The Internet Archive Adds Almost 2300 MS-DOS Games to their Software Library, Available Free to Play

Foxi4 · Jan 13, 2015

Retro gamers rejoice! The Internet Archive, mostly known for their "Internet Time Capsule" called the Way Back Machine, has added 2298 MS-DOS games to their Software Library and allows users to play them via in-browser emulation for free!

If you have the retro gaming bug and you get the itch to play Prince of Persia or The Oregon Trail but just don't feel like setting up DOS-Box and digging through your collection of old floppy disks, now you can re-visit those classics without any hassle in just a few clicks. If you're too young to remember those great games, The Internet Archive now gives you a perfect opportunity to familiarize yourself with the history of PC gaming completely free of charge.

In addition to MS-DOS games, The Internet Archive also stores software for Apple, Atari, IBM PC and even the ZX Spectrum, so there's a lot to see. Should you wish to check out their software collection, be sure to follow the link below.

Source (Washington Post)

The Internet Archive: MS-DOS Games Collection

The Internet Archive: Software Library

ody81 · Jan 13, 2015

Fucking outstanding.
Alter Ego is one of the all-time greats but it was deleted from sale in the 80's not long after it's original release. When I was young the only way to obtain it was through piracy (we didn't have the 'abandonware' concept then).

Now there's finally a legal strongbox of these amazing works without the abandonware/piracy argument attached.

Kippykip · Jan 13, 2015

Jiehfeng · Jan 13, 2015

Forgot to give credit to Jason Scott.

Another World · Jan 13, 2015

this has been in the news for awhile. the talk now is how the archive includes games not in the PD. games still for sale on GOG, etc.

-another world

FAST6191 · Jan 13, 2015

Ooh, lots of games.
*has a quite scan around*
Toobin' is in there? ( https://archive.org/details/msdos_Toobin_1989 ) I loved the C64 version, never played the DOS one though.

Ooh James Pond 2 ( https://archive.org/details/msdos_James_Pond_2_-_Codename_-_RoboCod_1993 ) as well.

Zool and Zool 2 and Golden Axe as well? This is starting to become an interesting collection, it was already worth a look but if they have this sort of thing then it is definitely worth a scan through.

Bladexdsl · Jan 13, 2015

good luck trying to play half the fuckers...

RevPokemon · Jan 13, 2015

Ita cool that their allowing this and not complaining like another game company we know...

DinohScene · Jan 13, 2015

Oh myyyy~

I know what I'll do on me bday instead of sitting n listning to old hags nagging about the youth.

Vipera · Jan 13, 2015

Another World said:
this has been in the news for awhile. the talk now is how the archive includes games not in the PD. games still for sale on GOG, etc.

-another world

This. I have no idea how they added the games, but ID Software clearly specify everywhere that Doom is NOT an abandonware.

TeamScriptKiddies · Jan 13, 2015

Victory for Sylvanas!

Jiehfeng · Jan 13, 2015

Anyone used to play Dangerous Dave? That was my only childhood DOS game sadly, but it was pretty fun and hard. Playing it now, ahh, I'm thankful to this guy.

MegaV2 · Jan 13, 2015

Really good news considering that Underground Gamer died.

Foxi4 · Jan 13, 2015

Vipera said:
This. I have no idea how they added the games, but ID Software clearly specify everywhere that Doom is NOT an abandonware.

To be fair, the law isn't clear on in-browser emulation. No download takes place, there's only one copy on one computer, it's just remotely accessed. They're not distributing unauthorized copies.

chartube12 · Jan 14, 2015

Doom and Doom 2 source codes were released several years ago as open source.

Plus the term abandonware is is just a buzz word. Used to make those pirating old software feel morally guilt-free.

Foxi4 · Jan 14, 2015

chartube12 said:
Doom and Doom 2 source codes were released several years ago as open source.

Plus the term abandonware is is just a buzz word. Used to make those pirating old software feel morally guilt-free.

The engine is open-source, the resources (original WADs) are not. As for abandonware, there are true cases of software no longer belonging to anyone due to bankrupcies of developers/publishers etc. but those are quite rare.

RevPokemon · Jan 14, 2015

Foxi4 said:
The engine is open-source, the resources (original WADs) are not. As for abandonware, there are true cases of software no longer belonging to anyone due to bankrupcies of developers/publishers etc. but those are quite rare.

True like atari,THQ and other generally sell rights or what not in bankruptcy court

Acidflare · Jan 16, 2015

Theres only 2 words that sum up how amazing that archive is and those 2 words are
DANGEROUS DAVE!!!!!!

Cyan · Jan 16, 2015

zak mcKracken doesn't work with the mouse.
using keyboard is too difficult

I didn't even get to the place where it ask the disc code to check if the game is "kracked"

The Internet Archive Adds Almost 2300 MS-DOS Games to their Software Library, Available Free to Play

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