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Adventure Math   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (partial game) Educational
Developed by Epic MegaGames
Published by Epic MegaGames
Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c 

Adventure Math has easily the best graphics and sound of any DOS math game I've ever seen. Wave synthesis even produces a voice that says the numbers as you type them. In the normal game, you answer math questions in a form where one of the numbers from the question and the answer are provided, and you have to provide the other number, such as "5 + ? = 8" instead of the usual "5 + 3 = ?" format. Answer enough questions correctly and you can play a bonus level, in which you have a space ship at the bottom of the screen, a math problem to solve, and three answers at the top of the screen. Objects are bouncing around on the screen, so you have to shoot the correct answer and avoid being destroyed by the bouncing objects. There are 10 difficulty levels, designed to engage children between Grades 1 and 5. Unlike Mather, this game will not provide a challenge for adults. The shareware version includes only addition and subtraction questions, the registered "Deluxe" version adds multiplication, division, and a timer, which are really the only things missing from this program.

Complete version history:

Adventure Math v2.0 Shareware (373k) 22 September 1993
Adventure Math v1.0 Shareware (390k) 25 September 1992

The registered version of this game is still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $12 on floppy disk only.

Adventures of Maddog Williams in the Dungeons of Duridian, The   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Freeware (former shareware) Adventure
Developed by Game Crafters
Published by Game Crafters
Graphics: EGA 320×200×16c 

Maddog Williams is essentially a text adventure with VGA graphics. Detailed descriptions of rooms and objects can still be obtained by asking for them, but you can already see what's in the room and get a hint as to what items might be worth examining. Unlike a text adventure, Maddog must be moved around using the arrow keys so that he can interact with objects and move from screen to screen. Kind of like a point-and-click adventure, without the mouse support. He can also fight in real time, advancing, retreating, and swinging his sword, rather than the turn-based fighting in a text adventure. Like most adventures, points are scored for collecting objects and meeting objectives, and your goal is to complete the story. In this case, your goal is to drive the evil out of Duridian so that people can live in peace. Quite an interesting gaming experience. There are 8 chapters in this game, with only the first chapter playable in the shareware version.

The Adventures of Maddog Williams in the Dungeons of Duridian Registered Version (2323k)   Play online
The Adventures of Maddog Williams in the Dungeons of Duridian Shareware Episode (581k)

Game Crafters has generously released this game as freeware under the The Adventures of Maddog Williams Vol 1 Freeware License.

Alpha Man   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (partial game) Puzzle
Developed by Soleau Software
Published by Soleau Software
Graphics: EGA 640×350×16c 

If you're looking for a really hard puzzle game, you've found it. Alpha Man features a 7×11 grid with the letters to a specific word located throughout the grid. Alpha Man must walk around and push letter blocks onto their corresponding locations on the grid. Once pushed, the letter blocks will slide until they hit a wall, another letter block, or the master block. The master block can be pushed one square at a time. This game is far too difficult for me, but someone out there must be up to the challenge. I wasn't able to complete any of the levels, but the shareware version includes the solution to the first five levels. It takes 193 moves to complete the first level! There are 50 levels in this game, with only the first 25 playable in the shareware version.

Complete version history:

Alpha Man v1.1 Shareware (124k)
Alpha Man v1.0 Shareware (92k)

Soleau Software still sells the registered version of this game for $12 by download only.

Alone in the Dark   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (partial game) Adventure
Developed by I-Motion, Infogrames
Published by Interplay
Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c 

The first in Infogrames' series of 3D action horror adventure games. Jeremy Hartwood has hanged himself in a mansion called Derceto, and you must play either his niece or a private investigator and search the mansion to solve the mystery of Hartwood's suicide. Filled with puzzles and supernatural monsters, the hero must solve puzzles and sometimes use weapons to explore and survive the mansion. One of the first truly 3D games for the PC, Alone in the Dark uses polygonal characters and multiple camera angles to create a realistic and immersive world. Two demos were released, the first of which ends when the hero leaves the attic. A later demo added an attract mode with screenshots from the full version, but the demo doesn't end when you try to leave the attic — you're just stuck up there! Only the first stage is playable in the shareware demo.

Alone in the Dark Shareware Demo with attract mode (1219k) 15 January 1993   Play online
Alone in the Dark Shareware Demo (715k) 24 September 1992

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Blind Wars   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (partial game) Strategy
Developed by Soleau Software
Published by Soleau Software
Graphics: EGA 640×350×16c 

Blind Wars is a game of global domination, like Risk. Based on Isle Wars, Blind Wars takes away the bonus cards and doesn't let you see your opponent's armies. It works quite well, and adds a new element to a familiar game: bluffing. You can leave a critical area undefended and your opponents may assume that enough armies are present to make victory impossible. Instead of a world map, battle takes place on a land mass with 77 cities divided between 10 countries. Occupying an entire country adds to the number of armies you receive each turn. Random flooding, volcanic activity and revolution can destroy armies, and unexpected plenty, such as record crop yields, can add armies to a region. Distribution centers are randomly distributed across the map, which occasionally double the number of troops residing in them, making them strategically desirable, and making the strategy somewhat different each game. The maximum number of armies that can be in a city is 99. The shareware version pits you against 3 computer opponents, and allows customization of difficulty level and the maximum number of armies that each city can have at the beginning of the game. The registered version allows up to four humans to play.

Complete version history:

Blind Wars v1.1 Shareware (148k) November 1993
Blind Wars v1.0 Shareware (121k) November 1992

Soleau Software still sells the registered version of this game for $12 by download only.

Bolo Ball   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (partial game) Puzzle
Developed by Soleau Software
Published by Soleau Software
Graphics: EGA 640×350×16c 

Bolo Ball is basically the opposite of Balloon Challenge. Both sides have a row of 29 balls at the top of the screen. When you push one, it will fall until it hits something, or reaches the bottom of the screen. Arrows will cause the ball to move left or right, but it also changes the direction of the arrow. Black holes will teleport the ball somewhere else in the level. The farther the ball falls, the more points it scores, and there are also bonus points scattered throughout the level. Long term strategy should take gray blocks into account. The gray blocks disappear at the end of the stage, causes any balls on top of them to fall and get extra points. The short version is only one level. In the long version of the game, any balls remaining will turn into bonus points to be collected in the second round, and again in the third round. In the third and final round, purple arrow blocks appear which randomly change direction, causing the ball to move in whatever direction it is pointing at the time. The registered version can be played against a human opponent in addition to the computer.

