Topic: Brain Waster
With all the stuff online, there are just some times when you want to play a game on your computer without having spending an arm & a leg OR having to deal with DRM restrictions that are worse than a jail sentence. Here's a list of games that I've found online that you can enjoy on your computer without having to whip out your wallet or comply with DRM crap.
Please be aware that this is only a TASTE of what's out there & what's listed here are consider gems amongst the usual crap that most people tend to find without resorting to questionable methods. Any strings that may be attached to such downloads on this list are fully disclosed
1) Grand Theft Auto / 2
Website: www.RockStarGames.com/classics
Download Size: ~350 MB's each
Valid E-mail Address Required!
About 10 years after the release of Grand Theft Auto & Grand Theft Auto 2 for PC, Rockstar decided to allow the fans of their game (with the success of the Grand Theft Auto 3 series) to enjoy their original hits. Grand Theft Auto & Grand Theft Auto 2 have been updated to work in Windows XP without a disc (hence the large download size). They're complete with a manual (PDF format) & can be enjoyed without you spending a dime.
There is a catch to getting your hands on these titles. You'll need to fill out their forum WITH a valid e-mail address for two reasons. First, to ensure that you're at least 18 or older to download these games (as they're still rated "M" by the ESRB). Second, download links are tied to your e-mail address to restrict unauthorized downloads so that other websites can't overload their server. Despite this one string, it's still pretty painless for free commerical games & Rockstar Games will not spam you, so there's no headaches here.
2) King's Quest I / II
Website: www.AGDInteractive.com
Download Size: ~102 / ~321 MB's respectively
King's Quest series originated back in 1984 (that's 26 years ago) that was a challenging, but interesting game. Years later, A group of gamers started to remake the game back in 2001 under a fan license by Sierra Online. The remake where professionally done updated graphics, sounds & make it playable on current systems while maintaining the spirit of the game.
King's Quest I remake now features a "No Dead-Ends" option (as of version 4.0), which is better suited for newer players as it prevents players from running into dead-ends & making the game impossible to complete. This option was added mostly to make the game enjoyable for everybody as some players can get so frustrated that they can't finish the game because they pushed a boulder the wrong direction roughly 2 hours ago (for example). Purists can still play the game with this option disabled, so everybody can enjoy the game.
King's Quest II remake has similar updates, but doesn't feature the "No Dead-Ends" option (as of version 3.0). However, you'll most likely want to complete King's Quest I before starting King's Quest II for storyline continuity.
These games are available freely for download from the developer's website.
3) Maniac Mansion Deluxe
Website: None Available...
Download Size: ~6.5 MB's
Yes, it's another fan-remake of an old game, but the people who made it took care in updating the game. The game graphics mostly received a new coat of paint (mostly touch-ups from NES-era), updated music & sounds & a new game engine that'll work on modern systems. Other than that, the game works about the same as the original.
This isn't as professional than other fan remakes, but it's still one game that you can enjoy considering this one has multiple endings... which is a bit unusual for an old game.
4) Good Old Games -- Free Titles
Website: www.GOG.com
User Registration Required
Available Titles:
- Beneath a Steel Sky -- ~72 MB's Download
- Lure of the Temptress -- ~12 MB's Download
- Teen Agent -- ~8 MB's Download
Good Old Games is primarily a commercial game site that sells old PC games that have been updated to work on current systems without the disc. They vary their update support from basic workarounds (like using DOS Box with the original files) to more elaborate methods, but they guarentee that you can play the games on your system. While they normally charge around $3 to $10 per title, the three games listed are free to download & enjoy.
As Good Old Games is a commercial site, you will need to register an account & technically "Purchase" these titles to your account before you can download them. This is considered a minor issue as Good Old Games does occasionally send e-mails about sales they're having (which you can opt out of in your account), but you're getting the games for free & WITHOUT ANY DRM CRAP! The only catch is that you'll need to login to their site to download the games & any extra related content (manuals, guides, ect), but you can download any purchased titles as many times as you like from any computer.
5) SCUMM VM -- Free Titles
Website: www.SCUMMVM.com
Download Size: 3.5 MB for Core, plus titles
Available Titles:
- Flight of the Amazon Queen -- ~50 MB's Download
- Drascula: The Vampire Strikes Back -- ~32 MB's Download
SCUMM VM (Script Creation Utility for Maniac Mansion Virtual Machine) is a specialized emulator that allows you to run various point-n-click adventures that ran practically on the same engine (SCUMM). SCUMM VM uses the original game files, but runs the updated core so you can enjoy them on your system.
The developers of SCUMM VM have managed to secure the rights to 2 games that their program supports. While SCUMM VM & the game titles are a separate download, it's fairly easy to set up & run.
6) NetHack
Website: www.NetHack.org
Download Size: ~2 MB's + 0.2 MB's for Tile Pack
It's old, it's small & one of the most frustratingly difficult games of all times... but it's ABSOLUTELY FREE!
