Abandonware game spotlight
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What does abandonware mean?
Abandonware is a word that describes a software (game or application) no longer supported by its developers or its publishers and is no longer available for sale in any form (digital or retail).
When we talk about abandonware we usually refer to old games for systems no longer available to the public such as DOS, Commodore 64, Amiga, Spectrum, older vesions of Windows. Some "abandoned" games are still on sale, that's why you will find games tagged as "protected" on Abandonware DOS.
Featured company: Spectrum HoloByte
Retro gaming news and insights
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22nd March 2026What is shovelware?
The term shovelware emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s, during a period when personal computers were becoming widespread and software publishing suddenly looked like a gold rush. Instead of carefully crafted titles, many publishers chose speed over quality, &... -
15th March 2026Indianapolis 500: racing classic
ACE Magazine - "If you have access to a PC or compatible, then this is one of those state-of-the-art pograms, like Bomber, that you just have to have. The vector graphics will astound you, and the speed will impress you ... -
8th March 2026Syndicate soundtrack added
Syndicate is a cyberpunk-themed tactical action game developed by Bullfrog Productions and published by Electronic Arts in 1993. The game is set in a dystopian future where corporations, called syndicates, have replaced governments, ruling the world with violence and control. Syndicate ... -
1st March 2026Gauntlet: warrior, wizard, valkyrie, elf
In Gauntlet, four brave souls (or just you with an overworked space bar) hack, slash, and gobble food like medieval Pac-Men. This 1986 dungeon crawler is basically a family reunion gone wrong: everyone wants treasure, no one shares health potions, and ...
Retro gaming: the love for old school games
Where does the love for old abandoned games comes from? Our childhood, perhaps. What's left of that age? What do we miss so much? The long afternoons spent walking in the worlds of Ultima or the hours passed impersonating Duke Nukem. Here we are now, slightly aged, eager to pay homage to all those wonderful DOS games.
After all, it's about the passion for old games and a little bit of nostalgia.
The games listed on Abandonware DOS are no longer supported by their respective developers (as far as I know... I often check sites like Steam and GOG). If you find out that a game is still on sale or "protected", please let me know and I'll remove it from Abandonware DOS as soon as possible.
How to run DOS games on Windows?How to run old Windows games on Windows 10?