Bolo Ball v2.2 Shareware (111k) 1996
Bolo Ball v2.1 Shareware (103k) January 1995
Bolo Ball v2.0 Shareware (97k) February 1994
Bolo Ball v1.2 Shareware (97k) 1992
Bolo Ball v1.0 Shareware (76k) January 1992

Soleau Software still sells the registered version of this game for $12 by download only.

Bow and Arrow - In Search of the Greatest Archer   1992
User rating: 6 Win16 Shareware (partial game) Simulation
Developed by John Di Troia
Published by John Di Troia
Screenshot

A challenging archery adventure in which the hero must shoot targets and enemies to advance through the levels and eventually face the Black Archer. The right mouse button draws the bow, and the left mouse button allows the archer to move up and down. Some enemies attack indiscriminately, while others are harmless unless you accidentally shoot them. As you advance through the game, you acquire feathers in the top left corner indicate hit points, which represent the number of times you can be hit by an enemy. Saving your game at several points is a good idea, since some levels can't be beaten unless you do something critical in a previous level. The game can be played with three specific playing field sizes, or maximize to fill the screen. The larger the playing field, the harder the game becomes, which makes it almost impossible to play while maximized on a large monitor. There are three save game slots in v1.0 and five in v1.1. There are no sound effects in the Abridged version. Originally registering the Unabridged version cost $12, which was increased to $15 with v1.1, but also included two bonus programs. There are 22 levels in this game, with only the first 12 playable in the shareware version.

Bow and Arrow - In Search of the Greatest Archer v1.1 Abridged Shareware Version (56k) 15 May 1996
Bow and Arrow - In Search of the Greatest Archer v1.0 Abridged Shareware Version (35k) 28 April 1992

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Capture the Flag   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (partial game) Sports
Developed by Carr Software
Published by Carr Software

A computer version of capture the flag. Each side hides a flag inside their territory and tries to capture the other team's flag. A global map of the playing field shows all of your territory and any enemy territory that your players can see. The game zooms in on each of your players as you move them. Different types of terrain can slow characters down or reduce their visibility, such as rivers, trees, rocks, fences and fields. Characters have different attributes that determine how far they can run and see, and how well they can evade capture. The game is turn based, and a player's attributes determine whether an enemy player is captured when approached while in their territory. Captured players must sit out for a few turns. There are 200 scenarios, 40 maps, and 10 Capture the Flag variants in the full version.

Capture the Flag v3.2 Shareware (394k)   Play online
Capture the Flag v3.1 Shareware (395k)
Capture the Flag v3.0 Shareware (392k)
Capture the Flag v2.0 Shareware (246k)
Capture the Flag v1.4 Shareware (256k)
Capture the Flag v1.3 Shareware (255k)
Capture the Flag v1.2 Shareware (239k)
Capture the Flag v1.01 Shareware (238k)

Carr Software still sells the registered version of this game for $19.95 by download.

Castle of the Winds   1992
User rating: 10 Win16 Freeware (former shareware) RPG
Developed by SaadaSoft
Published by Epic MegaGames
Screenshot

Castle of the Winds is a cult classic RPG for Windows. At the beginning of the game, you have ability points that you can distribute between three characteristics, and you can choose your hero's gender. The storyline is linear and the gameplay and inventory system are cunningly simple. In contrast to the cities, the dungeons are almost monochrome, and the graphics throughout the game are minimalist. It may not look like much, but something about it makes it surprisingly fun. There are two volumes in this game, with only the first volume playable in the shareware version.

Part 1: A Question of Vengeance
Part 2: Lifthransir's Bane

Castle of the Winds v1.1A Registered Version (679k)
Castle of the Winds v1.1 Shareware Episode (399k)
Castle of the Winds v1.0A Shareware Episode (400k)
Castle of the Winds v1.0 Shareware Episode (399k)

Author Rick Saada has generously released this game as freeware.

Catch, If You Can!   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (full version) Sports
Developed by Colin Buckley
Published by Colin Buckley
Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c 

This game is about as simple as it gets: you're an outfielder and you have to catch fly balls by moving left or right. Features voice and VGA graphics. There's not a lot to do in this game, but sometimes that's good when you just want to relieve your boredom for a few minutes. The registered version eliminates two delay screens.

Catch, If You Can! v1.00 Shareware (98k) 22 December 1992   Play online

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Cell War   1992
User rating: No rating Win16 Shareware (full version) Strategy
Developed by Al Funk
Published by Al Funk
Screenshot

The easiest way to describe Cell War is that it's the game of Go played with the rules of Conway's Game of Life. Actually, the rules for when cells live, die, and reproduce had to be tweaked so that the two sides would fight each other – which, in itself, would have been an interesting simulation – and for the fact that both sides are actively adding live cells to the grid. If you're totally lost by this description, here is everything that you need to know. A small group of green and purple cells are placed randomly on the grid at the beginning of the game, and players take turns placing new ones on the board. At regular intervals, an algorithm checks the entire board and takes the following actions: any cell not touching another cell will die of loneliness; any cell touching four friendly cells will die of overcrowding; any cell touching three unfriendly cells horizontally or vertically will die from poisoning; a new cell will be created when the square is surrounded by two or three friendly cells horizontally or vertically. The strategy becomes much like Go: surround territory and limit your opponent's territory. Cells that are too far away from friendly cells will die of loneliness or get surrounded by unfriendly cells, while any sufficiently large group will become impossible to poison because invading cells can't survive in an "eye" inside a group of unfriendly cells. You can play against a human or the computer but, sadly, you can't watch two computers duke it out. Computer opponents can be assigned two different intelligence levels.

