Abandonware DOS title

The best shareware games

Shareware is a type of software distribution model that allows users to try a program before purchasing it. It's a marketing strategy and distribution method that was particularly popular in the early days of personal computing, primarily during the 1980s and 1990s.
Shareware games were released for free with limited functionality (for example: no saving, missing levels, time limit), often via a BBS (Bulletin Board System), a floppy disc or a CD included in a printed magazine or by direct download (when internet was in its infancy). If the user liked the shareware product, they could pay to obtain an upgrade and unlock the full game. When digital distribution started to become popular, shareware games slowly faded into oblivion.

epicpinball-splash

Epic Pinball

DOSMac OS1993protected Digital Extremes
exile3-03

Exile III: Ruined World

Windows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1997freeware Spiderweb Software
snood-03

Snood

DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1996freeware
subhunt-02

Subhunt

DOS1997
trafficdepartment-4

Traffic department 2192

DOS1994freeware P Squared
monopoly-04

Monopoly

DOS1985
tetrisacademysoft-splash

Tetris (Academysoft)

DOS1996 AcademySoft
exile2-04

Exile II: Crystal Souls

Windows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1996freeware Spiderweb Software
champ-centipede-03

CHAMP Centipede

DOS1993remake ChamProgramming corp.
antattack-splash

Ant Attack!

DOS1994freeware Dataware
egaroids-2

EGA-Roids

DOS1986freewareremake Designer Software
drriptide-splash

In Search of Dr. Riptide

DOS1994 MindStorm Software
inner-worlds-08

Inner Worlds

DOSLinux1996 Sleepless Software
finalcrusadekroz-2

The Final Crusade of Kroz

DOS1990freeware Apogee Software
alphaman-02

AlphaMan

DOS1995
ancients1-deathwatch-01

Ancients 1: Deathwatch

DOS1991 Farr-Ware Software
kingdomkroz-splash

Kingdom of Kroz

DOS1988freeware Apogee Software
Morejongg-02

Moraff's Morejongg

Windows XP/98/951992 Moraffware
paganitzu-03

Paganitzu

DOS1991protected Apogee Software
Paganitzu is a classic puzzle-adventure game released in 1991 by Apogee Software. Set in an ancient pyramid, the game follows the exploits of its protagonist, Alabama Smith, who must navigate through a series of increasingly complex rooms filled with traps, puzzles, and enemies. The game is divided into three episodes, each one unraveling more of t...
xargon-sh-03

Xargon

DOS1993freeware Epic MegaGames
catacombabyss-1

Catacomb Abyss

DOS1992protected Softdisk Publishing
shootinggallery-splash

Shooting Gallery

DOS1990 Arcanum Computing
sango-fighter-1-03

Sango Fighter

Windows XP/98/95DOSLinux1993freeware Panda Entertainment Technology Co.
caverns-of-kroz-2

Caverns of Kroz

DOS1989freeware Apogee Software
dungeonkroz-splash

Dungeons of Kroz

DOS1989freeware Apogee Software
flightmare-04

Flightmare

DOS1984freeware
galactix-02

Galactix

DOS1992 Cygnus Studios
assaulttrooper-2

Assault Trooper

DOS1997 Webfoot Technologies
borderworld-02

Borderworld

DOS1996 Midlothian Software