Abandonware DOS retro gaming spotlight

Abandonware action games: platformers, brawlers, arcades

Action video games are all about speed, fast moving and dexterity. The main action varies according to the kind of game, which can include jumping from platforms, running, beating up other human players or computer controlled adversaries, etc. If the action is focused on shooting adversaries, the game belongs to ...

Block breakers: the Breakout legacy

Block breaker is a term often used to describe a type of video game that involves breaking or destroying blocks or bricks within the game environment. These games are typically characterized by a paddle or platform at the bottom of the screen that the player controls, and a wall of ...

GameSpy's 25 Favorite PC Games of the '90s

"The 1990s were landmark years for PC gaming, giving rise to three of the most deeply ingrained genres on the platform, and delivering memorable classics in the role-playing and adventure genres that the PC had long been known for. To celebrate this monumental decade we've put together some reflections ...

GameSpy Greatest PC Games of All Time: The '80s

This is a special feature of the popular (and old!) video games site GameSpy. These games were handpicked by the GameSpy staff to be part of the best PC games published in the 80s. GameSpy Online, often referred to as GameSpy, was a division of IGN Entertainment that provided a ...

Seek and Destroy

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 (...

The shareware 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 ...

Metroidvania: half Metroid, half Castlevania

Metroidvania is a subgenre of action-adventure video games that combines elements from two popular game series: "Metroid" and "Castlevania" The name "Metroidvania" itself is a portmanteau of these two titles. This subgenre is characterized by several key gameplay and design features: exploration, non-linear progression, upgrades and abilities, ...

Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure

Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure is an abandoned action game set in South America designed by John Spinale, developed and released by Activision in 1995. Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure was published for Windows, Game Boy Advance, Genesis, Jaguar, etc. The Mayan Adventure is part of the Pitfall franchise that began in 1982 with ...

Grand Theft Auto 2: a worthy sequel

Grand Theft Auto 2 is the second chapter in the successful Grand Theft Auto series. GTA 2 is an abandoned top-down action-adventure / driving hybrid game developed by DMA Design and released by Rockstar Games in 1999 for Windows. In GTA 2 you are a wannabe criminal roaming the streets of a fictional city, stealing ...

Volfied: a Qix clone on steroids

Volfied is an abandoned action heavily inspired by the classic Qix (draw rectangles in a fixed screen to trap and destroy enemies). Volfied was designed by Fukio Mitsuji, developed by Taito and released by Empire Interactive in 1991 for DOS.

Bubble Bobble: spitting dinosaurs

Bubble Bobble is perhaps one of the most popular (and cute!) platform arcade games of all times. The goal of Bubble Bobble is simple: clear each screen from various monsters and reach the final stage. In order to get rid of enemies, dinosaurs Bub and Bob can spit bubbles to ...

Starquake: sci-fi platformer

Starquake is a weird DOS science fiction platform game developed by Bubble Bus Software in 1988 and designed by Stephen Crow and Dave Collins. I remember it fondly... it's not punishing and it's still very much enjoyable even today, after more than two decades. Genres: action, platformSystem:&...

From the arcades: Marble Madness

Marble Madness is an abandoned isometric action game designed by Mark Cerny and originally published by Atari as a successful and iconic arcade game. It was later converted for many platform in 1986 and for IBM PCs in 1987 by Atari.

Witchaven: a fantasy first-person slasher

Witchaven is an abandoned fantasy first-person shooter (or "slasher", since you'll wield melee weapons) developed by Capstone and released by IntraCorp in 1995 for DOS and Windows. Witchaven includes RPG elements such as experience and leveling your character but it's primarily an action game with swords and spells.More info about ...

Dragon's Lair III: The Curse of Mordread

Dragon's Lair III, also known as Dragon's Lair III: The Curse of Mordread, is an installment in the classic Dragon's Lair series of animated arcade games. The game was released in 1991 and represents a continuation of the series known for its full-motion video (FMV) animation and interactive gameplay. Players control ...