Abandonware DOS title

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.

Most popular shareware games

Duke Nukem 3D
shooterDOS
Quake
shooterDOS, Windows XP/98/95
Duke Nukem
actionDOS
3d-cyber-blaster-03

3D Cyber Blaster

DOS1992remake4.2/5 HomeBrew Software
8088othello-4

8088 Othello

DOS19853.5/5
abuse-05

Abuse

DOSLinuxMac1995freeware3.9/5 Crack dot Com
ackack-attack-03

Ack-Ack Attack!

DOS1995remake4.1/5 PLBM Games
air-traffic-controller-02

Air Traffic Controller

DOS19854.2/5 Cascoly Software
aldo2-03

Aldo Again

DOS1989remake3.8/5
aldosadventure-1

Aldo's Adventure

DOS1987remake3.8/5 Yahoo Software
aleshar-05

Aleshar World of Ice

DOS19973.8/5
alice-wonderland-if-01

Alice in Wonderland

DOS19893.3/5
alien-rampage-05

Alien Rampage

DOS19964.1/5
alphaman-02

AlphaMan

DOS19953.6/5
amazingmaze-2

Amazing Maze

DOS19833.1/5
ancients1-deathwatch-01

Ancients 1: Deathwatch

DOS19913.8/5 Farr-Ware Software
antattack-1

Ant Attack!

DOS1994freeware3.7/5 Dataware
aquanoid-1

Aquanoid

DOS1992remake3.8/5
arcticadventure-1

Arctic Adventure

DOS19913.4/5 Apogee Software
armchair-quarterback-01

Armchair Quarterback

DOS19854.1/5
assaulttrooper-2

Assault Trooper

DOS19973.5/5 Webfoot Technologies
astrofire-3

Astro Fire

DOS1994freewareremake3.8/5 ORT Software
bass-tour-01

Bass Tour

DOS19923.9/5
batalia-4

Batalia

DOS19862.8/5 The Right Brothers
battlestar-05

Battlestar

Windows 3.x1996freeware3.7/5
beyond-titanic-01

Beyond the Titanic

DOS19863.8/5 Apogee Software
biomenace-2

Bio Menace Episode 1: Dr. Mangle's Lab

DOS1993freeware4/5 Apogee Software
bio-menace-2-07

Bio Menace Episode 2: The Hidden Lab

DOS1993freeware4.3/5 Apogee Software
bio-menace-3-06

Bio Menace Episode 3: Master Cain

DOS1993freeware4.2/5 Apogee Software
blades-exile-02

Blades of Exile

Windows 3.xMacWindows XP/98/951997freeware4.2/5 Spiderweb Software
blake-stone-aliens-of-gold-06

Blake Stone 1: Aliens of Gold

DOS1993protected4.1/5 JAM Productions