You probably already own Battlefield Vietnam, Unreal Tournament 2004, and Neverwinter Nights—and you’ve probably already played through them all. Breathe new life into them with these free mods. Just download the executable files and install them on the computer where the original games are living. Oh, you’ll probably notice the ton of Unreal Tournament mods on this list. Why? The “Make Something Unreal” contest dangled some serious money in front of mod makers—and lined us up with lots of great game tweaks.

Battlefield 1942

Desert Combat

www.desertcombat.com/

This mod, set in the Middle East, continues to be wildly popular among BF1942 players. It’s maintained by a dedicated team of programmers and artists who recently released the final full-featured version to the public.

Empires

www.empiresmod.com/

This mod fuses the BF1942 experience with the tactical gameplay of real-time strategy games, giving you the option to expand your base with extra vehicles and buildings as you contest with enemy teams for valuable resources.

Battlefield Vietnam

BattleGroup Vietnam

www.battlegroup42.com/

This Vietnam conversion of BattleGroup42’s BattleGroup 1942 mod aims to bring more realism to the game, with historically accurate equipment and much more attention to detail across all the game’s weapons, vehicles, and maps.

BushWar

http://bushwar.uni.cc/

It’s the Cuban army versus the South African Defense Fund in BushWar, a total-conversion mod set in South Africa and Angola during the 1970s. It features all-new maps, as well as additional weapons and vehicles compatible with the existing Battlefield Vietnam maps.

Insurrection 1776

www.planetbattlefield.com/insurrection/

Insurrection 1776 is a Revolutionary War–style mod for Battlefield Vietnam. It’s still pretty early in development, but it is set to feature new weapons, the ability to bandage wounds, and several new weapons and classes—including an officer class that commands three to six NPC units.

Point of Existence

www.pointofexistence.com/

Forget Vietnam—Point of Existence brings the fight into the modern day, pitting the United States against Russia in a struggle for resources. This Battlefield Vietnam mod features new automatic weapons, vehicles, and aircraft.

World War II Modification

http://bfvietnam.ea.com/

Want to relive the glory days of Battlefield 1942? This official mod from EA Games and Digital Illusions updates three classic maps from BF 1942, taking full advantage of the more robust Vietnam engine.

Civilization III: Conquests

Rise and Rule

http://civ3.bernskov.com/RaR/

Variety is the spice of life in this massive modification for the Conquests expansion. It introduces 340 new units, 200 technology upgrades, and enough bells and whistles to keep you busy for a long, long time.

Command & Conquer: Generals

Battletech: The Capellan Solution

www.battletechmodproductions.com/btgenerals/

Do you miss the MechCommander games? C&C Generals meets Battletech in this total-conversion mod that brings the military RTS into the realm of futuristic battle mechs. The single-player campaign sports a solid story involving three warring clans and features plenty of changes to the typical Generals mechanics.

SecondWave

http://102freegames.1UP.com

This C&C Generals mod brings plenty of new options to the table, including a new side to play as, 30 new units, and several additional maps for skirmish and multiplayer modes.

Zero Hour Reborn: Rise to Power

http://102freegames.1UP.com

If you own the Zero Hour expansion pack for C&C Generals, check out Rise to Power, which rebalances the gameplay and adds new music, loading screens, and cinematic sequences.

DOOM 3

32-Player Multiplayer

http://justbi0.de/d3.html

Multiplayer is a great thing—and for Doom 3, four players just ain’t enough! With this mod, up to 32 players can connect to a server, making for an even more chaotic demon-killing gorefest.

Duct Tape

http://ducttape.glenmurphy.com/

If you’re anything like us, Doom 3 has instilled a new fear of the dark in you. This handy mod grafts a flashlight to your weapon in exchange for a slightly narrower cone of light.

Hello Kitty Flashlight

http://102freegames.1UP.com

Need a night-light? There are a variety of wacky flashlight modifications available for Doom 3, including the Batman logo, the Thundercats logo, and—our personal favorite—Hello Kitty.

Nitro Gore

www.nitroclan.de/

Doom 3 doesn’t exactly skimp on the vile and disgusting carnage, but if for some reason you just can’t get enough of it, this mod will ensure that you’re swimming in blood and guts the whole way through. Yummy!

