The most popular demo games
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
strategyWindows XP/98/95
adventureDOS
rpgDOS, Windows XP/98/95
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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.
The Secret of Monkey Island
DOS1990protecteddemo4.3/5 LucasArts
The Secret of Monkey Island is perhaps the most popular point and click adventure game developed by Lucasfilm Games and designed by the trio Ron Gilbert, Dave Grossman and Tim Schafer. In Monkey Island you're the would-be pirate Guybrush Threepwood on a quest to become a fearsome pirate in the Caribbean. Monkey Island uses one of the most friendlie...
Fallout
DOSWindows XP/98/951997protecteddemo4.1/5 Interplay Productions
Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings
Windows XP/98/951999protecteddemo4.3/5 Ensemble Studios
Midtown Madness
Windows XP/98/951999demo4.2/5 Angel Studios
Midtown Madness is a car racing game developed by Angel Studios (later known as Rockstar San Diego) and released by Microsoft in 1999 for Windows. Midtown Madness is known for its open-world design, allowing players to explore a virtual representation of Chicago and engage in various racing events and challenges within the city.
Doom
DOS1993protecteddemo4.2/5 id software
Doom was released by id Software in 1993. It is widely regarded as one of the most influential and groundbreaking video games of all time, particularly within the first-person shooter (FPS) genre.Set in the future on the moons of Mars, the game follows the player-controlled character, known as the "Doom Marine", as they battle through a research fa...
Leisure Suit Larry 7: Love for Sail
DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OS1996protecteddemoNSFW4.1/5 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...
Quake
DOSWindows XP/98/951996protecteddemo4.2/5 id software
Quake is a first-person shooter (FPS) video game developed by id Software and released in 1996. It is the successor to id Software's immensely popular "Doom" series and is known for its groundbreaking 3D graphics, fast-paced gameplay, and multiplayer capabilities. The game was created by a team led by John Carmack and John Romero, two of the co-fou...
Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel
Windows XP/98/952001protecteddemo4/5 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...
Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge
DOS1991protecteddemo4.3/5 LucasArts
Monkey Island 2 is the second game of the Monkey Island series, a point and click adventure game set in a world of pirates and mysterious treasures. Monkey Island 2 utilizes a command-based SCUMM interface and a branching dialogue system.
The Colonel's Bequest
DOS1989protecteddemo4.1/5 Sierra On-Line
The Colonel's Bequest is a graphic adventure game developed and published by Sierra On-Line. It was released in 1989 for various platforms, including MS-DOS, Amiga, and Atari ST. The game was created by Roberta Williams, co-founder of Sierra On-Line.The game is part of the "Laura Bow" series, with the full title being "Laura Bow: The Colonel's Bequ...
Deus Ex
DOSMac OS2000protecteddemo4/5 Ion Storm
Deus Ex is a critically acclaimed action role-playing video game developed by Ion Storm and published by Eidos Interactive. It was released in 2000 and was designed by Warren Spector, combining elements of first-person shooters, stealth games, and role-playing games. The game is set in a dystopian future where society is fraught with conspiracy the...
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.
Strife
DOS1996protecteddemo4/5 Velocity
Strife from 1996 is a first-person shooter game developed by Rogue Entertainment and published by Velocity, based on the Doom engine. It's often remembered for being one of the earlier games to blend first-person shooter gameplay with RPG elements, such as dialogue with NPCs, quests, and an overarching storyline.In Strife, players assume the role o...
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 ...
Indiana Jones and his Desktop Adventures
Windows 3.xMac OS1996demo4.1/5 LucasArts
Heretic
DOS1994protecteddemo4.3/5 Raven Software
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis
DOSMac OS1992protecteddemo4.2/5 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...
The Dig
DOSMac OS1995protecteddemo4.1/5 LucasArts
The Dig is a point-and-click adventure game developed and published by LucasArts. It was originally released in 1995 for MS-DOS and later for other platforms, including Mac OS and Windows. The game is known for its atmospheric storytelling, puzzle-solving gameplay, and collaboration with renowned science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke. The Dig inv...
Van Buren (Fallout 3)
Windows XP/98/952003canceleddemo3.9/5 Black Isle Studios
Van Buren was a science fiction post-apocalyptic RPG being developed by Black Isle Studios and never published. Van Buren was the direct sequel to Fallout 2, part of the Fallout franchise. Van Buren was canceled in 2003.
Quest for Glory 4: Shadows of Darkness
DOSWindows 3.x1993protecteddemo4.1/5 Sierra On-Line
Quest for Glory IV: Shadows of Darkness is an adventure role-playing game (RPG) developed and published by Sierra On-Line. It was released in 1993 as the fourth installment in the Quest for Glory series. The game was designed by Lori Ann Cole and Corey Cole, who were also responsible for the previous entries in the series.The game is set in the dar...
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...
Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within
DOSWindows XP/98/95Mac OSWindows 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...
Quake 2
Windows XP/98/95WindowsMac OS1997protecteddemo3.8/5 Activision
Quake II is a first-person shooter video game developed by id Software and released in 1997. It is the sequel to the original Quake and was a significant milestone in the evolution of 3D graphics in video games. Quake II maintained the fast-paced, frenetic gameplay of its predecessor. It is a first-person shooter that emphasizes multiplayer ac...
Wolfenstein 3D
DOSMac OS1992protecteddemo4.1/5 id software
Wolfenstein 3D is the first-person shooter that popularized the whole genre in the early 90s and is considered one of the greatest games ever made. Wolfenstein 3D was designed by John Romero and Tom Hall (id Software) and released as shareware by Apogee Software in 1992 for DOS. Wolfenstein 3D is based on the Wolf3D engine, programmed by John ...
Pirates! Gold
DOSWindows 3.xMac OS1993protectedremakedemo4/5 MicroProse Software
Pirates! Gold is an open world game designed by Paul Murphy, developed and released by MicroProse Software in 1993 for DOS, Windows 3.x, Mac and also Sega Genesis and Amiga CD32. Pirates! Gold is a remake of the game Pirates, created by Sid Meier in 1987. Pirates! Gold gameplay is a unique mix of action, strategy, pirate life simulation, ...
Loom
DOSLinuxMac OS1990protecteddemo4.2/5 LucasArts
Loom is a graphic adventure game developed and published by Lucasfilm Games (now LucasArts). It was designed by Brian Moriarty and is known for its unique gameplay mechanics and emphasis on storytelling. Loom is distinctive for its interface, which revolves around musical notes and spells. The protagonist, Bobbin Threadbare, is a young weaver ...
Diablo
Windows XP/98/951996protecteddemo4.2/5 Blizzard Entertainment
Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers
DOSWindows 3.xMac OS1993protecteddemo4.2/5 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...
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.