 is a full version which is registered simply by reading an ad for the sale of computers by MoraffWare. Version 5.0 asks for registration, though no cost is listed, saying that the game is supported by "those who use and pay for" it. The registered version of 7.0 mentions a feature that allows you to launch a series of balls by hitting the up arrow repeatedly.

Moraff's Pinball v5.0 Shareware (83k)	Before November 1989	Play online
Moraff's Pinball v3.0 Shareware (76k)	Before November 1989
Moraff's Pinball v2.0 Shareware (80k)	Before June 1989

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed on Moraff's website.

MVP Bridge 1994

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Traditional

Developed by Cascoly Software

Published by MVP Software

Graphics: VGA 640×480×16c

A DOS version of the classic card game. Play with a computer partner and opponents, or play with other humans over a network or the internet. Each player gets 13 cards and plays one card per hand. In the bidding stage, players take turns declaring how many tricks they can win if the trump suit were, for instance, hearts, or without a trump suit. The next player can outbid a bid of the same number of tricks by choosing a more valuable trump suit. The trump suits, in order of value, are clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades, and no trump. That means that a bid of "2 hearts" can be outbid by a bid of "2 spades". When no player is willing to outbid the highest bid, that forms the contract and the partnership tries to win the number of tricks in the contract, while their opponents try to prevent them. The registered version, MVP Bridge Deluxe, adds multiplayer support and a number of scoring systems and conventions.

MVP Bridge v3.03 Shareware (329k)	7 May 1996	Play online
MVP Bridge v3.02 Shareware (331k)	27 February 1996
MVP Bridge v2.3 Shareware (338k)	1 April 1995
MVP Bridge v2.0 Shareware (239k)	13 September 1994
MVP Bridge v1.0 Shareware (213k)	20 January 1994

Availability

MVP Software still sells MVP Bridge Deluxe v3.07, a Win32 version of the game, for $39.95 by CD-ROM or download.

Mystic Towers 1994

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Adventure

Developed by Animation FX

Published by Apogee Software

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Mystic Towers is a 3D-perspective adventure game starring an elderly wizard named Baron Baldric. Your mission is to destroy monster generators in the Lazarian Towers, and kill all of the monsters. Baldric can use a number of spells to kill monsters, levitate over obstacles, reveal secrets, and teleport. The game has very nice music and is full of imaginative monsters. Version 1.0 was an incomplete version that was only released in a UK Magazine. Version 1.1 was the first complete shareware version. The confusing part is that the installation file on Apogee's website states that the download contains v1.0, the installer claims to be installing v1.1, and the game screen says v1.11. This is, in fact, the only complete version that was ever released to the public. There are 6 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Each episode has 2 towers, making for a total of 12 towers, and over 600 rooms to explore.

Complete version history:

Mystic Towers v1.11 Shareware Episode (1049k)

15 July 1994

Availability

Apogee still sells the registered version of this game for $5.99 by download.

NHL Hockey 1993

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Sports

Developed by Electronic Arts

Published by Electronic Arts

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

The DOS version of NHL '94. NHL Hockey was exceptionally realistic for its time. Players can choose all 26 NHL teams from the 1993-94 season, as well as the All-Star teams for both conferences. There are stats and a photograph for every player in the league. All of the rules are used, though on rare occasions I question some of the calls. I once dumped the puck into the end zone and beat the other team to the puck to beat the icing call, only to have it called a two line pass! (Since when is a dump-in a pass?) You can see how tired your lines are and make line switches at any time. You can break the glass, which is cool. You can't choose which teams you want playing in the demo version, though all of the teams are present. The first game is always Montreal vs. Los Angeles, but every game after that has random match-ups. Only one 2 minute period can be played in the shareware version.

NHL Hockey Shareware Demo (1386k)

Availability

Night Raid 1993

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Arcade

Developed by Argo Games

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Night Raid is a modern take on Missile Command. Airplanes fly by and drop paratroopers, and you have to shoot them down with your lone gun. If more than a couple (or so) of them survive, you lose. Sounds too hard, right? The good news is that you have "unlimited" ammo, although every shot costs you one point. When you shoot down airplanes and missiles, the debris will kill any paratroopers it hits, even if they already safely landed, which is a lot of help as the game progresses. The game ends instantly if a missile hits the ground, though. Quite a fun game. There are 9 extra levels in the registered version.