Far Cry

Far Cry Co-op: Together Through Cabuto

www.farcrycoop.de.vu

The multiplayer addition is great—especially for those who can’t handle going it alone. With this mod, up to three players can take on the single-player missions simultaneously. After you’ve gotten your fill of Far Cry’s solo mode, try this multiplayer patch.

Freelancer

Freelancer: The Next Generation

www.starfyrestudios.com/

We had a great time blasting through this game when it first came out, but after finishing the adventure, we craved more. Many Freelancer mods have come and gone over the years, but TNG is one of the most complete. It’s got tons of new spacecraft, sectors to explore, and things to kill.

Half-Life

The Beginning

www.hltb.co.uk/

The Beginning is an objective-oriented multiplayer modification for the original Half-Life. It features squad-based gameplay, two distinct teams to choose from, 12 new weapons, and tons of graphical upgrades.

Counter-Strike 2D

http://102freegames.1UP.com

This total-conversion mod transforms Counter-Strike into a top-down 2D action-shooter. Fans of games such as Crimsonland should definitely appreciate this cool little throwback to simpler times.

Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne

Battle Tactics 2

http://battletactics.maxpayneheadquarters.com/

Battle Tactics 2 turns Max Payne 2 into a turn-based strategy game in which you’ll match wits with the enemy A.I. as you work to escort hostages to safety. There’s even a bonus Dead Man Walking level for the truly hardcore.

Matrix Edition

http://102freegames.1UP.com

If there’s one game that out-Matrixes Enter the Matrix, it’s Max Payne 2. This mod takes it a few steps further, giving you an infinite bullet-time meter, some beefy new weapons, and some new music to rock out with.

Neverwinter Nights

Tomb of Horrors

http://nwvault.ign.com/Files/modules/data/1084483376000.shtml

Based on a classic Advanced Dungeons & Dragons module, this adventure is built for high-level characters. You may need both expansions to play this module, but it’s worth it. Just consider yourself warned: With a name like The Tomb of Horrors, don’t expect it to be a cakewalk.

Return to Castle Wolfenstein

DeGeneration

www.planetwolfenstein.com/tramdesign/degeneration/index.html

This team-based mod has you and your opponents racing to create your own WMDs. It’s part Junkyard Wars as you race to the drop zone, where you grab and assemble pieces of a giant death ray. Yes, we know: a giant death ray.

Unreal II: the Awakening

The Crystal Element

www.crystalelement.tk/

Here’s something that should humble just about every game developer out there: This mod of Unreal II is a school project. It’s not actually finished yet, but even as is, it brings cool, consoleish RPG platforming to the PC that’s better than some full-priced stuff we’ve seen.

Unreal Tournament 2004

Action UT

www.ateamproductions.net

Take all of UT’s first-person action and slam it into what you’d expect to see in an action movie. That, in a nutshell, is what Action UT is all about.

Anomaly

www.anomaly-faction.com/

We are unabashed speed junkies, but there are few games like F-Zero or WipeOut on the PC. Thankfully, the guys working on Anomaly also feel that need for speed.

Alien Swarm

www.blackcatgames.com/swarm

We love the Alien movies and top-down tactical games. Put the two together and you’ve got an addictive mod in which you control a team of four specialists. In fact, it looks so slick, we’d probably pay for it if we had to.

Call to Arms

http://102freegames.1UP.com

Why wait for games like Dungeon Lords when you can get your hands on a fantasy-fueled total conversion for UT? This action-RPG has a point-and-click interface and a fairly interactive environment to explore. Not bad for two brothers programming in their spare time, eh?

Clone Bandits

www.demiurgestudios.com/

There’s no way to sum up this postapocalyptic FPS mod. But some cool, creative vehicles are yours to control, and the goal is to seize the clone pumps on each map, depleting the enemy’s supply.

Damnation

http://102freegames.1UP.com

Part third-person platformer, part FPS, this steampunk adventure is a trip. There’s a cool variety of powers and characters to choose from, and weapons like a steam-billowing gun and mechanized 24-shooters. Six-shooters are so 1860!

DeathBall

www.deathball.net

It’s a combination of football, soccer, and all-out war! This 5-on-5 title is one of Cliffy B’s favorites—and for good reason. Download it!

