20 Abandonware Games That Deserve A Steam Release

A lot of classics slipped through the cracks of modern storefronts, either because studios closed or licensed content got too complicated, and that means new players can’t discover them easily on PC. These games still have active communities sharing tips, patches, and memories, but there is no official way to buy them on today’s major platforms. Preserving them with a proper release would make them easier to run, keep them available legally, and help secure their history for the long term. Here are twenty notable titles people still ask about, along with the basics of who made them and why they are hard to find today.

The Operative: No One Lives Forever

Monolith Productions released this stealth-spy shooter in 2000 with Fox Interactive publishing on PC. The game mixes gadgets, undercover missions, and 1960s style across a lengthy campaign and expansion content. Rights are famously tangled among multiple companies after studio acquisitions, which has blocked a modern digital release for years. Fans maintain compatibility guides and fixes, but there is no official purchase option on current stores.

The Simpsons: Hit & Run

Radical Entertainment shipped this open world adaptation in 2003 for consoles and PC through Vivendi Universal Games. It uses a mission structure and exploration that lets players drive across familiar Springfield locations with a large licensed soundtrack and voice cast. Digital stores do not offer it, and the television license changed owners after corporate mergers. Community projects demonstrate technical upgrades, but an official PC reissue has never appeared.

Black & White

Lionhead Studios created this 2001 god game for PC with Electronic Arts as publisher. Players raise a giant creature, manage villages, and cast spells using a gesture system that was unusual for the time. Lionhead closed in 2016 and the series is not sold on modern storefronts. The lack of a supported release leaves players relying on workarounds to run it on new operating systems.

Clive Barker’s Undying

This 2001 horror shooter from DreamWorks Interactive and Electronic Arts launched on PC with a story overseen by the author. It blends spellcasting with firearms and a setting built around a cursed family estate. The game has fan patches for widescreen support and stability on current hardware. It is not available on Steam, and no official update has addressed modern compatibility issues across the board.

Driver: San Francisco

Ubisoft Reflections released this entry in 2011 for PC and consoles through Ubisoft. It features a unique body-swap mechanic that lets players jump between cars during high speed chases across a recreated San Francisco. Music and vehicle licensing have been cited by players as likely hurdles and the title was delisted from major stores years ago. There is no current way to buy it new on Steam despite continued interest.

Scarface: The World Is Yours

Radical Entertainment developed this 2006 crime action game for consoles and PC under the Vivendi label. It offers city territory systems, businesses, and a large licensed soundtrack tied to the film’s setting. Ownership and music licensing became complex after corporate changes, and it never returned to digital storefronts. Physical copies remain the main route for collectors, which limits access for most players.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

EA Redwood Shores released this hack and slash adaptation in 2003 for consoles and PC through Electronic Arts. It includes co-op play, film footage, and voice work from the movie cast. The classic EA era of Middle-earth games is not sold on today’s PC stores due to expired licenses. Interest resurges around anniversaries, but there is still no official Steam option.

The Punisher

Volition shipped this 2005 action game on PC and consoles with THQ as publisher. It features interrogation systems and locations pulled from Marvel storylines of the time. Licensing has shifted since release and the original version has not returned to storefronts. Players typically rely on community fixes to keep the PC edition running.

The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction

Radical Entertainment launched this open world title in 2005 for PlayStation 2, GameCube, and Xbox with Vivendi Universal Games. The design focuses on traversal, environmental destruction, and comic inspired boss fights. Despite demand, it never had an official PC release that could be sold on modern platforms. The combination of character and music licenses is a likely obstacle to any reissue.

MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat

Activision released this landmark mecha simulation in 1995 for DOS and later Windows, with multiple expansion packs. It features cockpit level controls, heat management, and a dynamic battle setting within the BattleTech universe. Rights have moved across companies over the years, complicating a straightforward re-release of the original versions. Players today use community installers and preserved discs rather than a supported storefront build.

The Movies

Lionhead Studios delivered this simulation in 2005 for PC with Activision as publisher. It lets players run a film studio, manage staff, and create custom scenes that can be exported as short movies. After the closure of Lionhead, the title disappeared from digital stores and never returned. Compatibility tweaks exist, but there is no modern purchase path on Steam.

James Bond 007: Nightfire

EA published this 2002 shooter on PC and consoles with development by several studios for different platforms. The game combines original levels with film inspired set pieces and a popular multiplayer component. The Bond license has changed hands and the EA catalogue for this series is not offered on today’s PC stores. Fans typically rely on community patches for widescreen and online play.

Spider-Man 2

Activision released this 2004 open world superhero game on multiple consoles and a separate PC version with different technology. The console editions are remembered for web swinging mechanics tied to physics and city traversal. Licensing changes and the closure of related studios mean no official digital release is available now. A new PC edition has never been offered on Steam.

OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast

SEGA launched this arcade racer in 2006 on PC and consoles with online features and Ferrari licensed vehicles. It expands the classic checkpoint structure with mission modes and a large route system. The game was delisted from stores after licensing agreements expired, and the PC version became difficult to obtain legally. Community fixes address modern controller and resolution support, but there is no official store build.

Blur

Bizarre Creations shipped this combat racing title in 2010 for PC and consoles under Activision. It mixes realistic car models with arcade power-ups and robust online modes. After the studio closed, the game was removed from digital storefronts and never returned. Players now rely on old keys and community servers, which limits access.

Split/Second

Black Rock Studio released this 2010 racer for PC and consoles through Disney Interactive. Its tracks include set piece events that alter the layout mid race, which was a standout feature at launch. The game was delisted from major storefronts and has not received compatibility updates. Official online services were discontinued, leaving only community solutions.

Transformers: Fall of Cybertron

High Moon Studios developed this 2012 third person action game for PC and consoles with Activision publishing. It continues the Cybertron narrative with campaign and co-op modes separate from film tie-ins. Licensing changes led to the title being removed from stores and it has not returned with updated support. Physical copies and existing keys are the only practical route for most players.

The Godfather

EA Redwood Shores delivered this 2006 open world crime game for PC and consoles with cast likenesses and a territory system. It adapts film locations and introduces an original player character who interacts with key scenes. The game is not available on current digital storefronts due to licensing and catalogue changes over time. Running it on modern PCs usually requires manual tweaks.

Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed

EA released this 2000 racing simulator for PC and PlayStation with a focus on Porsche models across decades. Career modes track historical vehicles and include factory driving challenges. The single manufacturer license and age of the technology have kept it off modern stores. Players maintain community patches for high resolutions and controllers while waiting for an official return.

Peter Jackson’s King Kong

Ubisoft published this 2005 action adventure for PC and consoles developed by Ubisoft Montpellier. It uses a no-HUD presentation with segments that switch between first person exploration and third person creature encounters. The game vanished from digital stores as licenses lapsed and has not been reissued. Compatibility fixes exist, but there is no supported way to buy it on Steam.

Share the classics you want to see officially preserved and tell us which one you would pick first in the comments.