Retro games, abandonware, freeware and classic games for PC and Mac
Author: GN Team - Published: 17 May 2025, 7:36 pm
Earth 2140 is a real-time strategy game released in 1997 for MS-DOS and later Windows. It was developed by Polish studio Reality Pump (then known as TopWare’s in-house team "Trans Fiction"). Coming at a time when the RTS genre was already thriving thanks to titles like Command & Conquer, Warcraft II: Tides Of Darkness, and Total Annihilation, Earth 2140 offered a fresh take by blending a dystopian sci-fi setting with a robust mission structure and a heavy focus on mechanized warfare.
Set in a grim future where the planet is ravaged by war and environmental collapse, the game pits two factions against each other: the Eurasian Dynasty and the United Civilized States. The aesthetic leans into cybernetic machinery and futuristic landscapes, with a distinct visual identity characterized by gritty industrial zones and sterile high-tech installations. The narrative is told through mission briefings and cutscenes, framing a war for survival on a dying Earth.
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Author: GN Team - Published: 16 May 2025, 9:31 pm
Emerald Mine II, released in 1990 for the Amiga by Kingsoft, is the direct sequel to one of the most beloved puzzle games on the Commodore platform. The series, originally designed by Volker Wertich (who would later go on to create The Settlers), draws inspiration from classics like Boulder Dash, but manages to carve out its own identity thanks to highly varied level design and a very active fan community.
The core concept remains simple: guide your miner through intricate underground mazes, collect a required number of emeralds, and avoid deadly traps like falling boulders, aggressive insects, corrosive acids, and other environmental hazards. All of this under constant time pressure. While the original Emerald Mine already offered a compelling challenge, Emerald Mine II significantly raises the bar.
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Author: GN Team - Published: 16 May 2025, 7:43 pm
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter, released in 1997 for the Nintendo 64 and ported to Windows, was developed by Iguana Entertainment and published by Acclaim. Based on the comic book character from the 1950s, the game was one of the earliest first-person shooters designed specifically for a console, and it played a significant role in proving that the genre could thrive outside of PC.
At its core, Turok is a fast-paced FPS set in a mysterious jungle world filled with ancient ruins, aggressive alien enemies, and, of course, dinosaurs. The player takes on the role of Turok, a Native American warrior tasked with stopping an evil overlord known as the Campaigner from assembling a powerful ancient weapon. What made Turok stand out was its unique blend of sci-fi and prehistoric elements, allowing players to face off against everything from velociraptors and triceratops to cybernetic monstrosities and alien soldiers.
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Author: GN Team - Published: 16 May 2025, 12:03 am
Rise Of The Robots is a sci-fi player vs player beat-em-up created by Instinct Design and published by Time Warner. It was released for the Amiga, Amiga CD32, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, MS-DOS, and other platforms.
The game was released for the Amiga in 1994 with enormous hype and expectations. Promoted as a revolutionary fighting game with groundbreaking graphics, it promised cinematic visuals, AI-driven opponents, and a gritty cyberpunk atmosphere. The marketing campaign emphasized its use of pre-rendered 3D models and the involvement of Queen’s Brian May for the soundtrack, although in the Amiga version, only a brief guitar riff survived due to hardware limitations.
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Author: GN Team - Published: 15 May 2025, 4:15 pm
Burger Time is a 1982 arcade game developed by Data East, well known for its quirky concept and addictive gameplay. It was one of the more original arcade experiences of its time, standing out in an era dominated by space shooters and platformers. The game was ported to several home systems, with the Commodore 64 version being among the most notable.
In the game, the player controls Peter Pepper, a chef tasked with building gigantic hamburgers by walking over the individual ingredients—buns, patties, lettuce, etc.—which then fall to the tray at the bottom. All of this must be done while avoiding relentless enemies like Mr. Hot Dog, Mr. Pickle, and Mr. Egg. The only weapon at Peter's disposal is a limited supply of pepper, which can stun enemies momentarily, or he can cleverly drop ingredients on top of them for extra points.
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Author: Adam - Published: 14 May 2025, 8:51 pm
Super Tennis, also known as Super Tennis World Circuit, is one of the early standout sports titles for the Super NES. Released in 1991, developed by Tose and published by Nintendo, the game quickly earned a reputation for offering one of the most refined and enjoyable tennis experiences of the 16-bit era.
At first glance, Super Tennis might seem like a typical arcade sports game, but beneath its charming, cartoonish exterior lies a surprisingly deep simulation. The control scheme is tight and responsive, offering a variety of shots—topspin, slice, lob, and flat—without the need for complicated button combinations. Timing and positioning are essential, making every rally feel dynamic and skill-based. The AI is competitive and adapts well, especially in the later stages of the tournament mode. While contemporaries like Pete Sampras Tennis on the Mega Drive and Super Tennis Champs on the Amiga offered solid tennis experiences, Super Tennis distinguished itself through superior responsiveness and a more authentic simulation of the sport.
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