Safe legit DOS abandonware sites?

[005AGIMA]

Hi Guys,

Been a loooooong time since I dared download anything from the interwebz in terms of "free" software.

I've been buying games from GOG which is great, and the prices (and frequent sales) are more than reasonable, but it doesn't have everything.

Without breaking forum rules, what legit and safe abandonware sites are people using for old DOS titles?

[demolition]

Originally Posted by 005AGIMA

Without breaking forum rules, what legit and safe abandonware sites are people using for old DOS titles?

Notice that 'abandonware' is not actually a legal term so it is a bit of a grey area. Any copyright holders can still demand stuff being removed even for old software that is no longer maintained, sold or supported in any way.

That being said, as long as the copyright holders do not complain, then there are no problems serving old and abandoned software.

I do like https://winworldpc.com/ which carry a lot of DOS stuff (not games though). They do remove software when they receive cease and desist letters (which is why they won't accept MS software from 2000 and later, but MS doesn't seem to mind about the older stuff).

[gimbal]

Between GOG and the growling list of games which have been put out as freeware, I don't think you'll find abandonware sites which hold games you cannot find there. With the existence of GOG it has become really difficult to maintain such sites in a legal way.

It'll probably have to come from torrents with complete dos game collections and all the risks that come with such downloads.

Abandonia is a site I used a lot in the past... seeing the list of games, most have lost their download button today.

[demolition]

A lot of different software collections have also been uploaded to archive.org, but it's not particularly organized so it can be hard to find something specific and it is generally not curated much so you may well find a lot of gems like prehistoric viruses and such.

[005AGIMA]

Thanks guys

Perhaps then my question was poorly worded by using the term Abandonware.

Really I'm just after locations / ways of getting older DOS games, paid or otherwise, that are tried and trusted.

[dalek]

Look for eXoDOS - e.g. https://archive.org/details/eXoDOS_Collection_v2.0

[Hewitson]

On the rare occasion I want to download a DOS game it can usually be found on google in a few seconds. Abandonia, as mentioned above, used to be the best site for these games but not anymore.

[005AGIMA]

Originally Posted by Hewitson

On the rare occasion I want to download a DOS game it can usually be found on google in a few seconds. Abandonia, as mentioned above, used to be the best site for these games but not anymore.

Cheers man. Yeah finding them on google is easy. Knowing which links you can click on without wearing a condom, is not

[Hewitson]

Yes, some of the sites are questionable. A secure operating system is recommended.

[clebin]

Originally Posted by 005AGIMA

Really I'm just after locations / ways of getting older DOS games, paid or otherwise, that are tried and trusted.

Paid, GOG.com is a good bet. They've expanded into new indie titles but have lots of old DOS & Windows games, DRM-free:

https://www.gog.com

[Superman]

https://www.myabandonware.com/

Thousands of games on here. The ones that are not free have a money bag in the top right of the screenshot and it will link you to the appropriate place to purchase. The free ones can be downloaded directly.

[Anubis]

On archive.org you can also find Twillight and couple other groups projects from late 90s, earlier 2000.

There was also site the-eye.eu or something like that, that had some stuff available.

My favorite french site, apart from EAB was this:

http://gametronik.com/

Some other to mention...

http://www.goodolddays.net/

https://www.oldgames.sk/

Most of them got hit by gog.com, but still active and will provide link for purchase.

[demolition]

Originally Posted by clebin

Paid, GOG.com is a good bet. They've expanded into new indie titles but have lots of old DOS & Windows games, DRM-free:

https://www.gog.com

Yes, GOG is the best place for getting those old games in a safe and legal way and they are all fixed so they will run on a modern OS with a low to non-existing risk of malware. So if they don't have a particular game you are looking for, then it may just be a matter of waiting a little while until it becomes available there. It is not like it should matter much if you have to wait 1 more year for a 20 year old game.

[gimbal]

Originally Posted by clebin

Paid, GOG.com is a good bet. They've expanded into new indie titles but have lots of old DOS & Windows games, DRM-free:

https://www.gog.com

Q: "Hey guys, I can't find all my games on gog. Any suggestions for other sites?"

A: "Try gog!"

[Hewitson]

Originally Posted by gimbal

Q: "Hey guys, I can't find all my games on gog. Any suggestions for other sites?"

A: "Try gog!"

[clebin]

Originally Posted by gimbal

Q: "Hey guys, I can't find all my games on gog. Any suggestions for other sites?"

A: "Try gog!"

Ah, I seee...

[chip]

[Anubis]

Misspelled - they wanted to suggest Grog for pirates!

[005AGIMA]

Originally Posted by gimbal

Q: "Hey guys, I can't find all my games on gog. Any suggestions for other sites?"

A: "Try gog!"

lol i didn't want to say anything but yeah....this lol.

but meh....life is short. i skim read posts before replying often. It's all good.

Also I think trying GROG is the best suggestion yet. Although I prefer rum neat, not watered down (i.e. grog)

[demolition]

Originally Posted by 005AGIMA

Also I think trying GROG is the best suggestion yet. Although I prefer rum neat, not watered down (i.e. grog)

Speaking of Grog, at least Monkey Island are one of those games that you will find on GOG.