List of commercial video games released as freeware

Last updated

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.

Contents

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.

Games

The following formerly commercial games have been made available as freeware and are still in that status:

   Title   First releaseFreeware releaseGenrePlatform(s)PublisherAdditional information
3 in Three 1989 [1] Puzzle Mac OS Cliff Johnson
Adventure Fun-Pak 19892004 [2] Adventure, Action MS-DOS Apogee Software
Adventureland 19781993 [3] Adventure, interactive fiction TRS-80, Apple II, Atari 8-bit, TI-99/4A, PET, Commodore 64, IBM PC, VIC-20, ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro, Electron Scott Adams
The Adventures of Fatman 20032003A point-and-click adventureWindowsMichael DoakReleased on studio's closing as CC-ND-NC "abandonware"
Adventures of Maddog Williams in the Dungeons of Duridian, The 19921996 [4] Adventure Amiga, Atari ST, DOS Game Crafters
Adventures of Robbo 19942006 [5] Puzzle DOS Epic MegaGames
Adventures of Robby Roto!, The 19811999 [6] Maze (Puzzle) Arcade Bally Midway
Alien Cabal19972000 [7] First-person shooter MS-DOS, Windows QASoft
Alien Carnage (a.k.a. Halloween Harry)19942007 [8] Platform MS-DOS Apogee Software
Allegiance 20002004 [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]
All Walls Must Fall 20182024 [11] StrategyWindows, Linux, Mac Inbetweengames
Amulets & Armor 19972013 Action/Role-playing video game DOS United Software Artists
Anacreon: Reconstruction 4021 19872004 [12] Strategy DOS Thinking Machine Associates Updated in 2004 by George Moromisato to run natively on Windows.
Antheads: It Came from the Desert 2 1990 [13] Adventure Amiga Cinemaware Expansion pack to It Came from the Desert .
Arctic Adventure 19912009 [14] Platformer DOS Apogee Software
Ares 19962008 [15] 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 [16] Puzzle Mac OS, DOS Cliff Johnson
Bad Day on the Midway 19952022 [17] Adventure Windows, Mac Inscape
Baseball Mogul 2006 20052006 [18] Sports management Windows Sports Mogul
Battlecruiser 3000AD 19962001 [19] Space simulator Windows Derek Smart
Battlecruiser Millennium 20032005 [19]
Battle of Britain 2001 [20] Flight simulator Windows Empire Interactive Only source code available.
Battle of the Eras 19952013 [21] FightingDOSProcryon
BC Kid 1992 [22] Platform game Amiga Factor 5
Beneath a Steel Sky 19942003 [23] AdventureAmiga, DOS Virgin Interactive Released to support the ScummVM Project.
Beyond Castle Wolfenstein 1984 [24] Stealth game DOS Muse Software
Beyond the Titanic 19861998 [25] Text adventure game Apogee Software
Bio Menace 19932005 [26] Side-scrolling platform game
Blackthorne 19942013 [27] Cinematic platform Interplay Productions
Blades of Exile 19972007 [28] Role-playing video game Mac, 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' 19942005 [29] PuzzleAmiga, DOS Apogee Software
Castle Infinity 19962000 MMOG Windows Starwave
Castle of the Winds 19891998 [30] Role-playing video game Windows 3.x Epic MegaGames
Caves of Thor 19892005 [31] AdventureDOS Apogee Software
Championship Manager: Season 01/02 20012009 [32] Sports management Windows, Mac OS, Xbox Eidos Interactive
Clonk Endeavour 20042008 [33] Platform/Real-time strategy Windows, Mac OS X, LinuxRedWolf DesignOnly Windows version was released as freeware.
Clyde's Adventure 19922005 [34] Platoform DOSMoonlite Software
Clyde's Revenge 19952005 [35]
Command & Conquer 19952007 [36] Real-time strategy Windows, Mac OS Virgin Interactive
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 19962008 [37] Made freeware in 2008 to promote the release of Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 . [38]
Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun 19992010 [39] 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 19962006 [40] Arkanoid-style gameDOSPsycon Software
Cybersphere Plus 19972006 [41]
Dark Ages 19912009 [14] Platform Apogee Software