Night Raid v1.1 Shareware (628k)

1 June 1993

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Nitemare-3D 1994

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

3D Shooter

Developed by Gray Design Associates

Published by Gray Design Associates

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Hugo goes 3D in this first-person shooter trilogy. This time Penelope has been abducted by Dr. Hamerstein, and Hugo must find his way through levels full of monsters to save her. Some helpful additions to FPS games of this era are an auto-mapping feature to help with exploration, and the ability to check how many monsters, secret panels, keys and other objects are left in the level. The game focuses more on exploration than pure fighting, making it slightly more cerebral than other first-person shooters, and suitable for a slightly younger audience, though still too violent to be suitable for young children who may be used to the Hugo Trilogy. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1 - A House of Horrors
Episode 2 - The Plasma Core
Episode 3 - Death or Glory

Nitemare-3D v2.0 Shareware Episode (971k)	5 October 1995	Play online
Nitemare-3D v1.9 Author-direct Shareware Episode (912k)	12 September 1995
Nitemare-3D v1.9 Walnut Creek Shareware Episode (912k)	22 July 1995
Nitemare-3D v1.0 Shareware Episode (898k)	12 July 1994

Availability

Gray Design Associates still sells the DOS and Windows versions of the Nitemare-3D Trilogy collectively for $12 by download.

One Must Fall 2097 1994

User rating: 9.3

DOS Shareware-turned-freeware

Fighting

Developed by Diversions Entertainment

Published by Epic MegaGames

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

In this fighting game, instead of picking a fighter you pick both a giant robot and a pilot. Robots fight in a number of different arenas, some of which contain hazards that can damage fighters. After each fight there is a brief sportscast with a summary and an actual screenshot from the fight. A tournament mode lets you start with a minimal robot and win money to upgrade it for future fights. There are 11 robots, 5 arenas and 4 tournaments in this game, with only 3 robots, 1 arena and 1 tournament playable in the shareware version.

One Must Fall 2097 v2.1 Registered Version (6684k) Play online
One Must Fall 2097 v2.1 Shareware Episode (2907k)
One Must Fall 2097 v2.0 Shareware Episode (2863k)
One Must Fall 2097 v1.1 Registered Version (6410k)
One Must Fall 2097 v1.1 Shareware Episode (2677k)
One Must Fall 2097 v1.0 Shareware Episode (2678k)

Availability

Developer Diversions Entertainment has generously released this game as freeware.

Raptor: Call of the Shadows 1994

User rating: 7

DOS Win9x Shareware (partial game)

Shooter

Developed by Cygnus Studios (Mountain King Studios)

Published by Apogee Software

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

One of the best shooters of all time. Excellent graphics, sound, and weapons make this an incredibly fun game to play. Countless hours have been lost forever playing this addictive jet fighter game. Developed by Cygnus Software, the DOS version was published by Apogee. After Cygnus changed its name to Mountain King Studios, they released a Win9x version that uses DirectX 5, but Apogee continued to sell only the DOS version. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1 - Bravo Sector
Episode 2 - Tango Sector
Episode 3 - Outer Regions

Downloads

Raptor: Call of the Shadows v2.4b Shareware Episode (1869k)	2004		Win9x
Raptor: Call of the Shadows v2.4a Shareware Episode (1922k)	26 September 2003		Win9x
Raptor: Call of the Shadows v1.2 Shareware Episode (1965k)	26 September 1994	Play online	DOS
Raptor: Call of the Shadows v1.1 Shareware Episode (1861k)	1 June 1994		DOS
Raptor: Call of the Shadows v1.0 Shareware Episode (1888k)	1 April 1994		DOS

Availability

Apogee still sells the registered version of this game for DOS (v1.2) for $5.99 by download. Mountain King Studios still sells this game for $14.95 by download.

