Home of Retro PC Gaming
Currently hosting 55 1994 games!
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Home of Retro PC Gaming
Currently hosting 55 1994 games! |
| Alien Breed: Tower Assault 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Shooter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Team17 Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Team17 Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The third game in the Alien Breed series, and the last to feature a 2D perspective. Description coming soon. DownloadsAlien Breed: Tower Assault Shareware Demo (1095k) AvailabilityCopyright holder Team17 Software no longer sells this game.
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| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Arcy 2 is a VGA puzzle game that might remind you a little of Kroz. You play a smiley face who must collect all of the keys in a level before you can leave. Each enemy moves in a specific way, so the puzzle is figuring out how to move through the level without getting killed. Some enemies will only move if you cross their path, some will kill you instantly, some move in straight lines and only turn left or right, and some will try to trap you. Rocks can be used to interpose something between yourself and your enemies, and sometimes must be used to destroy walls or barriers. The soundtrack gets old quickly (one stanza of "The Entertainer" plays in a loop forever), but the game is very challenging and should entertain anyone who is up to the challenge. There are 3 volumes in this game, with only the first volume playable in the shareware version. DownloadsArcy 2 Shareware Episode (440k) AvailabilityI have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed on MVP's website.
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| AstroFire 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Shooter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by ORT Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by ORT Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×240×256c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 DownloadsComplete version history:
AvailabilityORT Software still sells the registered version of this game for $24.95 on CD-ROM or for $14.95 by download.
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| Ballistic 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Shareware (full version) | Paddle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Glenn Nissen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Glenn Nissen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Screenshot | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ballistic is a ball and paddle game with the usual array of features. Some bricks take one hit, some take three hits, and some are indestructible. Colorful bricks are arranged to make patterns in 50 screens of play, and there are a number of power-ups, such as a larger paddle, extra life, the ability to catch the ball, shoot lasers, divide the ball into 3 or 8 balls, or you can shrink the paddle, which triples the value of brick destroyed. Power-ups that are less common include Mega Ball, which makes the ball really big, Blue Ball, which makes the ball temporarily blast through bricks without bouncing back, and Two Ball, which is a sort of permanent multi-ball. With Two Ball, whenever one of the balls is dropped, the other one splits in two again. One of the better ball and paddle games of its day. DownloadsBallistic v1.0b Shareware (104k) AvailabilityI have found no ordering information for this game.
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| Beneath a Steel Sky 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (former commercial) | Adventure | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Revolution Software | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Revolution Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A point-and-click adventure set in a dystopian future with a hero whose life has obvious parallels to John from Brave New World. As Robert Foster, you are the son of citizens of the city, but you have been raised by a tribe that lives in the wilderness. Security agents kidnap you and return you to the city, but you manage to escape following a helicopter crash. With only your faithful sidekick, a robot named Joey, you must escape the city and find out why you were brought here. The graphics and sound are quite good in this immersive world, and interaction with the people who live in it is ingenious and full of witty dialog. It takes a lot of thinking to solve some of the puzzles. The CD-ROM version of the game replaces the text with voice and adds cut scenes that are drawn like comic books. DownloadsBeneath a Steel Sky CD Version (67874k) AvailabilityRevolution Software generously released this game as freeware under the Beneath a Steel Sky Freeware License.
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| Boppin' 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 7 | DOS Shareware-turned-freeware | Puzzle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Accursed Toys | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Apogee Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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! DownloadsComplete version history:
AvailabilityDeveloper 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'.
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| Color Wizard, The 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware-turned-freeware | Educational | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by ImagiSOFT | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by ImagiSOFT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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
AvailabilityImagiSOFT has generously released this game as freeware, which can be downloaded from their website.
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| Cool Spot 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Platform | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Virgin Interactive | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Virgin Interactive | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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. DownloadsCool Spot Shareware Demo (409k) AvailabilityVirgin Games no longer sells this game.
