50 Best Abandonware Games for PC (2024)

It is only a matter of time before the software becomes old enough to be abandoned by its creators and has no official support for further updates and glitches. But, with the craze and love from the players, they circulate on the internet and are searched online by millions to relive their childhood. To relive those old memories again we have compiled the best abandonware games PC. There is always some room to bring your inner child back in you and this list of abandonware games might do exactly that. Continue reading to know about the list of best free abandonware games.

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Table of Contents

Following are the list of best free abandonware games for PC that have ruled the heart of people for so long and still true abandonware fans try to find and play them.

1. Doom

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Doom is on top of the list of abandonware games. It is a classic shooting game that has been popular in the gaming world since its release in the year 1993. It is voted as one of the most influential games that have played a big part in the transition from the 2D world to 3D which has become one of the essentials for modern games.

2. NEED FOR SPEED II: SE

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NEED FOR SPEED II: SE is one of the best abandonware games pc. It is a name everyone has heard of while growing up. It was this game with which the journey of the game got a pace in the year 1997. There are a lot of upgrades as compared to the original as you get 4 more cars and increased tracks. Moreover, there is a great deal of change in speed.

3. Disney’s Hercules

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Disney’s Hercules as the name suggests is based on the movie of the same name. It was released in the year 1997 by Disney Interactive. Early levels have a 2D interface while the later ones have a 3D interface.

4. Adventures of Captain Comic

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Adventures of Captain Comic‘s revised version was released in the ear 1991 when it became one of the most popular DOS games. The game lets you play as Captain Comic who has to recover treasures from another planet with the help of your shooting skills.

5. Halo: Combat Evolved

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Halo: Combat Evolved is a shooting game and is not as vintage as it was released in the year 2001 for Xbox. This game is added to the list just because of the crazy fan base that it has after the release of so many first-person shooting games.

Also Read: 13 Best PS3 Zombie Games of All Time

6. Oregon Trail Deluxe

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Oregon Trail Deluxe is another best abandonware games pc. It is a gem from 1992 which was a part of the childhood memories of many eighties and nineties kids. It is based on the 19th-century history of America and was In essence for educational purposes but with difficulties involved in the path and the life of settlers the game is worth a try.

7. Prince of Persia

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Prince of Persia is set in the middle east and is one of the most famous abandonware games whose popularity is unmatched to date. This cinematic game, released in the year 1989 was among the first of this genre and made way for the rise of fantasy cinematic games in the future.

8. Contra

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Contra released in the year 1988 is a name that still gives nostalgia to the kids from the nineties. The version from 1988 has some notable changes as compared to the original including the setting and names of the characters. It is a multiplayer game where two contra soldiers try and defend against terrorists who plan to take over the world.

9. Sid Meier’s Civilization

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Sid Meier’s Civilization was an amalgamation of all the genres of games that were available in the eighties. As the name suggests the game had the features of city planning as well as wars. Civilization is also great for educational purposes as it covers a long period in history from the stone age to modern inventions.

10. The Lion King

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The Lion King too is another best abandonware games pc. It is also a cinematic fantasy based on a movie of the same name. It was released in the year 1994 where you play Simba and live his journey from being a cub to a king. The soundtrack is adapted from the movie itself and the game on a scale is pretty hard at increasing levels and requires a lot of skills.

Also Read: What are the Best Free Cross Platform Games?

11. Disney’s Tarzan

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Disney’s Tarzan continues the streak of cinematic fantasy which was released in the same year as the movie. The only difference between earlier productions and this one is that the graphics are in 3D. You can play this game on your difficulty choice of yours. You play as Tarzan and have a lot of interesting techniques to fight off your enemy.

12. SimAnt

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SimAnt provides you with the role of managing a colony of ants whose motives are to dig and find food and protect the queen. Other than this you will also have to fight off the red ants in this DOS platform-based game from 1991. It is a part of the SimClassic Pack that had other interesting games from the Sim series.

13. Street Fighter 2

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Street Fighter 2 is one of the most played games right from the nineties to early 2000, especially by boys. Its interface makes you engrossed in this fighting game before even feel you are addicted to it. And what makes you crave to get into the arena are the background sounds when landing those punches perfectly.

14. Age of Empires

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Age of Empires was released in the year 1997 and since then the franchise has gained immense popularity. As one of the best-selling games of the year, there were further developments with the creation of Spinoffs. The period followed in this game is the stone and iron Ages where we see the birth of empires.

15. House of the Dead 2

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House of the Dead 2 is one of the best abandonware games pc. It was launched in the year 2001 and is a Windows version of the original. The basic idea is to shoot all the evils who come in your path and at the same time save those who are innocent. As the game doesn’t follow the same story each story so it remains interesting each time.

