Download Free Airborne Ranger C64 Manual Software
Airborne Ranger
DOS - 1988
Also available on: Commodore 64 - Amiga - Amstrad CPC - Atari ST
Apr 22, 2018 - Software NFO. The c64 mini, to some is a little thing of beauty, to others. Airborne Ranger. DOWNLOAD FROM OUR ROMS PAGE.
Description of Airborne Ranger
Arguably the first ever tactical simulation of modern warfare, Airborne Ranger was billed as 'action simulation,' and it flawlessly fulfills that audacious claim. For the first time, success in a military-themed game requires stealth and careful planning in addition to quick reflexes. Game description and review at MobyGames says it all about this ground-breaking classic:
'You're an airborne ranger working for the United States. You are dropped into different missions with different objectives. Some missions require you to retrieve a package in a given amount of time, and another requires you to rescue POWs. Carnage aplenty, as you can use different means to kill different foes. A 'stealth' shooter, where emphasis is on avoiding enemy detection (even if it's just 2D sprites), Airborne Ranger is very different from your typical game. Distract enemies by using timed explosives or rockets, manage your supplies carefully to last through the entire map.
The 'career' is very nicely done, as the missions tie together. If one of your rangers were captured (ran out of ammo and surrounded), another ranger may get a POW rescue mission which can recover that ranger! Airborne Ranger is the earliest tactical shooter, long before Rainbow Six reinvented the genre in 3D. As a ranger, your job is to infiltrate enemy territory in parachute, glide to a landing without alerting enemies, then sneak through the many defenses (pill boxes, patrols, concertina wires, etc.), killing the enemy if necessary, accomplish your mission (which could be steal documents, demolition, take pictures of new enemy jet, capture, rescue POW, and more), and be extracted.
The graphics are rather plain 2D, as this game is long before the advent of 3D graphics. Yet the action holds up quite well, as you tensely wait for the enemy patrol to walk by before you continue on your way, staying out of site, only use your weapons when absolutely necessary. You have your trusty Ka-bar knife, CAR-15, demolition charges, and even LAW rockets. You also have first aid kits to heal wounds. While not quite 'one shot and you're dead', you can only take three hits, which means death CAN come swiftly when they do. As you sneak through the enemy territory you may run into some supplies dropped by earlier flights, which adds to the fun factor, as you had to choose where to drop those supplies. The game is a lot of fun then, and it's still a lot of fun now, and nothing has really came close (except Rainbow Six, but in a different way).'
One of our Hall of Belated Fame inductees, without a doubt. A must-have for anyone with even a remote interest in realistic military simulations.
Review By HOTUD
Captures and Snapshots
Screenshots from MobyGames.com
Airborne Ranger Posters
Screenshots from MobyGames.comSongs in the key of springfield.
Screenshots from MobyGames.com
Screenshots from MobyGames.com
Comments and reviews
Mr Vampire2019-02-030 point Commodore 64 version
This was a great game. Probably one of the first true stealth games that allowed real (if basic) strategy. Played this till three in the morning on many a night.
daydreamdirty2018-03-140 point
If it helps, here's a link to the original manual for the game. Pretty cool. http://www.ign.com/faqs/2005/airborne-ranger-general-faq-583853
A link to the manual.
https://ia801709.us.archive.org/8/items/Airborne_Ranger_1987_MicroProse_a2/Airborne_Ranger_1987_MicroProse_a2.pdf
These are the most important info you need for swapping weapons and items.
[4-5] What buttons can I use to navigate my ranger?
---------------------------------------------------
Arrow keys: Move
Keypad arrow keys: Move
Keypad 1,3,7,9 keys: Move diagonally
RETURN: Shoot
ENTER: Shoot
Keypad 5: Shoot
Space: Changes standing-crawling mode
1: Calls the aircraft earlier (decrease time to 10 seconds). Beware of this key, especially
when you're playing with veteran ranger! If you accidently push it too early, it can
ruin your whole career!
F1: ToggleM-16 machine gun
F2: Toggle hand grenade
F3: Toggle RPG-7 missile
F4: Toggle bayonet
5: Toggle time bomb for 5 seconds
6: Toggle time bomb for 10 seconds
7: Toggle time bomb for 15 seconds
F9: Displays strategic map of area
F10: Sprint mode. The drawing of your weapon, and the background replaces its colours,
when active. The sprint wears off sooner if you carry large amounts of ammo (see the
'WEIGHT' when you press F9).
Pause: Pauses the game. Hit SPACE to continue.
Backspace: Use a Medkit (cures one critical wound)
V: Sound on-off
-: Decreases the game speed (for fast computers!) Press it only ONCE, because the second
press will slow down the game so much, you won't be able to get to the rendezvous place
in time (it doesn't slows the time down).
daydreamdirty2018-03-010 point DOS version
Wow, I'm glad this game still exists and just like CMONKEY I remember playing this as this was a game that my parents got my brother. Mine at the time was some old sci fi flying game while megaman 3 was for my oldest brother.
Rasmus SWE.2018-02-130 point Amiga version
The best game on C64, and the only game that I played for many years. This game was above everything else.
GOGAREDICKS2016-11-230 point
Don't need to say much about this legend. A quality classic through and through, one of those games that redefined the benchmark for top games of its era.
Fred2016-11-150 point Commodore 64 version
I still play this game. Better than any other out there and this is 2016. I use the VICE Emulator
Byib2016-04-170 point DOS version
Yes, it's my favourite pc game. So much fun!
nz_beefcake2015-03-012 points DOS version
My favourite C64 game
Stix2014-05-091 point DOS version
Loved this game.
