Abandonware DOS title

Remakes of abandoned games

Games developed for DOS or for early microcomputers (Spectrum, Commodore 64, BBC Micro etc.) date back to the 80s of the 20th century and, well, there’s no other way you can define them: they’re just old. Graphics, sound, user experience and the interface were something really different if you compare them to recent games. Game development made huge leaps forward over the years and today’s games belong to an entirely different class. Some of these really archaic games are fondly remembered by someone crazy enough to invest a lot of effort in remaking them.

Some of these old games have been recreated from scratch to varying degrees of faithfulness, whether by the hands of big gaming companies, indie developers or simply by individual fans during their spare time. Some of these remakes are available to download as free games or even open source software on various sharing sites, while others can only be played online, and some of them are even available for purchase.

What's the difference between a remake and a port? A remake is a faithful recreation of an old game, remade from scratch. A port is a conversion of sorts for a different system; it's not a game remade from scratch and it usually requires the original to run properly. A remaster is a new version of an old game that gets the remaster treatment; better graphics, better sound, better everyting.

This is a list of remakes, ports and remastered versions that I know of. I'm probably missing more than a few, but it's a good place to start if you look forward to play some good quality remake.

Original title Genre Original release Remakes, ports, remasters
Alley Cat Alley Cat action 1984 Alley Cat Remeow edition
Arcade Volleyball Arcade Volleyball action 1987 GPL: Arcade Volleyball
Zorlim's Arcade Volleyball
Commander Keen 1: Marooned on Mars Commander Keen 1: Marooned on Mars action 1990 Commander Genius
Commander Keen 2: The Earth Explodes Commander Keen 2: The Earth Explodes action 1990 Commander Genius
Commander Keen 3: Keen Must Die! Commander Keen 3: Keen Must Die! action 1990 Commander Genius
Digger Digger action 1983 Digger Remastered
Digger for Wii
Donkey Kong Donkey Kong action 1983 Champ Kong, remake
Aldo Again
Aldo's Adventure
CHAMP Kong
David's Kong
Gods Gods action 1991 Gods remake
Jumpman Jumpman action 1984 Classic Jumpman
Jumpman Lives!
Jumpman Lives! Jumpman Lives! action 1991 Classic Jumpman
Nebulus Nebulus action 1988 Towel toppler remake
One Must Fall 2097 One Must Fall 2097 action 1994 OpenOMF: a remake project
Paperboy Paperboy action 1988 Paper Kids
Prince of Persia Prince of Persia action 1990 Princess of Persia
Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame action 1993 Princess of Persia
Rick Dangerous Rick Dangerous action 1989 Rick Dangerous in flash
xrick linux remake
Super ZZT Super ZZT action 1992 DreamZZT
ZZT ZZT action 1991 DreamZZT
Cadaver Cadaver action-adventure 1990 Cadaver remake
Castle Adventure Castle Adventure action-adventure 1984 Castle: a rewrite of Castle Adventure
Flashback: The Quest for Identity Flashback: The Quest for Identity action-adventure 1993 REminiscence - a rewrite of the Flashback engine
La Abadia del Crimen La Abadia del Crimen action-adventure 1987 Abadia del Crimen remake
System Shock System Shock action-adventure 1994 System Shock reboot
Day of the Tentacle Day of the Tentacle adventure 1993 Day of the Tentacle Remastered
Full Throttle Full Throttle adventure 1995 Full Throttle Remastered
Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers adventure 1993 Gabriel Knight 1 remake: 20th anniversary edition
Gold Rush! Gold Rush! adventure 1988 Gold Rush! remake by Sunlight Games
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis adventure 1992 The Keys to Atlantis
King's Quest 1: Quest for the Crown King's Quest 1: Quest for the Crown adventure 1984 Remake by AGD Interactive
King's Quest 2: Romancing the Throne King's Quest 2: Romancing the Throne adventure 1985 Remake by AGD Interactive
King's Quest 3: To Heir is Human King's Quest 3: To Heir is Human adventure 1986 Infamous adventures remake
Remake by AGD Interactive
Maniac Mansion Maniac Mansion adventure 1987 Maniac Mansion Deluxe
Maniac Mansion Deluxe
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge adventure 1991 Monkey Island 2 special edition
Quest for Glory 2: Trial by Fire Quest for Glory 2: Trial by Fire adventure 1990 Remake by AGD Interactive
Space Quest 2: Vohaul's Revenge Space Quest 2: Vohaul's Revenge adventure 1987 Infamous adventures remake
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy adventure 1984 Hitchhiker's java remake
The Secret of Monkey Island The Secret of Monkey Island adventure 1990 Secret of Monkey Island special edition
Zork I: The Great Underground Empire Zork I: The Great Underground Empire adventure 1982 Zork I online
Zork II: The Wizard of Frobozz Zork II: The Wizard of Frobozz adventure 1983 Zork II online
Zork III: The Dungeon Master Zork III: The Dungeon Master adventure 1984 Zork III online
Zork Zero: The Revenge of Megaboz Zork Zero: The Revenge of Megaboz adventure 1989 Zork Zero online
Atomix Atomix puzzle 1990 WAtomic, a remake for Windows
Blockout Blockout puzzle 1989 Play Blockout in your browser
Bombuzal Bombuzal puzzle 1989 Bombzuka
Lemmings Lemmings puzzle 1991 Lemmigs remake
Puzznic Puzznic puzzle 1990 Puzztrix remake
Rockford: The Arcade Game Rockford: The Arcade Game puzzle 1987 Hunters
Sherlock: The Game of Logic Sherlock: The Game of Logic puzzle 1991 Sherlock Free for Android
Death Rally Death Rally racing 1996 Death Rally Remedy remake
Street Rod Street Rod racing 1989 Street Rod online
Street Rod 2: The Next Generation Street Rod 2: The Next Generation racing 1991 Street Rod online
Stunts Stunts racing 1990 Ultimate Stunts, a remake
Wipeout Wipeout racing 1995 Wipeout Phantom Edition
Wipeout Rewrite
Adventure Construction Set Adventure Construction Set rpg 1987 Adventure Creation Kit, a remake
Amberstar Amberstar rpg 1992 Amberworld interpreter
Betrayal at Krondor Betrayal at Krondor rpg 1993 xBaK
Diablo Diablo rpg 1996 Diablo Web: Diablo 1 for web browsers
Dungeon Crawl Dungeon Crawl rpg 1997 The RLTiles
Dungeon Crawl Stone Soup
Dungeon Master Dungeon Master rpg 1992 Return to chaos
Forgotten Realms: Unlimited Adventures Forgotten Realms: Unlimited Adventures rpg 1993 Dungeon Craft
Larn Larn rpg 1986 NLard remake
Moria Moria rpg 1992 Steve Kertes' C port of IMoria
Sorcerian Sorcerian rpg 1990 Sorcerian Original
Telengard Telengard rpg 1985 Telengard remake
The Bard's Tale The Bard's Tale rpg 1987 The Bard's Tale Trilogy
The Bard's Tale 2: The Destiny Knight The Bard's Tale 2: The Destiny Knight rpg 1988 The Bard's Tale Trilogy
The Bard's Tale 3: Thief of Fate The Bard's Tale 3: Thief of Fate rpg 1990 The Bard's Tale Trilogy
The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind rpg 2002 The Elder Scrolls Renewal total conversion mods
Times of Lore Times of Lore rpg 1989 Times of lore on the Oric
Ultima 1: The First Age of Darkness Ultima 1: The First Age of Darkness rpg 1987 Ultima Restoration
Ultima Java