Also Read: 25 Best Spaceship Building Games on PC

16. Lode Runner: The Legend Returns

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Lode Runner: The Legend Returns is a sequel to the classic Lode Runner in which there is an addition of newer enemies and the space to create your levels. The addition of the word title The Legend Returns speaks a lot about the popularity of the original version.

17. Quake II

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Quake II originally released in the year 1997 is a shooting game and is a sequel to the original quake. It is a science fiction with great FPS themes.

18. The Incredible Machine

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The Incredible Machine is a puzzle game beyond imagination because of its tricky yet enjoyable interface that doesn’t let you get bored. Also, you get better with speed as you play because it is one of the requirements when you go further with the levels.

19. Golden Axe

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Golden Axe was released in the year 1991 and is an arcade game where you can play as one of the three characters available with a particular attack movement. Further, there are possibilities of you riding the beasts and using them as your weapon.

20. DX-Ball

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DX-Ball was released in the year 1996 and is one of those pong games where you direct the ball to hit the tiles and make as much damage with your direction.

Also Read: 32 Best Games Like Legend of Zelda for Android

21. MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries

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MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries is set in the year 3066 but the release year was 2002. It might not be a perfect abandonware game in list of abandonware games but because of its extreme popularity at the advent and the solid graphics, it does deserve a spot here. Here you are a MechWarrior constantly involved in battles.

22. The Lost Vikings

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The Lost Vikings might be a game you have heard a lot about. Released in the year 1993, it follows the story of three Vikings who somehow end up in a spaceship and it is on you to make them reach their home by the end. To do this you have to go through a lot of missions that require one to solve puzzles.

23. Mario Forever

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Mario Forever is not the official sequel to any Mario franchise but it has some of the best graphics that help you immerse in the game fully. Also, whatever might be the update the nostalgia of Mario remains the same and the aesthetics have no changed.

24. The Lost Admiral

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The Lost Admiral also is one of the best abandonware games pc. It was released in the year 1991 and has a plot where you as an admiral removed from duty are given a second chance to prove yourself competent enough to take on the responsibilities. The game revolves around constant sea battles and is a good try for war-based game lovers.

25. Digger

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Digger was initially released in the year 1983 and even if you might not have heard of the name but the versions of this game with different names were found on most 2000s phones. Here while digging you can get a diamond as well as death so be careful before making your next move.

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26. Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines

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Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines was released in the year 1998 and is a strategy game in list of abandonware games that is set in World War two where you have the responsibility of handling six men to complete your missions. The game was a huge hit in the home country of Spain as well as all over the globe.

27. Jackal

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Jackal is another strategic battle game in list of abandonware games that was released in the year 1989. The game is set in war times with Vietnam and involves the rescuing process of the hostages. The graphics are not up to the mark but considering the time of its release are pretty good and do provide an immersive experience to the player.

28. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

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Home Alone 2: Lost in New York is also one of the best old games abandonware. It was released in the year 1992 and is a cinematic adaptation movie of the same name. you play the game as the movie character named Kevin whose sole task is to keep off the two mischiefs. It is a good choice if you have got a little time and want to finish the game you start with.

29. Sim Theme Park

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Sim Theme Park is another best abandonware games pc. It was released in the year 1999 and is the sequel to the game of the same name. it is one of those management games where you are responsible for the park upkeeping. The game needs some compatibility to work on newer OS which you can go through in the link itself.

30. Operation Blockade

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Operation Blockade was released in the year 2002 and is a battle cum shooting game. As the target here is to avoid the enemy from entering your arena, all you must do is decide your target and shoot to destroy troops, ships, and battle-ready tanks.

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31. Bomberman

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Bomberman was released in the year 1992 and is a puzzle game where you as the character Bomberman have to drop bombs to destroy walls. The game is very famous in puzzle circle with numerous versions available with great upgrades. Also, don’t get confused as it is also known as Dyna Blaster.

32. Claw

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Claw was released in the year 1997. It has a great story background that is interesting as well as silly but, it does a great job of keeping you intrigued with all the different characters that you come across. These characters too have a story of their own providing an immersive touch to it.

33. Batman

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Batman was released in the year 1990 and is a driving game but as it was released so long back, you will not find the current definition of driving rightly portrayed in the game. Other than this, the game is quite enjoyable but with time it gets a little redundant.

34. Ms. Pac-Man

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Ms. Pac-Man is also one of best old games abandonware. It was released in the year 1983 and is a sequel to the original one of the same name. Also, there are not many changes in the idea that it eats up whatever comes it’s way. Other than a few changes in the interface the game is pretty much the same and would make you bored fast if you are not a Pac-Man fan.

