Before digital downloads, finding the best Mac games wasn’t always easy.
Sep 13, 2017 By the way, if you want to stay on top of all the latest Mac games updates, retro or modern, make sure you check out Pure Mac. The 10 Best old games for Mac: Revisiting the classics For the record, old-school classics are not exclusive to older gamers. Feb 01, 2020 The 100 Best Mac Games today. Perhaps you’re a casual gamer, or perhaps you are convinced your Mac is too old to play modern games. In any case, start with a few free games and see how it goes. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. Do you think I missed a very good Mac game already available? Let me know in the comments section.
They were out there, but the Mac section of the computer game stores (they used to have those) seemed to stock nothing but “Mario Teaches Typing,” and the games that included Mac and Windows versions would inevitably be scattered around the “PC” sections of the store.
As such, compiling a list of the best classic Mac games is pretty tough.
That didn’t stop us from doing it. And because we want you to actually play these games, we made sure you can still buy them all in either their original form or as enhanced editions (not remakes). It also means some of our favorite old Mac games—such as Myth, Red Baron, and Fallout—didn’t make the list.
By the way, if you want to stay on top of all the latest Mac games updates, retro or modern, make sure you check out Pure Mac.
The 10 Best old games for Mac: Revisiting the classics
Avernum is an underground prison, and of course, your adventure begins when you’re exiled there from the surface world, known as the Empire. But Avernum isn’t simply a prison; an entire culture exists in this subterranean world, presenting you with myriad options on what to do next. With numerous quests, spells, and party members to customize and control, Avernum unfolds with the freedom of pencil and paper adventures.
Avernum: The Complete Saga gives you a ridiculous amount of content and a cohesive story arc that’s tremendously satisfying. The graphics are rudimentary, but Avernum is very satisfying if you can overlook that.
Another name synonymous with Mac gaming back in the ‘90s was Ambrosia Software. You simply didn’t know a Mac user who didn’t have at least one Ambrosia game on her PowerPC.Perhaps their most fondly remembered title is EV Nova, the third game in the Escape Velocity series. A space exploration and combat game, EV Nova is set amongst warring factions scattered throughout the Milky Way. Consider it Divergent amongst the stars, as you will select your faction then find your role in it.
Gameplay involves jumping between star systems to accept and execute missions, upgrade your ship, and wreck havoc. There are six major storylines and plenty of branching missions, and how you get involved is up to you. That leads to plenty of replay options.
It’s still easy to get overwhelmed by EV Nova despite its age, but Ambrosia offers plenty of resources at the company’s website.
Our second sci-fi first-person shooter to make the list finds you waking from cryostasis to a ship full of unknown aliens, a screwed up AI, and your now zombified companions. Fair enough. We’ve been through this before, so pick up the weapons and health packs and have at it, right?Wrong. System Shock 2 doesn’t give you a lot of weapons or health packs. Rather, it gives you an RPG-like system of upgrades that forces you to use strategy, stealth, and the environment to survive.
What really separates System Shock 2 from its peers is the ship itself. It’s creepy and oppressive, and you’ll be more afraid of what could be around the corner than what actually is. Story elements are revealed through logs left by the crew, limiting your knowledge of what’s going on in a manner that reinforces how alone you are.
Another game produced by Peter Molyneux, Syndicate Plus is a real-time tactical action game in which you lead a team of cyborg mercenaries in the “problem-solving” department of the Syndicate.When you hear the term “cyborg” you just know there are going to be plenty of customization options via augmentations. You will use these to create a team that moves through futuristic locations to achieve your employer’s objectives.
Although there’s plenty to address between missions, it’s the execution of those missions that is most fun. The citizens and their belongings (cars, for example) are there to suit your purposes, should you need them. Your radar tells you where you need to go, but the direct route isn’t always best. If you need some extra help you can “persuade” the people around to help get the job done.
Best of all, the music and sound effects were incredibly effective for the time. The music that suddenly kicks in when you’re spotted will follow me for the rest of my life.