Cell War v1.0 (68k) 24 December 1992

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Clyde's Adventure   1992
User rating: 8.3 DOS Freeware (former shareware) Platform
Developed by Moonlite Software
Published by Moonlite Software

Clyde's Adventure is one of those games that you either love or hate. It's a platformer by the developer of Hocus Pocus, which means that the goal is exploration and puzzle solving. Clyde is searching for treasure and must find every single gem in every level, but he uses energy when he walks, jumps, or falls from a great height. He has a wand that can temporarily remove some bricks and light bombs that can permanently destroy others. There are no enemies, so the challenge comes from avoiding traps and explosions, triggering invisible platforms and teleports, and finding the most efficient route before Clyde runs out of energy. There are helpful, and often humorous messages to help you along the way. It takes many attempts to master each level. This game can be extremely frustrating, but it's also very rewarding when you finally win. The graphics are some of the most impressive ever featured in an EGA game, and each level is full of glowing, glittering or flashing platforms and backgrounds. Featuring parallax scrolling, there is a foreground, background, and a deep background outside the windows, and a sort of fake fourth layer where birds can be seen disappearing behind the clouds. The gems are often arranged so that the sound effects play music as you collect them. A very clever game for very clever people. There are 2 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1 - Lost Treasure of Tahookaboo
Episode 2 - The Vanished King

Clyde's Adventure v3.0 Registered Version (289k)   Play online
Clyde's Adventure v3.0 Shareware Episode (177k)
Clyde's Adventure v2.0 Shareware Episode (156k)

Moonlite Software has generously released this game as freeware.

Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure   1992
User rating: 6.5 DOS Shareware (partial game) Platform
Developed by Apogee Software
Published by Apogee Software

A simple but fun platform adventure. Cosmo is a young alien who is heading to Disney World when their ship is forced to crash land on a strange planet. Cosmo's parents are abducted while he goes exploring, and now he must rescue them. Cosmo can stick to walls and jump on enemies. There are lots of hidden items and bonuses and secret areas to search for. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Complete version history:

Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure v1.2 Shareware Episode (583k) 15 April 1992   Play online
Cosmo's Cosmic Adventure v1.0 Shareware Episode (489k) March 1992

Apogee still sells the registered version of this game for $5.99 by download.

Crazy Eights   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Freeware (former shareware) Traditional
Developed by Moonlite Software
Published by Moonlite Software
Graphics: VGA 640×480×16c 

This is about as good a Crazy Eights game as you could expect from DOS. You can configure whether or not the "miss a turn", "pick up cards", and "change suits" rules are in effect and which cards trigger them, and what score wins the match. Only one player can play against the computer, who plays a decent game. There is no feature to organize the cards in your hand, though your cards do nicely overlap when you get too many of them. The shareware version includes a non-playable copy of Cribbage, which was free with the registered version of Crazy Eights. Both are now freeware, but I have only located the shareware version so far.

Crazy Eights v1.0 Shareware Version (108k) 15 October 1992   Play online

Moonlite Software has generously released this game as freeware.

Galacta   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (partial game) Shooter
Developed by Albino Frog Software
Published by Albino Frog Software
Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c 

A ridiculously hard shooter, but more than just a Galaga clone. Hostile aliens have destroyed Pluto, Neptune and Uranus, as well as the defense force that was sent to engage them. This game is so difficult that you get seven ships to fight them with. Galacta adds power-ups like shields and lasers, occasionally an asteroid will enter the playing field, and the enemies don't merely enter the screen in formation, they fly in formation for the entire level. That means that enemies are never standing still, and the screen frequently fills with enemy fire. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1: The Battle for Saturn
Episode 2: Last Stand on Mars
Episode 3: In Defense of Earth

Complete version history:

Galacta v1.1 Shareware Episode (152k) 1993   Play online
Galacta v1.0 Shareware Episode (110k) November 1992

Albino Frog Software has apparently released this game as freeware. Confirmation to follow.

Gobliins 2: The Prince Buffoon   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (partial game) Adventure
Developed by Coktel Vision (Sierra On-Line)
Published by Sierra On-Line
Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c 

In the second game in the legendary Goblins series, the king's son has been kidnapped, and you must rescue him and bring him home. As the name implies, there are only two goblins this time, named Fingus and Winkle. This time both goblins can carry and use objects, so the difference between is their personalities. Fingus is intelligent and tactful, while Winkle is discourteous and violent. Their personalities determine how a goblin will use an object or talk to other characters. The first major improvement over Gobliiins is that both goblins can be controlled simultaneously, and must sometimes work together to solve a problem. You can also keep more than one object in your inventory at once, and objects can be instantly assigned and transferred between goblins. There is no longer a health bar, which dramatically increases the number of situations where the goblins can be hilariously injured. The dialog is witty and sarcastic, the goblins' antics are hysterical, and there's a lot to do on every screen. Another improvement is that the goblins can (and must) move back and forth between screens. Sometimes a goal must be achieved on another screen before success can be achieved on the first one. Many of the solutions are devilishly hard, so with the addition of more to do on each screen, the playable demo for Gobliins 2 offers much more content than the demo for Gobliiins, and could take a newcomer to the game hours to complete. Only the first level, consisting of 4 screens, is playable in the shareware version.

Gobliins 2: The Prince Buffoon v1.01 Shareware Demo (535k)   Play online

I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed on Sierra's website. It can be ordered from Amazon: Gobliins 2: The Prince Buffoon.

Hero's Heart   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (partial game) Puzzle
Developed by Everett Kaser Software
Published by Everett Kaser Software
Graphics: EGA 640×350×16c 

Hero's Heart is a pure puzzle game that looks a bit like an adventure game. The hero must collect all of the hearts in a level by solving the puzzle. The game is turn-based rather than real time, which means that when you move and cause an action, you can't move again until the reaction is finished. If you cause a boulder to fall or an arrow to fire, you can't move out of the way to avoid it! You can cause boulders to fall, balloons to rise, and arrows to fire in any direction. There are hazards such as fire and water, Worms that head directly towards you with each step you take, and Creepers that simply move in circles around any barriers they find. Some hearts can't be collected until they have been changed from blue to red by a Creeper. Some puzzles involve figuring out how to use a raft or push a ball, you can use earth to fill up some water or put out a fire, or you can use a fire extinguisher. The hero normally moves one space at a time, although you can make the hero take several steps by clicking on where you want him to go with your mouse. Walking or pushing something over ice will slide it all the way to the other side in one turn. There are 25 levels in this game. The non-shareware version is called Hero GOLD, which has 80 levels and 10 new types of objects.