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| Corridor 7: Alien Invasion 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 2 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | 3D Shooter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Capstone Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Capstone Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Based on the Wolfenstein 3D engine, with a similar level of graphics and sound. In 2012, a mission to Mars returns a mysterious object to Earth. A dimensional gate called "the Vortex" opened up and an alien invasion force entered the maze-like research facility known as Corridor 7. Naturally, you want to defeat the invaders by killing them with various weapons. Computers sometimes require access cards to get to other areas, and there are health stations where the hero can recharge. The full version came on floppy disk and CD-ROM, the latter having extra levels, weapons and enemies, and added multiplayer play and CD audio. There are over 40 levels in the full version. The installer expects to find a file called c7.lzh, but the archive includes a c7.zip. Use any decompression utility to extract the files from c7.zip. DownloadsCorridor 7: Alien Invasion Shareware (1251k) AvailabilityI have found no ordering information for this game. Capstone Software and its parent company, IntraCorp, went bankrupt in 1996. It can be purchased from Amazon: Corridor 7: Alien Invasion.
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| Descent 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 8.5 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | 3D Shooter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Parallax Software | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Interplay | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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You pilot a space ship that moves 360 degrees in all three dimensions in this famous shooter. You work for a mining corporation whose bases have been attacked by an invasion force that is heading towards Earth. The manufacturing facilities have been adapted from building mining robots to develop a robot army. Your mission is to move from mine to mine, destroy the core and escape before the entire mine is obliterated. Originally planned as an Apogee shareware title, the shareware version contains the first 7 levels and is missing a few of the weapons. The registered version has 30 levels. Downloads
AvailabilityInterplay has filed for bankruptcy protection and has closed its online store. Descent can still be ordered through Amazon as part of the Interplay 15th Anniversary Anthology. It can be downloaded in a ready-to-play DOSBox container from GOG for $5.99.
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| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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
AvailabilityI have found no ordering information for this game.
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| Dinosaur Predators 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Educational | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Alive Software | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Alive Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: EGA 640×350×16c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A turn-based game where you pick a dinosaur to play and move about a grid, trying to catch prey and avoid predators. Plants and animals are assigned positions in the food chain, and different dinosaurs eat different kinds of food. There are options to click on each creature to get a description of them, or see where they stand in the food chain, as far as what creatures are their predators and their prey. You gain points for eating other creatures and lose points for being caught by predators. When you get a score of 49, you gain the ability to move diagonally, which makes it much easier to hunt and avoid predators. The ability is lost if your score drops below 49. Gameplay is identical to Animal Quest, except for a few things. Because we've never observed dinosaurs, they are strictly defined as either carnivore or herbivore, reducing competition in the food chain. A herbivore doesn't need to worry about predators eating the plants it wants to eat whereas, in Animal Quest, even the strongest predators will often eat leaves and berries, too. Dinosaur Predators adds an option to answer trivia questions to gain points. There are 4 episodes in this game, with only Jurassic Dinosaurs being playable in the shareware version. Jurassic Dinosaurs Downloads
AvailabilityAlivesoft still sells the registered version of this game for $20 on floppy disk or CD-ROM, or $10 by download.
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| Disney's Aladdin 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Platform | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Virgin Interactive | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Virgin Interactive | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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. DownloadsDisney's Aladdin Shareware Demo (1336k) AvailabilityVirgin Games no longer sells this game.
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| Electranoid 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Paddle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Pixel Painters | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Pixel Painters | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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
AvailabilityI have found no ordering information for this game.
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| Electro Man 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 10 | DOS Shareware-turned-freeware | Platform | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by xLand Games | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Epic MegaGames, xLand Games | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A very unusual platformer. Your play a cyborg named Jack, a human modified to look like Robocop in order to fight robots who killed your family. Your goal is to locate three computer chips in every level. Your gun only fires when you can find energy for it, and you have infinite lives, which is good because this is a very hard game. One of the difficult aspects of the game is the attempt at realistic physics. You can't change your direction in mid-air, meaning that you can't jump straight up and then push forward, you must be moving forward to jump forward. Once you've jumped, you can't push in the opposite direction to try to come down closer. Not being able to change direction in mid-air may be a difficult adaptation if you're used to console video games; inertia is a real consideration in this game. The graphics and sound are quite good, and there are voices. Originally published by CDV Software as electro BODY, the name was changed to Electro Man when published by Epic. There are 8 levels in this game, with only the fourth level playable in the shareware version. DownloadsElectro Man Creative Commons Registered Version (887k) Play online AvailabilityDeveloper xLand generously released this game as freeware under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 license on 25 June 2006.