35. Pharaoh

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Pharaoh is another city management game in list of abandonware games that was released in the year 1999. The game is set in Egypt and lets you manage and create cities. Also, you have other responsibilities that come with it and are mostly concerned about the people and their safety. The game continued its franchise with the name of one of the most famous Egyptian queens in the world.

Also Read: 9 Best City Building Games for Android

36. The Amazing Spider-Man

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The Amazing Spider-Man was released in the year 1990. It is not a cinematic adaptation of the movie but just a usual use of its web powers to complete the missions. You can also make most moves and after some time you do get a good hang of it.

37. Rampage

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Rampage is another best free abandonware games. It was released in the year 1988. It is a multiplayer arcade game where you have to destroy cities one after another while playing the character of one of the three monsters. The game is worth a try if you want to check your taste in the arcade.

38. Mario Teaches Typing

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Mario Teaches Typing was released in the year 1992. It is an educational game amalgamated with the same old Mario. The difference is every type of difficulty comes in with a letter that you got to press before that thing comes in contact with Mario. As the levels go up so do obstacles and this helps in increasing the typing speed of the player steadily.

39. Frogger

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Frogger is also one of the best abandonware games pc. It is a really old game that was released in the year 1983. It can be played singularly as well as in multiplayer mode. The game is just like crossing a road or a bridge or a river while avoiding all the hazards, but with the difference that you have to do it all in one go.

40. Psycho Pinball

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Psycho Pinball was released in the year 1995. It is a version of one of the most played games on windows computers. The idea in this game is to stop the ball from falling into the pit. Also, the colors are too funky that won’t let you get bored.

41. Carmageddon

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Carmageddon is another best old games abandonware. It was released in the year 1997 and is a racing game where there are no bounds on what you do with your car. You can cause as much destruction as it is one of the ways to win this game. Also are ways like killing people to win which makes it one of the craziest games in the abandonware world.

42. Shinobi

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Shinobi was released in the year 1989. It is an arcade game where you kill bad guys to release your people from prison. The game is a laid-back one as you don’t have to care about the running time on the clock. You can have fun playing the bonus levels which are much more interesting as compared to the normal ones. Therefore it is on list of abandonware games.

43. Jetpack

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Jetpack is another best abandonware games pc. It was released in the year 1993. It is an arcade game that you might have played in your childhood. The game has a clumsy yet immersive interface that doesn’t let you get bored easily but when you get stuck, it becomes redundant and feasible to play further.

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44. Grand Theft Auto

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Grand Theft Auto which was released in the year 1992 is a name that every 90s and 2000s kid knows because of its extreme popularity. The character that you play has to complete several missions which along with driving you to have to commit a lot of crimes are taken as order from above. This game won’t let you get bored for a long time and is a great choice for engaging in a franchise from start.

45. Karateka

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Karateka is another best free abandonware games. It is one of the earliest fighting games as it was released in the year 1986. One thing that distinguishes it from other fight games is that there is no usage of any dialogue or text but only plain music. You play a character called karateka whose motive is to relieve the princess who has been caged in the castle by a bad guy.

46. Arcade Volleyball

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Arcade Volleyball is a sports-based game and is quite old with its being in the year 1987. The interface is very simple, and you can give this one a try for the feel that 80s kids might have experienced. User reviews suggest that the game doesn’t make you get bored even though there is not much to do.

47. Blood

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Blood was released in the year 1997. It is a shooting game that has a bit of horror which has been carefully extracted from one of the top horror movies to provide users with a reminiscence of scare every second whenever you approach your enemy.

48. Paperboy

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Paperboy is another best abandonware games pc. It was released in the year 1991. The game has very simple graphics that go with the story of the game. You as a gamer play the character of a paperboy who delivers newspapers while avoiding the difficulties that come his way.

49. Wrath of the Demon

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Wrath of the Demon was released in the year 1991. It is one of those games that entered the market in the early 90s and had great graphics which were above par as compared to other games. The storyline was good but there wasn’t much to do in the game itself. Although you can try it just to get a taste of what the change was all about.

50. The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes

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The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes was released in the year 1992 and deserves a spot in list of abandonware games. The game is based on the case of a Serrated scalpel and you as a player take decisions and conduct investigations to solve the case. If you are a Sherlock Holmes fan, then you will be intrigued as you might already know all the characters in the game.

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We hope that this doc could guide you on the best abandonware games pc. If you have any queries or, suggestions then feel free to drop them in the comments section below.

50 Best Abandonware Games for PC (2024)

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