Dark Horizons Lore: Invasion 20052007 [42] Mech simulation Linux, Windows, Mac OS GarageGames
Death Rally 19962009 [43] Racing game DOS, Windows Apogee Software
Defender of the Crown 1986 [44] Strategy game Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, Game Boy Advance, Mac, NES, ZX Spectrum Cinemaware
Dink Smallwood 19971999 [45] Role-playing video game Windows, Linux, Mac OS Iridon Interactive
Dreamweb 19922012 [46] Adventure Amiga, DOS Empire Interactive Entertainment
The Elder Scrolls: Arena 19942004 [47] 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 19962009 [48] Sequel to the aforementioned Arena . Released as freeware on July 9, 2009, to mark the 15th anniversary of the TES series.
Electro Man 19932006 [49] Sidescroller DOSCreated by xLand Games and published by Epic MegaGames
Enemy Nations 19972001 Real-time strategy Windows Windward Studios
Executioners 19922005 Beat 'em up DOS Bloodlust Software
F.E.A.R. Combat 20052006 [50] First-person shooter, horrorWindows Monolith Productions Originally released as the multiplayer portion of F.E.A.R.
Fish Fillets 19982002PuzzleLinux, Mac OS X, Windows, and othersAltar GamesThe 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 19952004 [51] AdventureAmiga, DOS Renegade Software Released to support the ScummVM Project.
The Fool's Errand 1987 [52] Puzzle Mac OS, MS-DOS, Amiga, Atari STMiles Computing
Full Spectrum Warrior 20042008 Real-time tactics Windows Pandemic Studios Released as a free ad-supported download.
FS One 202220032022RC Flight SimWindowsInertiaSoftDr. Michael Selig felt that dealing with sales was a distraction from his research and development. Game is still being developed.
Glider PRO 1991Mac 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 [53] Puzzle, ActionDOS Adept Software
Gridlee 1983ArcadeVidea
Gridrunner 1982 Scrolling shooter Atari 2600, VIC-20, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 Llamasoft
Ground Control 20002004 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 220012009 [54] First-person shooter WindowsEspaço Informática
Hardwired (a pre-release version of Red Zone )1994 Shooter Sega Mega Drive/Genesis Zyrinx
Heartlight PC 19942006 [55] Puzzle Atari 8-bit, MS-DOS Janusz Pelc (Atari), Epic MegaGames (port)
Heros: The Sanguine Seven19932005 Platform DOS Jeffrey Fullerton Originally published in cooperation with Safari Software and Epic MegaGames.
Hidden & Dangerous Deluxe 19992003 [56] Action game with tactical elementsWindows Illusion Softworks Released as freeware to serve as promotion for its sequel, Hidden & Dangerous 2 .
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 19842004 [57] Adventure Flash Infocom Made publicly available as a web-based game by the BBC.
Hong Kong 97 19952023 [58] Shoot 'em up, satire Super Famicom Happysoft
Infantry Online 199920072D MMORPG Windows Sony Online Entertainment Similar to PlanetSide .
Inner Worlds 19962001Platform MS-DOS, Linux Sleepless Software Similar to Jill of the Jungle .
Ironseed 19942007 Space trading and combat simulator DOS Softdisk Released as freeware by the author to promote a remake of the game.
It Came From The Desert 1989 [59] Adventure Amiga, Atari ST, DOS, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, TurboGrafx-16 Cinemaware
Jetpack 1993 [60] Platform MS-DOS Software Creations (US)
Katakis 1988 [22] Side-scrolling shoot-em-upAmiga Factor 5
Ken's Labyrinth 19931999 [61] First-person shooter DOS Epic MegaGames
Kiloblaster 19922008 [62] Space shooterDOS
King of Chicago 1987 [63] Action, adventure, strategy game Amiga, Apple II, Atari ST, DOS, Mac Cinemaware
Kroz 19872009 [14] AdventureDOS Apogee Software
Kye 19922008 [64] Puzzle Windows 3.x Colin Garbutt
Lode Runner Online: Mad Monks' Revenge 1995Side-scrolling gameWindows, Mac OS Sierra Entertainment Based on the game Lode Runner .
Lords of the Rising Sun 1989 [65] Arcade Amiga, PC-Engine Cinemaware
Lure of the Temptress 19922003 [66] Graphic adventureAmiga, Atari ST, DOS Virgin Interactive