Knökenknecht2014-02-191 point DOS version
Played this marvelous title very long time on a C64. When I picked this up today with an emulator, I can't handle this anymore with a pc-keyboard.
CMonkey2014-01-233 points DOS version
I remember playing this game so many times. I remember getting up at 3 in the morning, deliberately to play this game. I was playing this game without the manual as well, and with English as my second language, this has become a challenge (but not at this game).
Just shows the design was thought out well, simple enough for a person without manual to play.
This was when anything made by Microprose were gold.
pixel2012-05-291 point DOS version
this game rocks
19982012-04-011 point DOS version
best game of my 'baby' timy
Write a comment
Share your gamer memories, help others to run the game or comment anything you'd like. If you have trouble to run Airborne Ranger, read the abandonware guide first!
Download Airborne Ranger
We may have multiple downloads for few games when different versions are available. Also, we try to upload manuals and extra documentations when possible. If the manual is missing and you own the original manual, please contact us!
Free ost to pst software. Just one click to download at full speed!
DOS Version
Commodore 64 Version
- Year:1987
- Publisher:MicroProse Software, Inc.
- Developer:MicroProse Software, Inc.
Amiga ROM
- Year:1989
- Publisher:MicroProse Software, Inc.
- Developer:MicroProse Software, Inc.
Amstrad CPC Version
- Year:1988
- Publisher:MicroProse Software, Inc.
- Developer:MicroProse Software, Inc.
Atari ST ROM
- Year:1989
- Publisher:MicroProse Ltd.
- Developer:MicroProse Software, Inc.
Similar games
Fellow retro gamers also downloaded these games:
This is a list of commercial video games released as freeware; games that, in their original license, were not considered freeware, but were re-released at a later date with a freeware license, sometimes as publicity for a forthcoming sequel or compilation release.
Some of the following games are not freely redistributable software, as they have only been made available as a free download as freeware, but may only be downloaded from certain websites and with the explicit permission of the copyright owner. Consult the software license agreement.
For games that were originally released as freeware, see List of freeware video games. For free and open-source games, and proprietary games re-released as FLOSS, see List of open source video games. For proprietary games with released source code (and proprietary or freeware content), see List of commercial video games with available source code.
Available games[edit]
The following formerly paid games have been made available as freeware, and are still in that status:
Title | First release | Freeware release | Genre | Platform(s) | Publisher | Additional information |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 in Three | 1989 | [1] | Puzzle | Mac OS | Cliff Johnson | |
Adventure Fun-Pak | 1989 | 2004[2] | Adventure, Action | DOS | Apogee Software | |
Adventureland | 1978 | 1993[3] | Adventure, interactive fiction | TRS-80, Apple II series, Atari 8-bit, TI-99/4A, Commodore PET, Commodore 64, IBM-PC, Commodore VIC-20, ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro/Electron | Scott Adams | |
The Adventures of Fatman | 2003 | 2003 | A point-and-click adventure | Windows | Michael Doak | Released on studio's closing as CC-ND-NC 'abandonware' |
Adventures of Maddog Williams in the Dungeons of Duridian, The | 1992 | 1996[4] | Adventure | Amiga, Atari ST, DOS | Game Crafters | |
Adventures of Robbo | 1994 | 2006[5] | Puzzle | DOS | Epic MegaGames | |
Adventures of Robby Roto!, The | 1981 | 1999[6] | Maze (Puzzle) | Arcade | Bally Midway | |
Alien Cabal | 1997 | 2000[7] | First-person shooter | DOS, Windows | QASoft | |
Alien Carnage (a.k.a. Halloween Harry) | 1994 | 2007[8] | Side-scrollingplatformer | DOS | Apogee Software | |
Allegiance | 2000 | 2004[9] | Space simulation/Real-time strategy/Action | Windows | Microsoft Research | Source code released as freeware; gaming enthusiasts developed Free Allegiance from the released code.[10] |
Amulets & Armor | 1997 | 2013 | Action/Role-playing video game | DOS | United Software Artists | |
Anacreon: Reconstruction 4021 | 1987 | 2004[11] | Strategy | DOS | Thinking Machine Associates | Updated in 2004 by George Moromisato to run natively on Windows. |
Antheads: It Came from the Desert 2 | 1990 | [12] | Adventure | Amiga | Cinemaware | Expansion pack to It Came from the Desert. |
Arctic Adventure | 1991 | 2009[13] | Platformer | DOS | Apogee Software | |
Ares | 1996 | 2008[14] | Space simulation/Real-time strategy | Mac OS | Ambrosia Software | Source code has been released under GPLv3, much of the media released under creative commons, Antares, a straight port, and Xsera, a derivative project were created. |
At the Carnival | 1989 | [15] | Puzzle | Mac OS, DOS | Cliff Johnson | |
Baseball Mogul 2006 | 2005 | 2006[16] | Sports management | Windows | Sports Mogul | |