Complete version history:

Hero's Heart v1.52 Shareware (Still searching) 28 September 1996
Hero's Heart v1.51 Shareware (Still searching) 13 June 1995
Hero's Heart v1.50 Shareware (Still searching) 24 December 1994
Hero's Heart v1.31 (123k) 9 March 1994   Play online
Hero's Heart v1.3 (123k) 30 December 1993
Hero's Heart v1.2 (123k) 21 December 1992
Hero's Heart v1.1 (123k) 21 November 1992

Everett Kaser Software still sells the registered version of this game for $20 by download or CD-ROM.

Hugo III, Jungle of Doom!   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (full version) Adventure
Developed by Gray Design Associates
Published by Gray Design Associates
Graphics: EGA 320×200×16c 

On the way home from vacationing in Hugo II, Hugo and Penelope crash their plane in the jungles of South America. After Penelope is bitten by a spider, Hugo must find the antidote to save her. Hugo III is the most ambitious game of the series. One new addition is that Hugo gets smaller as he moves away from the "camera", though there's an awkward flash when he changes size. Another new feature is that, if you get really stuck (which happens a lot in Hugo games), the game will offer to give you a hint! Hugo III rounds out the genres in the trilogy, which began with a horror story, followed by a murder mystery, and ends with an adventure.

Complete version history:

Hugo III, Jungle of Doom! v2.1 Shareware (536k) 10 May 1994
Hugo III, Jungle of Doom! v2.0 Shareware (Still searching) 8 September 1992
Hugo III, Jungle of Doom! v1.1 Shareware (Still searching) 6 April 1992
Hugo III, Jungle of Doom! v1.0 Shareware (536k) 20 February 1992

Gray Design Associates still sells the DOS and Windows versions of the Hugo Trilogy collectively for $10 by download only.

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (partial game) Adventure
Developed by LucasArts Entertainment
Published by LucasArts Entertainment
Graphics: EGA 640×200×16c  VGA 320×200×256c 

Based on the legendary SCUMM engine, Fate of Atlantis is a point-and-click adventure. Set in 1939, you play the roles of Indiana Jones and Sophia Hapgood as they try to prevent the Nazis from using a powerful metal from the lost city of Atlantis to take over the world. The game features some of the most beautiful graphics to ever appear in a DOS game and a memorable musical score. Part way through the game, you can choose between three paths to take, each of which will take you to different locations and cause a different storyline to play out: the Wits Path (hard puzzles), Fists Path (easier puzzles, more fighting), and the Team Path (requires Sophia Hapgood to solve many puzzles). The shareware version contains the final stage of the Fists Path up to the point where the paths converge at Atlantis.

Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis Interactive Demonstration v2 (799k) 18 June 1992
Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis Interactive Demonstration (771k) 7 May 1992   Play online

I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed on LucasArts's website. It can be ordered from Amazon: Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, or as part of LucasArts Triple Pack or LucasArts Archives Volume 1.

Jill of the Jungle   1992
User rating: 3 DOS Shareware (partial game) Platform
Developed by Epic MegaGames
Published by Epic MegaGames

Jill can jump really high and throw various weapons in this mediocre platformer. Most of the thinking in this game involves figuring out how to get Jill to jump to new areas, which can be a bit tedious. It does feature an innovative map screen, which can also be explored, and there are voices. The graphics are far less impressive by comparison. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1 - Jill of the Jungle
Episode 2 - Jill Goes Underground
Episode 3 - Jill Saves the Prince

Jill of the Jungle v1.2 Shareware Episode (300k)   Play online
Jill of the Jungle v1.1 Shareware Episode (324k)
Jill of the Jungle v1.0 Shareware Episode (264k)

The registered version of this game is still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $19 on floppy disk only.

Keen Dreams   1992
User rating: 5 DOS Shareware (full version) Platform
Developed by id Software
Published by Softdisk Publishing
Graphics: EGA 320×200×16c 

Under contract to make another game for Softdisk, id created a Commander Keen game called Keen Dreams. It was published between Invasion of the Vorticons and Goodbye Galaxy!, and is often referred to as Episode 3.5. The graphics will be instantly familiar, but Keen no longer has a pogo stick or ray gun. The story takes place in Commander Keen's dreams, which explains why he wears his pajamas. Keen finds himself in a vegetable kingdom ruled by Boobus Tuber, an evil potato king Boobus Tuber (Super Mario Bros. 2 anyone?). Keen can still jump really high, duck, drop from platforms, and climb fire poles, as he can in Goodbye Galaxy!, but he uses "Flower Power" seeds to temporarily turn enemies into flowers. The graphics and sound are very similar to Goodbye Galaxy!, minus the incredible backgrounds. I find the game to be more difficult than most others in the series, in no small part because Keen throws seeds in an arch, rather than firing a raygun charge in a straight line. The seeds will bounce around for a while before disappearing, so sometimes you hit an enemy on the rebound.

Keen Dreams v1.15a Shareware (351k) September 1992   Play online
Keen Dreams v1.03 Shareware (371k) August 1992

Softdisk's new publisher, Flat Rock Software, still sells the registered version of this game for $9.95 by download only.

Kiloblaster   1992
User rating: 10 DOS Freeware (former shareware) Shooter
Developed by Epic MegaGames
Published by Epic MegaGames
Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c 

Essentially an updated version of Galaxian, you shoot your way through wave after wave of alien ships in classic arcade shooter style. Your ship has shields, and there are frequent power-ups to restore hit points, become invulnerable, or be able to fire more shots simultaneously. You can also move vertically as well as horizontally. All of those upgrades would make the game much more fun if it wasn't limited by the fact that you have to wait for your shot (or shots) to clear the screen before you can fire again, which really slows down the gameplay. The backgrounds are quite nice. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1 - Death of a Starship
Episode 2 - No Way Out
Episode 3 - The Final Battle

Complete version history:

Kiloblaster v2.0 Registered Version (1378k)
Kiloblaster v2.0 Shareware Episode (530k)   Play online
Kiloblaster v1.0 Registered Version (1374k)
Kiloblaster v1.0 Shareware Episode (489k)
Source code for Kiloblaster in Borland Turbo C (103k)

Author Allen Pilgrim generously released this game as freeware under the Kiloblaster and Xargon Freeware License on 4 August 2008.