Field of Fire

http://102freegames.1UP.com

This mod is all about carjacking, firepower, and sneakery on an onslaught-inspired map. The goal: Destroy the enemy base. Creep stealthily through the environment and blend in with the civilians, or just roll in with a tank and finish the job.

LawDogs

http://102freegames.1UP.com

Nobody escapes the long arm of the law, ya yella-bellied polecats. This wild Western mod packs 20-some-odd maps, authentic weapons, a bunch of character types—and even a horse you can ride into town on.

Muralis

www.ascensiongames.com

Arena melee combat is the name of this game. Inspired by fighting games, Muralis incorporates combo moves, stun maneuvers, and team-based combat.

Piddly’s Chance

www.chunkyheads.com

A surreal mutation of the Unreal engine. Piddly’s Chance is a platformer that pays tribute to classic console games. Metal Gear Solid references? Check. Frogger levels? Yep. Mario-esque platforming? Of course. Should you download it? No doubt.

Robin Hood and the King’s Ransom

www.kingsransom.info

This is one crazy-looking third-person adventure game. With random humor and sweet cel-shaded graphics, this feels more like it belongs on a console. But we are definitely not complaining

Red Orchestra

http://redorchestramod.gameservers.net/

Imagine if Battlefield 1942 actually looked good. Focusing on Russia’s role in World War II, this total-conversion mod is huge—and a great war gamer’s mod. Realistic environments, detailed models, great sound; the fact that this is a free download seems almost criminal.

Strike Force 2004

www.visionstudiosusa.com/

Boy, people sure can’t get enough of this terrorist versus counterterrorist squad-based combat. Cue Strike Force. Over the years, it’s gone through revisions with each new game engine that comes along, and it just keeps getting better.

Suburbs

http://102freegames.1UP.com

Hey, playa! Wanna live the gangsta lifestyle but too much of a dork to do it in public? Download this mod instead. Taking place in the fictional Pacifica, this game borrows a page from GTA and lets you freely roam through the environment.

UnWheel

http://unwheel.beyondunreal.com/

UnWheel turns Unreal into a conventional racing sim with real vehicles. This amazing-looking mod has lots of vehicles (ranging from conventional racers and off-roaders to Centipede trucks!), race types, and tracks.

Warcraft III The Tales of Raviganion

http://race.wc3campaigns.com

This mod swaps out all the original WarCraft III races with new ones: Wood elves replace humans, trolls replace orcs. And the undead and night elves are replaced by the forces of chaos and swamp dwellers, respectively. Needs The Frozen Throne expansion.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

GTA: Liberty City

http://102freegames.1UP.com

Take a trip back…to Liberty City! This total conversion mod re-creates GTA3’s Liberty City in the Vice City engine, making for improved vehicle physics and smoother, faster-running gameplay—not to mention motorcycles and helicopters.

Multi Theft Auto

www.multitheftauto.com/

We’re still waiting for Rockstar to make GTA Online, but this is the next best thing. With Multi Theft Auto, you and your friends can square off in citywide gang wars and deathmatches. It even has some new cars and an improved aiming system!

Ultimate Vice City

www.ultimategta.ca.tc/

Bored with Vice City? This mod adds several additional buildings and landmarks to the game, as well as a whopping 40 brand-new cars and motorcycles for your carjacking pleasure.

Dungeon Siege

Copperhead: Retaliation

www.planetcopperhead.com/

If you ask us, medieval stuff is way overrated. With Copperhead: Retaliation, Dungeon Siege goes from the Dark Ages to the space age. This mod features a new sci-fi story, as well as original enemies, weapons, and locations.

Elemental

www.the-elemental.net/

This total conversion presents Dungeon Siege fans with a so-called Biblepunk setting—a mythical, gritty version of ancient Judea. We don’t know much about history, but this is one of the weirder “alternate timeline” ideas we’ve come across.

Mech

Mech Mod

www.mechmod.com/

This Half-Life mod puts you in control of giant war robots armed with lasers and nuclear missiles.

Project: Timeless

www.project-timeless.de

This multiplayer 3D first-person shooter pits man against machine in the not-too-distant Half-Life future.

Copyright © 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Computer Gaming World.