The Lost Vikings 19932014 [67] Puzzle-platformDOS Interplay Productions
Mad TV 1991Management simulation gameDOS, Amiga Rainbow Arts
Major Stryker 19932006 [31] Scrolling shooterDOS Apogee Software
Marathon Trilogy 19942005First-person shooterMac OS, Windows, Linux Bungie Source code to Marathon 2 was released in 2000, and code for Marathon Infinity was released in 2011. [68] [69]
MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries 20022010 [70] Robotic simulationWindows FASA Interactive
Monuments of Mars 19902009 [14] PlatformDOS Apogee Software
Mystery House 19801987 [71] AdventureApple II On-Line Systems Released into the Public Domain in 1987 to celebrate Sierra's 7th anniversary.
Nogginknockers 19932005 Sports DOS Bloodlust Software
Nogginknockers 2 19962005 Sports DOS
NoGravity 1998 [72] Space combat simulator Windows, Mac OS, Linux realtech VR
One Must Fall: 2097 19941999 [73] Fighting DOS Epic MegaGames
onEscapee 19972006 Action-adventure game Windows, Amiga Invictus Games, Ltd.
Oo-topos 1987 [74] Interactive fiction Apple II, DOS Polarware
Out of the Park Baseball 19992002 Sports management Windows, Mac OS X, LinuxOut of the Park Developments
Overkill 19922008 [75] Vertical scrolling-shooter DOS Precision Software Publishing / Epic MegaGames
Pharaoh's Tomb 19902009 [14] PlatformDOS Apogee Software
Postal 19972020 [76] Top-down shooter Windows Running with Scissors
Psi-Ops: The Mindgate Conspiracy 2005 Third-person shooter Windows Midway Games Released through FilePlanet as ad-supported freeware.
Purge 2003 Online first-person shooter WindowsFreeform Interactive
Puzzle Fun-Pak 19892004 [2] Puzzle, Action MS-DOS Apogee Software
Railroad Tycoon Deluxe 19932006 [77] Business simulator DOS MicroProse
Riftspace20002008 Space simulation Windows Starwraith 3D Games
Rock n' Roll Racing 19932014 [67] RacingDOS Interplay Productions 'Lite' version of the original Super NES 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 [78] Action Amiga, Apple II, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, NES Cinemaware
R-Type 1989 [22] Side-scrolling shoot-em-upAmiga Factor 5
Sango Fighter 19932009 [79] Fighting DOS Panda Entertainment Released as freeware by current copyright holder Super Fighter Team.
Savage: The Battle for Newerth 2004A blend of FPS and RTS gameplayWindows, Linux, Mac OS X S2 Games
Savage 2: A Tortured Soul 20082008Windows, Linux, Mac OS X
S.D.I 1986 [80] Action adventure Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS, Macintosh Cinemaware
SimCity 19892008
(as OLPC SimCity)
City-building game Windows, DOSWas 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 [81] Action Amiga, Apple II, Atari ST, Commodore 64, DOS Cinemaware
SkiFree 1991 [82] ArcadeWindows 3.0Chris Pirih
SkyRoads 1993 [83] DrivingDOS Bluemoon Interactive
Söldner: Secret Wars 20042011 Tactical shooter Windows JoWood Productions
Sołtys19952011 Adventure game DOS LK Avalon
Spheres of Chaos 19922007 [84] Shooter game Windows, Linux, RISC OS Iain McLeod
The Spirit Engine 2 20082010 [85] A 2-D side-scrolling indie RPGWindowsMark Pay
StarCraft 19982017 [86] 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 . Accessible on Battlenet.
StarCraft 2 20102020 [87] Real-time strategy Windows, Mac OS Blizzard Entertainment The complete Wings of Liberty campaign, full use of Raynor, Kerrigan, and Artanis Co-Op Commanders, with all others available for free up to level five, full access to custom games, including all races, AI difficulties, maps; unranked multiplayer, with access to Ranked granted after the first 10 wins of the day in Unranked or Versus AI. Accessible on Battlenet.
Starshatter: The Gathering Storm 20042011 [88] Space combat simulator WindowsDestroyer StudiosSource code also released, content Freeware. [88]
Stargunner 19962005 [89] Side-scrolling shooterDOS 3D Realms
Starsiege: Tribes 19982004 [90] First-person shooter Windows Dynamix/Sierra On-Line Released as publicity for the release of Tribes: Vengeance .