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| Gazillionaire 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 10 | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | Simulation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by LavaMind | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by LavaMind, Spectrum HoloByte | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Gazillionaire is a business simulation game where you control every aspect of an interplanetary trading company. Each turn, you buy products on one planet and choose another planet to go to, hoping to sell for less than you bought for. You can check the supply and demand for each of the seven planets, choose how much to pay for advertising, and whether or not to buy insurance. 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 registered version features complete graphics, voices, sound effects, music, warehouses, weather reports, news updates, facilities, and planet histories. Downloads
AvailabilityI have found no ordering information for this game.
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| God of Thunder 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 9 | DOS Shareware-turned-freeware | Adventure | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by CSE Games | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Impulse Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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It is 927 A.D., and Odin has summoned you, Thor, to rescue Midgard from your evil half-brother, Loki. This is a very clever puzzle game with action and fighting thrown in for fun. You navigate the world screen by screen, with different obstacles at almost every turn. Your enchanted hammer, Mjolnir, can be thrown and will always return to you. It will kill most, but not all enemies. Some of the screens can be very difficult and require a lot of thinking, but they're very rewarding to solve. Even the graphics and sound are enjoyable. Version 1.0 was published by Software Creations before it changed its name to Impulse Software, which published v1.1. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Part 1: Serpent Surprise! DownloadsGod of Thunder v1.1 Registered Version (1035k) Play online AvailabilityAuthor Adam Pedersen has generously released this game as freeware.
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| Heretic 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 6.8 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | 3D Shooter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Raven Software | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by id Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Three Serpent Riders conquered the world by enslaving the minds of men. Two of the Riders leave, but D'Sparil remains behind and the seven kings of Earth succumb to his mind control. You play a member of the Siddhe Elves, who are scattered across the world after destroying the seven armies. In this first person shooter based on a modified Doom engine, you use a staff to fight evil creatures in your quest to kill D'Sparil. One notable improvement to the Doom engine is the ability to look up and down. Originally Heretic was only available through shareware registration, until GT Interactive started distributing a retail edition called Heretic: Shadow of the Serpent Riders which added two more episodes. There are 5 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - City of the Damned DownloadsComplete version history:
Availabilityid Software still sells the registered version of this game for $15 by download.
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| Hocus Pocus 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 2.5 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Platform | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Moonlite Software | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Apogee Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 DownloadsComplete version history:
AvailabilityApogee still sells the registered version of this game for $5.99 by download.
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| Holiday Lemmings 1994 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Puzzle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by DMA Design | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Psygnosis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In 1994, Pysgnosis released a second complete Christmas-themed Lemmings game. Gameplay is identical to the earlier Lemmings games, but the lemmings are dressed like Santa Claus. Lemmings are little guys with green hair who walk in a straight line until they bump into something or die, usually by falling off a cliff. Lemmings can be assigned tasks to perform from one of eight modes: climber, floater, blocker, builder, basher, miner, digger, and exploder. Players must use these modes to guide all of of their lemmings to the exit, overcoming barriers, falls, and traps, all within a time limit. Lemmings splatter if they fall too far, get crushed, juiced, or decapitated by traps, and can blow themselves to bits, individually or en masse, in hilariously gruesome detail, which is a favorite feature of many players, and lessens the frustration of failure. Advanced problem solving and reflexes are necessary to save the lemmings. The demo levels are very easy. The are 32 levels in this game (in addition to the 32 levels from 1993 Holiday Lemmings), with only four levels playable in the 4-level mini-version. DownloadsHoliday Lemmings 1994 Shareware Demo (128k) Play online AvailabilityDMA Design no longer sells this game.
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| In Search of Dr. Riptide 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Shooter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by MindStorm Software | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Pack Media Company | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A maniacal scientist named Dr. Riptide has created a weapon called the Tuna-Matic to turn the world's sea creatures into a canned delicacy to sell to the rich. You must seek him out and stop him using a submarine to navigate to his hiding place and defeat the many creatures that protect him. Your submarine has weapons, and is also accompanied by a smaller submarine called JASON. You can toggle between controlling either vessel, but JASON can only operate on its own for a short time before running out of power. JASON is used to get into small spaces to open doors or expose power-ups for the larger sub. You die if you run out of shields or air, so you're in a hurry to conserve air, but you need to exercise caution to avoid taking damage. The game can be quite challenging even on the Easy difficulty level, but fortunately there are passwords for every level. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1: In Search of Dr. Riptide DownloadsIn Search of Dr. Riptide v1.1 Shareware Episode (675k) Play online AvailabilityI have found no ordering information for this game.
