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Where to Buy & Play Sierra Classics

Last updated: January 17, 2026

Legal ways to acquire Sierra games, from digital storefronts to physical collecting. Availability shifts over time; use this as a starting point. For compatibility help, see the Compatibility Guide.

Digital Storefronts

The best option for classic Sierra adventures. GOG packages include manuals, hint books, and pre-configured DOSBox/ScummVM setups. All purchases are DRM-free.

Collections:

Individual Titles: Phantasmagoria 1–2, Torin’s Passage, Shivers, RAMA, Betrayal at Krondor, Arcanum, Caesar III, Pharaoh, Zeus, The Incredible Machine, Red Baron, Aces series, and more.

Why GOG over Steam: GOG ensures old games work on modern systems before selling them. Steam often sells games as-is from the publisher, which may require additional patching.

Steam

Activision’s Sierra catalog mirrors most GOG offerings, with one key advantage: VGA remakes.

Collections:

Advantages over GOG:

  • Includes VGA remakes — King’s Quest I SCI (1990) and Space Quest I VGA (1991) are Steam-exclusive
  • After 2016 updates, collections include both original and remake versions

Caveats:

  • May require community patches for full functionality
  • Check Steam community guides for fixes (widescreen patches, bug fixes)

Modern titles on Steam: SpaceVenture, Colossal Cave 3D Adventure, Hero-U, Gray Matter, Cognition, Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams series, and other alumni projects.

Xbox Game Pass (Retro Classics)

New in 2025: Microsoft launched the Retro Classics collection on Game Pass in May 2025, powered by Antstream Arcade. This brings emulated Sierra games to Xbox and PC subscribers.

Sierra games added so far:

  • Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers
  • Conquests of Camelot: The Search for the Grail
  • Police Quest 2: The Vengeance
  • Codename: ICEMAN
  • Rise of the Dragon
  • Caesar

The library expands monthly with ~4 new titles. Microsoft now owns Sierra IP through the Activision Blizzard acquisition, so expect more additions throughout 2026.

Console, Mobile & VR

Current platforms:

  • Colossal Cave 3D Adventure — Meta Quest, PS VR2, PS4/PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Steam (VR and flat-screen)
  • Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don’t Dry / Dry Twice — Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, iOS, Android
  • King’s Quest (2015) — PlayStation, Xbox (digital)

Legacy console editions: Titles like Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude, Box Office Bust, and the Wii King’s Quest Collection are out of print. Check backward compatibility before buying used copies.

Physical Media & Collecting

eBay & Resale Markets

Active marketplace for Sierra big box games. Sought-after items include:

  • King’s Quest series — Early releases with cloth maps and manuals
  • Gabriel Knight — Triangular CD-ROM box with comic prequel is highly collectible
  • Space Quest 2 — Complete boxes include a comic bridging SQ1 and SQ2
  • Phantasmagoria — 7-disc original release

Tips:

  • Inspect discs for rot (common on 1990s CDs)
  • Confirm CD keys aren’t already registered to Steam/Battle.net
  • Factory-sealed copies command significant premiums
  • “Sierra Originals” budget re-releases are more affordable but less collectible

Retail Compilations

  • Sierra 15th/20th Anniversary Collections — Multi-disc Windows bundles with printed materials; common on eBay
  • Vivendi “Best Sellers” line — Late-90s jewel cases; often need patches from SierraHelp
  • UK “Sold Out Software” releases — Budget versions of Pharaoh, Zeus, Lords of the Realm II

Bundles & Sales

GOG Sales

Wait for seasonal sales—GOG frequently bundles Sierra collections at 50–75% off. The entire catalog often goes on sale during Summer and Winter events.

Humble Bundle

The last Sierra-specific bundle was Humble Sierra the 3rd in June 2020 (Gabriel Knight, Phantasmagoria, Arcanum, Quest for Glory, etc.). No recent Sierra bundles as of January 2026, but individual titles occasionally appear in Humble Choice.

Steam Sales

Activision discounts Sierra collections during major sales. The 2025 Black Friday sale offered up to 53% off.

Free & Fan-Made

Official Freeware:

  • Betrayal at Krondor — Was briefly free on GOG; check current status
  • King’s Quest I–III (AGI versions) — Occasionally offered free during promotions

Fan Remakes (Free Downloads):

  • AGD Interactive — King’s Quest I VGA, King’s Quest II+, Quest for Glory II VGA
  • Infamous Adventures — King’s Quest III, Space Quest II VGA
  • Phoenix Online — The Silver Lining (King’s Quest fan sequel)

See Fan Resources for download links and project status.

Preservation Tips

  1. Back up installers — Licensing disputes have delisted titles before (SWAT 3, Betrayal at Krondor temporarily)
  2. Archive GOG offline installers — They’re DRM-free and yours to keep
  3. Verify ownership before seeking alternatives — Community patches and ScummVM require legal game data
  4. Use recommended wrappers — DOSBox, ScummVM, dgVoodoo2, and nGlide enhance compatibility

Regional Restrictions

Some titles have purchase/activation restrictions:

  • China: Phantasmagoria 1–2, Police Quest Collection, Quest for Glory Collection blocked
  • Multiple regions: Gabriel Knight series restricted in China, Cuba, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria

Check storefront availability before purchasing as a gift.

Quick Recommendation

GoalBest Option
Play classics legally & easilyGOG.com
Already have Game PassXbox Retro Classics
Want physical collectioneBay (inspect carefully)
Free fan remakesAGD Interactive, Infamous Adventures
Modern alumni gamesSteam (Hero-U, SpaceVenture, etc.)

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