Shareware: a business model
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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Crystal Caves
DOS1991protected3.9/5 Apogee Software
Dark Ages Volume I - Prince of Destiny
DOS1991freeware4/5 Scenerio Software
Dark Designs 1: Grelminar's Staff
DOS19903.9/5 Softdisk Publishing
Dark Designs 2: Closing the Gate
DOS19904/5 Softdisk Publishing
Death by Backgammon
DOS19903.3/5
Death Rally
DOS1996freeware4.1/5 Remedy Entertainment Ltd.
Defender of Boston: The Rock Island Mystery
DOS19923.2/5
Digger
DOS19834.2/5 Windmill Software
Digger is an abandoned action game developed and released by Windmill Software back in 1983 for PC only. Gameplay is a mix of two classics: Dig Dug and Mr. Do!: dig down, get gems, avoid death, reach the next level and so on.
DND
DOS19844.1/5
Doom
DOS1993protecteddemo4.2/5 id software
Doom was released by id Software in 1993. It is widely regarded as one of the most influential and groundbreaking video games of all time, particularly within the first-person shooter (FPS) genre.Set in the future on the moons of Mars, the game follows the player-controlled character, known as the "Doom Marine", as they battle through a research fa...
Duke Nukem
DOS19914.1/5 Apogee Software
Duke Nukem was released in 1991 by Apogee Software for MS-DOS, marking the beginning of the Duke Nukem franchise. The game is a side-scrolling action platformer with a sci-fi theme. In this original installment, players control Duke Nukem, a muscular action hero tasked with saving the world from the evil Dr. Proton. Dr. Proton has taken control of ...
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.
Dungeons of Kairn
DOS19893.6/5
Dungeons of Kroz
DOS1989freeware3.6/5 Apogee Software
EGA Trek
DOS1988remake3.3/5
EGA-Roids
DOS1986freewareremake3.7/5 Designer Software
Electranoid
DOS19954.2/5 Pixel Painters Corporation
Epic Baseball
DOS19953.8/5 MicroLeague Multimedia
Epic Pinball
DOSMac OS1993protected3.7/5 Digital Extremes
Escape from delirium
DOS19953.9/5 Virtual X-Perience
Exile II: Crystal Souls
Windows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1996freeware3.9/5 Spiderweb Software
Exile III: Ruined World
Windows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1997freeware3.9/5 Spiderweb Software
Exile: Escape from the Pit
Windows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1995freeware3.9/5 Spiderweb Software
Flightmare
DOS1984freeware3.6/5
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.
Flying Tigers 2
DOS19943.3/5
Galactix
DOS19923.3/5 Cygnus Studios
Gateworld
DOS19933.1/5 HomeBrew Software
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...
Grand Prix
DOS19894/5 Wizard Games