Battlecruiser 3000AD | 1996 | 2001[17] | Space simulator | Windows | Derek Smart | |
Battlecruiser Millennium | 2003 | 2005[17] | Space simulator | Windows | Derek Smart | |
Battle of Britain | 2001 | [18] | Flight simulator | Windows | Empire Interactive | Only source code available. |
Battle of the Eras | 1995 | 2013[19] | Fighting | DOS | Procryon | |
BC Kid | 1992 | [20] | Platform game | Amiga | Factor 5 | |
BC Racers | 1993 | Racing game | DOS | Core Design | ||
Beneath a Steel Sky | 1994 | 2003[21] | Adventure | Amiga, DOS | Virgin Interactive | Released to support the ScummVM Project. |
Beyond Castle Wolfenstein | 1984[22] | Stealth game | DOS | Muse Software | ||
Beyond the Titanic | 1986 | 1998[23] | Text adventure game | DOS | Apogee Software | |
Bio Menace | 1993 | 2005[24] | Side-scrolling platform game | DOS | Apogee Software | |
Blackthorne | 1994 | 2013[25] | Cinematic platformer | DOS | Interplay Productions | |
Blades of Exile | 1997 | 2007[26] | Role-playing video game | Macintosh, Windows | Jeff Vogel of Spiderweb Software | The source code has also been released; the game is still being sold on CD, but the open source version contains the full game content. |
Boppin' | 1994 | 2005[27] | Puzzle | Amiga, DOS | Apogee Software | |
Castle Infinity | 1996 | 2000 | MMOG | Windows | Starwave | |
Castle of the Winds | 1989 | 1998[28] | Role-playing video game | Windows 3.x | Epic MegaGames | |
Caves of Thor | 1989 | 2005[29] | Adventure | DOS | Apogee Software | |
Championship Manager: Season 01/02 | 2001 | 2009[30] | Sports management | Windows, Mac OS, Xbox | Eidos Interactive | |
Clonk Endeavour | 2004 | 2008[31] | Platform game/Real-time strategy | Windows, Mac OS X, Linux | RedWolf Design | Only Windows version was released as freeware. |
Clyde's Adventure | 1992 | 2005[32] | Platform game | DOS | Moonlite Software | |
Clyde's Revenge | 1995 | 2005[33] | Platform game | DOS | Moonlite Software | |
Command & Conquer | 1995 | 2007[34] | Real-time strategy | Windows, Mac OS | Virgin Interactive | |
Command & Conquer: Red Alert | 1996 | 2008[35] | Real-time strategy | Windows, Mac OS | Virgin Interactive | Made freeware in 2008 to promote the release of Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3.[36] |
Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun | 1999 | 2010[37] | Real-time strategy | Windows | Electronic Arts | Made freeware (along with its expansion pack Firestorm) on February 12, 2010 to promote the release of Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight. |
Cybersphere | 1996 | 2006[38] | Arkanoid-style game | DOS | Psycon Software | |
Cybersphere Plus | 1997 | 2006[39] | Arkanoid-style game | DOS | Psycon Software | |
Dark Ages | 1991 | 2009[13] | Platform game | DOS | Apogee Software | |
Dark Horizons Lore: Invasion | 2005 | 2007[40] | Mech simulation | Linux, Windows, Mac OS | GarageGames | |
Death Rally | 1996 | 2009[41] | Racing game | DOS, Windows | Apogee Software | |
Defender of the Crown | 1986 | [42] | Strategy game | Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, Game Boy Advance, Macintosh, NES, ZX Spectrum | Cinemaware | |
Dink Smallwood | 1997 | 1999[43] | Role-playing video game | Windows, Linux, Mac OS | Iridon Interactive | |
Dreamweb | 1992 | 2012[44] | Adventure | Amiga, DOS | Empire Interactive Entertainment | |
The Elder Scrolls: Arena | 1994 | 2004[45] | Role-playing video game | DOS | Bethesda Softworks | Floppy disk version released as freeware in 2004 to mark the 10th anniversary of the TES series, and as publicity release prior to the 4th installment, Oblivion. |
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall | 1996 | 2009[46] | Role-playing video game | DOS | Bethesda Softworks | Sequel to the aforementioned Arena. Released as freeware on July 9, 2009 to mark the 15th anniversary of the TES series. |
Electro Man | 1993 | 2006[47] | Sidescroller | DOS | Created by xLand Games and published by Epic MegaGames | |
Enemy Nations | 1997 | 2001 | Real-time strategy | Windows | Windward Studios | |
Executioners | 1992 | 2005 | Beat 'em up | DOS | Bloodlust Software | |
F.E.A.R. Combat | 2005 | 2006[48] | First-person shooter, horror | Windows | Monolith Productions | Originally released as the multiplayer portion of F.E.A.R. |
Fish Fillets | 1998 | 2002 | Puzzle | Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, and others | Altar Games | The original Fish Fillets was released under the GPL in 2002. Subsequently, the Fish Fillets NG project has recoded the engine to enable multi-platform release. |
Flight of the Amazon Queen | 1995 | 2004[49] | Adventure | Amiga, DOS | Renegade Software | Released to support the ScummVM Project. |
The Fool's Errand | 1987 | [50] | Puzzle | Mac OS, MS-DOS, Amiga, Atari ST | Miles Computing | |
Full Spectrum Warrior | 2004 | 2008 | Real-time tactics | Windows | Pandemic Studios | Released as a free ad-supported download. |
Glider PRO | 1991 | Mac OS, Mac OS X | Casady & Greene | When Casady & Greene went bankrupt, the rights to the series reverted to the author, John Calhoun, who opted to give a few versions of the game away for free on his website. | ||
