Games developed by Dexterity Software
We provide a list of companies that developed abandonware games.
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BrainWave 2
BrainWave 2 is a single-player shareware game that combines the control system of Space Invaders with the swooping enemy formations of Galaxian. It is a sequel to BrainWave by Dexterity Software.
Once again nanobots attack the player's brain and the player's imagination has created a ship with which to fight them. Like its predecessor, this is a keyboard-controlled game, with the arrows moving the ship left/right and the spacebar firing the ship's weapon. There is no up/down movement.
When a wave of nanobots has been eliminated, the game displays the player's score before presenting the next wave. Destroyed enemy ships leave behind power crystals which, if collected, can be used to purchase upgrades such as more effective weapons, shields and special features before the next wave begins. With each successive level, enemy ships also evolve, gaining power-ups of their own that make them harder to hit and equip them with better weapons. The player starts with three lives, and new lives are added for every 300,000 points scored. When a life is lost, all crystals collected are lost.
The full game has three scenarios, of which only one is available in the shareware version. Some weapons and features are only available in the registered version.
Dweep
Dweep arrives as a curious artifact from the late Windows era, a title whispered among retro enthusiasts for its quiet charm and stubborn individuality. Released in 1999, it presents itself not as a blockbuster but as a compact journey built for patient minds. Its world glides on a lattice of gentle puzzles and whimsical vistas, inviting the player to wander through something that feels almost handcrafted. The atmosphere blends lullaby tones with curious oddities that linger after the session ends.
Navigation hinges on careful observation rather than brute speed, with paths twisting through rooms connected by floating platforms and switch driven corridors. Players assemble clues from a medley of objects, unlock doors by aligning symbols, and coax dormant mechanisms back to life. Dweep rewards patience and experimentation, letting small detours reveal unexpected solutions. Its control scheme feels precise without being punitive, a relief in an era crowded with rapid click bait. The game obliges you to map its logic with quiet persistence.
Visuals lean toward a sunlit puzzle estate rather than grim arcade noir, with sprites that charm rather than intimidate. Colors drift between coral dawns and forest emeralds, while textures simulate painted papyrus and clay. The soundtrack leans into restrained melodies, warm sinewaves and soft percussion that drift under the surface of play. Ambient wind, distant water, and the occasional chime fuse into an aural backdrop that steadies a wandering mind. Even in rough work, the art breathes a patient curiosity.
Behind the pixels lies a story of small teams and late nights, common to the waning days of floppy disks and dial up connections. Dweep emerged from modest studios that valued concept over spectacle, turning constraints into character. The journey to release stretched over several years as programmers sculpted the engine, artists painted decors, and writers stitched tone. When it finally surfaced for Windows, it found a slow but loyal audience hungry for something delicate amid louder competitors and hurry up trends.
Decades later Dweep still earns quiet nods in retrospectives about experimental puzzle design. Its faded corners and patient tempo offer a counterpoint to flashier titles, reminding players that mood can dominate mechanics. Fans preserve it through archive boards, fan made reimaginings, and rough emulations, keeping the memory alive for newcomers who crave texture over adrenaline. The title remains a tiny beacon showing how a Windows game of modest means can provoke lasting affection and thoughtful play.
Dweep Gold
The Windows game, Dweep Gold, was released in 2000. Initially conceived as a puzzle game, it quickly gained popularity among casual gamers. This title was created by Reflexive Entertainment, now owned by Amazon Game Studios. The software is available to download and install on Microsoft Windows 7, 8, 10 and other 8-bit versions.
The objective of the game is to help a creature named Dweep find its way home by solving a myriad of puzzles. Players must think creatively and apply problem-solving skills to progress throughout the game. Each level contains riddles and obstacles which can be solved by borrowing Dweep’s five special power-ups. These include the Jester, which helps to move objects in the right direction; the Mole, which helps to break down walls; the Hedgehog, which acts as a shield; the Wizard, which grants the ability to read minds; and the Gremlin, which allows players to rearrange objects.
The interactive game has over 50 levels, each with distinct characters, challenges and rewards. In order to reach the end, players must find the hidden items, complete the tasks and rescue Dweep’s friends. In addition to the main puzzles, Dweep Gold also features special bonus levels. These challenge the player to reach a target score within a time limit, or successfully place a number of objects in an arena.
Apart from the single-player mode, the game allows for local multiplayer up to four players. It has age-appropriate content for gamers of all stages with a vibrant colour scheme and fun characters. Players can save their progress via a password system.