I gave up on the Star Wars movies about 25 minutes into Return of the Jedi, and I’ve never been able to get back into it. I still quite enjoy the games, however, and my all time favorite is 1994’s TIE Fighter from LucasArts.This is because of the excellent story that drives the mission-based flight-sim combat, because of the smooth graphics, and because it was the first time I got to serve the Empire. The missions are what you’d expect from any competent flight sim, asking you to engage in dogfights, take down freighters, protect your own vessels, etc. But because you’re now facing off against the whiney Rebellion, there’s a certain evil glee that goes along with it.
I’m also impressed by TIE Fighter’s staying-power. The gameplay is every bit as intense (and difficult) as it was in the mid-90s, and the space combat graphics are still very cool to view. Just make sure you play it with a joystick. Trust me on this.
There was a time when Bungie Studios was the shining light of Mac gaming. With Mac-only (or at least Mac-first) games such as Myth and Oni, they were the one company that made Windows owners jealous of Mac gamers.But then Microsoft bought them to claim Halo, and that shining light was snuffed out forever.
Mac gamers can still see what made Bungie so special by playing the Marathon Trilogy. This revolutionary series of sci-fi themed first-person shooters introduced features such as real-time voice chat and the ability to wield two weapons at once. The multiplayer options may not do you much good today, but the action and the story are every bit as entertaining as they were in the ’90s.
Honestly, Marathon would be higher on this list were it not for the steps required to grab it. The games are free, but you’ll need to install Aleph One (the free, open source continuation of Bungie’s Marathon 2 FPS game engine) to run them.
“But what if this was set in space?” is a valid question for every video game ever made…even games that are already set in space. That’s because space makes everything so much bigger and more imaginative. And the time this worked best was when Sid Meier took Civilization interstellar with Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri.The turn-based strategy elements all remained. You choose from seven factions, then research an unexplored planet, build new technologies and customize your units, and conquer anything hostile (or friendly, if that suits you) to claim victory.
The fun thing about Alpha Centauri is that none of the factions are bad guys. No matter which you select, you feel like you’re doing the right thing when you conquer the others.
Still, why bother playing this when there are many modern alternatives available on the Mac? Because the only thing missing in Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri are the flashy graphics. The writing, voice-acting, and depth of gameplay options are still among the best the genre has ever seen.
For our next game, we go all the way back to the ’80s with Bullfrog’s Populous from Peter Molyneux. If it’s not the first “god” game out there, it’s the first that made god gaming so gleefully fun.In Populous, you’re given an isometric view of your world and tasked with manipulating this world to help your “followers” wipe out the enemy. More followers lead to more mana, more mana leads to more powers, and more powers mean earthquakes, volcanos, and all kinds of fun ways to punish the non-believers.
There are many similar games available now, most of which are much more involved and rewarding. So, why bother going back to 1989 for the original Populous? Because it’s still fun. It also contains a whopping 500 levels, and the rudimentary graphics create an odd connection with your followers. It’s more like developer and programs than God and subjects.
Those looking to relive the original adventure in this real-time fantasy RPG are in for a treat. The enhanced edition—released in April of this year—comes with the original version from 1999.No matter which version you’ll play, you are the Nameless One. A name like that means life isn’t good, and the horrors of lives you can’t remember are coming back to haunt you. Worse, a floating skull named Morte is leading your adventure that will take you to the very depths of Hell.
The characters you can recruit in Planescape: Torment are highly non-traditional, including a crossbow-wielding cube and a haunted suit of armor. You’re free to change your class and alignment throughout the 50+ hour adventure, so you’re not stuck with one way of thinking as with most RPGs of this time.
Here’s a case where the enhanced edition of a game expertly accomplishes its goal; it reminds fans of why they loved the original while making the game accessible to modern gamers.Why? To start, the remastered graphics lovingly reflect the look of the original, serving mainly to make them look sharp on today’s much larger monitors. The enhanced edition also adds four new characters you can simply ignore if you want to remain faithful to the original, and it builds Shadows of Amn and Throne of Baal right into the package. There’s now a multiplayer option, too.
