Abandonware DOS title

Demo versions: try before you buy

Let's begin with a crucial point: not every old game is abandoned. With the resurgence of "vintage," there's a renewed interest in all things retro, including video games. As a direct consequence, some companies have acquired entire back catalogs of old games and started selling them. That's why many interesting games on Abandonware DOS are marked as "NOT abandonware"; they are available for purchase online.

Enter demos. As you probably already know, game demos, short for demonstration, are limited versions of video games that are released by game developers or publishers to give players a taste of the gameplay before they decide to purchase the full game. These demos are often released ahead of the full game's launch or alongside it. Game demos typically showcase a portion of the game, allowing players to experience the mechanics, graphics, and overall feel of the gameplay.

Game demo versions are a relic of the past. You don't often see demos of recent games on platforms like Steam or GOG, but in the late 80s and 90s, demo versions of games were quite common. This trend was especially notable when video game magazines started including floppy disks or CDs, at a time when the internet was almost non-existent.

Building on this premise, I have embarked on a journey to collect old game demos and make them accessible online through Abandonware DOS, with a specific focus on commercial games. Enjoy!

Most popular demo games

Duke Nukem 3D
shooterDOS
Age of Empires
strategyWindows XP/98/95
Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings
strategyWindows XP/98/95
age_of_empires-7

Age of Empires

Windows XP/98/951997protecteddemo4.2/5 Ensemble Studios
Age of Empires, published by Microsoft and developed by Ensemble Studios, is one of the most popular historical RTS and started a successful series. The player must guide a civilization from prehistory to the iron age, battling other civilizations, building and gathering resources.
age-of-empires-2-04

Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings

Windows XP/98/951999protecteddemo4.3/5 Ensemble Studios
age-of-wonders-09

Age of Wonders

Windows XP/98/951999protecteddemo4.2/5 Triumph Studios
descent-1

Descent

DOS1995protecteddemo4.2/5 Parallax Software
Descent is a first person shooter with a unique six degree of freedom gameplay developed by Parallax Software and released by Interplay Productions in 1995.. You control a spaceship and must pilot it in a mine, through a series of 3d levels. The goal of the game is to find a series of keys, shoot down enemy ships and find your way to the next level.
diablo1-06

Diablo

Windows XP/98/951996protecteddemo4.2/5 Blizzard Entertainment
dogs-of-war-01

Dogs of War

Windows XP/98/951996demo4.2/5 Software Engineering
dragonsphere-04

Dragonsphere

DOS1994protecteddemo3.9/5 MicroProse Software
Dragonsphere is a point-and-click adventure game released in 1994 by MicroProse. It's set in a fantasy world where you play as a sorcerer named Callash, tasked with saving the land of Granville from an evil sorceress named Sanwe. The game involves exploring various locations, solving puzzles, and interacting with characters to gather magical sphere...
dukenukem3d-4

Duke Nukem 3D

DOS1996protecteddemo4.2/5 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.
dungeonhack-2

Dungeon Hack

DOS1993protecteddemo4.2/5 DreamForge Intertainment
Dungeon Hack is a dungeon-crawling role-playing game (RPG) developed by DreamForge Intertainment and published by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI). It was released in 1993 for MS-DOS and is known for its randomly generated levels, making each playthrough a unique experience. The game is set in a first-person perspective, and players explore dungeo...
eotb2-4

Eye of the Beholder 2: The Legend of Darkmoon

DOS1991protecteddemo4.3/5 Westwood Studios
Eye of the Beholder II: The Legend of Darkmoon is a first-person party-based role-playing game (RPG) developed by Westwood Associates and published by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI). It was released in 1991 as a sequel to the successful "Eye of the Beholder" game.Set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, specifically the Forgotten Realms ...
f15strikeeagle-1

F-15 Strike Eagle

DOS1985demo3.8/5 MicroProse Software
fallout1-8

Fallout

DOSWindows XP/98/951997protecteddemo4.1/5 Interplay Productions
fallout-tactics-04

Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel

Windows XP/98/952001protecteddemo4.1/5 Interplay Productions
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel is a tactical role-playing game published by Interplay Entertainment in 2001. Unlike its predecessors, which were traditional RPGs with turn-based combat, Fallout Tactics took a different approach by focusing more on tactical combat rather than extensive role-playing elements.The game features squad-based comba...
full-throttle-02

Full Throttle

DOS1995protecteddemo4.2/5 LucasArts
gabriel-knight-2-03

Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within

DOSWindows XP/98/95MacWindows 3.x1995protecteddemo4.1/5 Sierra On-Line
Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within is a point-and-click adventure game developed and published by Sierra On-Line. It was released in 1995 as a sequel to the original Gabriel Knight game, "Sins of the Fathers". The game was designed by Jane Jensen, who also wrote the story and script.In GK2 The Beast Within, players assume the role of Gabriel Knight...
gabrielknight-5

Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers

DOSWindows 3.xMac1993protecteddemo4.2/5 Sierra On-Line
Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers is a point-and-click adventure game developed and published by Sierra On-Line. It was released in 1993 and designed by Jane Jensen. The game is the first installment in the Gabriel Knight series.The story revolves around Gabriel Knight, a struggling writer living in New Orleans. He inherits a bookstore from his d...
goblins-3-03

Goblins 3

DOS1994protecteddemo3.9/5 Coktel Vision
Goblins 3 (also known as Goblins Quest 3) is a point-and-click adventure game developed and published by Coktel Vision. It was released in 1993 as the third installment in the Gobliiins series. The game was created by Pierre Gilhodes and features a unique combination of puzzle-solving and humor.Gameplay in Goblins 3 revolves around controlling a te...
grim-fandango-04

Grim Fandango

Windows XP/98/951998protecteddemo4/5 LucasArts
Grim Fandango is an adventure game developed and published by LucasArts. It was released in 1998 and is known for its unique setting and distinctive art style. The game was directed by Tim Schafer, who also co-wrote the script.The story is set in the Land of the Dead and follows the protagonist, Manny Calavera, a travel agent working for the Depart...
gunship-1

Gunship

DOS1986demo4.3/5 MicroProse Software
heretic-1

Heretic

DOS1994protecteddemo4.3/5 Raven Software
hugo2-02

Hugo 2: Whodunit?

DOS1991protecteddemo3.4/5 Gray Design Associates
Hugo 2: Whodunit? is an old school graphic adventure game designed by David P. Gray, developed by Gray Design Associates and released in 1991 for MS-DOS only. Hugo 2: Whodunit? is the second installment of the Hugo game series.
indy-desktop-adventures-2

Indiana Jones and his Desktop Adventures

Windows 3.xMac1996demo4.1/5 LucasArts
indianafateatlantis-2

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis

DOSMac1992protecteddemo4.3/5 LucasArts
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis is a graphical point and click adventure game created by LucasArts and published in 1992, based on the popular movie character. As the famous archaeologist Indiana Jones, you will travel the world searching for the mythical land of Atlantis. Fate of Atlantis is the sequel to the acclaimed Indiana Jones and the...
indylastcrusade-4

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

DOS1989protecteddemo4.2/5 LucasArts
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure is a point-and-click adventure game released in 1989 by Lucasfilm Games. The game was designed by Ron Gilbert, David Fox, and Noah Falstein. It is based on the 1989 film "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade", directed by Steven Spielberg.The game follows the plot of the movie closely and incl...
ishar2-7

Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom

DOS1994protecteddemo3.5/5 Silmarils
Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom is a role-playing video game developed and published by Silmarils, released in 1993. It is the sequel to Crystals of Arborea and the second installment in the Ishar series. Set in the fantasy world of Kendoria, the game follows the adventures of a group of adventurers as they journey across the land to defeat the evil so...
kingsquest4-1

King's Quest 4: The Perils of Rosella

DOS1988protecteddemo3.8/5 Sierra On-Line
King's Quest IV: The Perils of Rosella is an adventure game developed and published by Sierra On-Line in 1988. It is the fourth installment in the popular King's Quest series created by Roberta Williams. The game was originally released for MS-DOS and Apple II computers and later ported to other platforms.The story of King's Quest IV follows Prince...
laurabow2-2

Laura Bow 2: The Dagger of Amon Ra

DOSWindows 3.x1992protecteddemo3.8/5 Sierra On-Line
Laura Bow 2: The Dagger of Amon Ra is a point-and-click adventure game developed and published by Sierra On-Line in 1992. The game is a sequel to The Colonel's Bequest and follows the adventures of the protagonist, Laura Bow, a young investigative journalist.In the game, the Dagger of Amon Ra is a valuable Egyptian artifact rumored to have mystical...
handoffate-3

Legend of Kyrandia 2: Hand of fate

DOSMac1993protecteddemo4.2/5 Westwood Studios
The Legend of Kyrandia: Hand of Fate is the second installment in the Legend of Kyrandia point and click adventure game series developed by Westwood Studios. It was released in 1993 as a sequel to The Legend of Kyrandia.The game's story revolves around Zanthia, a young alchemist who resides in the land of Kyrandia. The villainous jester, Malcolm, r...
malcolmrevenge-1

Legend of Kyrandia 3: Malcolm's Revenge

DOSMac1994protecteddemo4.1/5 Westwood Studios
The Legend of Kyrandia: Malcolm's Revenge is the third and final installment in the Legend of Kyrandia series. This point-and-click adventure game was developed and published by Westwood Studios, released in 1994. Unlike the first two games, where players assumed the role of a protagonist fighting against the villain Malcolm, Malcolm's Revenge take...
larry7-02

Leisure Suit Larry 7: Love for Sail

DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac1996protecteddemoNSFW4.2/5 Sierra On-Line
Leisure Suit Larry 7: Love for Sail! is a graphic adventure game developed and published by Sierra On-Line. It is the sixth installment in the Leisure Suit Larry series and was released in 1996. The game was designed by Al Lowe, the creator of the series, and it continued the humorous and adult-themed style that the series is known for. In Love for...