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.

darkages-1

Dark Ages Volume I - Prince of Destiny

DOS1991freeware4/5 Scenerio Software
dark-designs-2-04

Dark Designs 2: Closing the Gate

DOS19904/5 Softdisk Publishing
grand-prix-hole-03

Grand Prix

DOS19894/5 Wizard Games
jumpman-lives-03

Jumpman Lives!

DOS1991remake4/5 Apogee Software
line-wars-02

LineWars

DOS19904/5 Safari Software
line-wars-2-01

LineWars 2

DOS19944/5 Safari Software
realms-of-chaos-03

Realms of Chaos

DOSMacLinux1995protected4/5 Apogee Software
reaping-the-dungeon-06

Reaping The Dungeon

DOS19934/5 Frontline Software
scorched-earth-05

Scorched Earth

DOS1991protected4/5
softporn-4

Softporn Adventure

DOS1981freewareNSFW4/5 Sierra On-Line
stargunner-03

Stargunner

DOS19964/5 GT Interactive Software
xargon-sh-03

Xargon

DOS1993freeware4/5 Epic MegaGames
xixit-1

Xixit

DOS19954/5 Optik Software
biomenace-2

Bio Menace Episode 1: Dr. Mangle's Lab

DOS1993freeware4/5 Apogee Software
keen4-1

Commander Keen 4: Secret of the Oracle

DOS1991protected4/5 id software
major-stryker-03

Major Stryker

DOSWindows XP/98/951993freeware4/5 Apogee Software
champ-ms-pacman-05

CHAMP Ms. Pac-man

DOS1994remake3.9/5 ChamProgramming corp.
exile1-01

Exile: Escape from the Pit

Windows XP/98/95MacWindows 3.x1995freeware3.9/5 Spiderweb Software
xenophage-03

Xenophage: Alien BloodSport

DOS1996freeware3.9/5 Argo Games
shadow-warrior-1

Shadow Warrior

DOS1997protected3.9/5 3d Realms
abuse-05

Abuse

DOSLinuxMac1995freeware3.9/5 Crack dot Com
aethra_game_006

The Aethra Chronicles

DOS19943.9/5
The Aethra Chronicles is not a well know fantasy RPG, but it deserves some praise. It was developed by only one person (Micheal Lawrence) and, as the title implies, was intended to be the first volume of a saga. Unfortunately, volume two and three were never made. For a shareware game, Aethra was pretty solid and is still loved by the ones who play...
escapedelirium-5

Escape from delirium

DOS19953.9/5 Virtual X-Perience
crystalcaves2-1

Crystal Caves

DOS1991protected3.9/5 Apogee Software
terminalvelocity-3

Terminal Velocity

Windows XP/98/95DOSLinuxMac1995protected3.9/5 Terminal Reality
exile2-04

Exile II: Crystal Souls

Windows XP/98/95MacWindows 3.x1996freeware3.9/5 Spiderweb Software
jazz-jackrabbit-holiday-hare-06

Jazz Jackrabbit Holiday Hare

DOS1994protected3.9/5 Epic MegaGames
secretagent-6

Secret Agent

DOS1992protected3.9/5 Apogee Software
overkill-04

OverKill

DOS1992freeware3.9/5 Tech-Noir
riseofthetriad-1

Rise of the Triad: Dark War

DOS1994protected3.9/5 Apogee Software