Evolution… In the field of computer science, developments are extremely rapid and often the new pushes the old into the trash… But it happens that at certain times the nostalgia might come knocking at our door. In that case, we might want to play again on our old Amstrad, pull our iPhone EDGE out of the drawer, rediscover the lost thrills of GTA II… Unfortunately, I can't do anything about the Amstrad or the iPhone EDGE… However, if you're looking to play to rather old games without wanting to (re)pay for the game or be completely illegal by hacking it, this article is for you!
I am sure that if you are reading these lines, it is because, inevitably, I have baited you by making your mouth water. I will not wait any longer to give you the solution: The Abandonwares !
What is abandonware?
But first, what is a abandonware ? It's a discontinued software commonly called abandonware (by anglicism) and considered abandoned on the grounds that it is no longer supported or exploited commercially by its publisher (or entitled). So much so that some users (taking liberties with intellectual property legislation) distribute it freely. The notion ofabandonware has no legal basis (until the publisher releases the rights).
For example, if you create paid software, it will be considered as abandonware, as long as you no longer market said software. That being said, it remains illegal – but tolerated – as long as you have not yet completely released the rights. Indeed, there is no harm in sharing for free what you no longer sell, and once the rights are free, there is no longer any constraint to distribute for free this license.
Now that you know more, you can search on various French or English-language websites for all types of software that is now vintage.
However, I owe you warn against the risks that this practice contains. On the legal side, you do not have – beforehand – no worries as long as there is completely free. So refuse to pay for software that is considered abandoned and do not charge for the same software.
Like any download, it carries risks. So check the probity carefully of the website you are visiting and downloading from.
Can you still play old games on PC?
Most abandonware is a few years old and, therefore, was not designed for our current operating systems. Consequently, some abandoned software may not necessarily be compatible. Compatible with our computers. To solve this problem, you can (under Windows) :
- make a Right-click on the .exe file of the game in question
- and Properties and finally
- In the Compatibility tab, check Run this program in compatibility mode to
- and choose an older operating system
- Finally, click on Apply to validate the change.
For stubborn MS-DOS games, the emulator DOSBox The simplest tool remains: it recreates a DOS environment and installs in two minutes. Point-and-click titles from LucasArts, Sierra, or Revolution often run better using it. ScummVM, specializing in this genre. On Mac or Linux, or for a complete Windows 98 system, consider a virtual machine (VirtualBox, VMware) in order to run the game in its original environment.
Where can I find abandoned games?
Once this information is taken into account, I give you a (non-exhaustive) list of websites where you can download safely:
Here are some reliable platforms for rediscover your old games :
- Abandonware UK : catalogue of more than 2,500 titles, technical specifications and launch utilities.
- My Abandonware : English-language database of approximately 17,000 DOS, Windows, Amiga or Mac games, with filters by year and publisher.
- ClassicReload : immediate launch of MS-DOS and 8/16 bit console games directly in the browser.
- Internet Archive – Software Library : section “Console Living Room” and “DOS Games” playable via streaming using emulation.
- Paid but legal re-releases; modern DRM-free installers (Baldur's Gate, Theme Hospital, etc.).
If you prefer to avoid the legal shadow of abandonware, several solutions exist:
- GOG.com buys back the rights, fixes incompatibilities and distributes ready-to-use DRM-free versions for a few euros.
- Steam regularly offers "Classics" collections (Sega, id Software) configured for current systems.
- The mini-consoles, small official reissues of retro machines, marketed in limited quantities and pre-loaded with a selection of iconic gamesTheir case replicates the design of the original, scaled down; inside, a The emulator handles the provided titles., accessible via a simple HDMI menu (Mega Drive Mini 2, PlayStation Classic, Atari 2600+)
These options are paid, but they ensure a clear legal framework and immediate compatibility.
If you know of any others, please feel free to share them with us in the comments!
Happy retro gaming!
Wow, this article on abandonware is a goldmine! It brings back memories of when I was a kid and spent hours on my old PC games. I was actually looking for "Rocket Goal" just last week to relive my virtual football moments on my old laptop, and it was impossible to find legally. Thanks for these links; I'll finally be able to dive back into these gems without worrying about compatibility. This sharing is really great; it's refreshing to see that there are people who remember the games that have shaped gaming history!