Kosynka   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (full version) Traditional
Developed by Sergey Rhyzkov (Sergey Ryzhkov)
Published by Everett Kaser Software
Graphics: EGA 640×350×16c 

Kosynka is an EGA version of the Russian solitaire game Косынка ("Big Scarf" or "Neckerchief"), which has the same rules as Klondike, except that the deck is made up of two full decks of cards (104 cards), and there are 9 or 10 columns instead of the usual 7. You draw from the deck one card at a time, but you can only flip the deck twice. The mouse is used to drag the cards or draw from the deck, and you can double click on cards to send them directly to the suit row. If you know how to play Windows Solitaire, you know how to play this game. The game was programmed in Moscow by Sergey Ryzhkov and published by Everett Kaser Software.

Complete version history:

Kosynka v1.1 Shareware (68k)   Play online
Kosynka v1.0 Shareware (66k)

I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed on Everett Kaser Software's website.

Kye   1992
User rating: No rating Win16 Freeware (former shareware) Puzzle
Developed by Colin Garbutt
Published by Colin Garbutt
Screenshot

Kye is a classic "collect the diamonds" game named after the author's dog. Kye must be navigated through some difficult levels, eating or pushing blocks out of his way, and figuring out obstacles and traps. There are balls that move in one direction, sticky blocks that can pull obstacles out of the way, and five kinds of monsters that pursue Kye in real-time. Besides the monsters, some levels have blocks that are constantly in motion, so reflexes and skill are required in addition to problem solving. There is no gravity and no boulders to drop, and the levels, blocks and monsters are entirely original, so this isn't just another Boulder Dash clone. You can design your own custom levels, and a number of third-party level packs exist. Version 2.0 added five extra levels, black holes, one way doors, time bombs, an on-screen level editor, and registration now required a charitable donation to Save the Children, instead of direct payment to the author. There are 15 levels in the shareware version, and originally there were 20 extra levels in the registered version. User-created levels were added over the years, with a final tally of 496 extra levels in the registered version.

Complete version history:

Kye v2.0 Registered Levels (122k) 17 August 1999
Kye v2.0 Shareware Version (37k) 28 February 1992
Kye v1.2 Shareware Version (25k) 30 January 1992

Author Colin Garbutt generously released this game as freeware on 18 February 2008. He still asks that a donation be made to a children's charity.

Lugnut Math City   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (full version) Educational
Developed by Paul T. Dawson
Published by Paul T. Dawson
Graphics: EGA 640×350×16c 

Originally called Lugnut City, Lugnut Math City is an educational platformer where you use a robot to answer different types of questions to make your way through 10 mazes. Questions include true or false, multiple choice, adding, counting, and choosing the correct operator (add, subtract, multiply or divide). There are huge bonus points and lots of encouragement from the program. A level editor also allows you to create 10 of your own levels. Kids apparently love this game.

Lugnut Math City v2.2 Shareware (175k) 1 September 1994   Play online
Lugnut City v1.1 Shareware (146k) 27 March 1992

I have been unable to locate the author online, but there is still a mailing address for registration. The games indicate that you can register for $10, or "super register" and get all 10 of Paul T. Dawson's educational games for $35.

Lure of the Temptress   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Freeware (former commercial) Adventure
Developed by Revolution Software
Published by Revolution Software

A point-and-click adventure game – what many people call a Sierra-style game – with pretty good animation for the time. In the days before graphics, this would have been a text adventure. The "Look" option gives you information about your surroundings and the objects you wish to examine. In a medieval fantasy world, you must escape from a dungeon and save the kingdom. One interesting feature is that you have a sidekick who you can give instructions to carry out. The village people go about their lives without you and even have conversations with each other, which creates a fun sense of realism.

Lure of the Temptress v1.0 English (1778k)   Play online
Lure of the Temptress v1.0 French (3368k)
Lure of the Temptress v1.0 German (3615k)
Lure of the Temptress v1.0 Italian (3016k)

Revolution Software has generously released this game as freeware. NOTE: When the game first begins, move the cursor to the menu at the top of the screen and RESTART the game. This bypasses the copy protection system.

Magic Pockets   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (partial game) Platform
Developed by The Bitmap Brothers
Published by Renegade Software
Graphics: CGA 320×200×4c  EGA 640×200×16c  VGA 640×400×256c 

Magic Pockets is an incredibly straightforward platformer. You play the Bitmap Kid, whose pockets hold an infinite number of toys. Some of your toys have captured by monsters escaped, so you must enter worlds inside of the pockets, throwing objects from your pockets to kill enemies. Sometimes you find a helmet which will transport you to a secret area, or give you powers like the ability to fire lasers. The gameplay is a bit slow, but the graphics are decent. Only the first level is playable in the shareware version.

Magic Pockets Shareware Demo (240k)   Play online

The Bitmap Brothers no longer sell this game.

Mah Jongg for Windows   1992
User rating: No rating Win16 Shareware (full version) Traditional
Developed by Ron Balewski
Published by Ron Balewski
Screenshot

A Windows port of Mah Jongg -V-G-A-. Very little is different from the DOS version, except that the sounds seem a bit nicer, and the menu on the right side of the screen has been replaced with a Windows menu bar. The game is fully unlocked, but a newer version, v3.1, is available only as a registered version. It supports a new 1024×768 resolution with 256/true color tile format and includes both of the tilesets from Mah Jongg -8514-, adds WAV sound effects, and can magnify old 640×480 tilesets to 1024×768.

Mah Jongg for Windows v1.0 (228k) February 1992

Ron Balewski still sells the registered version of this game for $20 on floppy disk or download.

Math Rescue   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (partial game) Educational
Developed by Redwood Games
Published by Apogee Software

In this sequel to Word Rescue, the Gruzzles have stolen all of the world's numbers. Your character can run and jump. Hit a question to answer a math problem, which helps you progress to the next level. A pretty decent little math game. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1 - Visit Volcanos and Ice Caves
Episode 2 - Follow the Gruzzles into Space
Episode 3 - See Candy Land

Complete version history:

Math Rescue v2.0 Shareware Episode (468k) 1 August 1993   Play online
Math Rescue v1.0 Shareware Episode (420k) October 1992

Apogee still sells the registered version of this game for $5.99 by download. Redwood Games still sells the registered version of this game for $12 by download.

Moraff's Monster Bridge   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (full version) Traditional
Developed by MoraffWare
Published by MoraffWare

Based on a number of traditional bidding card games, such as Bridge, Monster Bridge is played with a 96 card deck, with 6 suits and 16 cards per suit. The difficulty level increases the longer you survive. Version 2.0 includes Moraff's Stones within the game.

