The most popular 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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Exile II: Crystal Souls
Windows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1996freeware3.9/5 Spiderweb Software
Jazz Jackrabbit Holiday Hare
DOS1994protected3.9/5 Epic MegaGames
Ack-Ack Attack!
DOS1995remake4.2/5 PLBM Games
Mario Bros VGA
DOS1990remake3.9/5
Mario Bros VGA is a fan made remake of the original Mario Bros by Nintendo, the game that popularized the character of Mario, the Italian plumber that first appeared in Donkey Kong. Mario Bros VGA is a fixed-screen platform arcade game that truly shines when played in co-op with a friend.
Gateworld
DOS19933.1/5 HomeBrew Software
Hugo 3: Jungle of Doom
DOS1992protected3.8/5 Gray Design Associates
Azalta: Cult of the Raven
DOS19964/5
Amazing Maze
DOS19833.2/5
Exile III: Ruined World
Windows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 3.x1997freeware3.9/5 Spiderweb Software
Joust VGA
DOS1990remake4.4/5
Secret Agent
DOS1992protected3.9/5 Apogee Software
In Search of Dr. Riptide
DOS19943.7/5 MindStorm Software
Terminal Velocity
Windows XP/98/95DOSLinuxMac OS1995protected3.9/5 Terminal Reality
Shadow Warrior
DOS1997protected3.9/5 3d Realms
Hexxagon 2
DOS19934/5 Argo Games
Dark Designs 2: Closing the Gate
DOS19904/5 Softdisk Publishing
The Final Crusade of Kroz
DOS1990freeware3.7/5 Apogee Software
Cosmo's Cosmic Adventures
DOS1992protected4.1/5 Apogee Software
Caverns of Kroz
DOS1989freeware3.6/5 Apogee Software
Radix: Beyond the Void
DOS19954.1/5
Rockstar!
DOS19894/5 Wizard Games
Lost Adventures of Kroz
DOS1990freeware3.3/5 Apogee Software
Xixit
DOS19954/5 Optik Software
3D Cyber Blaster
DOS1992remake4.2/5 HomeBrew Software
Capture the Flag
DOS19932.5/5
Secret Agent: The Escape
DOS19963.8/5 PhreAk Software
Beyond the Titanic
DOS19863.8/5 Apogee Software
Monopoly
DOS19853.9/5
Chain Reaction
DOS19964.1/5 Webfoot Technologies
Aquanoid
DOS1992remake3.8/5