Al-Qadim: The Genie’s Curse (1994): D&D Goes to Zakhara
A Different Corner of the D&D Map Published by Capstone and SSI in 1994, Al-Qadim: The Genie’s Curse set itself […]
Retro Gaming
Dungeon Hack (1993): SSI’s Roguelike Detour
An Unusual Choice for a Licensed AD&D Game Most of SSI’s AD&D catalog in the early ’90s was built around
Ravenloft: Stone Prophet (1995): Trading Gothic Horror for Desert Curses
Leaving Barovia Behind DreamForge Intertainment followed up Ravenloft: Strahd’s Possession with Stone Prophet in 1995, and the boldest decision the
CGA, EGA, VGA: The Hardware History of DOS Graphics
How IBM’s CGA, EGA, and VGA cards evolved from 4 colors to 262,000 — plus the Tandy/PCjr trick and composite color hack developers used to beat them.
AdLib vs. Sound Blaster: The DOS Sound Card War
How AdLib and Creative Labs fought for DOS gaming audio, and why Wolfenstein 3D sounded different depending on your sound card.
Warcraft II (1995): Blizzard’s Rise and the C&C Rivalry
How a twice-renamed studio called Blizzard beat Command & Conquer’s three-month head start to help define the real-time strategy genre.
Clouds of Xeen (1992): The RPG Built to Merge in Two
How Might and Magic IV: Clouds of Xeen was engineered to merge with its sequel into one world, plus DOSBox setup and early-game tips.
King’s Quest I (1984): Sierra’s IBM PCjr Showcase
IBM commissioned King’s Quest to sell its failed PCjr computer. Roberta Williams’ game outlived the hardware and invented the graphic adventure.
Eye of the Beholder (1991): SSI’s Real-Time D&D Gamble
Eye of the Beholder ditched SSI’s turn-based Gold Box formula for real-time combat under Waterdeep — here’s how Westwood’s D&D debut still plays.
Leisure Suit Larry: 1987 vs. 1991 VGA Remake Compared
How Al Lowe’s 1987 comedy adventure became a 1991 VGA remake — plus the real story behind its famous age-verification trivia quiz.
Star Wars: X-Wing (1993): LucasArts’ Real 3D Space Sim
How X-Wing’s real-time 3D polygon ships beat Wing Commander’s sprite tricks, and how its power-triangle combat holds up against TIE Fighter.
10 Apogee Games That Are Actually Freeware in 2026
Not every “free” Apogee game really is. Ten DOS classics verified as complete, unrestricted freeware — plus four famous names we deliberately cut.