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| Jazz Jackrabbit 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 7.7 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Platform | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Epic MegaGames | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Epic MegaGames | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Jazz Jackrabbit is a combination of several styles of platform game. Being a rabbit, Jazz can run very fast and speed is a major component of the game, warranting instant comparison to Sonic the Hedgehog. There are a lot of items to collect, which requires extensive exploration, something that Sonic wouldn't have time for. Finally, Jazz carries a big gun and finds many different kinds of ammo. He's also a great jumper, so perhaps he's Sonic, Mario, and Duke Nukem rolled into one. The graphics and sound are excellent, and Jazz Jackrabbit is generally regarded as one of the best DOS games ever. Originally, episodes 1-3 and 4-6 could be purchased separately, and three new episodes, A-C, were added in the CD-ROM version, Jazz Jackrabbit CD. There are 9 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1: Turtle Terror DownloadsComplete version history:
AvailabilityThe registered version of this game is still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $25 on CD-ROM.
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| Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 10 | DOS Freeware (always) | Platform | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Epic MegaGames | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Epic MegaGames | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Released as "Jazz Jackrabbit Christmas Edition", this freeware episode lists itself as "Episode X: Holiday Hare" on the episode selection screen, beneath the 9 episodes from Jazz Jackrabbit. Episode X was never added to the original game, so Holiday Hare is a standalone game based on the Jazz Jackrabbit engine. Featuring the same awesome graphics as the original, tons of weapons, and a rock and roll soundtrack based on a medley of Christmas carols, Jazz travels to the wintry planet Holidaius to fight more tortoises and other enemies. DownloadsJazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare (1404k) AvailabilityThis game was originally released under a freeware license.
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| Klik & Play 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 9 | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | Game Creation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Clickteam | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Europress Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Screenshot | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Klik & Play was the first of Clickteam's simple game creators. It came with a large library of graphics and sounds and made it easy to create multi-level games. Advanced users could create their own graphics and sounds, and hundreds of impressive games found popularity online. The demo version comes with three games: Hungry Hedgehogs, a math game; Reversi; and Toyland, a complex Breakout game in which the goal is to destroy moving toys, some of which are attacking you, and prevent the ball from hitting mice at the bottom of the screen. Only simple, single-level games can be created in the shareware demo, while the registered version includes hundreds of animated objects and sample sounds, and the ability to create complex games. There are 10 games in this program, with only 3 playable in the shareware version. Now discontinued, in 1999 Europress and Clickteam released Klik & Play for Schools, which is freely distributable but can only be freely used for school activities. Gracillia V Downloads
AvailabilityThis game has been discontinued. The registered version is free to use for school activities.
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| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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. DownloadsThe Lion King Shareware Demo (1336k) AvailabilityVirgin Games no longer sells this game.
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| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
AvailabilityMVP Software still sells MVP Bridge Deluxe v3.07, a Win32 version of the game, for $39.95 by CD-ROM or download.
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| MVP Bridge for Windows 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | Traditional | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Cascoly Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by MVP Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Screenshot | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Windows version of MVP Bridge. 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.
AvailabilityMVP Software still sells v3.7, a Win32 version of the game, for $39.95 by CD-ROM or download.
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| MVP Word Search for Windows 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | Puzzle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Craig W. Kellogg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by MVP Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Screenshot | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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MVP Word Search is a word search with some pretty challenging puzzles. Circling words is as easy as selecting the first letter and dragging a circle to the end of the word. The built-in MIDI music could be better, but you can choose your own music in the registered Deluxe version. MVP's website claims that the latest version requires Windows 98, but the game is still a Win16 application and comes with a Win16 installer. Originally there were 100 word lists in the registered version, but this was doubled by v2.1. There are 200 word lists in this game, with only the first 10 words playable in the shareware version.
AvailabilityMVP Software still sells the registered version of this game for $4.95 by download.
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| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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:
AvailabilityApogee still sells the registered version of this game for $5.99 by download.
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| Nitemare-3D 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | 3D Shooter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Gray Design Associates | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Gray Design Associates | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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
AvailabilityGray Design Associates still sells the DOS and Windows versions of the Nitemare-3D Trilogy collectively for $12 by download.