Moraff's Monster Bridge v2.0 Shareware (194k) 12 May 1993
Moraff's Monster Bridge v1.0 Shareware (177k) 25 September 1992

Moraff still sells the registered version of this game through Software Diversions as part of Moraff's Dungeon Pack for $19 by download.

Moraff's Monster Memory   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (partial game) Traditional
Developed by MoraffWare
Published by MoraffWare

The traditional memory matching game, with pictures of monsters from Moraff's World. The registered version features twice as many monsters.

Moraff's Monster Memory v1.1 Shareware (96k) 25 September 1992

I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed on Moraff's website.

Moraff's Morejongg   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (partial game) Traditional
Developed by MoraffWare
Published by MoraffWare

A traditional Mahjongg Tiles game, also including some untraditional tile sets. Pairs of pieces can be removed if they are "free" along the edge of a layer, and no piece is even partially on top of them. The registered "Extended" version includes 20 layouts and has save options.

Moraff's Morejongg v3.0 Shareware (239k) 8 May 1993
Moraff's Morejongg v1.0 Shareware (235k) 1992

I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed on Moraff's website.

Moraff's Super Entrap   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (partial game) Puzzle
Developed by MoraffWare
Published by MoraffWare

The sequel to Entrap, Super Entrap is a turn-based strategy game where you attempt to reach the other end of the playing field while robots of progressively increasing intelligence home in on your position. You can move around in the eight compass directions, filling gaps to create new paths in the playing field, and putting holes in the playing field to block or entrap your enemies. The playing field is less attractive in Super Entrap, and the map is no longer visible at all times. On the upside, you can see farther to the left and right, and you can navigate from the new map screen, making it unnecessary to even view the playing field, unless you want to see what the enemies look like. There are now also impassable barriers. You can also create a "large hole" that destroys all of the squares around you, making it easier to isolate yourself from enemies. There is only one episode in this "Beginner's Version", but the registered "Advanced Version" has 10 difficulty levels.

Moraff's Super Entrap v4.1 Shareware (86k)
Moraff's Super Entrap v2.0 Shareware (66k)

I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed on Moraff's website.

Oil Baron   1992
User rating: No rating Win16 Shareware (full version) Strategy
Developed by Al Funk
Published by Al Funk
Screenshot

Oil Baron is a game of investment and corporate acquisition for up to six human or computer players. That sounds a bit boring, but the game really isn't. Each turn, players may play a card onto the grid or discard one. If there are no cards adjacent to that card, either horizontally or vertically, it is an independent oil company with no insignia. Play a card next to a blank card and a new company is born. You get to choose the company from a list of eight, which vary by initial stock price and dividend. More expensive companies have larger dividends, but less growth potential in their stock price. Playing cards next to existing companies causes those companies to grow and increase their stock price. If a move causes two companies to be attached to each other, the more valuable company takes over the less valuable company and the defunct company's shares can be sold, traded in, or held into the company is re-created in the future. After making a move in each turn, players can buy stocks that they think will become more valuable, or sell shares in order to increase their cash reserves in order to purchase something else. Computer opponents can be assigned two different intelligence levels.

Oil Baron v1.2 (90k) 11 May 1993
Oil Baron v1.1 (85k) 25 October 1992
Oil Baron v1.0 (74k) 10 September 1992

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Overkill   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Freeware (former shareware) Shooter
Developed by Tech-Noir Productions
Published by Epic MegaGames
Graphics: EGA 320×200×16c 

Essentially a vertically scrolling version of R-Type, without the one-hit kills. Kill everything that moves, collect power-ups, try not to get destroyed. In Overkill, your ship has a shield so that you can take some damage, and numerous weapons upgrades are possible. You can press Tab to switch between your various weapons upgrades to pick the one most useful one for the situation. The graphics are quite impressive. There are 6 episodes in this game, with only the first two episodes playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1: Edrax
Episode 2: Gallifrey
Episode 3: Hoth
Episode 4: Voltair
Episode 5: Pax Verde
Episode 6: unknown!

Overkill v2.0 Registered Version (408k) 21 September 1993   Play online
Overkill v2.0 Shareware Episode (393k) 21 September 1993   Play online
Overkill "11/12/92" Shareware Episode (410k) 12 November 1992
Overkill "11/11/92" Shareware Episode (398k) 11 November 1992

Author Ste Cork generously released this game as freeware under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 License on 23 July 2008.

Paul's Classroom Math   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (full version) Educational
Developed by Paul T. Dawson
Published by Paul T. Dawson
Graphics: ASCII 80×40×16c 

A straightforward math quiz where you answer as many addition, subtraction, multiplication and division questions as you can within the time limit. Designed for the classroom, none of the bells and whistles of Paul T. Dawson's other games are present in this game. It's no frills and silent!

Paul's Classroom Math v1.0 Shareware (83k) 1 May 1992   Play online

I have been unable to locate the author online, but there is still a mailing address for registration. The games indicate that you can register for $10, or "super register" and get all 10 of Paul T. Dawson's educational games for $35.

Secret Agent   1992
User rating: 4 DOS Shareware (partial game) Platform
Developed by Apogee Software
Published by Apogee Software

Basically this is Crystal Caves, except that you're Agent 006 and you travel islands instead of planets. The Diabolical Villain Society has stolen blueprints to a satellite-based laser and you must stop them. Like Crystal Caves, you have infinite lives and a map screen that gives you some flexibility in the order you complete the levels. Some EGA games actually have good graphics and sound, but this game does not. It does have interesting enemies, cheesy James Bond references and puns, and fun gameplay. Another fun little diversion. Version 1.0 may cause your system clock to lose 100 years if run from Windows XP. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1 - The Hunt for Red Rock Rover
Episode 2 - Kill Again Island
Episode 3 - Dr. No Body

Complete version history:

Secret Agent v1.0a Shareware Episode (265k) 24 October 2005   Play online
Secret Agent v1.0 Shareware Episode (265k) 1 February 1992

Apogee still sells the registered version of this game for $5.99 by download.