Rayman 1995

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Platform

Developed by Ubi Soft Entertainment

Published by Ubi Soft Entertainment

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Rayman is an unusual platform game originally released Atari Jaguar and DOS. Initially Rayman can only jump and avoid enemies, but he quickly acquires useful abilities such as his telescopic punching fist, the ability to grab onto ledges, and helicopter hair, which allows him to levitate for a few seconds during a jump. The telescopic punching fist needs some explanation: Rayman fights by literally throwing his fist! It returns to him, of course, and causes damage while going and returning. The longer he winds up, the farther his fist goes. The worlds are full of power-ups such as "Tings": blue orbs which give Rayman an extra life when he collects 100 of them. Rayman already has the telescopic punching fist in the shareware demo, but not the highly useful helicopter hair. The original demo was released in a self-extracting zip file which must be run with the "-d" argument in order to extract the necessary directory tree. Ubisoft later re-released the demo in a Win32 self-extracting archive which resolves that problem. There are 6 worlds in this game, with only one level from the first world playable in the shareware version.

Rayman (EU) v1.00 Shareware (2713k)		15 October 1998
Rayman (EU) v1.00 Shareware (2833k)		4 December 1995

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Rings of the Magi 1995

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Puzzle

Developed by Cytherean Adventures

Published by MVP Software

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

When the magi of Ac'Rianed realized that a mysterious force was draining the energy from their world, they created rings to store their power and hide it from evil. The rings are made of different materials, and whenever two or more come together, they release some of their power. As their apprentice, you must learn to control the rings so that their magic won't be forgotten. Rings of the Magi is a puzzle game in which colored rings are placed on a board and can be moved with arrows. You have to move them such that rings match up and eliminate each other, completely clearing the board. Levels are broken into four difficulty levels and can be very challenging. It was one of the most popular games of its genre. There are 80 levels in this game, with only 20 playable in the shareware version.

Rings of the Magi v1.1 Shareware (1235k) Play online

Availability

MVP Software still sells v2.0b, a Win32 version of this game with six levels of difficulty and 300 levels, for $19.95 on CD-ROM.

Sango Fighter 1993

User rating: 10

DOS Shareware-turned-freeware

Fighting

Developed by Panda Entertainment

Published by Accend

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

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 English Registered (1597k)	3 April 2009
Sango Fighter v1.1 Chinese Registered (1598k)	19 April 2009
Sango Fighter v1.1 Shareware (1005k)	16 February 1994	Play online
Sango Fighter v1.0 Shareware (1100k)	30 November 1993

Availability

Second Guess 1994

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (full version)

Traditional

Developed by Arcanum Computing

Published by Arcanum Computing

Graphics: VGA 640×480×16c SVGA 640×480×256c

An enhanced version of Tile Match, a memory concentration game. Second Guess upgrades Tile Match's EGA graphics to VGA and SVGA, and adds animation and sound effects when pairs of tiles are removed. All of the other options for number of tiles, pairs, players, and computer difficulty level remain.

Second Guess v1.1 Shareware (838k)		10 July 1995	Play online
Second Guess v1.0 Shareware (698k)		14 November 1994

Availability

Arcanum Computing still sells the registered version of this game for $16 on floppy disk.

Silverball 1993

User rating: 7

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Pinball

Developed by Epic MegaGames

Published by MicroLeague Interactive Software, Team17 Software

Graphics: VGA 320×240×256c

Silverball is basically a retail version of Epic Pinball with new tables. Silverball has the same realistic graphics, sound, physics and gameplay. The shareware demo lets you preview four tables, but only one table is playable. The registered version included a fifth table. There are 5 tables in this game, with only the first table playable in the shareware version.

Fantasy
Blood
Snooker Champ
Odyssey
Nova

Silverball Shareware Episode (1106k)

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Shooting Gallery 1990

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Simulation

Developed by Arcanum Computing

Published by Arcanum Computing

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

A surprisingly well-rounded shooting simulation. There are seven rounds of shooting, two each of a traditional carnival "duck shoot" game, skeet shooting, and target practice, and it concludes with a western-style shootout mode. The graphics are quite nice, and there are SoundBlaster sound effects. The registered version includes a much larger sound effects library.