Ultima 2: Revenge of the Enchantress Ultima 2: Revenge of the Enchantress rpg 1983 Windows Native Ultima II
Ultima 3: Exodus Ultima 3: Exodus rpg 1985 LairWare Ultima III for Mac
Ultima 4: Quest of the Avatar Ultima 4: Quest of the Avatar rpg 1985 XU4 - Ultima IV recreated
Ultima 5: Warriors of Destiny Ultima 5: Warriors of Destiny rpg 1988 Ultima V Lazarus
Neat Ultima V
Ultima 6: The False Prophet Ultima 6: The False Prophet rpg 1990 Nuvie
The Ultima 6 project
Ultima 7 Part 1: The Black Gate Ultima 7 Part 1: The Black Gate rpg 1992 Exult
Ultima 7 Part 2: Serpent Isle Ultima 7 Part 2: Serpent Isle rpg 1993 Exult
Ultima Underworld 2: Labyrinth of Worlds Ultima Underworld 2: Labyrinth of Worlds rpg 1993 Labyrinth of worlds
Armor Alley Armor Alley shooter 1991 Armor Alley web remake
Defender Defender shooter 1983 Defendguin
Descent Descent shooter 1995 DXX - Rebirth
Into Cerberon for Doom3
Duke Nukem 3D Duke Nukem 3D shooter 1996 JonoF's Duke 3D
Duke Nukem 3D High resolution pack
Magic Carpet Magic Carpet shooter 1994 Ogrian carpet
R-Type R-Type shooter 1989 R-Type Dimensions EX
Radix: Beyond the Void Radix: Beyond the Void shooter 1995 RAD
Rise of the Triad: Dark War Rise of the Triad: Dark War shooter 1994 Birgers WinROTT page
Tyrian 2000 Tyrian 2000 shooter 1999 OpenTyrian port
Virus Virus shooter 1988 Ajax port of Virus
Wizball Wizball shooter 1987 Wizball remake
Xenon Xenon shooter 1988 Xenon 1 - a remake
A-Train A-Train simulation 1992 Free Train
Alter Ego: Female Version Alter Ego: Female Version simulation 1986 Alter Ego Female version online
Alter Ego: Male Version Alter Ego: Male Version simulation 1986 Alter Ego male version online
Dope Wars Dope Wars simulation 1998 DopeWars 1.5
DopeWars classic for Andoid
Jones in the Fast Lane Jones in the Fast Lane simulation 1991 Tycoon Jones: a remake
Mad TV Mad TV simulation 1991 Tvgigant
RottzTV
Santa Paravia en Fiumaccio Santa Paravia en Fiumaccio simulation 1988 SP2003
SimTower SimTower simulation 1994 OpenSkyscraper remake
The Clue! The Clue! simulation 1994 Clou! Open Source Project
Theme Hospital Theme Hospital simulation 1997 CorsixTH
Transport Tycoon Transport Tycoon simulation 1994 OpenTTD
Simutrans
Transport Tycoon Deluxe Transport Tycoon Deluxe simulation 1995 OpenTTD
Simutrans
Sensible Soccer Sensible Soccer sports 1992 Sociable Soccer
Speedball 2 Speedball 2 sports 1992 Speedball 2 Evolution
Speedball 2 HD
Age of Empires Age of Empires strategy 1997 Age of Empires Definitive Edition
Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings strategy 1999 Age of Empires 2 Definitive Edition
Anacreon: Reconstruction 4021 Anacreon: Reconstruction 4021 strategy 1987 ArdReil: Anacreon Reconstruction Project
Colonization Colonization strategy 1994 FreeCol
Free Conquest & Colonization of America
Command & Conquer: Red Alert Command & Conquer: Red Alert strategy 1996 Open RA game engine
Free RA game engine for Linux
OpenRedAlert game engine
Dune 2000 Dune 2000 strategy 1998 Dune 2000 GruntMods Edition
Gary Grigsby's War in Russia Gary Grigsby's War in Russia strategy 1993 War in Russia: Matrix Edition
Heroes of Might and Magic Heroes of Might and Magic strategy 1995 Free heroes engine
Jagged Alliance 2 Jagged Alliance 2 strategy 1999 Jagged Alliance 2 Stracciatella
Master of Magic Master of Magic strategy 1994 Empires of Sorcery
Master of Magic remake
Mega lo Mania Mega lo Mania strategy 1992 Gigalomania, multi platform remake
QBasic Gorillas QBasic Gorillas strategy 1991 Gorillas remake in Python
Mascot Mashup: Gorillas
Star Control 2 Star Control 2 strategy 1992 Star control Timewarp