God of Thunder | 1993 | [51] | Puzzle, Action | DOS | Adept Software | |
Gridlee | 1983 | Arcade | Videa | |||
Gridrunner | 1982 | Scrolling shooter | Atari 2600, VIC-20, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 | Llamasoft | ||
Ground Control | 2000 | 2004 | Real-time tactics | Windows | Massive Entertainment | Registerware freeware released on July 1, 2004 to serve as promotion for its sequel, Ground Control II: Operation Exodus. |
Hades 2 | 2001 | 2009[52] | First-person shooter | Windows | Espaço Informática | |
Hardwired (a pre-release version of Red Zone) | 1994 | Shooter | Sega Mega Drive/Genesis | Zyrinx | ||
Heartlight PC | 1994 | 2006[53] | Puzzle game | 8-bit Atari, DOS | Janusz Pelc (Atari), Epic MegaGames (DOS port) | |
Heros: The Sanguine Seven | 1993 | 2005 | Platformer | DOS | Jeffrey Fullerton | Originally published in cooperation with Safari Software and Epic MegaGames. |
Hidden & Dangerous Deluxe | 1999 | 2003[54] | Action game with tactical elements | Windows | Illusion Softworks | Released as freeware to serve as promotion for its sequel, Hidden & Dangerous 2. |
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy | 1984 | 2004[55] | Adventure | Flash | Infocom | Made publicly available as a web-based game by the BBC. |
Infantry Online | 1999 | 2007 | 2D MMORPG | Windows | Sony Online Entertainment | Similar to PlanetSide. |
Inner Worlds | 1996 | 2001 | Platform game | DOS, Linux | Sleepless Software | Similar to Jill of the Jungle. |
Iron Seed | 1994 | 2007 | Space trading and combat simulator | DOS | Softdisk | Released as freeware by the author to promote Iron Seed 2. |
It Came From The Desert | 1989 | [56] | Adventure | Amiga, Atari ST, DOS, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, Turbo Grafx 16 | Cinemaware | |
Jetpack | 1993 | [57] | Platformer | DOS | Software Creations (US) | |
Katakis | 1987 | [20] | Side-scrolling shoot-em-up | Amiga | Factor 5 | |
Ken's Labyrinth | 1993 | 1999[58] | First-person shooter | DOS | Epic MegaGames | |
Kiloblaster | 1992 | 2008[59] | Space shooter | DOS | Epic MegaGames | |
King of Chicago | 1987 | [60] | Action, adventure, strategy game | Amiga, Apple II, Atari ST, DOS, Macintosh | Cinemaware | |
Kroz | 1987 | 2009[13] | Adventure | DOS | Apogee Software | |
Kye | 1992 | 2008[61] | Puzzle | Windows 3.x | Colin Garbutt | |
Lode Runner Online: Mad Monks' Revenge | 1995 | Side-scrolling game | Windows, Mac OS | Sierra Entertainment | Based on the game Lode Runner. | |
Lords of the Rising Sun | 1989 | [62] | Arcade | Amiga, PC-Engine | Cinemaware | |
Lure of the Temptress | 1992 | 2003[63] | Graphic adventure | Amiga, Atari ST, DOS | Virgin Interactive | |
The Lost Vikings | 1993 | 2014[64] | Puzzle, platformer | DOS | Interplay Productions | |
Mad TV | 1991 | Management simulation game | DOS, Amiga | Rainbow Arts | ||
Major Stryker | 1993 | 2006[29] | Scrolling shooter | DOS | Apogee Software | |
Marathon Trilogy | 1994 | 2005 | First-person shooter | Mac OS, Windows, Linux | Bungie | |
MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries | 2002 | 2010[65] | Robotic simulation | Windows | FASA Interactive | |
Monuments of Mars | 1990 | 2009[13] | Platform | DOS | Apogee Software | |
Mystery House | 1980 | 1987[66] | Adventure | Apple II | On-Line Systems | Released into the Public Domain in 1987 to celebrate Sierra's 7th anniversary. |
Nogginknockers | 1993 | 2005 | Sports | DOS | Bloodlust Software | |
Nogginknockers 2 | 1996 | 2005 | Sports | DOS | Bloodlust Software | |
NoGravity | 1998 | [67] | Space combat simulator | Windows, Mac OS, Linux | realtech VR | |
One Must Fall: 2097 | 1994 | 1999[68] | Fighting | DOS | Epic MegaGames | |
onEscapee | 1997 | 2006 | Action-adventure game | Windows, Amiga | Invictus Games, Ltd. | |
Oo-topos | 1987 | [69] | Interactive fiction | Apple II, DOS | Polarware | |
Out of the Park Baseball | 1999 | 2002 | Sports management | Windows, Mac OS X, Linux | Out of the Park Developments | |
Overkill | 1992 | 2008[70] | Vertical scrolling-shooter | DOS | Precision Software Publishing / Epic MegaGames | |
Pharaoh's Tomb | 1990 | 2009[13] | Platform | DOS | Apogee Software | |
Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy | 2005 | Third-person shooter | Windows | Midway Games | Released through FilePlanet as ad-supported freeware. | |
Purge | 2003 | Onlinefirst-person shooter | Windows | Freeform Interactive | ||
Puzzle Fun-Pak | 1989 | 2004[2] | Puzzle, Action | DOS | Apogee Software | |
Railroad Tycoon Deluxe | 1993 | 2006[71] | Business simulator | DOS, .. | MicroProse | |
Riftspace | 2000 | 2008 | Space simulation | Windows | Starwraith 3D Games | |
Rock n' Roll Racing | 1993 | 2014[64] | Racing | DOS | Interplay Productions | 'Lite' version of the original Super Nintendo game with just three playable tracks. This version has all rock music tracks changed to simple MIDI music, because the music license expired. |
