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An Introduction to Abandonware Games

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What is Abandonware?

In this Lens you will read about the basics of abandonware, the legal issues which are attached to this term, and of course, places to find abandonware.

Please note: Abandonware is not considered "warez" and you shouldn';t expect to find newer games or applications on abandonware websites.  Sometimes you can find old versions of programs, but chances are if they are allowing you to download recently released software, it is piracy, which as you may or may not know,  is illegal.

 

Again, abandonware is not the same as warez.

So what is "abandonware" you ask?

Donkey Kong

Abandonware is a term used to describe computer software that is no longer sold or supported, or whose copyright ownership may be unclear for various reasons. While the term has been applied largely to older games, other classes of software (such as productivity applications or utility software) are sometimes described as such.

Definitions of "abandoned" vary; generally, it refers to software no longer available for legal purchase, or of a certain age. Software companies may change their names, go bankrupt, enter into mergers, or cease to exist for a variety of reasons. When this happens, product rights are usually transferred to another company that may not sell or support the software acquired.

In most cases, software classed as abandonware is not in the public domain, as it has never had its original copyright revoked.

- Wikipedia

Console Wars

Which is best?

Console Battle!

And aged old debate from an older generation of gamers. Nintendo vs Sega!

Which classic console is better?

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Sega Genesis

Super Nintendo

james says:

rock and roll racing on super nintendo rules!standout

Posted January 20, 2012

Dustbunnyodoom says:

I come from a nintendo family, what can I say?

Posted December 27, 2010

thedan1984 says:

Squaresoft RPGs are enough to side me with SNES!

Posted December 26, 2010

 

Classic Games Videos

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Find Abandonware...

websites which offer abandonware game downloads...

Old School Apps
Old School Apps & Games is an abandonware site which hosts hundreds of downloadable abandonware games as well as an online arcade with over 100 Nintendo (NES) games to play in your browser. Definitely worth checking this site out if you want quick entertainment without downloading or installing any programs.
XTC Abandonware
XTC Abandonware has been serving the abandonware community for over a decade now. They have a pretty full collection of games and lots of media files and user comments.
Vimm's Lair
Vimm's Lair is the home of the first and largest Nintendo manual scanning project on the internet. They have a fairly active message board and an old game shop as well as downloadable games (some of these games are ROMs which are not the same as abandonware, the legal ruling on ROMs is less favorable than abandonware).
Video Game Museum
This website doesn't offer downloads, but instead box shots, game pictures, and bulk media on almost every video game ever released. There name is rather fitting, if you're a gamer, you owe these guys at least 5 minutes of your time!
RetroGaming Round Up
A fantastic, 5 hour long podcast released every month by three dedicated retro gamers. Discussions include hardware flashbacks, exclusive interviews, and monthly top 10 lists for classic games
Basement Arcade - Retro Coin Op
Latest in support for the collector of classic arcade video games. See my collection!. Hear the sounds of the arcade in our sound page, Links & manuals are here too in this retro gaming site

Classic Gaming on Amazon.com

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thedan1984

I'm a Freelance Web Designer and Internet Specialist from Albany, New York. I dabble in Internet Marketing while working on websites for private clie... more »

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