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| Nitemare-3D for Windows 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 8 | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | 3D Shooter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Gray Design Associates | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Gray Design Associates | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Screenshot | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Hugo goes 3D in the Windows version of 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
AvailabilityGray Design Associates still sells the DOS and Windows versions of the Nitemare-3D Trilogy collectively for $12 by download.
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| One Must Fall 2097 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 9.3 | DOS Shareware-turned-freeware | Fighting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Diversions Entertainment | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Epic MegaGames | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 AvailabilityDeveloper Diversions Entertainment has generously released this game as freeware.
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| Raptor: Call of the Shadows 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 7 | DOS Win9x Shareware (partial game) | Shooter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Cygnus Studios (Mountain King Studios) | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Apogee Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 Downloads
AvailabilityApogee 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.
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| Rise of the Triad: The HUNT Begins 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 7.7 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | 3D Shooter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Apogee Software | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Apogee Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Based on a heavily modified Wolfenstein 3D engine, Rise of the Triad adds a number of new features, and was originally planned as a sequel. Whereas Wolf3D was flat, ROTT truly entered the third dimension by adding height: it was now possible to move up and down! Players can fall or be launched into the air, the environment displays damage (bullet holes), and the graphics and sound are a step up. Explosive weapons can blast enemies into giblets (gibs), and characters are more lifelike, sometimes begging for mercy. There are also multiplayer levels! The number of improvements and additions to this engine is really quite amazing. As for the story, this time you must infiltrate a cult that plans to destroy Los Angeles, using one of five playable characters who have different attributes (only one character is available in the shareware version). The registered version is known as "Rise of the Triad: Dark War". There are 5 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1: The HUNT Begins Complete version history:
AvailabilityApogee still sells the registered version of this game for $5.99 by download.
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| Robot Crusades 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware-turned-freeware | Simulation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by RederWare (Tactical Neuronics) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by RederWare (Tactical Neuronics) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In the 22nd Century athletes have reached their limits in traditional sports and records are no longer broken, so people have turned to robots for their entertainment. In this complex strategy game, you must design an army of robots with varying abilities to battle an opposing army. Victory is achieved when either side destroys the other side's satellite, but this isn't just Capture the Flag. Robots fight and destroy each other, you can hide mines, and some robots can act as minesweepers, adding an element of Stratego or Admirals. The satellite is also the means by which the robots communicate with each other, so the robots can only receive orders while they're within range of the satellite. The catch is that you don't get to control the robots. Once you've created your army, the robots fight without human intervention, so everything depends on the strength of your planning. John Reder originally published Robot Crusades under the name RederWare. Registered robots could not be used in the shareware version. Robot Crusades v1.0 Registered Version (661k) AvailabilityAuthor John Reder has generously released this game as freeware.
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| Salad Scribble 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Freeware (always) | Educational | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Paul T. Dawson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Paul T. Dawson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Screenshot | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A straightforward paint program for Windows 3.1 that can do a few things that Paintbrush can't. Designed with fun in mind, there is a color randomizer, and lots of options for drawing shapes, typing text with any installed font, creating inverse images, and just generally messing around at an amateur level. Salad Scribble is free for non-commercial use, and can load and save BMP images.
AvailabilityThis game was originally released under a freeware license.
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| Sea Run 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Puzzle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Soleau Software | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Soleau Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Based on Ant Run and Spider Run, but with a lot more items on the grid. The game takes place in a grid maze made up of segments that can be rotated. The segments can contain a straight path, a corner, or a red or regular crossing path. The arrows represent wind direction, and will guide the boat. The boat enters the maze through a starting point inside the maze, and you have eight seconds before gameplay begins. The segments can be rotated during gameplay, but you have to ensure that the boat has a clear passage ahead of it at all times. Segments disappear as the boat passes over them, preventing it from using them again, except for red crossing paths. Red arrows represent strong winds and give bonus points. Treasure chests give bonus points, while hitting whales reduces your score. Island and whirlpools will sink the ship. The edges of the screen wrap around to the segment on the opposite side. A progress meter counts the distance the boat has sailed until it resets at 1 mile. Once it resets, the unusable segments of the maze will be reset the next time the boat re-enters the maze, and one segment of the maze will permanently become an island. A certain score must be achieved in each level in order to advance. Raising the spinnaker causes the boat to sail more quickly and doubles your score for the distance traveled, but you can no longer slow down or alter the maze until the boat re-enters the maze or crashes. As the levels get harder, multiple starting points appear at the beginning of the maze, and there's no way to know which boat will begin sailing. Some levels have an ending point which the boat must enter in order to advance to the next level. Suitable for gamers of all ages, the game also manages to be educational by listing naval trivia before each level. There are 30 levels in this game, with only the first 7 playable in the shareware version. Complete version history:Sea Run v1.0 Shareware (166k)AvailabilitySoleau Software still sells the registered version of this game for $12 by download.