Shooting Gallery v3.3 Shareware (212k)	7 February 1995	Play online
Shooting Gallery v3.2 Shareware (211k)	1 September 1994
Shooting Gallery v3.1 Shareware (202k)	9 March 1994
Shooting Gallery v3.0 Shareware (178k)	8 December 1993
Shooting Gallery v2.3 Shareware (116k)	16 December 1991
Shooting Gallery v2.2 Shareware (114k)	28 October 1990
Shooting Gallery v2.1 Shareware (116k)	13 June 1990
Shooting Gallery v2.0 Shareware (107k)	15 May 1990
Shooting Gallery v1.1 Shareware (77k)	23 February 1990
Shooting Gallery v1.0 Shareware (76k)	29 January 1990

Availability

Arcanum Computing still sells the registered version of this game for $16 on floppy disk.

Space Nightmare 1994

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Shooter

Developed by Microdem

Published by Microdem

Graphics: VGA 320×240×256c

Despite the name, Space Nightmare isn't remotely scary. The game is a typical shooter, with the usual goal of destroying invading alien space ships. Besides your standard weapon, you also have a limited supply of rockets. There are plenty of weapon upgrades, you have a hit meter, and all weapon upgrades are lost when you get hit. A couple of things set Space Nightmare apart. The first is that you have a choice of three different ships, which each have different characteristics. One ship gets particularly heavy firepower, but is quite slow. Another ship can shoot in four directions when the weapons are upgraded. The other interesting thing about this game is that it supports VESA SVGA graphics in 640×480×256 color mode, although it can operate in 640×480×16 color mode if you only have a VGA graphics card. SVGA mode allows for very detailed title and menu screens, but the graphics are reduced to 320×240×16 colors in either video mode once the game starts, so it's more or less flashy dressing for a tweaked resolution VGA game. There are 10 levels in the registered version.

Space Nightmare v1.0 Shareware (757k)

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Star Wars: Dark Forces 1994

User rating: 7.5

DOS Shareware (partial game)

3D Shooter

Developed by LucasArts Entertainment

Published by LucasArts Entertainment

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

In this first-person shooter set in the Star Wars universe, you play Commander Kyle Katarn during Operation Skyhook. Mon Mothma has ordered you to a secret Imperial base on Danuta to steal the plans for the Death Star, which were ultimately delivered to Princess Leia Organa before her capture in Star Wars: A New Hope. Levels are fully three-dimensional, and Kyle can jump and duck. The game is full of familiar enemies, voices and sound effects, and includes some of the score from the Star Wars movies. A transparent map can be superimposed onto the screen to help you navigate. The demo is impressive, but short. LucasArts created separate archives for the opening and closing cutscenes, which are optional. Only one level is playable in the shareware demo.

Star Wars: Dark Forces v0.163D Shareware Demo (3254k)
Opening cutscenes (1080k)
Closing cutscenes (5730k)

Availability

LucasArts no longer sells this game. It can be ordered from Amazon: Star Wars: Dark Forces or Star Wars: Dark Forces with 3 levels of Jedi Knight.

Star Wars: TIE Fighter 1994

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

3D Shooter

Developed by Peregrine Software

Published by LucasArts Entertainment

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

The sequel to Star Wars: X-Wing, and the first Star Wars game in which you play the side of the Empire, Star Wars: TIE Fighter is a flight simulation and space shooter. As a member of TIE Fighter Group Alpha, your mission is to destroy the Rebel repair yard near Remitik in preparation for the attack on Hoth at the beginning of The Empire Strikes Back. The game is full of familiar space vehicles, voices and sound effects, and includes some of the score from the Star Wars movies. Gameplay is similar to other 3D space shooters like Wing Commander, in that you can call members of your squadron to defend you, attack a specific target, and generally lead a squardron of fighters. Only one mission is playable in the shareware demo.