Star Control II 19922002Action adventureDOS, Mac OS Toys For Bob Released as The Ur-Quan Masters .
Star Fleet I: The War Begins 1985 [91] Strategy DOS Interstel
Star Fleet II: Krellan Commander 1989 [91] Strategy DOS Interstel
Star Legions 1992 [91] Strategy DOS Interstel
Star Wraith II 2000Space military simulation game Starwraith 3D Games
Star Wraith III: Shadows of Orion 2000A space military simulation featuring multiplayer capabilities Starwraith 3D Games
Star Wraith IV: Reviction 20002008Windows Starwraith 3D Games
Strange Adventures in Infinite Space 20022009by Digital Eel
Supaplex 1991Boulder Dash-like puzzle game Michael Stopp and Philip Jespersen
Supernova 19871998 [92] Text adventure DOS Apogee Software
Super Fighter 19932001 [93] FightingDOS C&E, Inc. Released as freeware by current copyright holder Super Fighter Team.
Super ZZT 1992AdventureDOS Epic MegaGames
S.W.I.N.E. 20012005 Real-time tactics gameDOSStormRegionReleased as S.W.I.N.E. Free Christmas Edition.
Teen Agent 1995Graphic adventureDOS
Telengard 1982 Dungeon crawl DOSDaniel Lawrence
TerraFire 19972005 [94] Space shooter DOS ORT Software
The Three Stooges 1987 [95] Action Amiga, Apple II, Commodore 64, DOS, NES Cinemaware
Timeslaughter 19962005 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 20052009 Booking simulator WindowsGreydog Software
Traffic Department 2192 19942007 [96] Top-down shooter DOS Epic MegaGames
Transylvania I,II,III 1982, 1985, 1989 [74] Adventure Apple II, Commodore 64, DOS Polarware
Treasure Island Dizzy 1987 Puzzle Oliver twins
Tribes 2 20012004 [97] First-person shooter Windows, Linux Dynamix/Sierra On-Line Released as publicity for the release of Tribes: Vengeance .
Trivia Whiz 19882005 [31] Trivia gameDOS Apogee Software
Turboraketti1993Cavern-flying gameAmigaHeikki Kosola
TV Sports Baseball 1990 [98] Sports Amiga, DOS, NES Cinemaware
TV Sports Basketball 1989 [99] Sports Amiga, DOS, PC-Engine Cinemaware
TV Sports Boxing 1991 [100] Sports Amiga, DOS Cinemaware
Tyrian 19952004 Scrolling shooter DOS Epic MegaGames
Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar 19851997 [101] CRPG DOS Origin Systems Re-released again in 2011 to promote Ultima Forever: Quest for the Avatar . [102]
Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams 19912012 [103] CRPG DOS Origin Systems Released by Electronic Arts exclusively through GOG.com.
Universal Combat 20042008 [19] Space simulator Windows Derek Smart
Vantage Master Online 19982002 Tactical RPG Windows Nihon Falcom
Victory: The Age of Racing 20142016Racing gameWindowsVae Victis
War Wind 19962020 [104] Strategy Windows Strategic Simulations
Warzone 2100 19992004Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, FreeBSD, AmigaOS 4, PlayStation Eidos Interactive
WingNuts: Temporal Navigator 20012006 [105] Shooter Mac OS X Freeverse Software
Wings 1990 [106] Flight simulator Amiga Cinemaware
Wings 1996Cavern-flying gameMiika Virpioja
Wing Commander: Secret Ops 19981998Space simulatorWindowsThe full version was released by Origin as freeware on 27th of Aug 1998
Wolfenstein 3D 19922012 [107] First-person shooter Browser-based id software
Word Whiz 19882005 [31] TriviaDOS Apogee Software
Worlds of Ultima: The Savage Empire 19902012 [103] CRPG MS-DOS Origin Systems Released by Electronic Arts exclusively through GOG.com. [103]
X-Men: The Ravages of Apocalypse 19972006 First-person shooter MS-DOS, Linux, Mac, Windows WizardWorks The freeware release includes a walkthrough and a pre-installed patch (pak4.pak) to fix bugs and add additional gameplay features.
Xargon 19932008 [108] Platform DOS Epic MegaGames
Xenophage: Alien Bloodsport 19952006 [109] Fighting game DOS Apogee Software
ZZT 1991AdventureDOS Epic MegaGames

Games no longer freely distributed

The following are commercial games that were once released as free downloads but were not freely redistributable software.

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