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Abandonware spotlight

Occasionally, the information and files available for download for a game (or application) are updated with particular care and detail. These games, especially noteworthy for one reason or another, are featured here.

Bubble Bobble

action abandonware DOS 4.2/5 download

Released in: 1989

Publisher: Taito

Developer: Taito

play Bubble Bobble online

Bubble Bobble is widely regarded as one of the most beloved and charming platform arcade games of all time. The gameplay objective in Bubble Bobble is straightforward: players must clear each screen of various monsters and advance through numerous stages to ultimately reach the final level. Players control two adorable dinosaurs, Bub and Bob. These dinosaurs possess a unique ability: they can blow bubbles to trap their enemies. Once an enemy is encased in a bubble, Bub and Bob can pop the bubble, defeating the trapped enemy. The game features a series of increasingly challenging levels, each populated with different types of monsters.

Retro gaming news and insights

Every so often, it's worth diving deeper into certain aspects of the Abandonware world or the retro gaming scene. These articles explore themes and keywords, old companies, game series, and much more.

Electronic Games Arcade Awards - 1982

16th November 2024action, adventure, top games and awards
Electronic Games was the first magazine in the United States dedicated to the video game industry. It was published from October 15, 1981, until 1997 under various titles, including Computer Entertainment and Intelligent Gamer.The magazine is notable for hosting the first Game of the Year Award ceremony, known as the Arcade Awards. These annual awards were held every year from 1979 to 1984, with a brief revival in 1992 and 1993 after a hiatus.1982Bosconian Best ...
Balance of Power: The 1990 Edition

9th November 2024simulation
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 General Secretary of the Soviet Union, striving to enhance their country's global influence while avoiding nuclear war.
Apogee: the shareware kings

2nd November 2024action, shooter
Apogee Software was a key player in the early days of the PC gaming industry, making a significant impact as both a developer and publisher. Established in 1987 by Scott Miller and George Broussard, Apogee is widely credited with pioneering the shareware distribution model for video games. This innovative approach allowed gamers to download and play a portion of a game for free, with the option to purchase the full version ...
The History of CRPGs: Beneath Apple Manor

26th October 2024RPG, the history of video games
Beneath Apple Manor, created by Don Worth and released in 1978 for the Apple II, is a landmark in the history of computer role-playing games and particularly in roguelike genres. It's notable for being one of the earliest graphical RPGs available for home computers, predating many of the genre's most famous titles.The goal is to descend through various levels, each teeming with monsters, traps, and treasures. The dungeon's layout is ...

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Featured theme

The games on Abandonware DOS are categorized by various parameters, including themes and keywords that describe genres, settings, and more. Occasionally, some themes are explored in depth and enriched with new games.

Bionic Commando

abandonware 1988 Run and gun

Run and gun games - sometimes called scrolling shooters - are a mix of platform games and shoot 'em ups. The player is in control of a character - usually a soldier loaded with guns - who walks and shoots in real gravity environments. Contra, Rambo 3, Alien Breed are three of the most popular run and gun games.

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Retro gaming: the love for old school games

Where does the love for old abandoned games comes from? Our childhood, perhaps. What's left of that age? What do we miss so much? The long afternoons spent walking in the worlds of Ultima or the hours passed impersonating Duke Nukem. Here we are now, slightly aged, eager to pay homage to all those wonderful DOS games.

After all, it's about the passion for old games and a little bit of nostalgia.

The games listed on Abandonware DOS are no longer supported by their respective developers (as far as I know... I often check sites like Steam and GOG). If you find out that a game is still on sale or "protected", please let me know and I'll remove it from Abandonware DOS as soon as possible.

How to run DOS games on Windows?

What does abandonware mean?

Abandonware is a word that describes a software (game or application) no longer supported by its developers or its publishers and is no longer available for sale in any form (digital or retail).

When we talk about abandonware we usually refer to old games for systems no longer available to the public such as DOS, Commodore 64, Amiga, Spectrum, etc.

Some "abandoned" games are still on sale, that's why you will find games tagged as "protected" on Abandonware DOS.

How to run old Windows games on Windows 10?

Is Abandonware DOS safe?

There's a misconception about abandonware: since it's about old games, there's no security involved. It's not like that, al least not on Abandonware DOS. Every single Windows and DOS game on this site was personally tested. Every game was played on a computer with all kinds of tools: antivirus, antispam, etc.

That said, there's the possibility of a false positive: your software tells you there's a virus but there's no such thing. I can't speak for other abandonware sites, but I can assure you that I take all the necessary measures to keep the games on Abandonware DOS safe.