Star Wars: TIE Fighter v1.0 Shareware Demo Disk 1 (1265k)
Star Wars: TIE Fighter v1.0 Shareware Demo Disk 2 (285k)

Availability

LucasArts no longer sells this game.

Starfire 1992

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Shooter

Developed by Silver Lightning Software

Published by Silver Lightning Software

Graphics: VGA 320×240×256c

Starfire is a shooter with cute graphics and decent gameplay. Your starship flies along the surface of a huge mothership and battles enemies while avoiding obstacles, making its way to the power generator to destroy the ship. Your ship has shields and can pick up weapon upgrades (W), shield refills (S), 1-ups, and temporary invincibility (I). You get a password to continue your game after every second level. There are 10 levels in Part 1. Version 1.4 adds a crosshair and voice acting. Starting with v1.4, Starfire has a Part II for registered users of Part 1. There are 2 episodes in this game with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Starfire I: Invaders from Space
Starfire II: The Sloboids Must Die !!

Downloads

Starfire v1.4 Shareware (181k)		12 May 1993
Starfire v1.3 Shareware (178k)		17 April 1993
Starfire v1.2 Shareware (131k)		16 November 1992

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Strife 1996

User rating: 7.7

DOS Shareware (partial game)

3D Shooter

Developed by Rogue Entertainment

Published by Velocity

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

The last commercial game to use the Doom engine, Strife differentiates itself in a number of ways. Besides have beautiful graphics and full voice acting, you don't just kill everything that moves. The world is full of people you can interact with, and you have to complete a number of objectives while trying to avoid killing any of the mutant soldiers who roam the castle. The castle serves as a hub that connects the various levels. Weapons range from medieval to futuristic. Many areas are unavailable in the shareware demo.

Strife: Quest for the Sigil v1.1 Shareware Episode (4738k)		15 March 1996	Play online
Strife: Quest for the Sigil v1.0 Shareware Episode (4811k)		23 February 1996

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Super Street Fighter II Turbo 1995

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Fighting

Developed by Capcom, Eurocom

Published by GameTek

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

DOS ports of arcade games are notoriously bad, but Super Street Fighter II Turbo turned out impressively well. When the game starts, you're greeted with the same ultra-realistic view of Ryu in his fighter's stance as in the arcades. Super Street Fighter II Turbo is enhanced version of the original classic fighting game. The four boss characters became playable in the Championship Edition, and Super Street Fighter II added four new playable characters. The graphics look great and the game recognizes a number of joysticks, including a 6-button joystick designed specifically for the game. The audio is a bit disappointing, but that's because the shareware demo is based on the floppy disk and generates SoundBlaster music, whereas the CD-ROM version of the game uses CD audio tracks to sound perfectly like the arcade game. Only Ryu and Chun Li are playable in the shareware version, and Russia is the only locale.

Super Street Fighter II Turbo v1.0 Shareware Demo (3135k)

14 April 1995

Availability

Capcom no longer sells this game. It can be ordered from Amazon: Super Street Fighter II Turbo.

Super Worms 1995

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Racing

Developed by Wiering Software

Published by Wiering Software

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Another Mario Kart clone, except that the racers are worms. While the graphics are reasonably nice, you don't get to choose between different worms that have different attributes (i.e. acceleration, top speed, handling). The tracks and power-ups are generally less imaginative than similar games for consoles, and the sound track is just bad. Still, the game is very small and may be entertaining for younger gamers. There are 15 tracks and 6 battle areans in the registered version, with only 5 tracks adn 1 battle arena in the shareware version.

Super Worms v1.62 Shareware (80k)		11 November 2003
Super Worms v1.61 Shareware (696k)		14 August 2001
Super Worms v1.60 Shareware (Still searching)		16 July 2001

Availability

Wiering Software still sells the registered version of this game for $12.50 by download.