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| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
AvailabilityArcanum Computing still sells the registered version of this game for $16 on floppy disk.
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| SimCity 2000 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Simulation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Maxis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Maxis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: SVGA 640×480×256c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SimCity 2000 is a huge upgrade over SimCity. It is vastly more complex, but still very easy to play. Whereas zones in SimCity had to be 3×3, 4×4, or 6×6, zones can be created with any dimensions in SimCity 2000, and you can specify light or heavy development. The landscape has become three dimensional, allowing hills and valleys, and land can be raised or lowered. You can create connections to neighboring cities. There are a lot more types of power plant, there are highways and subways, you can build schools, universities, libraries, hospitals, prisons, military bases, bus stops and subway terminals. In addition to power, zones need water. Water pumps draw water, while water towers can hold excess water during wet months and supply water during dry months. There is an underground view that lets you create water pipes and subways. Some items don't become available until they are invented (unlike SimCity, there are no nuclear power plants in 1900). In the future, massive self-contained cities called arcologies can be added that can hold up to 65 000 people. New graphs allow you to see your city's life expectancy and education. Your city has a credit rating and you can take out loans. There are also a number of scenarios that can be played with specific goals to achieve. The game can only be played for 20 minutes in the shareware demo, and many items, including power plants, are unavailable. SimCity 2000 Shareware Demo (1055k) Play online AvailabilityCopyright holder Electronic Arts no longer sells this game. It can be ordered from Amazon: SimCity 2000 or SimCity 2000 Special Edition, or as part of The Kids Fun Pack or Family Mega Hits.
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| Skunny: Wild West 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Platform | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Copysoft | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Copysoft | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A western platform game starring Skunny the squirrel. Attempting to return from ancient Rome following Skunny: Save Our Pizzas, Skunny's time machine takes him to the wild west in 1909 where his parents are living. His father's sheep have been stolen and Skunny must save every single one of them. Skunny can carry and drop items, and the background moves when Skunny jumps, to create the illusion of depth. The registered version has more and longer levels. Skunny: Wild West v2.0 Shareware (644k) Play online AvailabilityCopysoft still sells the full version of this game for $20.
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| Skunny Kart 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Racing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Copysoft | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Copysoft | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Skunny Kart is a go-kart racing game with similarities to Mario Kart and Wacky Wheels. Skunny and a cast of other animals race in various cups on tracks that are littered with power-ups and items that can help you or hurt you. There are practice and battle modes and everything you would expect from the genre. The registered version comes with 6 extra episodes and 10 extra battle arenas. Skunny Kart v1.4 Shareware (1412k) Play online AvailabilityCopysoft still sells the full version of this game for $29.95.
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| Space Nightmare 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Shooter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Microdem | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Microdem | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×240×256c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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) AvailabilityI have found no ordering information for this game.
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| Spider Run 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Puzzle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Soleau Software | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Soleau Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: EGA 640×350×16c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The sequel to Ant Run, Spider Run is identical except that the grid is no longer rectangular (the corners have been removed), and a fly will occasionally land on the web, which will award bonus points if the spider can cross its path. The game takes place in a grid maze made up of segments that can be rotated. The segments can contain a straight path, a corner, or a crossing path. The spider enters the maze through a starting point inside the maze, and you have ten seconds before gameplay begins. The segments can be rotated during gameplay, but you have to ensure that the spider has a clear passage ahead of it at all times. Segments turn blue as the spider passes through them, preventing it from using them again, except for the crossing paths. Strands around the edge of the web wrap around to the strand on the opposite side. A progress meter counts the distance the spider has moved until it resets at 20 inches. Once it resets, the unusable segments of the path will be reset the next time the spider re-enters the web, and one segment of the maze will disappear. A certain score must be achieved in each level in order to advance. A "Fast" button causes the spider to move more quickly and doubles your score for the distance traveled, but you can no longer slow down or alter the maze until the spider re-enters the web or crashes. As the levels get harder, multiple starting points appear at the beginning of the maze, and there's no way to know which one the spider will come out of. Some levels have an ending point which the spider must enter in order to advance to the next level. Suitable for gamers of all ages, the game also manages to be educational by listing trivia about spiders before each level. There are 30 levels in this game, with only the first 7 playable in the shareware version. Spider Run v2.1 Shareware (146k) AvailabilitySoleau Software still sells the registered version of this game for $12 by download.
