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9th November 2022
I have provided a non-exhaustive list of helpful links for anyone that wants to play open source games. I made this list for fun, and everything I have listed is available free of charge.
I have not included links to abandonware or ROM sites, because they are legally ambiguous and upset rights holders. It would certainly be unfortunate if you somehow found them all by yourself. ;)
You should only use these open source emulators with software programs and video games that you already own, or have owned at some point.
Basilisk II (68k Apple Macintosh)
Dolphin (Nintendo Gamecube and Wii games consoles)
DOSBox (x86 IBM PC compatibles)
ScummVM (80s and 90s text adventures)
SheepShaver (PPC Apple Macintosh)
Xemu (Original XBOX games console)
You can purchase DRM-free copies of old PC games, from online stores like GOG, that have already been patched for modern systems. You can also still download freeware and shareware games from non-profit hobbyist websites, such as DOSGames.com.
If you have an old computer running Windows 98/ME, you can run more modern Windows 2000/XP applications on it by using an open source emulation layer called KernelEx.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/kernelex/
In the absence of modern ports for classic games, enthusiasts have worked together to create their own. You usually need game files from the original installation media, but some engines provide a mechanism to install royalty-free assets.
Commander Genius (modern game engine for the Commander Keen series)
CorsixTH (modern game engine for Theme Hospital)
Daggerfall Unity (modern game engine for The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall)
dheum3 (source port for the original version of Doom 3)
Exult (modern game engine for Ultima VII)
ezQuake (modern QuakeWorld online multiplayer client)
GZDoom (source port for Doom and Doom II)
Micropolis (relicensed and modified version of the original SimCity)
MicropolisJS (modern browser-based cloned of the original SimCity)
OpenClonk (relicensed and modified final entry in the Clonk series)
OpenMW (modern game engine for The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind)
OpenRA (modern game engine for Command & Conquer: Red Alert with royalty-free assets)
OpenRCT2 (modern game engine for Rollercoaster Tycoon 2)
OpenTESArena (modern game engine for The Elder Scrolls: Arena)
OpenTTD (modern game engine for Transport Tycoon Deluxe with royalty-free assets)
OpenXCOM (modern game engine for UFO: Enemy Unknown / XCOM: UFO Defence)
OpenTyrian (relicensed and modified version of Tyrian with optional freeware assets)
Remnants of the Precursors (modern remake for Master of Orion)
ScummVM (modern game engine for many ’80s and ’90s text adventure games)
The Ur-Quan Masters (relicensed and modified version of Star Control II)
VMCI (modern game engine for Heroes of Might and Magic III)
Yamagi Quake II (source port for Quake II)
If you no longer have the physical install media for some of these titles, or you cannot find an equivalent for a suitable price on eBay, then you can often re-buy modern digital versions on GOG or Steam. You may also want to consider using emulation software instead for some old games.
Many classic games have inspired enthusiasts to clone or remix them, and even pursue their own ideas for creating new games in the same genre. The fruits of their labour can often be just as fun to play as the original titles, and often have a thriving online community supporting them as well.
0 A.D. (inspired by Age of Empires)
Beyond All Reason (inspired by Total Annihilation)
Bomberclone (inspired by Bomberman)
Endless Sky (inspired by the Escape Velocity series)
Flightgear (intended as an alternative to Microsoft Flight Simulator)
FreeCiv (inspired by the first three Sid Meier's Civilization games)
FreeCol (inspired by Sid Meier’s Colonization)
FreeOrion (inspired by the Master of Orion series)
Frets on Fire (inspired by Guitar Hero)
Lincity-NG (inspired by SimCity 3000)
Minetest (inspired by Minecraft)
Oolite (inspired by Frontier: Elite II)
Pioneer (inspired by Frontier: Elite II)
Unciv (inspired by Sid Meier's Civilization V)
Unknown Horizons (inspired by the Anno series)
Widelands (inspired by The Settlers II)
If you enjoy these games, remember to reach out to the developers so that you can thank them for their hard work and give generously on their donation pages.
These Linux games do not fit any of the other categories on this page, but they are too good to leave out in my opinion.
Battle for Wesnoth (turn-based fantasy-themed strategy game)
Extreme Tux Racer (time trial game where you slide a penguin down a hill)
Frozen Bubble (puzzle game with a thumping soundtrack)
MegaGlest (unique 3D RTS game with both historical & fantasy factions)
SuperTuxKart (multiplayer kart racing game with FLOSS mascots)