Superfrog 1995

User rating: 7

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Platform

Developed by Team17 Software

Published by Team17 Software

Graphics: VGA 320×240×256c

As the old fairy tale goes, a witch turns a prince into a frog and kidnaps his girlfriend. Superfrog is a pretty standard platformer with deliberately cartoony graphics. Superfrog must collect a certain number of coins in each level before he can leave through the exit, like Charlie the Duck. And, like many platformers by smaller game publishers, the control feels very loose, and much of the challenge comes from preventing the hero from sliding off of ledges. Superfrog can jump on some enemies, like Mario. Team17 created a demo that only included World 1, and another that only included World 2. There are 5 worlds in this game, with only one playable in each of the shareware versions.

Superfrog World 2 Shareware Episode (896k)		17 May 1995
Superfrog World 1 Shareware Episode (1044k)		2 February 1995

Availability

Syndicate 1993

User rating: 9.5

DOS Shareware (partial game)

RTS

Developed by Bullfrog Productions

Published by Electronic Arts

Graphics: VGA 640×480×16c

Syndicate is a real-time tactical simulation in which you control cyborgs to conquer the world. In the future, corporations have become as wealthy as nations, and have divided the world between syndicates. People have microchips attached to their necks that allow them to be controlled. Using cybernetically enhanced agents, you fight against the agents of other syndicates to steal their territory, and embark on a number of missions with goals such as assassination and sabotage. Money earned from successful missions can be used to upgrade the bodies of your agents and buy better weapons. Any items found on agents you kill can be collected, and there is a mind control device which can be used to brainwash massive numbers of people to use as human shields, or bring back with you to turn into additional agents. Police officers will only fire on your agents when their weapons are drawn, and the police can also be brainwashed and used to add to your firepower. A maximum of four agents can be sent on each mission, and you switch between and control them with the mouse. A fantastically violent but addictive game. A radar screen indicates the location of the target and enemy agents. High resolution VGA graphics enable highly detailed cities with futuristic hover vehicles, and the graphics are so good that there appears to be way more than the 16 colors that are actually present. An expansion pack called American Revolt was released, and they were also sold together as Syndicate Plus. There are over 50 levels in the full version of the game. Only the first level is playable in the shareware version.

Syndicate Shareware Demo (773k)

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed on Electronic Arts' website. It can be ordered from Amazon: Syndicate, or with expansion pack, Syndicate Plus.

Teenagent 1995

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Adventure

Developed by Metropolis Software House

Published by Union Logic Software Publishing

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Teenagent is a very humorous point-and-click adventure. As teenager Mark Hopper, you've been enlisted by the RGB to solve the mystery of money that's been disappearing from safes. You can talk to people, use items in your inventory, and even combine items. Left click on things to look at them, and right click to use them. There is a lot of dialog in the game, and it's witty and sarcastic. Teenagent is basically a parody of its own genre, and it's nice to play a game that doesn't take itself too seriously. The music is decent and the graphics are often very detailed. The backgrounds were hand painted and there are over 20 000 frames of animation in the registered version. The music and voices are also pretty good. The registered version is 10 times longer than the shareware version.

Teenagent Shareware Episode (1419k)

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Thor's Hammer 1995

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware-turned-freeware

3D Shooter

Developed by Escape Programming

Published by MVP Software

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Thor's Hammer is basically a first-person shooter in the style of an RPG. Your character can walk, run, and strafe in any direction in a "flat" 3D environment like Wolfenstein 3D, battling enemies in real time, and there is no money or experience points. Nevertheless, you fight with an axe and cast magic spells, you can upgrade your weapons and armor, and your health and magic bars increase throughout the game. The combination works and it's quite a fun game, though a bit too easy. The dungeons are huge, though mostly devoid of enemies, so the game is more time consuming than difficult. Fortunately the game draws a map for you as you move through the levels. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode I: The Trial
Episode II: The Journey
Episode III: The Battle

Thor's Hammer v1.1 Shareware Episode (2430k)		30 January 1996
Thor's Hammer v1.0 Registered Version (2479k)		24 October 1995
Thor's Hammer v1.0 Shareware Episode (2399k)		11 November 1995

Availability

Escape Programming generously released the game as freeware on 16 July 2009.