Rocket Ranger | 1988 | [72] | Action game | Amiga, Apple II, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, NES | Cinemaware | |
R-Type | 1987 | [20] | Side-scrolling shoot-em-up game | Amiga | Factor 5 | |
Sango Fighter | 1993 | 2009[73] | Fighting | DOS | Panda Entertainment | Released as freeware by current copyright holder Super Fighter Team. |
Savage: The Battle for Newerth | 2004 | A blend of FPS and RTS gameplay | Windows, Linux, Mac OS X | S2 Games | ||
Savage 2: A Tortured Soul | 2008 | 2008 | Windows, Linux, Mac OS X | |||
S.D.I | 1986 | [74] | Action adventure | Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, Macintosh | Cinemaware | |
SimCity | 1989 | 2008 (as OLPC SimCity) | City-building game | Windows, DOS, .. | Was released under the GPLv3 for the One Laptop per Child project, and as Micropolis to the general public (the original title of the game). | |
Sinbad and the Throne of the Falcon | 1987 | [75] | Action | Amiga, Apple II, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS | Cinemaware | |
SkiFree | 1991 | [76] | Arcade | Windows 3.0 | Chris Pirih | |
SkyRoads | 1993 | [77] | Driving | DOS | Bluemoon Interactive | |
Söldner: Secret Wars | 2004 | 2011 | Tactical shooter | Windows | JoWood Productions | |
Sołtys | 1995 | 2011 | Adventure game | DOS | LK Avalon | |
Spheres of Chaos | 1992 | 2007[78] | Shooter game | Windows, Linux, RiscOS | Iain McLeod | |
The Spirit Engine 2 | 2008 | 2010[79] | A 2-D side-scrolling indie RPG | Windows | Mark Pay | |
StarCraft | 1998 | 2017[80] | Real-time strategy | Windows, Mac OS | Blizzard Entertainment | Made freeware (along with its expansion pack Brood War) on April 19, 2017 to promote the release of StarCraft: Remastered. |
Starshatter: The Gathering Storm | 2004 | 2011[81] | Space combat simulator | Windows | Destroyer Studios | Source code also released, content Freeware.[81] |
Stargunner | 1996 | 2005[82] | Side-scrolling shooter | DOS | 3D Realms | |
Starsiege: Tribes | 1998 | 2004[83] | First-person shooter | Windows | Dynamix/Sierra On-Line | Released as publicity for the release of Tribes: Vengeance. |
Star Control II | 1992 | 2002 | Action adventure | DOS, Mac OS | Toys For Bob | Released as The Ur-Quan Masters. |
Star Fleet I: The War Begins | 1985 | [84] | Strategy | DOS | Interstel | |
Star Fleet II: Krellan Commander | 1989 | [84] | Strategy | DOS | Interstel | |
Star Legions | 1992 | [84] | Strategy | DOS | Interstel | |
Star Wraith II | 2000 | Space military simulation game | Starwraith 3D Games | |||
Star Wraith III: Shadows of Orion | 2000 | A space military simulation featuring multiplayer capabilities | Starwraith 3D Games | |||
Star Wraith IV: Reviction | 2000 | 2008 | Windows | Starwraith 3D Games | ||
Strange Adventures in Infinite Space | 2002 | 2009 | by Digital Eel | |||
Supaplex | 1991 | Boulder Dash-like puzzle game | Michael Stopp and Philip Jespersen | |||
Supernova | 1987 | 1998[85] | Text adventure | DOS | Apogee Software | |
Super Fighter | 1993 | 2001[86] | Fighting | DOS | C&E, Inc. | Released as freeware by current copyright holder Super Fighter Team. |
Super ZZT | 1992 | Adventure | DOS | Epic MegaGames | ||
S.W.I.N.E. | 2001 | 2005 | Real-time tactics game | DOS | StormRegion | Released as S.W.I.N.E. Free Christmas Edition. |
Teen Agent | 1995 | Graphic adventure | DOS | |||
Telengard | 1982 | Dungeon crawl | DOS | Daniel Lawrence | ||
TerraFire | 1997 | 2005[87] | Space shooter | DOS | ORT Software | |
The Three Stooges | 1987 | [88] | Action | Amiga, Apple II, Commodore 64, DOS, NES | Cinemaware | |
Timeslaughter | 1996 | 2005 | Fighting | DOS | Bloodlust Software | Timeslaughter Lost, a prototype version of Timeslaughter, was also released in 2005 as freeware after a fan realized the version he had was different from the retail release and sent it to Bloodlust Software. |
Total Extreme Wrestling 2005 | 2005 | 2009 | Booking simulator | Windows | Greydog Software | |
Traffic Department 2192 | 1994 | 2007[89] | Top-down shooter | DOS | Epic MegaGames | |
Transylvania I,II,III | 1982, 1985, 1989 | [69] | Adventure | Apple II, Commodore 64, DOS | Polarware | |
Treasure Island Dizzy | 1987 | Puzzle game | Oliver twins | |||
Tribes 2 | 2001 | 2004[90] | First-person shooter | Windows, Linux | Dynamix/Sierra On-Line | Released as publicity for the release of Tribes: Vengeance. |
Trivia Whiz | 1988 | 2005[29] | Trivia game | DOS | Apogee Software | |
Turboraketti | 1993 | Cavern-flying game | Amiga | Heikki Kosola | ||
TV Sports Baseball | 1990 | [91] | Sports | Amiga, DOS, NES | Cinemaware | |
TV Sports Basketball | 1989 | [92] | Sports | Amiga, DOS, PC-Engine | Cinemaware | |
TV Sports Boxing | 1991 | [93] | Sports | Amiga, DOS | Cinemaware | |
Tyrian | 1995 | 2004 | Scrolling shooter | DOS | Epic MegaGames | |
Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar | 1985 | 1997[94] | CRPG | DOS | Origin Systems | Re-released again in 2011 to promote Ultima Forever: Quest for the Avatar.[95] |
Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams | 1991 | 2012[96] | CRPG | DOS | Origin Systems | Released by Electronic Arts exclusively through GOG.com. |
