Archive.org and Copyright
Archive.org is an organization that has taken on the mission to preserve our digital history. They are well known for many of their projects including the Way Back Machine and their historical software collection. The games listed here are part of their software preservation initiative. They have obtained special exemption from the Digital Millennium Copyright Act to ensure that software published on obsolete platforms are not lost to us. They are not in the public domain, or available under open access, instead they are free to use online. For more information about their work check out the links below.
Games
- Donkey Kong
Released in the arcades in 1981, Donkey Kong was not only Nintendo's first real smash hit for the company, but marked the introduction for two of their most popular mascots: Mario (originally "Jumpman") and Donkey Kong. Donkey Kong is a platform-action game that has Mario scale four different industrial themed levels (construction zone, cement factory, an elevator-themed level, and removing rivets from girders) in an attempt to save the damsel in distress, Pauline, from the big ape before the timer runs out. - Mario's Game Gallery
The game is a collection of board games, in which you play with Mario. He talks to you, playing Checkers, Go Fish, Dominoes, Backgammon, Yacht. Most of games can be played for Yoshis or Koopas - tribes of animals. - Ms. PacMan
In 1981, a sequel to Pac-Man was introduced in the form of his girlfriend, Ms. Pac-Man. This sequel continued on the "eat the dots/avoid the ghosts" gameplay of the original game, but added new features to keep the title fresh. Like her boyfriend, Ms. Pac-Man attempts to clear four various and challenging mazes filled with dots and ever-moving bouncing fruit while avoiding Inky, Blinky, Pinky and Sue, each with their own personalities and tactics. - Oregon Trail
As a covered wagon party of pioneers, you head out west from Independence, Missouri to the Willamette River and valley in Oregon. You first must stock up on provisions, and then, while traveling, make decisions such as when to rest, how much food to eat, etc. The Oregon Trail incorporates simulation elements and planning ahead, along with discovery and adventure, as well as mini-game-like activities (hunting and floating down the Dalles River). - Q*bert
Q*bert /ˈkjuːbərt/ is an arcade video game developed and published by Gottlieb in 1982. It is a 2D action game with puzzle elements that uses "isometric" graphics to create a pseudo-3D effect, and serves as a precursor to the isometric platformer genre. The object is to change the color of every cube in a pyramid by making the on-screen character hop on top of the cube while avoiding obstacles and enemies. - Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego
This time you continue to catch Carmen Sandiego and her american gang in the U.S.A. Breaking from jail somewhere in Europe, she comes to yankees to steal their treasures. You as ACME detective have to travel from town to town on the tail of suspect, using clues and collecting evidences, which allow you to put suspect to jail finally. The words of witnesses are clues for you only if you have basical geographical and historical knowledge. This version is enhanced with VGA graphics, Network support, mouse and joystick support, and detailed descriptions of suspects. Also you have to answer correctly the doc check question to acquire a new rank.