Spear of Destiny   1992
User rating: 7 DOS Shareware (partial game) 3D Shooter
Developed by id Software
Published by FormGen Corporation

In this prequel to Wolfenstein 3D, the Nazis have stolen the Spear of Destiny, a relic that was used to pierce the side of Jesus Christ and is said to make the bearer invincible, from Versailles in the early days of the Blitzkrieg in World War II. As B.J. Blazkowicz, your mission is to recover the Spear from Hitler before it's too late. Developed by id Software and published by FormGen Corporation, Spear of Destiny added some new graphics, but was essentially a collection of new levels for Wolfenstein 3D. Spear of Destiny uses the same engine (and source code) as Wolfenstein 3D, and the two games are virtually indistinguishable from each other, other than new wall textures and new bosses and enemies. Originally a single episode, two new missions were released in 1994. There are 3 missions in this game, with only the first two levels of the first mission playable in the shareware demo.

Mission 1 - Spear of Destiny
Mission 2 - Return to Danger
Mission 3 - Ultimate Challenge

Spear of Destiny v1.0 Shareware Demo (687k) 22 October 1992
Data files for use with Wolfenstein 3D source code (545k)

id Software still sells the registered version of this game for $10 by download only.

Squarez Deluxe!   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Freeware (former shareware) Puzzle
Developed by Adam Pedersen
Published by Adam Pedersen, Impulse Software

Squarez is a puzzle game in which blocks of various shapes can enter the screen from the bottom corner of the screen and can be rotated and placed anywhere, provided that they can be moved through the blocks that are already sitting in the playing field. The goal is to place the blocks so that squares of at least 3×3 are formed, which causes them to disappear. There are also special blocks, such as bombs, missiles, and goo, that can remove blocks or hinder your ability to move or place blocks. The game ends when you can no longer move pieces onto the playing field. Originally known as just Squarez, the game was renamed Squarez Deluxe! and the version number returned to v1.0 when it began to be published by Software Creations, which was renamed Impulse Software by v1.2.

Squarez Deluxe! v1.5 Registered (484k) 17 December 1998   Play online
Squarez Deluxe! v1.2 Shareware (154k) 16 October 1994
Squarez Deluxe! v1.1a Shareware (154k) 23 August 1993
Squarez Deluxe! v1.1 Shareware (154k) 3 August 1993
Squarez Deluxe! v1.0 Shareware (163k) 27 June 1993
Squarez v1.2 Shareware (65k) 21 September 1992
Squarez v1.0 Shareware (62k) 3 July 1992

Author Adam Pedersen generously released Jetpack and Squarez Deluxe! as freeware under the Jetpack and Squarez Deluxe Freeware License on 17 December 1998. They are both in the same zip file.

Super ZZT   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Freeware (former shareware) Adventure
Developed by Epic MegaGames
Published by Epic MegaGames

The sequel to ZZT, Super ZZT switches from being a collection of single screens to a system that allows massive levels that can be scrolled in every direction. The text mode is changed to 40×25 mode from 80×40 in ZZT, so you can't see as far ahead in this game. Gameplay is otherwise familiar, and a number of new enemies are added. Gameplay seems to be easier in Super ZZT, and there are less occasions where you lose instantly by failing to solve a puzzle. Super ZZT also featured a level editor, but the game proved less popular than the original, and less levels were designed for it. Volume numbers in Super ZZT continue from the original ZZT. There are 3 volumes in this game, with only the last volume playable in the shareware version.

Volume 5: ZZT's Proving Grounds
Volume 6: ZZT's Lost Forest
Volume 7: ZZT's Monster Zoo

Super ZZT v2.0 Shareware Episode (158k)   Play online
Super ZZT v1.1 Shareware Episode (101k)

Epic MegaGames has generously released this game as freeware.

Talking ABC's: A Day At The Beach   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (full version) Educational
Developed by Karen Crowther (Redwood Games)
Published by Karen Crowther (Redwood Games)
Graphics: CGA 320×200×4c  EGA 640×350×16c 

Talking ABC's: A Trip To The Beach is an early spelling game for children 2 to 6 years old. The game uses software called TurboSound to produce voice through the PC speaker, while the vast majority of games required a soundcard. There are three modes of play. In the first mode, the game announces a letter, which the player must find on the keyboard, and then an object that starts with that later is introduced and drawn onto the screen. In the second mode, the player can press any letter and the corresponding object is drawn to the screen, which the player can move wherever they want. In the third mode, three letters and three objects are displayed, and the player must draw a line between the letters and objects to make them match. Registered users received a copy of the game which displayed their child's name, and could request a CGA optimized version which was much faster for CGA users. Additionally, they were promised a free game. Later versions promised a copy of Millions of Mazes, which may or may not have been the original free game.

Talking ABC's: A Day At The Beach v4.1 Shareware (399k) 7 October 1996
Talking ABC's: A Day At The Beach v4.0 CompuServ Shareware (386k) 3 August 1993
Talking ABC's: A Day At The Beach v4.0 Shareware (435k) 17 February 1993
Talking ABC's: A Day At The Beach v1.0? Shareware (409k) 7 June 1992

I have found no ordering information for this game.

Tile Match   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (partial game) Traditional
Developed by Arcanum Computing
Published by Arcanum Computing
Graphics: EGA 640×350×16c 

The traditional memory game with many customizable options. Tiles can be arranged in three sizes, with one or two pairs of each tile, played by one to four humans or against a computer of three different difficulty levels. Tiles can be imported from Mahjong games. The registered version includes more tile sets and more background pictures.

Tile Match v1.2 Shareware (243k) 1 September 1994   Play online
Tile Match v1.1 Shareware (221k) 17 September 1993
Tile Match v1.0 Shareware (220k) 17 April 1992

Arcanum Computing still sells the registered version of this game for $15 on floppy disk only.