The reason Baldur’s Gate II is so fondly remembered is because of the excellent story and well-balanced combat. As you’d expect from a Forgotten Realms-based game, you can play through as the good guy, the bad guy, or someone in between. Your actions affect how NPCs and members of your own party see you and will open and close quests and other options.
Good RPGs create worlds you don’t just want to play through, but live in. And in that regard, Baldur’s Gate II is one of the most successful of all time.
The thing about putting together a list of the best classic Mac games is that it’s constantly changing. More games become “classic” each year, but it’s more than that. Countless games bubble just under the surface, waiting to be rediscovered or to get their “enhanced” edition to lift them back into the consciousness of Mac gamers. And with the ease of digital distribution, don’t be surprised if we’re soon talking about more of our favorites.In the meantime, can someone remind me why the Mac versions of Fallout and Fallout 2 disappeared again?
Disclaimer: Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase, I will earn a commission (this is how we pay the bills). This commission comes at no additional cost to you.
Please understand that I only mention games because I believe they’re interesting, good, and/or fun. Never because I received a free copy or to earn a small commission.
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- The Amazon Trail
Description of The Amazon Trail
In 1993, MECC publishes The Amazon Trail on DOS. Also published on Mac, this adventure, educational and simulation game is abandonware and is set in an ecology / nature, fishing, geography, history, sailing / boating and licensed title.
Following the Oregon Trail success, MECC created the Amazon Trail, an adventure where the player must sail the Amazon to discover an inca village.
The player will learn many aspect of the forest, especially the dangerous ones.
Captures and Snapshots
Screenshots from MobyGames.com
Comments and reviews
SexyBagel2019-04-140 point
Why is this game harder than I remember and how come I can't use my machete :'D
bob2018-08-010 point
please i just want to play amazon trail i have lost everything
gotthavok2018-06-270 point Mac version
.sit files are the zip files of the older (mid-90s-early 00s) mac OSs, you need an emulator to unzip and play within it, i suggest SheepShaver
KevDog152015-11-07-2 points
Remember play'n this as a kid at the school's computer lab ALOT! Just wonder'n, I have a Windows 7 operating system... Does this game run on it OK?
jesse2015-06-170 point Mac version
Old Mac Games 2000s
I opened the sit file with the program 'The Unarchiver' but couldn't find out what to do with the img file after that. I don't know what program to use to mount it. I just downloaded the version for DOS instead.
SQUARE2015-05-190 point Mac version
I am having problems because the game is compressed as a .sit file. Can't find a way to open it
SQUARE2015-05-140 point Mac version
I am having problems because the game is compressed as a .sit file. Can't find a way to open it
Heath2014-03-22-1 point DOS version
Hey :) Is there any chance I can play this on an iPad? I managed to download it using a zip app but I'm not sure how to actually open the game (if it's possible). Thanks :)
RS2014-02-050 point DOS version
Too bad this one doesn't have the voices
fffffffffff2014-01-17-1 point DOS version
i just realised that we actually do travel in time in the game. that's why the people tell different dates
J.2014-01-060 point DOS version
Yes, Dan, my bad.
Dan2013-08-134 points DOS version
I have the CD version, and it ran with full functionality in Win 95 & 98. I lost sound & some game functions in XP. Even if you run it successfully without an emulator, the river and fishing modes will run too fast on a modern system. My preferred method is to run Win 3.1 inside DOSbox and play it there. That solves all sound and speed issues. You can also run Win 95 or 98 as a virtual machine inside Windows 7/8/Vista, or even on a Mac, at a reduced speed.
@Fred: This is actually the first edition of Amazon Trail. The second was actually an early-release version of the third.
@ Fred2013-05-010 point DOS version
The version you're thinking of is Amazon Trail: 3rd Edition. The version they have on here is the 2nd Edition.
Dougie2013-04-290 point DOS version
Wow. Every comment beneath this one is genuinely useless.
Defender2013-04-140 point DOS version
D-fend Reloaded makes DOSbox easier to use.
http://dfendreloaded.sourceforge.net/
rikka2013-02-120 point DOS version
woow that is very nice
NACALAL2012-04-300 point DOS version
You can run this on a WIN XP/2000 without dos box (I think)
Fred2011-12-191 point DOS version
I remember this game having voice-overs. is there a link to a download that has the voice-overs in them?
