Retro games, abandonware, freeware and classic games for PC and Mac

All Platforms

Amiga

The Commodore Amiga was launched in 1985, featuring advanced custom chips that enabled true multitasking, 4096-color palette, hardware sprites, and four-channel stereo sound, revolutionizing home computing and creating a golden age of computer games. Lemmings, Sensible World of Soccer, The Settlers, Populous, Another World, and many other titles originated on the Amiga.

Amstrad CPC

The Amstrad CPC (Colour Personal Computer) was created by Amstrad and launched in 1984, featuring an integrated design with built-in tape deck or 3-inch disk drive, a distinctive color monitor, and the Zilog Z80 processor. Not many games were developed for the CPC. Most of them were ZX Spectrum ports.

Apple II

The Apple II was designed primarily by Steve Wozniak and launched in 1977, featuring color graphics, disk drive, and an open architecture with expansion slots, revolutionizing personal computing and establishing many gaming genres. Prince of Persia, Ultima, Might and Magic, Castle Wolfenstein, and many other games were originally created on the Apple II.

Atari 2600

The Atari 2600 (originally VCS) was launched in 1977, featuring the first successful cartridge-based system. It created the home video game console market and established fundamental gaming concepts like high scores, game cartridges, and even easter eggs. Adventure e Pitfall! were born on the Atari 2600.

Atari 5200

The Atari 5200 was launched in 1982, featuring improved graphics over the 2600 and the POKEY sound chip, but suffered from poor controller design and a lack of backward compatibility with 2600 games, ultimately failing commercially.

Atari 8-bit

The Atari 8-bit computers (400/800) were launched in 1979, featuring custom chips (ANTIC, GTIA, POKEY) that provided superior graphics and sound capabilities compared to other home computers of the era. M.U.L.E., Eastern Front, Seven Cities of Gold, and Archon: The Light and the Dark were created for the Atari 8-bit.

Atari ST

The Atari ST was created by Atari and launched in 1985, featuring the Motorola 68000 processor, built-in MIDI ports, and the GEM graphical user interface, becoming hugely popular in Europe for both gaming and music production while establishing Atari as a serious competitor to the Amiga. The legendary Dungeon Master was created for the ST, like Carrier Command.

Commodore 64

The Commodore 64 was launched in 1982, featuring the MOS 6510 processor, an advanced sound chip (SID) with three-voice synthesis, and hardware sprites. It became the best-selling computer of all time and changed the history of computer games. Sid Meier's Pirates!, Turrican, Summer Games, and Maniac Mansion are examples of games born on the C64.

MS-DOS

Microsoft released MS-DOS in 1981. It had a 16-bit architecture that became the standard for IBM-compatible PCs, establishing the foundation for PC gaming and creating an ecosystem that would eventually dominate business and gaming markets. Doom, Wolfenstein 3D, Wing Commander, and The Need for Speed are just a few examples of DOS games.

Game Boy Advance

The Game Boy Advance was created by Nintendo and launched in 2001, featuring a 32-bit ARM processor, backward compatibility with Game Boy/Game Boy Color games, and a horizontal form factor that enabled SNES-quality graphics on a handheld. Advance Wars, Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis, and Astro Boy: Omega Factor are all GBA games.

Game Boy Color

The Game Boy Color was created by Nintendo and launched in 1998, featuring backward compatibility with the original Game Boy while adding a color LCD screen and 2x processing power. Survival Kids and Warlocked are Game Boy original games.

Genesis/Mega Drive

The Sega Genesis (Mega Drive outside the U.S.) was launched in 1989. It featured a 16-bit Motorola 68000 processor and Yamaha graphics and sound chips that enabled arcade-quality graphics and audio. It was the most successful console by SEGA. Gunstar Heroes, Earthworm Jim, Disney's Aladdin, Streets of Rage, Jungle Strike are all born on the MegaDrive.

MSX

The MSX was created by Microsoft and ASCII Corporation and launched in 1983, featuring a standardized hardware specification based on the Z80 processor. It became hugely popular in Japan, Europe, and other regions while fostering early game development talents like Hideo Kojima. In fact, Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake were created for the MSX.

NES

The Nintendo Entertainment System was launched in 1983 in Japan (1985 in North America), featuring the 6502 processor and a video co-processor. The success of the NES revived the video game industry after the 1983 crash and established Nintendo as the dominant force in home gaming. Castlevania, Mega Man, Tecmo Super Bowl are NES original games.

TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine

The TurboGrafx-16 (PC Engine in Japan) was created by NEC and Hudson Soft and launched in 1987, featuring an 8-bit CPU with 16-bit graphics capabilities and HuCard cartridges that enabled arcade-perfect conversions. It had success in Japan but limited Western market penetration. B.C. Kid, Blazing Lazers, and Final Match Tennis were all born on the PC Engine.

SEGA Master System

The Sega Master System was launched in 1986, featuring graphics and sound capabilities comparable to the NES with its Z80 processor and VDP graphics chip, but despite technical advantages, it failed to compete effectively with Nintendo. Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap and Power Strike (aka Aleste) are Master System original games.

SNES

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System was launched in 1991, featuring a 16-bit architecture with advanced graphics including scaling/rotation effects, and superior sound via the SPC700 chip, solidifying Nintendo's dominance in home gaming while establishing many legendary franchises. Chrono Trigger, Demon's Crest, Ogre Battle are all games born on the SNES.

Windows

Microsoft Windows 95/98 featured authentic 32-bit architecture and DirectX APIs for multimedia, revolutionizing PC gaming by providing standardized graphics and sound interfaces that enabled developers to create more sophisticated games. Starcraft, Age of Empires, Diablo, Deus Ex, and Sid Meier's Civilization II are just a few examples.

Windows 3.x

Microsoft Windows 3.1 was launched in 1992, featuring a graphical user interface on MS-DOS with multitasking capabilities, revolutionizing PC gaming by making computers more user-friendly and establishing the foundation for Windows-based gaming. Outpost, SimTower: The Vertical Empire, Myst, and Space Empires are Win3.x Games.

Top Genres

Action Adventure Arcade Brawler Platformer Puzzler Racing Role Playing Shooter Simulation Sports Strategy

Other Genres and Tags

amiga original game 3d science fiction 2 players side-scrolling first-person freeware fantasy isometric football management point and click war shareware rts top-down