Dweep Gold has received high praise from critics, being noted as an addictive and demanding puzzle game. It is sure to test the player’s ability to think quickly and carefully. This title remains a favourite among veteran and newer gamers.
Fitznik 2
Fitznik 2 is a puzzle adventure game released in 2004 for the Windows operating system. Developed by Screaming Duck Software, it is the sequel to the original Fitznik game and features improved graphics, new soundtracks, and challenging puzzles. With its clever level design and engaging storyline, Fitznik 2 provides hours of addictive gameplay for puzzle enthusiasts.
The game follows the story of a charming blue character named Fitz, who is on a quest to collect golden coins scattered in various levels of a giant maze-like structure. Along the way, players must help Fitz navigate through obstacles and cleverly solve puzzles to progress through the levels. Each level presents a unique set of challenges, requiring players to think outside the box and use their problem-solving skills.
One of the most notable features of Fitznik 2 is its immersive gameplay. The levels are intricately designed, with hidden passageways, moving platforms, and other obstacles that keep players on their toes. The increasing difficulty of the puzzles adds to the excitement, making players feel accomplished when they successfully figure out a solution. The game also offers a hint system for those who may be stuck, ensuring that players can continue the adventure without getting frustrated.
The graphics of Fitznik 2 are top-notch, with bright and colorful environments that bring the game to life. Each level is detailed and visually appealing, providing a delightful experience for players. The soundtracks, composed by Eugene Black, are equally impressive, adding to the overall immersive experience of the game. From peaceful melodies in the beginning levels to upbeat tracks in the more challenging stages, the music complements the gameplay perfectly.
In addition to the main story mode, Fitznik 2 also offers a level editor, allowing players to create their own unique levels and share them with others. This feature adds to the game's replay value, as players can constantly challenge themselves and others to complete custom-designed levels. The game also has a time trial mode, where players can compete against their own best times or against others online, adding another layer of competitiveness to the game.
JumpStar
By the time Windows 3.x matured in the early 1990s, PC gaming was shifting away from full-screen DOS exclusivity and toward desktop-friendly experiences. JumpStar arrived in 1993 with that exact mindset: a brisk, pickup-and-play platformer built to feel at home inside a Windows 3.1 environment. Rather than treating the GUI as an obstacle, the game leaned into the era’s expectations, offering a tidy interface, quick loading, and an immediacy that suited short sessions during homework, lunch breaks, or late-night tinkering.
Gameplay centers on momentum, timing, and nerve. The premise is straightforward: jump across hazardous terrain, avoid traps that punish sloppy landings, and string together clean runs to reach higher platforms and better checkpoints. Where many platformers of the period leaned heavily on trial-and-error, JumpStar rewards rhythm. The jump arc feels responsive for its time, and careful players learn the subtle differences between a full leap and a partial hop, letting them thread moving obstacles and tight gaps without brute force. As levels progress, hazards multiply and spacing becomes stingier, turning quick reactions into an almost musical habit.
Visually, the game reflects the constraints of VGA and early bitmap art pipelines. Sprites are bold and readable, with outlines that remain clear even when the screen is busy. Color choices tend toward punchy contrasts, helping players track platforms, collectibles, and danger cues at a glance. Audio support, typical of Windows-era releases, aims for lively feedback: crisp sound effects for jumps and hits, plus short motifs that keep pace with the action. Even on modest hardware, the presentation stays snappy, avoiding the sluggishness that plagued some contemporaries.
Under the hood, JumpStar also illustrates the hybrid nature of its day. It runs under Windows 3.x rather than abandoning the desktop, meaning timing, input handling, and sound playback must coexist with the operating system’s multitasking behavior. That balance matters for feel. Smooth controls, stable frame updates, and reliable keyboard focus are not just conveniences, they are essential to platformers where a tenth of a second decides success or failure. The game’s compact footprint and straightforward menus make it easy to launch and resume, which adds to its practical charm.
JumpStar is remembered less for blockbuster scale and more for the particular flavor of early Windows gaming: simple mechanics, crisp feedback, and a surprisingly polished sense of flow. For collectors and retro enthusiasts, it represents a transitional bridge between DOS action and later, fully native Windows eras. If you track down a working copy and run it in an emulated setup, the experience can still feel strangely direct, like a friendly arcade challenge squeezed into the windowed world of 1993.