Three 1997

User rating: No rating

DOS Freeware (always)

Puzzle

Developed by Sverx

Published by Sverx

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

A pretty decent version of Columns. The help file is in Italian, but do you really need instructions? Columns of three colored pieces fall from the top of the screen, and the colors can be rotated as they fall. Get three or more pieces of the same color in any direction, and they are removed from the screen, causing all of the other pieces to fall and fill in any gaps.

Three Freeware (397k)

Availability

This game was originally released under a freeware license.

Tomb Raider 1996

User rating: 7

DOS Shareware (partial game)

3D Shooter

Developed by Core Design (Eidos Interactive)

Published by Eidos Interactive

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c SVGA 640×480×256c

One of the first 3D shooters to feature a female hero, Tomb Raider is popular for more than just the beautiful Lara Croft. Far from being a mindless First Person Shooter, Tomb Raider requires exploration and technique. Tomb Raider has auto-aiming, sophisticated lighting, and features exceptional level design. Lara Croft can leap across a gap and grab onto a ledge, or safety drop to get to the bottom of a drop that would otherwise kill her. There was a pre-release demo version that included the first half of the City of Vilcabamba, and a post-release demo in PC Zone magazine that included the second half of the same level, making it possible to play an entire level before buying. There are 15 levels in this game, with only the two halves of the second level playable in each of the shareware versions.

Tomb Raider City of Vilcabamba Part 2 Demo (2045k)		11 February 1997
Tomb Raider City of Vilcabamba Part 1 Demo (2144k)		12 November 1996	Play online

Availability

Eidos Interactive still sells Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary, a Windows 2000+ version of this game.

Trugg 1995

User rating: No rating

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Puzzle

Developed by Digital Workshop

Published by Digital Workshop

Graphics: VGA 320×240×256c

Trugg is a Boulder Dash type game, like Heartlight PC. You play a robot who can move up, down, left and right, through levels with gems, boulders, bombs, and other objects are suspended in a mesh. You must tunnel a path through the mesh to get to the gems, and rearrange the boulders, or drop the bombs to gain access to areas behind walls. All gems must be collected in order to reach the next level, and you must avoid being crushed or trapped by boulders, or destroying yourself or the exit with explosives. The soundtrack is excellent. There are 4 zones in this game, with only the first zone playable in the shareware version.

Cyberium
Conquistador
Nebulari
Spirithouse

Trugg v1.0 Shareware Edition (680k) Play online

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed on Digital Workshop's website.

Tube 1995

User rating: No rating

DOS Freeware (always)

Racing

Developed by Bullfrog Productions

Published by Bullfrog Productions

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Tube is essentially a development demo that Bullfrog published on the cover CD of the February 1995 edition of UK magazine PC Games, and the April 1995 edition of German magazine PC Player. Your goal is to reach the end of seemingly endless tube before the time runs out, while destroying enemies and collecting weapon upgrades. The tube often wraps all the way around the screen, allowing the player to drive upside down. The tracks obviously repeat, but there is an end and, despite being a very simple game, by the second level it can become quite enjoyable. Two players can play in split-screen mode. The PC Player release contains a license that stipulates that the game can be freely distributed online only.

Downloads

Tube PC Player release (1025k)		April 1995
Tube PC Games release (1025k)		February 1995

Availability

This game was originally released under a freeware license.

Tubes 1994

User rating: 8

DOS Shareware (partial game)