Universal Combat | 2004 | 2008[17] | Space simulator | Windows | Derek Smart | |
Vantage Master Online | 1998 | 2002 | Tactical RPG | Windows | Nihon Falcom | |
Victory: The Age of Racing | 2014 | 2016 | Racing game | Windows | Vae Victis | |
Warzone 2100 | 1999 | 2004 | Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, FreeBSD, AmigaOS 4, PlayStation | Pumpkin Studios | ||
Wings | 1990 | [97] | Flight simulator | Amiga | Cinemaware | |
Wings | 1996 | Cavern-flying game | Miika Virpioja | |||
Wolfenstein 3D | 1992 | 2012[98] | First-person shooter | Browser-based | id software | |
Word Whiz | 1988 | 2005[29] | Trivia | DOS | Apogee Software | |
Worlds of Ultima: The Savage Empire | 1990 | 2012[96] | CRPG | DOS | Origin Systems | Released by Electronic Arts exclusively through GOG.com.[96] |
X-Men: The Ravages of Apocalypse | 1997 | 2006 | First-person shooter | DOS, Linux, Macintosh, Windows | WizardWorks | The freeware release includes a walkthrough and a pre-installed patch (pak4.pak) to fix bugs and add additional gameplay features. |
Xargon | 1993 | 2008[99] | Platform game | DOS | Epic MegaGames | |
Xenophage: Alien Bloodsport | 1995 | 2006[100] | Fighting game | DOS | Apogee Software | |
Zero Tolerance | 1994 | First-person shooter | Sega Mega Drive/Genesis | Technopop | The Sega Mega Drive/Genesis ROMs of the game and its sequel are offered by the owner Randel Reiss for free download.[101] |
Games no longer freely distributed[edit]
The following are commercial games that were once released as free downloads but were not freely redistributable software.
- Airborne Ranger (1988), a stealth 2D game by MicroProse. It was released as freeware by Atari to promote Airborne Rangers. A free registration was required to download the game. After Airborne Rangers wasn't released, the Airborne Ranger page and the download link were removed. The game is still mentioned as freeware and many forums and sites have the now dead link to the game page. The legal situation now is unclear because the installer has no disclaimer.
- Area 51 (2005), a first person shooter by Midway Games. Its free release was sponsored by the US Air Force. It later changed hands and its freeware status was removed.[102]
- B-17 Flying Fortress (1992), a flight simulator by MicroProse.[103]
- Battlefield 1942 (2002), a first person shooter by Electronic Arts, was available on Origin until it was removed, due to GameSpy shutting down.[104]
- Betrayal at Krondor (1993), a role-playing game by Dynamix.[103]
- Caesar (1992), a city-building game by Sierra.[103]
- Dragonsphere (1994), a point-and-click graphic adventure game developed and published by MicroProse. Released as freeware by Atari in 2011 on GOG.com.[105] The rights were brought by Tommo in 2015 and, after the expiration of the deal with Atari, began to charge for it.[106]
- Gateway (1992), an adventure game by Legend Entertainment.[107]
- Grand Theft Auto (1997)
- Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999)
- Red Baron 3D (1998), a flight game by Sierra.[103]
- Rise and Fall: Civilizations at War (2006), a real-time strategy/third-person shooter by Stainless Steel Studios and Midway Games. Re-released as ad-supported freeware, sponsored by the US Air Force.[108]
- The Sims 2 (2004), a life simulation game by Maxis and Electronic Arts. It was released as freeware for a limited time on Origin on July 16, 2014 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Sims 2. It was removed from Origin on July 31, 2014.
- The Suffering (2004), a horror third/first person shooter developed by Surreal Software and published by Midway Games. It was released free in September 2008, but is no longer available due to a new copyright holder.[109]
- Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon (2001), a tactical shooter by Ubisoft. Released in an ad-supported free download version in 2007 for a limited time; available to US residents only.[110]
- Wild Metal Country (1999), was released as freeware in 2004[111] but is no longer available on the download page.
- Zork I, Zork II, Zork III, text adventure games by Infocom.[103]
External links[edit]
- Liberated Games — A site which features games which have been freed (liberated) by its copyright owners, in some form.
- Remain In Play — Features commercial games that have been released as freeware by their copyright owners.
- World of Spectrum — Large archive of legal ZX Spectrum downloads, with various permissions including some from Spectrum hardware copyright holder Amstrad.
References[edit]
- ^'3 in Three Gossip'. The Fool's Errand et al. Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ abSiegler, Joe (28 May 2004). 'Some Ancient Apogee Games Released as Freeware'. 3D Realms. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
- ^Adams, Scott. 'Classic Game Downloads'. SAGA (Scott Adams Grand Adventures). Retrieved 14 April 2012. The Adventureland game is bundled within a compilation of other Scott Adams adventure video games also re-released as freeware.
