Best Open Source Clones of Great Old Games

The top pick is OpenTTD – it faithfully recreates Transport Tycoon Deluxe, adds modern quality-of-life features, and runs on nearly anything. It’s the most polished, actively maintained, and truly free remake of a classic, with a thriving multiplayer community.

What to Look For

When choosing an open-source clone, the criteria that actually matter are:

• Fidelity to the original: Does it capture the core gameplay, feel, and charm of the original, or is it just a loose inspiration?
• Active development: A project with recent commits, a responsive community, and regular releases will be more stable and feature-complete.
• Platform support: Check if it runs on your OS (Windows, macOS, Linux) and whether it supports controllers, touch, or high-resolution displays.
• Content completeness: Does it include all the original levels, units, or campaigns, or does it rely on you providing the original game files?
• Community and mods: A strong modding scene and active forums extend the game’s life far beyond the vanilla experience.
• Ease of setup: Some clones require you to own the original game and copy data files; others are standalone. Choose based on your willingness to tinker.

OpenTTD (Transport Tycoon Deluxe)

Strengths: The gold standard of remakes. It improves the original with larger maps, better pathfinding, multiplayer, and a massive library of user-created graphics and scenarios. It’s free, open-source, and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and even some consoles.

Trade-offs: The original graphics and music are not included; you must copy them from a CD or download a free asset pack. The learning curve is steep, and the interface can feel dated.

Who it’s for: Anyone who loved Transport Tycoon, or strategy/simulation fans who enjoy logistics and city-building. Perfect for both casual and hardcore players.

ScummVM (LucasArts/Sierra Adventure Games)

Strengths: Not a single game, but a reimplementation of the engines behind dozens of classics like Monkey Island, Day of the Tentacle, and Sam & Max. It adds modern save states, high-resolution filtering, and controller support. It’s incredibly stable and runs on almost any device.

Trade-offs: You must provide the original game files (from CD, digital store, or abandonware). It’s a launcher, not a game itself, so you need to own the games you want to play.

Who it’s for: Adventure game fans who want to replay their old discs or digital purchases on modern hardware, including on a Raspberry Pi or phone.

DosBox (PC Classics)

Strengths: Emulates DOS perfectly, letting you run thousands of original games from the 1980s and 1990s – from Doom to Civilization. It’s the most versatile option, with deep configuration for sound, graphics, and speed. It’s the backbone of many commercial re-releases.

Trade-offs: It’s not a clone; it’s an emulator, so you need the original game files and must often tweak settings per game. The interface is not user-friendly for novices.

Who it’s for: Retro purists who want to play the exact original, and who don’t mind configuring config files. Also great for running games that have no modern remake.

FreeCiv (Civilization)

Strengths: A faithful clone of Sid Meier’s Civilization II, with the option to play with Civilization I rules. It offers hotseat, multiplayer, and a huge map generator. It’s completely standalone – no original files needed.

Trade-offs: The AI is weaker than modern Civ games, and the graphics are simple. It lacks the depth of later Civ titles, but that’s also its charm.

Who it’s for: Strategy fans who want a classic 4X experience without the bloat of modern sequels. Perfect for low-end PCs or playing with friends over a network.

OpenRA (Command & Conquer / Red Alert)

Strengths: Recreates the classic C&C real-time strategy games (Tiberian Dawn, Red Alert, Dune 2000) with modern controls, better pathfinding, and multiplayer. It includes the original campaigns and adds quality-of-life improvements like queued commands and unit veterancy.

Trade-offs: The original cinematics and music are not included; you must supply them from the original CDs or download free content packs. Balance changes may not please purists.

Who it’s for: RTS fans who want to relive the early days of the genre, especially those who enjoy competitive multiplayer.

Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead (Roguelike)

Strengths: While not a clone of one specific game, it’s a deep, open-source roguelike that draws from the survival and crafting of games like NetHack and Dwarf Fortress. It’s incredibly complex, with a huge world, detailed crafting, and zombie survival. It’s actively developed and has a strong modding community.

Trade-offs: The learning curve is brutal, and the ASCII graphics (or optional tilesets) are not for everyone. It’s not a direct clone of any commercial game, so it’s more of a spiritual successor.

Who it’s for: Hardcore gamers who enjoy deep simulation and don’t mind a steep learning curve. If you loved NetHack or Dwarf Fortress, this is a must-try.

How to Choose

First, decide if you want a direct remake (OpenTTD, FreeCiv) or an emulator that runs the original (ScummVM, DosBox). Direct remakes are easier to set up and often add features, but may not feel 100% authentic. Emulators give you the exact original but require you to own the games and deal with configuration.

Second, consider your budget. All options here are free, but if you don’t own the original games, you’ll need to find legal freeware versions or buy them cheaply (e.g., on GOG or Steam). For ScummVM and DosBox, budget is a factor only if you need to purchase the games.

Third, think about your hardware. If you have a low-end PC or a Raspberry Pi, choose lightweight options like FreeCiv or ScummVM. If you have a modern gaming PC, OpenTTD and OpenRA will run fine.

Finally, consider the multiplayer aspect. OpenTTD and OpenRA have active online communities; FreeCiv also supports multiplayer but with a smaller player base. If you want to play with friends, pick one that supports online matchmaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to own the original game to play these clones? It depends. OpenTTD, FreeCiv, and OpenRA are standalone – you don’t need the original. ScummVM and DosBox require you to provide the original game files.

Are these clones legal? Yes, they are legal. They are clean-room reimplementations of the game engines, and they do not include copyrighted assets like graphics or music. You must supply those yourself for emulators.

Which clone has the most active community? OpenTTD is the most active, with regular releases and a large modding community. ScummVM also has a strong following and is constantly updated.

Can I play these on a Raspberry Pi? Yes, many of these clones run on Linux and ARM, including OpenTTD, ScummVM, and DosBox. FreeCiv is also lightweight enough.

Are there any clones of games like SimCity or Theme Park? Yes, there are projects like Micropolis (SimCity) and OpenRCT2 (RollerCoaster Tycoon 2). OpenRCT2 is excellent and very popular.

What if I want a more modern look? OpenTTD has high-resolution graphics packs, and OpenRA has improved visuals. For others, you can use filters or tilesets to improve the appearance.

Bottom Line

For most people, OpenTTD is the best starting point – it’s free, standalone, easy to install, and offers endless hours of gameplay. If you have a specific classic in mind, check if there’s a dedicated clone (like FreeCiv for Civilization II). For adventure games, ScummVM is essential. And if you want to play the exact original, DosBox will never let you down. Start with OpenTTD; you won’t regret it.

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