Nostalgia Reloaded: 10 Old PC Games That haven’t Lost Their Charm
As someone who grew up gaming on the computer in the 80s and 90s, I have a huge soft spot for classic PC games. While today’s AAA titles boast cutting-edge graphics and elaborate production values, many retro computer games have stood the test of time. Their charming pixel art, engrossing gameplay and heavy nostalgia factor make them still well worth revisiting.
Below I highlight 10 seminal old PC games that remain just as fun and addictive to play today. These picks range across genres like strategy, RPG, simulation and action. Dust off your old computer or use DOSBox emulation to give these iconic retro titles another go if you haven’t played them in awhile. They may be dated, but their compelling game design ensures many hours of entertainment.
1. The Oregon Trail 
First introduced in 1971, The Oregon Trail is the quintessential educational computer game that taught generations of kids about the harsh realities of 19th century pioneer life. This cult classic forced players to make tough decisions as they managed supplies, braved river crossings and weathered sickness along the perilous journey out West. With its primitive graphics and addictively morbid dysentery deaths, the nostalgia factor remains strong.
2. Myst
Myst fundamentally changed perceptions about what a video game could be when it launched in 1993. It transported players to a beautifully rendered mysterious island and let them freely explore and solve puzzles at their own pace. Rather than fast-paced action, Myst emphasized slow, cerebral problem solving as you uncovered the backstory by visiting different Ages. Its immersive visuals and atmosphere were groundbreaking.
3. SimCity 2000
The original 1989 SimCity invented the city building genre, but its sequel SimCity 2000 perfected it with isometric dimetric graphics, deeper simulation and disaster scenarios. As mayor, you designed the infrastructure and zoning of your city while managing services and finances to keep citizens happy and productive. It struck a perfect balance of complexity and playability that made shaping your virtual metropolis into a bustling utopia endlessly gratifying.
4. Doom
As one of the pioneering first-person shooter games, Doom set the template for frenetic, violent gameplay that remains influential 30 years later. Fighting demons on Mars with heavy weaponry was novel and visceral, establishing standards like showing the weapon on screen and different damage levels on enemies. With its frantic pace, gory vibe and multiplayer deathmatches, Doom became a landmark game that still delivers pure adrenaline.
5. Warcraft II
Real-time strategy games exploded in popularity in the 90s, and the 1995 title Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness established core elements of the genre like tech trees and hero units. Gathering resources to build armies to assault the enemy base became engrossing. Varied factions, multiplayer, and a rich fantasy world of orcs versus humans set up the highly successful Warcraft franchise and burgeoning esports scene.
6. Age of Empires II
First launched in 1999, Age of Empires II remains one of the prime examples of the RTS genre. It allowed players to steer major civilizations through the Middle Ages, managing resource extraction, economic development, army building and technological research. Sophisticated yet intuitive, its epic scope and engrossing real-time battles make it endlessly playable two decades later. An updated Definitive Edition with improved graphics was released in 2019.
7. Baldur’s Gate II
This 2000 RPG featured rich storytelling, tactical combat, enormous world maps, and memorable characters. Based in the Dungeons & Dragons Forgotten Realms setting, the intricate branching narratives, moral dilemmas and classic fantasy feel made it a storytelling benchmark. Isometric party-based RPGs went out of favor as blockbuster cinematic RPGs took over, but Baldur’s Gate II remains unsurpassed for meaningful choice and consequences.
8. Rollercoaster Tycoon
The addictively fun amusement park management simulations of Rollercoaster Tycoon made creating elaborate, dangerous rollercoasters easy for anyone in 1999. Using clever coaster construction tools, you built rides and managed park operations with deep customization options. Running a profitable park while keeping guests happy never stopped being satisfyingly strategic. Future franchise entries added features, but the original stands as one of the best open-ended simulation titles.
9. Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2
The Command & Conquer RTS series peaked with 2000’s Red Alert 2 and its campy alternate timeline of the Soviets invading America. The trademark fast-paced, attack-minded skirmishes remained gripping as both sides wielded high-tech weaponry like Tesla coils and mind control. The expanded naval combat and multiplayer support made LAN parties an all-night blast. Red Alert 2 remains the pinnacle of frenzied retro RTS gameplay.
10. Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri
Resembling Civilization on an alien planet, this turn-based strategy game boasted a sci-fi setting and compelling ideological narratives between factions. Researching technology, managing resources and navigating alien diplomacy came with endless ways to build your civilization. Randomized maps, customization options, rival philosophies and multiple victory conditions made Alpha Centauri highly re-playable. It stood out as a deep, cerebral strategy title.
Conclusion
Modern video games may boast cinema-quality presentation, but many old school PC games deserve recognition for laying the groundwork and having fun, engaging gameplay that never ages. Their retro graphics, sound design and narrative simplicity evoke nostalgia, but their compelling mechanics remain sound. For a satisfying blast from the past, try firing up one of these 10 seminal classics. Just don’t forget your DOSBox!
People Also Ask
What was the first PC game?
Many identify 1972’s text-based The Oregon Trail as the pioneering first PC game that became a phenomenon through educational installations. However, 1960s text-based games like Spacewar! and Star Trek predated it. 1958’s Tennis for Two on an oscilloscope is considered the first true PC/video game.
What was the most popular PC game in the 90s?
Some of the best selling and most acclaimed PC games of the 1990s included Myst, The Sims, Command & Conquer, Warcraft II, Diablo, Theme Park, Fallout, Half-Life, StarCraft, Age of Empires II, Quake 2, Baldur’s Gate and Rollercoaster Tycoon.
How do I play old PC games on Windows 10?
For DOS games, use emulators like DOSBox. For 90s games, try compatibility mode, patching files, tweaking options in config files, running in admin mode or using mods. Graphics, gameplay, stability may not be perfect. Virtual machines with older OSes can also emulate old environments.
What are the top 25 PC games of all time?
Some all-time best PC games include Half-Life 2, Portal, BioShock, Civilization IV, World of Warcraft, The Orange Box, Mass Effect 2, Baldur’s Gate II, Skyrim, MineCraft, StarCraft, Diablo II, Deus Ex, Fallout: New Vegas, The Witcher 3, System Shock 2, Half-Life, Tetris, Thief II and many more.
Which old PC games have been remastered?
Many classic PC game franchises like Age of Empires, Baldur’s Gate, Command & Conquer, The Elder Scrolls, Myst, Monkey Island, Homeworld, System Shock, WarCraft, and others have seen Definitive Editions, remakes, remasters or re-releases that update graphics, compatibility and gameplay.
Where can I get classic PC games for free?
Many classic PC game demos, freeware and abandonware titles can be downloaded through archives like My Abandonware or Home of the Underdogs. Also look into open source game remakes. For commercial titles, look for bundles, sales or use services like GOG.com. Use legally!
What are the best old school PC games?
Some of the most iconic classic PC games of the 80s and 90s include Tetris, Prince of Persia, SimCity, Dune II, Civilization, Ultima Underworld, X-COM, Lemmings, Syndicate, Wing Commander, Heroes of Might and Magic, Jazz Jackrabbit, Dune, Kings Quest and classic LucasArts or Sierra adventure titles.
How do I run DOS games on Windows 10?
Use DOSBox, an x86 emulator that mimics a DOS environment within Windows. Set it up with your game files, configure settings, and launch games through it. Watch tutorial videos for help. Alternative DOS emulators include DOSBox Pure, DOSBox ECE, DOSBox-X and others that may offer better compatibility for some games.