- ^'The Adventures of Maddog Williams Vol. 1, In the Dungeons of Duridian'. Game Crafters. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
- ^'RGB Classic Games - Adventures of Robbo'. Classicdosgames.com. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^Biondich, Paul. 'The Adventures of Robby Roto!'. Allgame. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ^'Alien Cabal'. archive.org. 2015-01-05. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
- ^'3D Realms News: Alien Carnage Released as Freeware'. 3drealms.com. 2007-05-24. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^'Allegiance'. Microsoft Games. 2004-02-10. Archived from the original on 2010-03-28. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ^Pirocanac, Nick (2008-04-22). 'Allegiance'. Escapist. Archived from the original on 2008-12-31. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ^Moromisato, George. '(Anacreon) DOS Edition'. George Moromisato's Neurohack. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ^'Antheads: It Came From the Desert II'. Cinemaware. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ^ abcde'3D Realms News: Several old games released as Freeware'. 3drealms.com. 2009-03-20. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^'About'. Ambrosia Software. 2008-11-01. Retrieved 2014-04-03.
- ^Johnson, Cliff. 'At the Carnival'. The Fool and His Money. Archived from the original on 2012-11-23. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ^Courtney Marchelletta (June 6, 2006). ''Baseball Mogul 2006' Now Free'. About.com. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
- ^ abcSmart, Derek. 'Downloads'. 3000ad. Retrieved 14 April 2012.
- ^Cofield, Tom. 'Battle of Britain II: Wings of Victory'. SimHQ: Aviation & Air Combat. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ^Brandon Cobb. 'Battle of the Eras'.
- ^ abc'Classics for Free'. Factor 5. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
- ^'Games: Beneath a Steel Sky'. Revolution Software. Archived from the original on 2012-12-20. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
- ^Mobygames: Castle Wolfenstein Accessed: 5/9/2012
- ^'3D Realms News: Beyond the Titanic Released as Freeware!'. 3drealms.com. 1998-03-10. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^'3D Realms News: Bio Menace released as freeware!'. 3drealms.com. 2005-12-23. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^Sykes, Tom (3 November 2013). 'Blizzard's 16-bit platformer Blackthorne is now available as free download'. PC Gamer UK. Future plc. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
https://us.battle.net/account/download/
- ^'Blades of Exile Source Code'. Spiderweb Software. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^Reitz, Jennifer Diane. 'Boppin': The Official Home Of The Infamous Accursed Toys Game'. Jenniverse. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^Saada, Rick (2005-09-20). 'The Rick Saada Home Page'. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ^ abcd'3D Realms Site: Detailed Release Timeline'. 3D Realms. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
- ^'CM 01/02 - Free Download'. Football Manager (FM) Scout. 2012-01-29. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ^'Clonk Endeavour' (in German). CHIP Online. 2008-10-08. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
- ^'RGB Classic Games - Clyde's Adventure'. Classicdosgames.com. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^'RGB Classic Games - Clyde's Revenge'. Classicdosgames.com. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^Bergfeld, Carlos (2007-08-31). 'Free Download of Command & Conquer Gold Begins C&C 12th Anniversary Celebration'. Shacknews. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
- ^Goldstein, Maarten (2008-08-31). 'C&C: Red Alert Free Download Available'. Shacknews. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
- ^Michael Klappenbach (September 1, 2008). 'Command & Conquer Red Alert Released as Freeware'. about.com. Retrieved 2009-06-11.
- ^O'Connor, Alice (2010-02-15). 'Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun Released for Free'. Shacknews. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
- ^'RGB Classic Games - Cybersphere'. Classicdosgames.com. 1996-04-15. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^'RGB Classic Games - Cybersphere Plus'. Classicdosgames.com. 1998-02-03. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^'Dark Horizons: Lore Free to Download'. LinuxGames. 2007-12-24. Archived from the original on 2015-06-01. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
- ^O'Connor, Alice (2009-10-20). 'Death Rally Released for Free'. Shacknews. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
- ^'Defender of the Crown'. Cinemaware. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ^'Dink Smallwood v1.08 Free Full Game'. Gamer's Hell. 2007-01-27. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
- ^'Strangerke' (2012-10-21). 'Dreamweb Released As Freeware'. ScummVM. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
- ^'The Elder Scrolls: Arena 10th anniversary full install'. Download.com (CNET). 2004-04-08. Retrieved 2012-11-30.
- ^Joystiq: Bethesda's classic The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall Goes Free Accessed: 5/9/2012
- ^'RGB Classic Games - Electro Man'. Classicdosgames.com. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^'Sierra Entertainment's F.E.A.R. Combat now available!'. GamesIndustry International. 2006-08-16. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
- ^'Flight of the Amazon Queen Freeware'. Gamer's Hell. 2004-04-26. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ^'The Fool's Errand Lore'. The Fool's Errand et al. Archived from the original on 10 July 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^'God of Thunder'. Adept Software. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ^'Hades2 - Free'. Espaço Informática. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
- ^'RGB Classic Games - Heartlight PC'. Classicdosgames.com. 2006-06-25. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^'Hidden & Dangerous Deluxe - Full Game'. Shacknews. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
- ^'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: The History of the Game'. BBC Radio 4. November 2005. Retrieved 2012-11-30.
- ^'It Came From the Desert'. Cinemaware. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ^'Jetpack'. Adept Software. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ^Silverman, Ken. 'The official Ken's Labyrinth page'. Ken Silverman's Official Home Page. Retrieved 2012-11-30.
