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Windle
If you are a fan of Wordle, the popular online word game that has taken the internet by storm, you might be interested in Windle, a clone of Wordle that runs on Windows 3.1. Windle is a tribute to the classic Windows games of the early '90s, such as Solitaire, Minesweeper, and Chip's Challenge. It features the same 3D bevelled style and simple gameplay as Wordle, but with a nostalgic twist.
Windle was created by Dialup.net, a website that showcases retro computing projects and experiments. The developer used a Gateway 2000 4DX2-66V with a 66 MHz Intel 80486 DX2 CPU, Windows 3.11 for Workgroups, and the very first version of the Borland Delphi development environment to build Windle. The game was designed to fit in with the Microsoft Entertainment Pack games, making it instantly recognizable to anyone who grew up with Windows 3.1.
Windle works just like Wordle: you have six guesses to find a five-letter word, and each guess gives you feedback on how many letters are correct and in the right position. The game uses a dictionary of over 5,000 words, so there is plenty of challenge and variety. You can also track your past games and see how well you did.
Windle is not only a fun word game, but also a testament to the power and versatility of Windows 3.1 and Delphi. The developer faced some challenges while coding Windle, such as dealing with the slow CPU speed, the confusing compiler errors, and the lack of modern UI design tools. However, he also enjoyed using the built-in help file and the form designer to create a functional and attractive application.
If you want to try Windle for yourself, you can download it from Dialup.net's website. There are two versions available: one for Windows 3.1 (16-bit) and one for modern Windows (32-bit). The latter version won't look as classic as the former one, but it will run on any Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC without any emulation or virtualization. You can also read more about the development process and the technical details of Windle on Dialup.net.
Windle is not the only retro Wordle clone that exists—the game has also been ported to the original Game Boy and various Palm PDAs These versions have some limitations due to the hardware constraints, but they still capture the essence of Wordle's gameplay. Whether you prefer playing on an old PC, a handheld device, or a web browser, there is a Wordle clone for you.
Windle is a great way to enjoy Wordle in a different way and to relive the glory days of Windows 3.1. If you are looking for a word game that is simple, fun, and nostalgic, give Windle a try!
How to play
Using mouse
