Internet Archive Archives

Winsage

December 31, 2025

Play Classic Microsoft Tetris for Windows 3.11 in Your Browser

The Internet Archive hosts the full version of Microsoft’s Tetris, originally included in the Windows Entertainment Pack for Windows 3.1 in 1990. It utilizes a Windows 3.11 emulator, allowing players to experience the authentic gameplay with familiar mechanics. Tetris was created by Alexey Pajitnov in 1984 in the Soviet Union and has been adapted for numerous platforms. Many players in the U.S. and Japan first encountered Tetris through the Windows version or on the Nintendo Game Boy. Players can control the game using the arrow keys on their keyboard.

Winsage

December 12, 2025

Legacy Update improves its Microsoft Download Center archive

Legacy Update has enhanced its archive of files previously available on Microsoft's Download Center, consolidating resources from various sources, including the Archive Team's MDC project and the Internet Archive. This update supports a wide range of Windows versions, including Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11, across all editions and processor types. The archive provides access to older software, such as Office 2003 service packs and XP Mode for Windows 7, as well as tools for running legacy applications. There is a noted transition towards Windows 10 IoT LTSC due to concerns about Windows 11's performance.

AppWizard

November 23, 2025

Classic text adventure Zork is going open source, but I’m side-eyeing Microsoft’s announcement about it hard

Microsoft has announced that the classic text adventure game Zork and its sequels are now available as open source software under the MIT License. This initiative follows Microsoft's acquisition of the Zork license through its purchase of Activision, which had previously acquired Infocom. The collaboration involves Microsoft, the Xbox Team, Activision, and digital archivist Jason Scott from the Internet Archive. Zork, Zork 2, and Zork 3 have been available on GitHub for several years, and Microsoft has officially submitted upstream pull requests to historical source repositories. The decision to make Zork open source highlights the game's celebrated writing and narrative depth.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

6 Free Android TV Apps You Need To Install Before Google Removes Sideloading

Developers are now required to register their applications before users can sideload them on Android devices, a change aimed at reducing malware risks associated with unverified apps. This policy is particularly significant for Android TV users who often rely on sideloading for niche utilities and unofficial streaming tools. The risk of malware is reportedly 50 times higher when apps are installed from outside the Play Store. Google has promised to create a workflow for experienced users to sideload unverified apps despite the new restrictions. Sideloading allows users to install apps not available on the Play Store, but it comes with increased risks of data-stealing malware. Users can sideload apps by transferring APK files to their devices and adjusting settings to allow installations from unknown sources. SmartTube TV is an unofficial YouTube client that offers an ad-free experience and integrates features like SponsorBlock, but it violates YouTube's Terms of Service. Aptoide TV is a community-driven app marketplace that provides access to apps not available on the Play Store, though caution is advised due to potential malware risks. Leanback Launcher is an open-source launcher that enhances performance and customization options for Android TV. RetroArch allows users to emulate classic gaming consoles and requires legal copies of games. Syncler organizes and streams shows and movies from user-selected providers without hosting content itself. AdAway is an open-source ad blocker that filters ads at the device level using host files. The selection of these apps focuses on enhancing the Android TV experience through performance improvements, user-friendly interfaces, and a range of categories including streaming, gaming, customization, and privacy.

Winsage

October 21, 2025

Developer creates Windows 11 version for older, low-spec PCs

NTDev has released an experimental download of tiny11 25H2, a streamlined version of Windows 11 for low-specification computers. This version eliminates unnecessary applications and features, reducing hard drive space requirements and allowing users to bypass the Microsoft Account login during setup. It is built on Windows 11 Version 25H2 and focuses on creating a more efficient installation file, providing a smoother experience for older computers. Key features include no minimum specifications for installation, lower hard drive space usage, and faster performance. Additionally, a more minimalist variant called tiny11 core has been introduced, which reduces installation file size by nearly two-thirds but cannot be updated through Windows Update. The developer assures that all image files are created using the tiny11 builder tool with Microsoft programs to minimize security vulnerabilities. Users can download tiny11 25H2 from the Internet Archive.

AppWizard

October 19, 2025

I played communist Germany’s only arcade cabinet and you can too, comrade

The Poly-Play is an arcade cabinet created in East Germany in 1985 by VEB Polytechnik Karl-Marx-Stadt, and it is the only arcade machine produced during the GDR's existence. It features a monitor from a German television and a cabinet made by a furniture maker. The machine is powered by the U880 microprocessor and offers eight games: Hirschjagd (Deer Hunt), Hase und Wolf (Hare and Wolf), Absfahrtslauf (Downhill), Schmetterlinge (Butterflies), Schießbude (Shooting Gallery), Autorennen (Motor Race), Merkspiel (Memory Game), and Wasserrohrbruch (Water Pipe Burst). Wasserrohrbruch was recognized as PC Gamer's Game of the Year for 1985. The Poly-Play was priced at 50 pfennigs, and children found a way to trick the machine into extending their playtime by inserting a single pfennig.

Winsage

July 2, 2025

When Microsoft finally pulls the plug on Windows 10 its successor will be four years old, and for three of those, it was never the OS of choice amongst Steam users

Valve's hardware survey data shows that Windows 10 remains the dominant operating system among PC gamers, with a slow decline expected despite Microsoft's upcoming support cessation. Windows 11 has not surpassed 60% in any Steam survey sample, and its growth has been stagnant. Windows 7 currently holds a mere 0.1% share, and projections suggest it could take about 82 months for Windows 10 to reach that level if trends continue. Linux's share has increased from around 1% to over 2.5% in three years, while Windows 11's growth has only seen a 3.7x increase during the same period. The survey indicates that the launch of the Steam Deck has had a limited impact on Linux adoption.

BetaBeacon

June 23, 2025

Wikipedia introduces a daily quiz game for Android users

Wikipedia has introduced a new history quiz game called Which Came First? on its official Android app.

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

A long-lost Duke Nukem prototype resurfaces after 24 years

The Duke Nukem franchise has seen a resurgence with the release of a prototype for the unreleased PlayStation 2 game, Duke Nukem: D-Day, developed by n-Space. This prototype, dating back to 2001, features twelve playable levels and has been made available on the Internet Archive. The game is described as "90% complete," though it lacks cutscenes and voicework. Players start in a strip club and engage in a time-traveling mission against the Third Reich and aliens. The controls are reminiscent of older gaming systems, and while the game framework is present, it lacks polish. To play the prototype, users need a PlayStation 2 with third-party software or an emulator like PCSX2. The game was in development until 2003, indicating that a more refined version may still exist.

AppWizard

April 27, 2025

I miss old PopCap like you miss old BioWare

From 2000 to 2010, PopCap Games dominated the casual gaming market, influencing the design of many subsequent mobile games. The studio's notable titles included Peggle Extreme, featured in Valve's The Orange Box, and Gyromancer, a collaboration with Square Enix. PopCap's games often drew inspiration from earlier concepts, such as Zuma from Puzz Loop and Bejeweled from the Russian game Shariki. After being acquired by Electronic Arts, PopCap shifted towards mobile and free-to-play models, leading to the decline of its original PC titles. Despite this change, the spirit of PopCap's creativity persists in the indie gaming scene, with games like Donut County and Peglin reflecting its innovative approach. Bookworm Adventures remains accessible through the Internet Archive, contributing to PopCap's lasting legacy.