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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Dark Ages Volume I - Prince of Destiny
DOS1991freeware4/5 Scenerio Software
Dark Designs 2: Closing the Gate
DOS19904/5 Softdisk Publishing
Grand Prix
DOS19894/5 Wizard Games
Jumpman Lives!
DOS1991remake4/5 Apogee Software
LineWars
DOS19904/5 Safari Software
LineWars 2
DOS19944/5 Safari Software
Realms of Chaos
DOSMacLinux1995protected4/5 Apogee Software
Reaping The Dungeon
DOS19934/5 Frontline Software
Scorched Earth
DOS1991protected4/5
Softporn Adventure
DOS1981freewareNSFW4/5 Sierra On-Line
Stargunner
DOS19964/5 GT Interactive Software
Xargon
DOS1993freeware4/5 Epic MegaGames
Xixit
DOS19954/5 Optik Software
Bio Menace Episode 1: Dr. Mangle's Lab
DOS1993freeware4/5 Apogee Software
Commander Keen 4: Secret of the Oracle
DOS1991protected4/5 id software
Major Stryker
DOSWindows XP/98/951993freeware4/5 Apogee Software
CHAMP Ms. Pac-man
DOS1994remake3.9/5 ChamProgramming corp.
Exile: Escape from the Pit
Windows XP/98/95MacWindows 3.x1995freeware3.9/5 Spiderweb Software
Xenophage: Alien BloodSport
DOS1996freeware3.9/5 Argo Games
Shadow Warrior
DOS1997protected3.9/5 3d Realms
Abuse
DOSLinuxMac1995freeware3.9/5 Crack dot Com
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...
Escape from delirium
DOS19953.9/5 Virtual X-Perience
Crystal Caves
DOS1991protected3.9/5 Apogee Software
Terminal Velocity
Windows XP/98/95DOSLinuxMac1995protected3.9/5 Terminal Reality
Exile II: Crystal Souls
Windows XP/98/95MacWindows 3.x1996freeware3.9/5 Spiderweb Software
Jazz Jackrabbit Holiday Hare
DOS1994protected3.9/5 Epic MegaGames
Secret Agent
DOS1992protected3.9/5 Apogee Software
OverKill
DOS1992freeware3.9/5 Tech-Noir
Rise of the Triad: Dark War
DOS1994protected3.9/5 Apogee Software