The Ur-Quan masters
Steel Panthers Steel Panthers strategy 1995 winSPWW2
winSPMBT
Steel panthers at Matrix games
Syndicate Syndicate strategy 1993 FreeSynd project
Syndicate Wars Syndicate Wars strategy 1996 Syndicate wars port
The Settlers The Settlers strategy 1993 Freeserf
Widelands
Serflings
Warlords Warlords strategy 1990 Warbarons
FreeLords
Warlords 2 Warlords 2 strategy 1993 FreeLords
Warbarons
X-COM: Terror from the Deep X-COM: Terror from the Deep strategy 1995 OpenXcom
X-COM: Ufo Defense X-COM: Ufo Defense strategy 1994 OpenXcom
Z Z strategy 1996 The Zod Engine open source remake
Star Wars: TIE Fighter Star Wars: TIE Fighter vehicle simulation 1994 Star Wars TIE Fighter Special Edition
Star Wars: X-Wing Star Wars: X-Wing vehicle simulation 1993 Star Wars X-Wing Special Edition
Wing Commander Wing Commander vehicle simulation 1990 Wing Commander 1 Remake
Wing Commander: Armada Wing Commander: Armada vehicle simulation 1994 PiArmada: a clone
Wing Commander: Privateer Wing Commander: Privateer vehicle simulation 1993 Gemini Gold
Adventure Adventure action-adventure Indenture
African Adventure: In Search of Dr. Livingston African Adventure: In Search of Dr. Livingston adventure African Adventure
Arkanoid Arkanoid action Aquanoid
Bananoid
Asteroids Asteroids shooter Astro Fire
CHAMP Asteroids
EGA-Roids
XQuest
Attack of the Mutant Camels Attack of the Mutant Camels shooter Attack of the Mutant Camels
Auf Wiedersehen Monty Auf Wiedersehen Monty action Auf Wiedersehen Monty
Bagman Bagman action Bagman
Ballblazer Ballblazer sports 3D Cyber Blaster
Masterblazer
BurgerTime BurgerTime action Hamburger Hell
Centipede Centipede shooter CHAMP Centipede
Civilization II Civilization II strategy Civilization II: Test of Time
Columns Columns puzzle Beyond Columns
Damocles Damocles vehicle simulation MDDClone
Duck Hunt Duck Hunt shooter Duck Hunt
Finders Keepers Finders Keepers action Finders Keepers
Ghostbusters Ghostbusters action Ghostbusters
Ghosts 'n Goblins Ghosts 'n Goblins action Ghosts 'n Goblins remake
Jet Set Willy Jet Set Willy action Jet Set Willy remake
Joust Joust action Joust VGA
King's Quest 3 King's Quest 3 adventure King's Quest III Redux: To Heir is Human
Lemonade Stand Lemonade Stand simulation Lemonade Tycoon
Lords of Midnight Lords of Midnight strategy Lords of Midnight
Manic Miner Manic Miner action Manic Miner remake
Mario Bros Mario Bros action Mario Bros VGA
Ms. Pac-Man Ms. Pac-Man action CHAMP Ms. Pac-man
Ms Pac PC
Pac-Man Pac-Man action Pac PC
Pack-Man
PC-Man
Paratrooper Paratrooper shooter Ack-Ack Attack!
Night Raid
Pengo Pengo action Pango
Pirates Pirates simulation Pirates! Gold
Pyjamarama Pyjamarama action Pyjamarama
Q*Bert Q*Bert action Bert and the Snake
J-Bird
Pyramid Power
Qix Qix action Antix
Xonix
River Raid River Raid shooter River Raid
Space Invaders Space Invaders shooter Invaders 78
Space Commanders
Space Commanders 2
Space Invaders
Space Invaders 2001
The Invaders
Star Trek Star Trek simulation EGA Trek
Super Mario Bros Super Mario Bros action Mario and Luigi
Super Mariio Bros
Super Mario Fusion: Revival
Tempest Tempest shooter Tempest 2000
Tetris Tetris puzzle Acid Tetris
Porntris
The Great Giana Sisters The Great Giana Sisters action The Great Giana Sisters
The Manhole The Manhole adventure The Manhole: CD-ROM Masterpiece Edition
The Pharaoh's Curse The Pharaoh's Curse action Pharoah's Curse
The Way of the Exploding Fist The Way of the Exploding Fist action The Way of the Exploding Fist PC
Wizard of Wor Wizard of Wor action Wizard of Wor 98
Xenon 2 Xenon 2 shooter Xenon 2000: Project PCF