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.
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Armchair Quarterback
DOS19854.1/5
Jill of the Jungle 2: Jill Goes Underground
DOS19924.1/5 Epic MegaGames
Raptor: Call of the Shadows
DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1994protecteddemo4.1/5 Cygnus Studios
Raptor: Call of the Shadows is a vertically scrolling shoot 'em up video game developed by Cygnus Studios and published by Apogee Software. The game was first released in 1994 for MS-DOS and later ported to other platforms. In Raptor, players control a fighter jet through various levels filled with enemy aircraft, ground targets, power-ups and boss...
Blades of Exile
Windows 3.xMac OSWindows XP/98/951997freeware4.1/5 Spiderweb Software
Blades of Exile is a classic role-playing video game developed by Spiderweb Software. It's the third installment in the "Exile" series. The game was released in 1997 for Mac OS, and later for Windows in 1998.In Blades of Exile, players control a party of adventurers who explore the underground world of Exile/Avernum, a vast network of caves and dun...
Flying Tigers
DOS19944.1/5 Ticsoft
Flying Tigers is an abandoned vertical-scrolling sci-fi themed shoot 'em up game developed and released by Ticsoft in 1994 for MS-DOS only. Flying Tigers is the first chapter of the two parts Flying Tigers video game series.
UnReal World v. 3.20
Windows XP/98/95Mac OS1992freeware4.1/5
Wolfenstein 3D
DOSMac OS1992protecteddemo4.1/5 id software
Wolfenstein 3D is the first-person shooter that popularized the whole genre in the early 90s and is considered one of the greatest games ever made. Wolfenstein 3D was designed by John Romero and Tom Hall (id Software) and released as shareware by Apogee Software in 1992 for DOS. Wolfenstein 3D is based on the Wolf3D engine, programmed by John ...
Death Rally
DOS1996freeware4.1/5 Remedy Entertainment Ltd.
Alien Rampage
DOS19964.1/5
Chain Reaction
DOS19964.1/5 Webfoot Technologies
Solar Winds: The Escape
DOS19934.1/5 Stone Interactive Media
Duke Nukem
DOS19914.1/5 Apogee Software
Duke Nukem 1 was released in 1991 by Apogee Software for MS-DOS, and it marked the beginning of the Duke Nukem franchise. Duke Nukem is a side-scrolling action platformer game with a sci-fi theme. In this original game, players control Duke Nukem, a muscular action hero tasked with saving the world from the evil Dr. Proton. Dr. Proton has taken con...
Hexxagon
DOS19934.1/5 Argo Games
Cosmo's Cosmic Adventures
DOS1992protected4.1/5 Apogee Software
Pharaoh's Tomb
DOS19904.1/5 Micro F/X Software
Tank Wars
DOS19904.1/5
DND
DOS19844.1/5
Blake Stone 1: Aliens of Gold
DOS1993protected4.1/5 JAM Productions
Xatax
DOS19944/5 Pixel Painters Corporation
Hexxagon 2
DOS19934/5 Argo Games
Rockstar!
DOS19894/5 Wizard Games
Scorched Earth
DOS1991protected4/5
God of Thunder
DOSWindows XP/98/951993freeware4/5 Adept Software
God of Thunder is a classic computer game developed by Adept Software and released in 1993. It's a puzzle platformer with a fantasy theme. In the game, you control Thor, the Norse god of thunder, on a quest to save Midgard (Earth) from the evil god Loki and his minions.The gameplay involves navigating through various levels filled with obstacles, e...
Blake Stone 2: Planet Strike
DOS1994protected4/5 JAM Productions
Bass Tour
DOS19924/5
Boppin
DOS1994freeware4/5 Accursed Toys
CHAMP Kong
DOS1996remake4/5 ChamProgramming corp.
Commander Keen 2: The Earth Explodes
DOS1990protected4/5 id software
Commander Keen 4: Secret of the Oracle
DOS1991protected4/5 id software
Commander Keen 5: The Armageddon Machine
DOS1991protected4/5 id software
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 Machine is part of the Commander Keen game series, specifically it's the second episode of Commander Keen in Goodbye, Galaxy.