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| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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) AvailabilityLucasArts 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.
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| 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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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) AvailabilityLucasArts no longer sells this game.
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| Taking Care of Business 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 8 | DOS Shareware-turned-freeware | Puzzle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Moonlite Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Moonlite Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In this platform-like puzzle game, you guide Demolisher Dirk through levels that consist of a single screen. Dirk can jump a little bit and fall from great heights, and he can pick up and move boxes. There are power-ups that allow him to break a wall with his hard hat, destroy a block in the floor with dynamite, jump extra high, or use a ladder. There are other perils, like blocks that disappear when you walk over them and electric fields that can sometimes be turned off with switches. Dirk moves a tile at a time, and the focus is figuring out how to move the boxes to help you reach the exit, so it reminds me of Sokoban with gravity. There are 60 puzzles in this game, with only the first 15 playable in the shareware version. Taking Care of Business v1.0 Registered Version (332k) AvailabilityMoonlite Software has generously released this game as freeware.
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| Traffic Department 2192 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 10 | DOS Shareware-turned-freeware | Shooter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by P² Multimedia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Safari Software (Epic MegaGames) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As Lt. Velasquez, a pilot with the Traffic Department, you must take back the streets from the Vulture terrorist organization. You use a variety of vehicles to drive through the streets and shoot enemy vehicles as the Traffic Department finds itself mired ever deeper in a cosmic terrorist war. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode Alpha: Process of Elimination
AvailabilityDeveloper John Pallett-Plowright generously released this game as freeware under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 License on 19 July 2007.
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| Tubes 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 8 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Puzzle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Absolute Magic | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Software Creations (Impulse Software) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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
AvailabilityI have found no ordering information for this game.
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| Wacky Wheels 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 7 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Racing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Beavis-Soft | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Apogee Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Wacky Wheels is a first person go-kart game with everything you would expect. The drivers are different animals and there are power-ups you can use to attack the other cars. Most of the weapons are hedgehogs who are sitting on the track, doing some pretty strange things. When you hit them with your car, you get hedgehogs which you can shoot at other players. There are a number of different modes of play, including a mode in which you shoot ducks on go-karts and a versus mode. There are 42 tracks in the complete version. Complete version history:Wacky Wheels v1.1 Shareware Episode (1616k) Play onlineAvailabilityApogee still sells the registered version of this game for $5.99 by download.
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| Wari: The Ancient Game of Africa 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware-turned-freeware | Traditional | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by ImagiSOFT | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by ImagiSOFT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: EGA 640×350×16c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Wari is a "sowing game" known by names such as Oware and Ouri, and a variant of game known in the West as Mancala or Kalah. Played throughout Africa, Asia and the Caribbean for at least 1000 years, it is less known in the rest of the world than other great games of pure skill such as Chess, Checkers and Go. The board consists of a row of six pits for each player, and usually includes a larger pit called a "store" for each player to place their captured seeds. Gameplay is simple, with each player taking turns removing all of the seeds from one of his pits and distributing one seed at a time, counter-clockwise around the board, except for the pit that he drew from. If this causes two or three stones to be left in any of his opponent's pits, he captures them. Unlike Mancala, he does not sow seeds into his store, which eliminates strategic attempts to have one's turn end in his store to get an extra turn, and it prolongs the game because seeds are only removed from play when captured. The game is incredibly easy to learn, but can be played at a master level. Wari can be played by two humans, one player against the computer, or by two computers to watch and learn. Features very nice music. There are four difficulty levels in this game, with only the first three playable 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.
AvailabilityImagiSOFT has generously released this game as freeware, which can be downloaded from their website.