Wolfenstein 3D   1992
User rating: 7.8 DOS Shareware (partial game) 3D Shooter
Developed by id Software
Published by Apogee Software

Gee, what can I possibly say about this game? It's only the game that revolutionized gaming and brought the 3D Shooter genre to computers around the world! You are B.J. Blazkowicz and you have to escape Castle Wolfenstein and kill as many Nazis as you can. Programmed for Apogee by id Software, Apogee released the game to the shareware market, and id later released it to the retail market. Version 1.2 lists a v1.1 on the title screen, but it is actually v1.2. It was released 4 days after v1.1 to correct a bug that caused the secret elevator to go to level 2 instead of level 10. There are 6 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1 - Escape from Wolfenstein
Episode 2 - Operation: Eisenfaust
Episode 3 - Die, Fuhrer, Die!
Episode 4 - A Dark Secret
Episode 5 - Trail of the Madman
Episode 6 - Confrontation

Complete version history:

Wolfenstein 3D v1.4 Shareware Episode (836k) 1 January 1993
Wolfenstein 3D v1.2 Shareware Episode (627k) 29 June 1992
Wolfenstein 3D v1.1 Shareware Episode (655k) 25 June 1992
Wolfenstein 3D v1.0 Shareware Episode (636k) 5 May 1992
Wolfenstein 3D Super Upgrades Add-on (1754k)
Source Code for Wolfenstein 3D in Borland C++ 3.0/3.1 (564k)

Apogee still sells the registered version of this game for $5.99 by download. id Software still sells the registered version of this game for $20 by download.

Wolfie's Music Games   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (full version) Educational
Developed by Paul T. Dawson
Published by Paul T. Dawson
Graphics: EGA 640×350×16c 

Self described as being "90% game and 10% music", Wolfie's Music Games is a collection of 10 games that teaches the notes of the scale and the relationship between sharps and flats. Sonic Googolpede, for instance, is the same snake game as regular Googolpede, except that you're given a note on either the bass or treble clef and you have to eat the correct note. Raindrops is like Googolvaders, but you have to fire the correct note to destroy the invaders. An unadvertised feature is that if you leave the game sitting on the menu screen, a fancy EGA screensaver starts up.

Wolfie's Music Games v2.2 Shareware (232k) 1 September 1994
Wolfie's Music Games v1.1 Shareware (208k) 10 October 1992   Play online

I have been unable to locate the author online, but there is still a mailing address for registration. The games indicate that you can register for $10, or "super register" and get all 10 of Paul T. Dawson's educational games for $35.

Word Rescue   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Shareware (partial game) Educational
Developed by Redwood Games
Published by Apogee Software

A spelling adventure game. Apogee continues to distribute v2.0, while Redwood Games distributes v3.0, which has a Win32 installer but is still a DOS game. The most obvious difference is that the title screen lists the game as a Redwood Games production rather than a Karen Crowther and Bud Pembroke production. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1 - Visit Gruzzleville and the Castle
Episode 2 - Explore GruzzleBad Caverns
Episode 3 - See the spooky Haunted House

Complete version history:

Word Rescue v3.0 Shareware Episode (362k) 29 July 1995
Word Rescue v2.0 Shareware Episode (410k) 1 August 1993   Play online
Word Rescue v1.0 Shareware Episode (347k) May 1992

Apogee still sells the registered version of this game for $5.99 by download. Redwood Games still sells the registered version of this game for $12 by download.

World Empire II Deluxe   1992
User rating: No rating Win16 Shareware (partial game) Strategy
Developed by Viable Software Alternatives
Published by Viable Software Alternatives
Screenshot

The World Empire series moved to Windows in the second game of the series. It's a game of global domination, like Risk, except that there are no cards to award bonus armies. Each player represents an ideology – Populist, Militarist, Socialist or Realist. The world is divided into 139 nations, each of which supports one of the players' ideologies. When you conquer a nation that supports your ideology, they greet you as liberators and require only 1 army to hold them, whereas nations that support rival ideologies need additional armies to remain in order to prevent a revolution. Armies are awarded at the beginning of each turn based on the number of nations held, plus bonus armies for holding an entire continent. World Empire II adds an "all nations conquered" option, in addition to the "all nations neutral" starting position of the original. Populations and national capitals are now listed for each country. Starting with v1.5, the game became "Deluxe" because it adds a real world simulation mode to the registered version, in which population and development are taken into account. Version 1.5 also adds an option to have all sides start with 30 armies instead of 56, and to check the status of all countries on the continent. The shareware version can be played by one to four players, with up to two computer players (one in v1.0). The registered version can be played against up to seven computer opponents, and adds three new ideologies.

World Empire II Deluxe v1.5 Shareware (360k) 28 October 1993
World Empire II v1.0 Shareware (336k) 18 December 1992

Viable Software Alternatives still sells World Empire V Deluxe, a Win32 version of the game, for $18 by download or CD-ROM.

Xerix   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Freeware (always) Shooter
Developed by Brenden Reville (Twilight Software)
Published by Brenden Reville (Twilight Software)
Graphics: VGA 320×200×256c 

A simple autoscrolling shooter by Brendan Reville before he started publishing games under the Twilight Software label. An alien spaceship is bombarding Earth with radiation, so an advanced fighter is sent to enter and destroy it. Inside the ship, a defense system made of thousands of ships and guns attempts to stop you. A single hit destroys your ship, which is a concept that I've never been fond of. Fortunately a Novice difficulty level was added to v1.3 which gives you infinite lives. You'll need them!

Complete version history:

Xerix v1.3 Freeware (130k) December 1992   Play online
Xerix v1.2 Freeware (Still searching) December 1992
Xerix v1.1 Freeware (127k) September 1992
Xerix v1.0 (Still searching) Freeware September 1992

Xmas Lemmings: 1992 Holiday Edition   1992
User rating: No rating DOS Freeware (always) Puzzle
Developed by DMA Design
Published by Psygnosis

In 1992, DMA Design released a "1992 Holiday Edition" of Lemmings – still called Xmas Lemmings on the title screen – in which the lemmings are dressed like Santa Claus, and Christmas music plays in the background. Lemmings are little guys with green hair who walk in a straight line until they bump into something or die, usually by falling off a cliff. Lemmings can be assigned tasks to perform from one of eight modes: climber, floater, blocker, builder, basher, miner, digger, and exploder. Players must use these modes to guide a required percentage of their lemmings to the exit, overcoming barriers, falls, and traps, all within a time limit. Lemmings splatter if they fall too far, get crushed, juiced, or decapitated by traps, and can blow themselves to bits, individually or en masse, in hilariously gruesome detail, which is a favorite feature of many players, and lessens the frustration of failure. Advanced problem solving and reflexes are necessary to save the lemmings. The 1992 edition features four original levels.

Xmas Lemmings: 1992 Holiday Edition Freeware (160k)   Play online

DMA Design originally released this game under a freeware license.


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