Puzzle

Developed by Absolute Magic

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Dr. Lanny B. Brilliant had just created eight new elements (Redium, Greenium, Bluium, Cyanium, Purplium, Yellowium, Pinkium, and Flashium) which turned out to be highly unstable and scattered everywhere. At the most basic level, the game is like Columns in that the goal is to form molecules (chains) by getting three or more atoms of the same color in a row in any direction. That's where the similarities to any other puzzle game end. The atoms travel one at a time through six tubes. You have a test tube that you can move beneath the tubes to catch and hold up to five atoms at a time. If you fail to catch an atom by missing it, or trying to catch it while the test tube is full, you lose a "drop". You can dump one atom at a time into the beaker below, which can hold five atoms high in six columns. Atoms fall out of the test tube from the top, so the last atom in is the first atom out. You can manipulate the order in which atoms fall out of the tubes by speeding up one of the tubes. There are special atoms: Flashium is a wildcard that can used to create a chain of any color, Xenon won't react with any color atom, AntiMatter destroys the surrounding atoms, Bonus turns into Flashium when caught and gives you a bonus drop, Multiplier will fill your test tube with atoms, Evil Multiplier fills the test tube with Xenons, Convertor changes all of the atoms it lands on into Xenons, Blocker will fill the beaker column it lands in with Xenons, and Filler permanently reduces the number of atoms the test tube can hold by one atom (let this one drop if you can afford to). The game can be played in either Endurance Mode (play until you lose) or in Waves where you have to accomplish specific objectives. Developed by Absolute Magic, v1.0 was distributed by Software Creations, and v1.1 was distributed by its successor, Impulse Software. The registered version has 50 more waves, 5 new backgrounds, and adds the Anti-Matter and Bonus atoms.

Downloads

Tubes v1.1 Shareware (535k)		7 November 1994	Play online
Tubes v1.0 Shareware (543k)		21 June 1994

Availability

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Tyrian 2000 1995

User rating: 10

DOS Shareware-turned-freeware

Shooter

Developed by Eclipse Software

Published by Epic MegaGames

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

Originally published as Tyrian, this game is widely regarded as one of the best shooters ever. At the highest settings, Tyrian features amazing graphics and sounds, as well as voice. Many enemy ships, especially bosses, visibly take damage and break into smaller vehicles as pieces get destroyed, adding a real arcade feel to the game. The self-regenerating shields are especially helpful for aggressive players. You can collect money to buy upgrades for your ship, as well as pick up holographic data cubes that provide information or contribute to the story, or contain advertisements for fictional products. Even the advertisements provide some background information, and other characters contact you to keep you apprised of the situation. The story actually has depth and is not merely an afterthought to provide continuity to the levels. You can sometimes choose the levels you play by choosing a direction on the map screen, and there are secret bonus levels. Definitely recommended. Originally a trilogy, a new episode was added in version 2.0. A fifth episode was added to version 3.0, at which time the game was officially renamed Tyrian 2000. There are 5 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1 - Escape
Episode 2 - Treachery
Episode 3 - Mission: Suicide
Episode 4 - An End to Fate
Episode 5 - Hazudra Fodder

Tyrian 2000 v1.0 Shareware Episode (3920k)
Tyrian v2.1 Registered Version (4653k)
Tyrian v2.0 Registered Version (4307k)
Tyrian v2.0 Shareware Episode (1782k)
Tyrian v1.1 Registered Version (3923k)
Tyrian v1.1 Shareware Episode (1729k)
Tyrian v1.0 Shareware Episode (1690k)

Availability

Author Jason Emery has generously released this game as freeware.

Velcro Mind 1995

User rating: No rating

DOS Freeware (always)

Arcade

Developed by Jazz Software

Published by Jazz Software

Graphics: VGA 320×240×256c

Using the mouse, you move a four-colored ball around the screen. The left and right mouse buttons rotate the ball left or right. Small, colored balls fly around the screen, and they will stick to your cursor if they hit the right color, otherwise they take away one hit point. Your cursor can collect any number of balls, but your goal is to eventually move the cursor over hands on the sides of the screen, each one representing one of the four colors, which will take the balls from your cursor and award points for them, which vary based on the color of the balls. Hit points can be restored by touching small galaxy-shaped spirals.

Velcro Mind v1.1 Freeware (39k)

26 May 1995

Availability

This game was originally released under a freeware license.

VGATetris 1991

User rating: No rating

DOS Freeware (always)

Puzzle

Developed by Jared Tarbell

Published by Jared Tarbell

Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c

There have been thousands of Tetris games for DOS, but this is one of the better ones. The VGA palette allows for some nice colors for the pieces and backgrounds. There are also some cheats and Easter eggs in the game. There's not much in the way of sound, but the visuals are nice enough to keep the game interesting.

VGATetris v1.1 Freeware (29k)

4 April 1991