Old Games, New PC Adventures
One of the best things about PC gaming is that the idea of an old game is pretty flexible. On modern hardware you can jump from the latest blockbuster with realistic puddle physics straight into a chunky DOS classic from the eighties, all from the same Steam or GOG library. With so many rereleases, remasters, and compilations landing on PC, it has never been easier to discover or revisit retro games.
This roundup explores a selection of older titles that still feel great to play on a modern PC. From deep Dungeons and Dragons role playing to arcade shoot em ups and puzzle games, these classics show how much variety you can get without needing cutting edge hardware.
RPGs: Deep Worlds In Small Resolutions
If you are into role playing games, the PC is absolutely stacked with older titles that still hold up thanks to strong systems design and storytelling. Two Dungeons and Dragons games in particular are worth your time.
Curse of the Azure Bonds from 1989 may look like it belongs buried in a museum, but under the grey battlefields and clunky interface is a surprisingly forward thinking RPG. It builds on an earlier game in the series, letting you import your party directly from Pool of Radiance so your well earned heroes and their spells carry forward. That alone makes it feel like a continuous tabletop campaign rather than a disconnected sequel.
The game also uses morale in combat, which is still something you do not see often even in modern RPGs. Enemies can become so terrified that they flee or surrender instead of just fighting to the death. This makes your party feel truly dangerous in a way that goes beyond raw hit points and stats. The story is tight and constantly throws new characters and twists at you, keeping things lively despite the old school presentation.
For something a bit newer and more tactical, The Temple of Elemental Evil from 2003 is a very faithful adaptation of Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 rules. On PC today it arrives with fan patches and quality of life fixes already in place, so you can dive straight into the tactical possibilities instead of struggling with bugs. Encounters are built around the tabletop ruleset which rewards positioning, spell selection, and party composition. If you enjoy crunchy combat systems and classic fantasy dungeons, this one deserves a second shot on your modern rig.
Arcade Action And Shoot Em Ups
Not every great PC game needs hundreds of hours or an elaborate story. Arcade style shooters and compilations are perfect when you just want to sit down and immediately start blasting.
RayCrisis, originally an arcade shoot em up from 1998, now appears in the Rayz Arcade Chronology collection. Its low polygon visuals and surreal environments make it look like you are flying through the inside of a gigantic computer one moment and then past molten lava and giant mechs the next. The game uses a lock on and combo system that is simple enough to pick up straight away but deep enough that you can spend hours trying to master higher level play. The modern release adds detailed information displays around the screen, making it easier to understand what is going on and learn the mechanics.
If you prefer pure simplicity, Galaga from 1981 is still one of the most elegant shooters ever made. You move your tiny ship at the bottom of the screen while waves of aliens sweep in from above. One clever mechanic sees an enemy beam capture your ship. If you manage to destroy that enemy in your next life, your captured ship docks with your new one giving you double firepower. It is a tiny hook that creates huge tension and excitement, and it has kept Galaga relevant across decades of hardware upgrades.
For a buffet style experience, Capcom Arcade Stadium and its follow up Capcom Arcade 2nd Stadium are like virtual arcade halls on your PC. You can tweak how each game looks with options like crisp pixels, various types of scanlines, and simulated CRT curvature. There are also region variants for enthusiasts who want to try the Japanese versions. The collections include classics such as Ghosts n Goblins, Strider, Battle Circuit, Mega Twins, Vampire Savior, The King of Dragons, Saturday Night Slam Masters and many more. They are perfect for those times when you know you want to play something but cannot decide what.
Puzzle Classics And Remasters That Still Feel Fresh
Older PC friendly puzzle games are great when you want something thoughtful without needing a powerful GPU. They also tend to age well because they rely on clever ideas more than technical spectacle.
Legends of Murder is a 1989 fantasy murder mystery where you move a tiny inspector icon around an abstract castle, searching rooms and interrogating suspicious residents. Visually it is extremely simple, but the descriptive text gives the world surprising atmosphere with mentions of beautiful oaken tables, cool crystal orbs, and plenty of dubious characters. The fun comes from exploring the castle, piecing together clues, and feeling like a classic detective in a magical setting.
On the other end of the spectrum sits Puzzle Bobble 2
Remasters also play a huge role in keeping older games alive on PC. Time Gal HD Remaster takes an old laser disc arcade game and updates it for modern displays. You follow a time traveling heroine through five minutes of wild anime action featuring dinosaurs, pirates, and even Death itself. Gameplay is extremely simple since you mostly hit the right directional button at the right moment or fail in spectacular fashion. It is not a deep or demanding game, but the high quality remaster makes it easy and cheap to experience this quirky piece of gaming history.
For a heavier tactical experience, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles brings both the original game and a modern remaster together in one package. The English script has been updated and the remaster adds new material while preserving the core design. Battles play out on beautiful diorama like maps where elevation, abilities, and positioning all matter. It remains one of the standout tactical RPGs and the PC friendly collection makes it simple to revisit the troubled land of Ivalice without digging out old hardware.
All of these titles demonstrate a key strength of PC gaming. Your current system is not just a machine for the latest releases. It is also a doorway to decades of gaming history, from DOS investigations to arcade shoot em ups and tactical fantasy epics. With digital stores and modern remasters doing the heavy lifting, exploring that history has never been more accessible.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/i-played-dozens-of-retro-games-this-year-and-these-are-the-ones-i-still-whole-heartedly-recommend-going-into-2026/