EvLo2011-11-180 point DOS version
guys just follow the below instructions
Deadbolt_Don2011-10-310 point DOS version
there's no need to give up so easily. There are plenty of tutorials for DOSbox online that I've found very helpful. It's really not that hard.
gringo2011-10-190 point DOS version
if you don't know how to run this game, then it's not the game you would like to play.do you know what does the 320*240 resolution look like? do you know anything about DOS?
if all answers are no, then get back to your console dude !
DOSKING2011-07-310 point DOS version
Use DOSBOX to play these games, people. Will not work without...
iphx2011-07-140 point DOS version
i'm using window 7 and it said that it's not compatible. what to do? i wanna play this game so bad. i've been looking for this game since the last time i played in 1997.
legendman32011-02-200 point DOS version
Its 64 bit and just use dosbox to play these games :/ I use that and its just fine
Jordan2011-02-100 point DOS version
For all those having trouble playing these games, scroll to the bottom of this page! Follow one of the links under 'How to play abandonwares.' You have to install a program called D-Fend Reloaded; there is a step by step guide provided by this website for where you should extract the .zip files so that you can play them. I'm on x64 Windows 7 and The Oregon Trail works excellently! :D
soldiergirl842011-02-020 point DOS version
I'm using Windows 7, and all I get is 'cannot execute' and then it gives me the file path. What gives?
Anne2011-01-190 point DOS version
Nobody's talking. ;A; The jaguar isn't talking to me in his deep, creepy, mildly rapey voice any more.
I feel a little betrayed by my childhood.
Still, thanks for uploading!
Jess2010-12-260 point DOS version
I have Windows Vista and it won't install, and it said that it's not compatible with 62 bit?
childhood memories2010-11-300 point DOS version
its freezing for me during the first little cutscene where it says 'in your bedroom in peru' and theres a megadeth poster with a toucan superimposed over it... cant even get into the good stuff!
Nick2010-11-200 point DOS version
How the heck is this supposed to play? I have it loaded, but get the to the main screen (pic 3) and don't get the icons on the bottom to start the game.
mikek2010-11-040 point DOS version
i used to love this game when i was younger so i decided to try to play it agian
Okay, seriously.2010-04-100 point DOS version
If you don't know what an 'emulator' is, please look it up. Also, you must know basic DOS commands.
Crazyjew922009-11-190 point DOS version
@amazon
Try running it on Dos-Box
amazon2009-10-140 point DOS version
Amazon Mac Game Old Version
has anyone been able to play it on windows 7, i cant seem to play it because it says i need a different bit. A 32 bit.
Kerry2009-09-120 point DOS version
This was my favorite childhood game, the nostalgia.. Fantastic educational game, been looking for it all over. Thanks for uploading!
Shorty2009-06-010 point DOS version
What stinks is in the original game you could tel what the fudge you were canoeing on. here you can't tell if it's a whirlpool, a log or an animal...and the people don't have sound clips anymore...lame
conman2009-05-240 point DOS version
im havin the same freezing problem.
CraigBrian2009-01-050 point DOS version
works for me first open SETUP.BAT and adjust the settings then open AMAZON.EXE
my settings to make the volume work were Music: Roland MT-32 or Compatible
Sound: Sound blaster
admin2008-11-210 point DOS version
Download works perfectly :)
swade2008-11-020 point DOS version
it wont download and its not my labtop messin up this is fuckin lame
Therror2008-10-050 point DOS version
LEEROY!!
barny2008-09-260 point DOS version
i love this game but i downloaded this and it dissipeared
Zerrah2008-09-170 point DOS version
Amazon Mac Game Old Computer
I downloaded it but it didn't work. it only got about 5 seconds into it and froze
Amazon Mac Game Old Version
Twam2008-05-120 point DOS version
I feel old.
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Download The Amazon Trail
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DOS Version
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Mac Version
Amazon Mac Game Old Computer
- Year:1997
- Publisher:The Learning Company, Inc.
- Developer:The Learning Company, Inc.
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