Abandonware DOS retro gaming spotlight

Zoo Tycoon: a zoo management simulation

Ever dreamed of running your own zoo without needing a shovel for elephant poop? Zoo Tycoon lets you do exactly that. Build the ultimate animal empire - until the lions escape, the penguins riot, and your guests storm out because the hot dog stand is too far from the Komodo ...

The Sims: a masterpiece by Will Wright

The Sims, released in 2000, marked the beginning of the Sims series. Developed by In The Sims, players create and control virtual characters known as Sims. They can customize their Sims' appearance, personality traits, and aspirations, shaping their lives and interactions within the game world. Players are responsible for meeting their ...

Simulating Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe

Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe is a combat flight simulation game developed and published by Lucasfilm Games in 1991. It was designed for MS-DOS systems and later released for Amiga computers. The game is focused on the Luftwaffe's experimental aircraft and secret weapons. Players could choose from a variety of World ...

Theme Hospital, by Bullfrog

PC Powerplay review (1997): "Theme Hospital is a very rewarding game. It definitely has a hook-managing a score of things at once, admiring the amazing detail and AI the Bullfrog have put into the game, all while doing what's most natural to human beings, trying to make money, has a definite ...

Black and White: the last good game from Bullfrog?

Game Revolution review (2001): "Black & White has captivated the entire GR staff with its amazingly creative and unique gameplay, graphics and humor. It's the sort of game that comes around once every few years and totally changes the gaming landscape. Take heed, heathens - there's a new god in town."

Populous 2 Trials of the Olympian Gods: the perfect god-game?

Populous 2: Trials of the Olympian Gods is an old sandbox strategy god-game. As the title suggests, the setting is more of less ancient Greek mythology and you're a god (hence the god-game label). Populous 2 is the sequel of the much acclaimed Populous, designed by Peter Molineaux. Populous 2 was developed ...

SimCity 2000: a sequel to THE city building game

SimCity 2000 is a classic city building simulation, part of the popular SimCity series, developed by Maxis and designed by Will Wright. SimCity 2000 is a huge step up from the 2D predecessor SimCity and boasts improvements like: isometric view, underground, water pipes, subways, new buildings like prisons, schools, libraries, museums, etc.

Oldies remade: the best remakes of old DOS games

Games developed for DOS or early microcomputers (such as the Spectrum, Commodore 64, BBC Micro, etc.) date back to the 1980s. Simply put, these games are old. Graphics, sound, user experience, and interface were vastly different compared to recent games.Game development has made significant strides over the years, and today&...

Star Trek: Birth of the Federation

Star Trek: Birth of the Federation is a turn-based strategy video game set in the Star Trek universe. The game was developed by MicroProse Software and published by Infogrames for Windows in 1999. Players take on the role of one of five major Star Trek races: the United Federation of Planets, ...

Mechwarrior 2: Mercenaries

MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries is a standalone expansion to MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat, released in 1996 by Activision. Part of the larger BattleTech universe, the game puts players in control of a customizable BattleMech as they assume the role of a freelance mercenary pilot in the turbulent 31st century. MechWarrior 2: Mercenaries introduces a ...

Company profile: Cinemaware

Cinemaware was a video game developer and publisher founded in 1985 by Bob Jacob. The company was known for pioneering a blend of gameplay and cinematic storytelling, drawing inspiration from classic films and television.Cinemaware's titles were especially popular on platforms like the Amiga. Their most iconic games include Defender of ...

Balance of Power: The 1990 Edition

Balance of Power: The 1990 Edition is a geopolitical strategy video game developed by Chris Crawford and released in 1988 as an updated version of his 1985 game Balance of Power. The game simulates the Cold War era, where players assume the role of either the President of the United States or the ...

Feelies: cool items included in the original box

Game feelies are physical items included with video games—especially common during the era of boxed PC games—that enhanced the player’s sense of immersion. These tangible extras provided additional context, lore, or simply acted as memorable collectibles, strengthening the connection between players and the game ...

Premier Manager: one of the earliest football management games

Premier Manager was released in 1992 by Gremlin Interactive for the Commodore Amiga and MS-DOS platforms. It was one of the earliest football management simulation games and allowed players to take on the role of a football club manager in the English football league system. In Premier Manager, players were responsible ...

Demo versions: what happened to game demos?

Let's start by emphasizing a crucial point: not every classic game has been "abandoned". With the resurgence of all things "vintage", there's a renewed fascination with retro items, including video games. Consequently, certain companies have acquired entire back catalogs of old games and begun selling them anew. Hence, many captivating ...