NetHack is an old Rogue-like RPG that slowly evolved over the years while remaining true to it's roots. While there's many variations & styles of this game, this is the hardcore game for hardcore gamers. It should take you about 2 years to properly finish the game, if you want to take that challenge.
For those who don't like the ASCII graphics should pick up the tile pack, which is a separate download, but makes the game much easier to view if you don't have a good imagination.
7) Secret Maryo Chronicles
Website: www.secretmaryo.com
Download Size: ~54 MB's + ~35 MB's for optional music
This is an open-source clone of Super Mario Brothers series, but the character names & artwork have been modified to comply with copyright laws. There's really no time limits to the stages, so you can take your time to explore each state. It includes it's own level editor, so you can make your stages (or recreate classic SMB stages) to enjoy.
The Music package is optional, but helps improve the experience of the game.
While I know that there's Super Tux out there, Super Tux is a bit more Linux flavor & doesn't seem to have the quality or options that Secret Maryo Chronicles tends to offer.
8) Simon Tatham's Puzzle Collection
Website: www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/puzzles/
Download Size: ~2.2 MB's for the entire collection or 0.15 MB's a piece
Simon Tatham's Puzzle Collection is a group of puzzle games that are designed to make you think a bit. While the interface is plain & simple, the challenges presented can be frustrating hard. All the puzzles are available freely & you can choose to download them separately or go with the entire group WITH the help file.
Popular puzzles like Black Box, Sudoku, Picross (called Patterns) & Mastermind (called Guess) are available. They're small in size, but big on entertainment & anti-productivity.
9) Atomic Tanks
Website: atanks.sourceforge.net
Download Size: ~3.2 MB's
Atomic Tanks is the open-source clone of Scorched Earth. It has many of the features of Scorched Earth, but it's updated to work on modern systems.
10) Scorched Earth 3D
Website: www.scorched3d.co.uk
Download Size: ~47 MB's
Scorched Earth 3D is the 3D version the classic game Scorched Earth. It has many of the options of Scorched Earth, but now in 3D! There's also mods that you can pick up to add more variety to the game. Online multiplayer support is included, but you'll either have to provide your own server or find a server to connect to.
11) Cave Story
Website: www.gameflaws.com/cavestory
Download Size: ~1.5 MB's for Basic, ~42 MB's for Deluxe
NOTE: Website listed is a Tribute site & NOT the official website, but it's easier to navigate than the original.
Cave Story is one game that actually made the jump from Cult PC hit to an actual WiiWare title. While you can spend the $12 (1200 NP's) on the WiiWare version, you can enjoy the original PC version of the game for free!
Before you balk at the difference in the download size, please note that the Basic package is just the game & the english patch while the Deluxe package contains the game (pre-patched) as well as other extras that are related to the game. While the extras may not be necessary, it does help flesh it out & gives you some icons to make it easy to play the game (as the basic package doesn't give you those... you have to make them yourself).
12) Stepmania
Website: www.stepmania.com
Download Size: ~10 MB's for core, extras downloads required... available separately
For those who love Dance Dance Revolution or In The Groove most likely have heard of it's Open Source cousin. Stepmania is THE PC simulator for the DDR / ITG series as you can play all the original songs (assuming you can find a place to download them) as well as try out some more independant songs created by others.
You'll need a pretty good computer to utilize all the bells & whistles as well as a few DDR pads (or modified PC controllers) for maximum enjoyment, but it's hard to find something that's free & has a community to keep content flowing.
13) Frets On Fire
Website: FretsOnFire.sourceforge.net
Download Size: ~33 MB's for core, extras downloads required... available separately
For those who prefer to rock instead of dance, we have you covered with the open source version of Guitar Hero called Frets on Fire. Frets on Fire does include a song importer utility program so you can pull the songs from the PS2 versions of Guitar Hero & import them into Frets on Fire (may want to do this overnight for each disc, as it's pretty time consuming), however, you may find it easier just to download the songs. The core program does include a tutorial & 3 unique songs to get started. You can find official Guitar Hero & Rock Band songs to download online, if you want to go that route, but there are some unique songs that can challenge you as well.
While you'll most likely need to get a Guitar Hero controller OR a gaming-quality keyboard (to support multiple key-presses, especially with 3-fret cords) & there's more manual work involved installing new songs, but it's still a very good game to enjoy!
14) PokerTH
Website: www.pokerth.net
Download Size: ~17 MB's
PokerTH is a Texas Hold 'em program for those who don't want to register on those Poker sites or prefer to play more privately with friends (or by yourself). The game supports up to 10 players, but only 7 online (at last check), table bankrolls up to $1,000,000 & is completely free to use without having to register for anything. The makers of the game designed it to work with Netbook screens (1024 x 600) so you can enjoy it practically where you want.
You may not play with the professional poker players through PokerTH, but you never have to worry about spam in your inbox or having to worry about procuring an in-network bankroll that the more professional sites tends to enforce in order to keep the newer (& weaker) players from joining. Just sit down at a table & play.
This should keep you gaming without having to spend a single cent on them... except for your internet connection, which you're already paying for. Anyways, I hope you enjoy these!
