Apogee Software built their empire on a simple promise: the first episode is always free. Decades later, that promise has been extended to their entire catalog — virtually everything Apogee published is now available as freeware. With over 50 games to choose from, where do you start? Here are the ten best Apogee games you can download and play right now, completely free and legally.
1. Duke Nukem II (1993)
The peak of Apogee’s 2D output. Duke Nukem II is a masterclass in side-scrolling action design — faster, more colorful, and more technically impressive than almost anything released in 1993. The shareware episode is generous and showcases everything the full game offers. If you play one Apogee game, make it this one.
2. Duke Nukem (1991)
Before the sequel, before 3D — the original. Duke Nukem’s debut is a tight, well-designed platformer that established the character who would define Apogee’s identity for a decade. Shorter and simpler than the sequel but essential for understanding where the franchise came from.
3. Dark Ages (1991)
Apogee’s most visually distinctive early platformer. Prince Gareth’s medieval fantasy adventure has better animation and more atmospheric presentation than most of its contemporaries. The fantasy setting gives it an identity that stands apart from Apogee’s sci-fi and adventure games.
4. Monuments of Mars (1991)
The best of George Broussard’s trilogy. The Mars setting gave him creative freedom that resulted in his most varied and interesting level design before Duke Nukem. A fascinating snapshot of where Apogee’s design language was heading just before Commander Keen arrived and changed everything.
5. Mystic Towers (1994)
The most charming game in Apogee’s library. Baron Baldric is a grumbling old wizard clearing monsters from haunted towers — a concept with warmth and humor that stands apart from Apogee’s usual action-heavy output. The resource management loop is genuinely engaging.
6. Math Rescue (1992)
The best educational DOS game ever made. Apogee’s polish applied to an arithmetic platformer created something genuinely fun for children of all ages — proof that educational games don’t have to be boring. Still remarkably effective decades later.
7. Arctic Adventure (1991)
George Broussard’s second game and his most refined pre-Duke Nukem work. The icy setting introduces movement mechanics that make the platforming more technically demanding than Pharaoh’s Tomb, and the level design reflects a designer rapidly improving his craft.
8. Pharaoh’s Tomb (1990)
Where it all began. George Broussard’s debut is the earliest example of the Apogee house style — exploration-focused platforming with a strong theme and generous shareware content. Historically essential and still fun to play.
9. Word Rescue (1992)
The companion to Math Rescue applies the same winning formula to vocabulary development. Equally well-made, equally effective, and equally fun by the standards of educational game design. Together, Math and Word Rescue represent Apogee’s most successful non-action output.
10. Blake Stone: Planet Strike (1994)
The most unfairly overlooked Apogee FPS. Planet Strike arrived the same month as Doom and was immediately forgotten — but it is a genuinely excellent Wolf3D-engine game with tighter design and better level construction than most competitors. A hidden gem that deserves rediscovery.
→ Play Blake Stone: Planet Strike
All of these games are completely free and legal to download. Apogee’s entire classic catalog has been released as freeware — a remarkable gift to gaming history. Start with Duke Nukem II if you want the best Apogee action experience; start with Mystic Towers if you want something more relaxed. Either way, you are in for some of the finest DOS gaming the era produced.