Retro games, abandonware, freeware and classic games for PC and Mac
Author: Adam - Published: 18 April 2025, 5:29 pm
Starquake, released in 1985 and developed by Stephen Crow, is one of the most beloved and innovative platform adventures on the Commodore 64. Originally created for the ZX Spectrum, the game was ported to several other systems, but the C64 version remains a standout due to its smooth scrolling, excellent music, and polished controls.
In Starquake, the player controls BLOB (Bio-Logically Operated Being), a droid sent to stabilize an unstable planet that has emerged from a black hole. The planet, inhabited by hostile creatures and filled with alien technology, is on the verge of collapse, threatening a galactic catastrophe. BLOB's mission is to collect and assemble the missing parts of the planet’s core reactor to prevent disaster.
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Author: Adam - Published: 16 April 2025, 5:28 pm
Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen is a tactical rpg released in 1993 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
The game is a landmark in tactical role-playing game design. Developed by Quest Corporation and directed by Yasumi Matsuno, the game combined elements of real-time strategy, RPG storytelling, and tactical warfare in a way that was both ambitious and deeply innovative for its time.
Yasumi Matsuno, heavily influenced by classic Western RPGs and board games, aimed to create a game that explored the complexity of war, leadership, and morality. The title itself is a nod to the rock band Queen, drawing its name from two of their songs: "Ogre Battle" and "The March of the Black Queen." This blend of dramatic flair and narrative depth is reflected in the game’s tone and scope.
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Author: GN Team - Published: 14 April 2025, 5:40 pm
Tiger Road is a side-scrolling beat 'em up released by Capcom in 1987.
The game combines martial arts with fantasy elements, placing players in the role of Lee Wong, a heroic warrior tasked with rescuing kidnapped children and recovering sacred scrolls from the evil Ryu Ken Oh. The game was designed by Tokuro Fujiwara, a legendary figure in Capcom's history, known for his work on titles such as Ghosts 'N Goblins and Commando. With Tiger Road, Fujiwara continued his tradition of challenging, fast-paced gameplay paired with atmospheric design.
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Author: GN Team - Published: 14 April 2025, 12:55 am
Total Air War, released in 1998 by Digital Image Design and published by Infogrames, is one of the most ambitious and immersive flight simulators.
Building upon the foundations of its predecessor, EF 2000, this title pushes the limits of both realism and accessibility, blending an in-depth simulation with dynamic campaign elements and fast-paced combat.
The game puts players in the cockpit of the fictional F-22X Raptor, an advanced version of the real-world F-22, equipped with futuristic weapons, stealth technology, and highly detailed avionics. Total Air War has a dynamic campaign engine: rather than following scripted missions, players are immersed in an ongoing war over the Red Sea, with AI-controlled air and ground units constantly influencing the battlefield. Players can jump into any mission generated by the real-time campaign system or fly as the Air Commander, issuing orders and shaping the conflict on a strategic level.
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Author: Adam - Published: 13 April 2025, 12:27 pm
Super Tennis Champs, published by Audiogenic Software in 1995 for the Amiga, is one of the platform's best tennis simulations ever created. The game was designed and programmed by Elton Bird using the Blitz Basic programming language.
At a time when many sports games leaned towards arcade-style simplicity, Super Tennis Champs aimed for a more refined and immersive experience, blending accessibility with a surprising depth of gameplay mechanics.
What immediately stands out about the game is the excellent control system. Players can choose from different shot types — including top spin, slice, lobs, and smashes — which take time to master but offer great satisfaction once you learn how to use them effectively. There is a lot of room for skillful play. Timing is essential: hitting the ball too early or too late affects direction and power, just like in real tennis. The game also allows for angled shots and precise positioning, which rewards players who learn how to read their opponent's moves and adapt their strategy mid-match.
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Author: GN Team - Published: 13 April 2025, 12:23 am
SimTown, released by Maxis in 1995, is a spin-off of the famous SimCity but with a much simpler structure aimed at younger players. Developed for PC and later ported to Macintosh, the game presents itself as a “miniature” version of SimCity, where instead of managing an entire metropolis, players are responsible for building and maintaining a small town.
The core gameplay of SimTown revolves around constructing a well-balanced residential neighborhood by placing homes, schools, parks, public buildings, and stores. While it doesn’t involve complex economic systems or taxes, players must still meet the needs of the town’s inhabitants, manage waste, and maintain a healthy environment. A charming feature is the diary system, where various citizens write entries that give players insights into the town’s well-being and how things are progressing.
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