- ^'RGB Classic Games - Kiloblaster'. Classicdosgames.com. 2008-08-04. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^'The King of Chicago'. Cinemaware. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ^'RGB Classic Games - Kye'. Classicdosgames.com. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^'Lords of the Rising Sun'. Cinemaware. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ^'Games: Lure of the Temptress'. Revolution Software. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
- ^ abWawro, Alex (May 2, 2014). 'Rock n' Roll Racing, The Lost Vikings now free on Battle.net'. Gamasutra. Think Services. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
- ^Burnes, Andrew (2010-04-30). 'MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries Re-Released As Free Game'. Voodoo Extreme (IGN). Retrieved 2012-11-27.
- ^van Es, Martijn (2005-10-07). 'Mystery House Review'. Adventure Gamers. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
- ^'No Gravity'. Realtech VR. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ^'Diversions Entertainment'. Diversions Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2004. Retrieved 2012-01-19.
Since its release in 1994, the game has been made freeware (available for download) and inducted into the Gamespy Hall of Fame in 2002.
- ^ abPelczarski, Mark. 'The Comprehend Adventure Series'. The Graphics Magician. Archived from the original on 2012-08-02. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
- ^'RGB Classic Games - Overkill'. Classicdosgames.com. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^Stern, Zack (2006-11-30). 'Download Railroad Tycoon for free'. Joystiq. Retrieved 2012-11-27.
- ^'Rocket Ranger'. Cinemaware. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ^Brandon Cobb. 'Sango Fighter'. www.sangofighter.com. Archived from the original on 2012-08-18. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^'S.D.I.'Cinemaware. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ^'Sinbad and the Throne of the Falcon'. Cinemaware. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ^[1]
- ^'Skyroads'. Bluemoon Interactive. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
- ^Meer, Alec (2007-11-29). 'Hopped Up On Goofballs'. Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
- ^Gillen, Kieron (2010-02-16). 'Raising Your Spirits: Spirit Engine 2 Free'. Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
- ^Kuchera, Ben (2017-04-19). 'StarCraft is now free'. Polygon. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
- ^ abRubin, Brian (2012-01-16). 'Starshatter: The Gathering Storm Goes Open Source!'. spacegamejunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-01-08.
Apparently the excellent and unique military space sim, Starshatter: The Gathering Storm, has gone open source thanks to its original developer releasing the source code. [..]: '14 DEC, 2011 – STARSHATTER:THE GATHERING STORM – Open Source Version 5.0.5. This download Includes the cumulative Starshatter-TGS game up to version 5.0.5 (No CD Required). It is available for download from our “Lagacy Official File” section.'
- ^'3D Realms News: Stargunner Released as Freeware!'. 3drealms.com. 2005-06-22. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^'Starsiege: Tribes full install'. Download.com (CNET). 2004-06-08. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ^ abchttp://www.symbioticsoftware.net/starfleet/downloads.htm[dead link]
- ^'3D Realms News: Supernova Released as Freeware!'. 3drealms.com. 1998-03-26. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^Brandon Cobb. 'Super Fighter'. www.superfighter.net. Archived from the original on 2012-08-27. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^'TerraFire History'. Ortsoftware.com. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^'The Three Stooges'. Cinemaware. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ^'RGB Classic Games - Traffic Department 2192'. Classicdosgames.com. 2007-07-19. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^Grayson, Nathan (2009-01-06). 'TribesNext Resurrects Tribes 2, Keeps It Free'. Maximum PC. Retrieved 2012-12-05.
- ^'TV Sports Baseball'. Cinemaware. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ^'TV Sports Basketball'. Cinemaware. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ^'TV Sports Boxing'. Cinemaware. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ^WtF Dragon (Kenneth P. Kully) (2011-03-25). 'Concerning Ultima 4 (Or: In Which I Have to Be The Wet Blanket)'. The Ultima Codex. Retrieved 2012-10-30.
- ^Mitchell, Richard (2011-06-03). 'Ultima 4 now free, EA launches UltimaForever.com'. Joystiq. Retrieved 2012-10-30.
- ^ abcCD Projekt (June 18, 2012). 'Free Releases: Worlds of Ultima 1 & 2'. Retrieved 2012-11-30.
- ^'Wings'. Cinemaware. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ^Hachman, Mark (2012-05-09). 'Free, Browser-Based 'Wolfenstein 3D' Released by Bethesda'. PC Magazine. Retrieved 2012-11-28.
- ^'RGB Classic Games - Xargon'. Classicdosgames.com. 2008-08-04. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^'3D Realms News: The Apogee Legacy #16 - Jason Blochowiak'. 3drealms.com. 2006-04-24. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^www.technopop.net/'Randel Reiss, the owner of the Zero Tolerance copyright and trademark, has made the original Zero Tolerance Sega Genesis ROM image royalty-free for distribution.'
- ^'Area 51 Free Full Game'. Gamershell.com. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^ abcde'General Liberated Games FAQ'. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^'Battle 1942 Origin store page'. Retrieved 20 September 2015.
- ^'New release: Dragonsphere - for FREE!'. GOG.com. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
- ^'Farewell For Now, Duke + Last chance to get Dragonsphere free'. GOG.com. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
- ^Yee, Bernard (August 1996). 'Joyriding'. Next Generation. No. 20. Imagine Media. p. 28.
- ^'Rise & Fall: Civilizations At War Free Full Game'. Gamershell.com. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^'The Suffering Free Full Game'. Gamershell.com. Retrieved 2012-08-09.
- ^'Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Free Full Game (Ad Supported)'. GamersHell.com. Retrieved 18 March 2009.
You will need an Ubi.com account and you must live in the U.S. to play the game
- ^Adams, David (2004-01-08). 'Rockstar Offers Wild Metal Country for Free'. IGN. Retrieved 2012-11-28.