Abandonware DOS title

The best shareware games

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
actionDOS
Quake
shooterDOS, Windows XP/98/95
Tank Wars
strategyDOS

Shareware games

  • joust-vga-03
    DOS1990remake4.3/5
  • bio-menace-3-06
    DOS1993freeware4.3/5 Apogee Software
  • heretic-1
    DOS1994protected4.3/5 Raven Software
  • quake_002
    DOSWindows XP/98/951996protected4.3/5 id software

    Quake is a real-time 3D FPS developed by idSoftware and a spiritual successor to the popular Doom series. Quake became very popular and spawned many sequels and fan made mods such as Team Fortress.

  • tank-wars-01
    DOS19904.3/5
  • flying-tigers-1-03
    DOS19944.3/5
  • bio-menace-2-07
    DOS1993freeware4.3/5 Apogee Software
  • dukenukem3-3
    DOS19914.2/5 Apogee Software

    Duke Nukem 1 was released in 1991 by Apogee Software for MS-DOS, and it marked the beginning of the Duke Nukem franchise. Duke Nukem is a side-scrolling action platformer game with a sci-fi theme. In this original game, players control Duke Nukem, a muscular action hero tasked with saving the world from the evil Dr. Proton. Dr. Proton has taken con...

  • dukenukem3d-4
    DOS1996protected4.2/5 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.

  • crazy-digger-1
    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.

  • blood-3
    DOS1997protected4.2/5 Monolith Productions
  • keen1-1
    DOS1990protected4.2/5 id software
  • blake-stone-planet-strike-05
    DOS1994protected4.2/5 JAM Productions
  • seek-and-destroy-06
    DOS19964.2/5 Safari Software

    Seek and Destroy was a shoot'em up published by the well known Epic Megagames in 1996 that tried to change the usual shoot'em up gameplay for the better. Instead of wave after wave of enemies to shoot down, you are given short missions to accomplish with your helicopter or your tank (yes, you can choose). At first, missions could seem a bit repetit...

  • zzt-2
    DOS1991freeware4.2/5 Epic MegaGames
  • keen6-1
  • hocuspocus-1
    DOS1994protected4.2/5 Apogee Software
  • skyroads-1
    DOS1993freeware4.2/5 Bluemoon Interactive
  • mario-bros-vga-02
    DOS1990remake4.2/5

    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 first saw in Donkey Kong. Mario Bros VGA is a fixed-screen platform arcade game that truly shines when played in co-op with a friend.

  • onemustfall2097-2
    DOS1994freeware4.2/5 Diversions Entertainment
  • electranoid-02
    DOS19954.1/5 Pixel Painters Corporation
  • joyous-rebel-01
    DOS1996freeware4.1/5
  • radix-beyond-the-void-03
    DOS19954.1/5
  • hexxagon2-1
    DOS19934.1/5 Argo Games
  • tyrian2000-02
    DOS1999freeware4.1/5 Eclipse Software

    Tyrian 2000 is an old DOS science fiction classic shoot'em up, developed by Eclipse Software and designed by Alexander Brandon, Jason Emery, Daniel Cook. Tyrian 2000 is one of the most popular shoot'em ups ever published for DOS and it's still remembered by retro gaming fans to this day.

  • jilljungle-4
    DOS19924.1/5 Epic MegaGames
  • keen3-1
    DOS1990protected4.1/5 id software
  • othello-03
    DOS19864.1/5
  • pharaos-tomb-03
    DOS19904.1/5 Micro F/X Software
  • blake-stone-aliens-of-gold-06
    DOS1993protected4.1/5 JAM Productions