Getting Started with Retro Games

As a general rule, video games are designed to run on a specific operating system or game console, but what happens when that operating system or game console isn't available or supported anymore?

That's the core problem that faces every retro gamer, and a whole lot of solutions have ben tried throughout the years. On this page, I'll showcase many of the methods that people use to overcome this issue and get their games working. Some are free, some are not, but they all work to some degree.

It doesn't get much simpler than this. Many video game companies have repackaged their old games with custom emulators or pre-configured copies of DosBox and made them available via services like Steam or GOG.com . Playing retro games this way is just as easy a playing a modern game - buy your copy through the service of your choice, then select the game in your library to run it.

Many of these prepackaged games even include special features, like the ability to create save states, apply cosmetic filters, or try versions from different countries. When it comes to old console games, this is definitely the best way to go.

Some newer game consoles, such as the Nintendo Switch, also offer retro games via their online stores. This is another very easy way to enjoy the hobby.

When it comes to playing DOS games, DosBox is your best friend. It's a free open source program that emulates the MS-DOS operating system, thereby allowing you to run DOS games in a miniature DOS environment.

An added benefit of using DosBox is that it uses a folder on your computer as a fake hard drive, so you can add, edit, or remove files from the DOS system like you would any other folder on your computer.

For more about DosBox, see the article entitled Introducing DosBox.

Learning that it's possible to "run" an MS-DOS operating system using DosBox may have made you wonder what other operating systems can be run as a program, and it's not just a good question - it's a practical solution!

These are called virtual machines, as the software that makes them work only mimics the computer hardware itself, not the operating system running on it. Setting up and using a virtual machine is much more complicated than the previous methods, but if done correctly, you'll be able to run pretty much anything you want - provided it runs on a computer of some sort, of course. You can't run console games this way.

There are just two major catches to using a virtual machine. Firstly, they often require a lot of computing power - don't expect a discount laptop to have enough power to run them. Secondly, using them to run an operating system or software without a valid license is illegal.

If that last bit worries you, just remember that I'll never show anyone how to violate the law on this website. There are plenty of legal operating systems out there that will help you run old games, so I'll show you how to use those later.

You don't need to run Linux in a virtual machine. Many people use it as their computer's actual operating system, and this works out quite well for retro gaming. Not only are there versions of DosBox and Steam available for Linux, but there's also a tool that can be used to run obsolete Windows programs that no longer work on modern versions of Windows.

However, Linux definitely isn't for everybody. You'll need a lot of patience and technical skills to get the most out of it. Try it in a virtual machine or LiveUSB first.

Also, replacing the operating system on your computer permanently erases all of your files, so make absolutely certain everything is backed up and you have a way to install the original operating system if things go badly.

If all else fails, getting your hands on an actual game console will allow you to play the games that you have for it. This can be both expensive and frustrating, as many old games are in high demand, and the consoles aren't in the best condition. Additionally, modern televisions typically lack the connections needed by many old consoles, so you'll also need to buy adapters.

Time has not been kind to cartridge based gaming.

But, there is an alternative: there are new third party game consoles out there that are compatible with both cartridge-based games and new televisions. Known as Retro Consoles or Retro Clones, these are effectively modern versions of the classic systems, and are often available for under $100.

There are two main issues with retro clones though. The biggest one is that they are often made using cheap plastic, which may not stand up to much abuse. Another issue is that they may have little to no technical support available. This means that you risk being left on your own should something go wrong.

On a side note, it's usually a better idea to check a local brick and mortar store for games and accessories - online stores (especially on eBay) tend to inflate the prices of game cartridges in hopes of selling to a game collector.