The best abandonware action games
Action video games are a genre of video games that emphasize physical challenges, hand-eye coordination, and reaction time. These games typically involve fast-paced gameplay, where players control a character who must navigate through a dynamic environment filled with obstacles, enemies, and other challenges. The primary focus is on the player's ability to react quickly and make split-second decisions.
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Donkey Kong
DOS1983
Donkey Kong is a landmark video game franchise created by Shigeru Miyamoto and first released by Nintendo in 1981. The original arcade game introduced players to a narrative where a carpenter named Jumpman, who would later become ...
Double Dragon
DOS1988 beat 'em up
CHAMP Kong
DOS1996remake
Commander Keen 5: The Armageddon Machine
DOS1991protected platform
Commander Keen 5: The Armageddon Machine is a science fiction action oriented platform game designed by Tom Hall, developed by id Software and released by Apogee Software in 1991 for DOS only. Commander Keen 5: The Armageddon Mach...
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
DOS1991 beat 'em up
Terminator 2: Judgment Day is one of the many adaptations of the Terminator franchise. This one is based on the movie of the same name, but it's not as good as the movie, according to critics. Terminator 2 is an action game develo...
All Dogs Go to Heaven
DOS1989 action puzzle, word puzzle
This 1989 game is based on the animated movie where dogs die, go to heaven, then come back for revenge (sort of). The DOS adaptation? Well, it’s more like All Pixels Go Nowhere Fast. You jump, you dodge, you squint at the sc...
Auf Wiedersehen Monty
Windows XP/98/952001remake platform
In Auf Wiedersehen Monty, our favorite marsupial is back, and this time he's taking a very pixelated Eurotrip. Released for Windows XP in 2001, it's a nostalgia-fueled platformer that insists you master gravity-defying jumps and m...
Bio Menace Episode 1: Dr. Mangle's Lab
DOS1993freeware platform, run and gun
Mutants! Explosions! Green slime! Bio Menace kicks off with Dr. Mangle’s Lab, a side-scrolling blast of carnage where you, Snake Logan (yes, really), shoot your way through a monster-infested city with a machine gun and a ba...
Brutal: Paws of Fury
DOS1995 fighting
A martial arts tournament starring fluffy animals with serious anger issues? Yes, please. Brutal: Paws of Fury is what happens when someone watches too much kung fu cinema and then wonders, “What if a bunny could do a spinni...
Commander Keen 2: The Earth Explodes
DOS1990protected platform
Death Sword
DOS1988 fighting
Death Sword (also known as Barbarian in Europe), is a fighting game developed by Palace Software, set in a fantasy world full of huge sword-wielding barbarians. Compared to modern brawlers, Death Sword gameplay may seem slow, but ...
Enclave
Windows XP/98/95LinuxMac OS2002protected action RPG
Frankenstein
DOS1994 platform
Hard Hat Mack
DOS1984 platform
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
DOS1992 platform
Jumpman Lives!
DOS1991remake platform
Lone Wolf: The Mirror of Death
DOS1991 platform
Monster Bash
DOS1993protected platform
Navy Seal
DOS1989
Pango
DOS1983remake maze
Pharoah's Curse
Windows 3.x1998remake platform
Rad Warrior
DOS1986 metroidvania, platform
Realms of Chaos
DOSMac OSLinux1995protected platform
Savage Warriors
DOS1995 fighting
Sleeping Gods Lie
DOS1991 first-person action-adventure
Starquake
DOS1988 platform
Starquake is a weird DOS science fiction platform game developed by Bubble Bus Software in 1988 and designed by Stephen Crow and Dave Collins. The Commodore 64 version boasts a wonderful soundtrack. Unfortunately, the PC...
The Way of the Exploding Fist PC
Windows 10/112008freewareremake fighting
Jumpman
DOS1984 platform
Dangerous Dave
DOS1990protected platform
First Samurai
DOS1992 platform
First Samurai is a classic action-platformer game originally released in 1991. The game was initially available on the Amiga and Atari ST, with later ports to the Commodore 64, DOS, and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).&...