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| WordMax 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Puzzle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Soleau Software | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Soleau Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: EGA 640×350×16c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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WordMax is an anagram game where your goal is to create as many words as possible from a "master word". WordMax uses a dictionary of 80 000 words to create a list of valid words and tells you not only how many words there are, but how many are of each word length. There are 100 master words in this game, with only the first 35 playable in the shareware version. Complete version history:
AvailabilitySoleau Software still sells the registered version of this game for $12 by download.
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| World Empire III 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | Strategy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Viable Software Alternatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Viable Software Alternatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The third game in the popular world domination series, World Empire III improves on World Empire II by adding a lot of new images and graphics, more attractive maps, and MIDI music, some of which is pretty catchy. It's also possible to see how many armies are in each nation on the map screen during gameplay, instead of having to check the Status screen. Otherwise the game is the same, except that you can no longer play against two computer opponents in the shareware version, and the "expert" option that starts players with 30 armies instead of 56 is now reserved for the registered version. The world is still divided into 139 nations, each of which supports one of the players' ideologies. Version numbers continue from where they left off in World Empire II, starting with v2.0 in World Empire III. The shareware version can be played by one to four players, with the computer serving as the opponent in a one player game. The registered version can be played against up to seven computer opponents, and adds four new ideologies. Downloads
AvailabilityViable Software Alternatives still sells World Empire V Deluxe, a Win32 version of the game, for $18 by download or CD-ROM.
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| Xargon 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: 8.7 | DOS Shareware-turned-freeware | Platform | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Epic MegaGames | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Epic MegaGames | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In Xargon you play Malvineous Havershim, an archaeologist who was studying ruins in Madagascar when a trap caused him to lose consciousness and wake up in a strange world ruled by the evil Xargon. Presumably this planet has very low gravity because you can jump very high and fall from great heights without injury. I question the ethics of the hero at times. He's an archaeologist visiting a new world and some of the creatures in the earlier levels seem to be minding their own business and merely defending their territory, but he gets points for killing them anyway. The monsters and power-ups are interesting, and the graphics are extremely detailed and shiny. The music sets the mood well, and there is a reasonable variety of voices. The difficulty level is lower than many platformers, reducing the frustration factor, and the game focuses on exploration and has many secret areas, which is exactly the way I like a game to be. The quality of the graphics, music and exploration remind me of Hocus Pocus. A score card or completion indicator to let you know when you've found everything would have been nice, but otherwise the game is quite enjoyable by any audience. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1: Beyond Reality DownloadsXargon v3.0 Registered Version (1357k) AvailabilityAuthor Allen Pilgrim generously released this game as freeware under the Kiloblaster and Xargon Freeware License on 4 August 2008.
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| Xatax 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Shooter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Pixel Painters | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Pixel Painters | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A sidescrolling shooter with power-ups, in the tradition of R-Type. It's the 23rd Century, and alien invaders called Xatax are consuming entire worlds, and mutating themselves as they do. Basically, destroy everything and avoiding getting hit by anything. Destroyed enemies sometimes leave power-ups that upgrade your weapon, add missiles to your ship, or add a pod that follows you and adds to your firepower. You lose an upgrade when you get hit, and if you're already fully downgraded, you die. Buildings and enemies have a great three-dimensional look to them, and the soundtrack is decent, if monotonous. "One hit kill" games can be frustrating and depend heavily on level memorization, but there are three difficulty levels to make it easier on beginning players. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1: Defending the Guilds DownloadsXatax v1.00s Shareware Episode (738k) AvailabilityIt can be downloaded in a ready-to-play DOSBox container from GOG for .
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| Xerix II: The Caverns of Mars 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware-turned-freeware | Shooter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Developed by Twilight Software | Compatibility guide | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Published by Twilight Software | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Three years after the events of Xerix, Earth and its colonies is again attacked by aliens. The alien ships come in waves, and blindly move about in patterns, including the bosses, so the enemy isn't exactly intelligent. They make up for that in numbers. There are a lot of weapon upgrades which, unfortunately, don't carry from one level to the next. A very long story is told before each level which, fortunately, can be skipped. The graphics are layered, with a foreground (a layer closer than the ship) as well as a background layer. The greatest strength of this game is the excellent soundtrack, which varies from techno to African tribal music with very convincing wind instruments. This is a challenging game, so fortunately there are three difficulty levels. There are 12 levels in this game, with only the first 6 playable in the shareware version. Downloads
AvailabilityAuthor Brandon Reville has generously released this game as freeware.
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