So what's one to do? Well, you could build an old computer, using older motherboards, CPUs, and video cards - if you can find the parts and/or find your old OS to run it. (I do actually HAVE my older hardware and OSs - and equally importantly, I know where they are.) And I suppose you could get some type of OS manager software (like the old System Commander) to install multiple OSs on a single older computer. But most of us don't - or won't - probably because we're inherently lazy and that can be a lot of work.
Ah, but then along came "virtualization" - where you could install a virtual machine on your modern hardware and then install the older OS on the virtual machine. By golly, that DOES sound like a solution, doesn't it? Well, yes and no. Yes, you can do that. But (and it's a big "but" [not to be confused with "a big butt"]) most virtual video hardware (that I have found, anyway) does NOT support "Direct Draw 3D" for OSs older than Windows XP. I have seen some "experimental" support of Windows 2000, but none for Windows 95/98/98SE (which is what the bulk of my old games were made to run on).
Now, my question has always been, "Why, oh why, would you not build the virtual video hardware to be able to use the full functionality of the older video drivers? Why?" I have never gotten a good answer. Yes, I have gotten answers (like "not meant for that", "use this software work-around", etc.), but they ignore the fundamental essence of the question.
But if you don't want to mess around with vitualization and all the various, inevitable tweaks that you would have to do to make the game run properly (or at least, playable), there are other solutions.
Ignoring "Steam" (because I think their system is incredibly intrusive and I refuse to use it; I'm not even going to provide you a link for them), there is a lesser known company that seems to be working with many game manufacturers and distributors to provide DRM-free games that you can buy, download, install on (at least a more) modern hardware and OS system, and play. No 'dedicated old OS box' is required; no 'virtualization' is required; no 'internet verification system' is required (though you do need the internet to buy and download the games); and no DRM systems (like "put the game CD in the player to run") to mess with. GOG.com.
"GOG" stands for "Good Old Games" and they've been around a while. And they also seem to be expanding, because not only can you find old games, you can find some newer ones, as well. They have over 700 titles to choose from; some famous, others I've never heard of. You should check them out.
Or not. Up to you.
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*Yes, yes - I know about Apple. But let's face facts: "Windows" is the more popular OS choice, by far. So all you Apple-ites can go suck on a lemon...or an apple, if you prefer. Next thing, you'll try and tell me about the TI-994A, Commodore 64 (or 128; let's agree to skip over the VIC-20, shall we?), Amiga (also by Commodore), Radio Shack TRS-80, Timex Sinclair, IBM PCjr, and others. IRRELEVANT!!
But if it makes you feel any better, GOG.com does have some Mac games, too. {OOPS - that might be a spoiler, if you scrolled down to read the asterisk before reading the rest of the post. So be it.}
