Shareware: a business model sorted by release date

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.

Sort by:

Radix: Beyond the Void

DOS19954.1/5

Realms of Chaos

DOSMacLinux1995protected4/5 Apogee Software

Terminal Velocity

Windows XP/98/95DOSLinuxMac1995protected3.9/5 Terminal Reality

Xixit

DOS19954/5 Optik Software

Alien Rampage

DOS19964.1/5

Azalta: Cult of the Raven

DOS19964/5

Battlestar

Windows 3.x1996freeware3.7/5

Borderworld

DOS19963.3/5 Midlothian Software

Chain Reaction

DOS19964.1/5 Webfoot Technologies

CHAMP Kong

DOS1996remake4/5 ChamProgramming corp.

Death Rally

DOS1996freeware4.1/5 Remedy Entertainment Ltd.

Duke Nukem 3D

DOS1996protecteddemo4.2/5 3d Realms

Duke Nukem 3D is a classic first-person shooter that was developed by 3D Realms (formerly known as Apogee Software) and published by GT Interactive. It was released in 1996 for MS-DOS and later for various other platforms, including Windows, Mac OS, and gaming consoles.

Exile II: Crystal Souls

Windows XP/98/95MacWindows 3.x1996freeware3.9/5 Spiderweb Software

Inner Worlds

DOSLinux19963.7/5 Sleepless Software

Joyous Rebel

DOS1996freeware4.1/5

Legend of the Silver Talisman

DOS1996freeware3.9/5 Inter-Active Arts

Quake

DOSWindows XP/98/951996protecteddemo4.2/5 id software

Quake is a first-person shooter (FPS) video game developed by id Software and released in 1996. It is the successor to id Software's immensely popular "Doom" series and is known for its groundbreaking 3D graphics, fast-paced gameplay, and multiplayer capabilities. The game was created by a team led by John Carmack and John Romero, two of the co-fou...

Secret Agent: The Escape

DOS19963.8/5 PhreAk Software

Seek and Destroy

DOS19964.2/5 Safari Software

Seek and Destroy was a shoot'em up published by the well known Epic Megagames in 1996 that tried to change the usual shoot'em up gameplay for the better. Instead of wave after wave of enemies to shoot down, you are given short missions to accomplish with your helicopter or your tank (yes, you can choose). At first, missions could seem a bit repetit...