ROMs

[DeltrusDisc]

So we all know about the N64 and PS ROMs.... I was wondering, are there ROMs for the older PC games that don't work on computers of nowadays? We're talking games from like the 90s and before.

Some games I'd really like to be able to install and play....

Original Age of Empires
Original Roller Coaster Tycoon
X-Wing Alliance
X-Wing vs T-Fighter
and so on....

I think the original versions of these games only really worked on like 32bit or even lesser systems... any help would be much appreciated!

[Zantumall]

Are you asking if there's an "old computer" emulator? You might try just picking up an old computer and a copy of Windows XP or Windows 2000, that shouldn't run you too much money and will probably provide the functionality you're looking for.

If the games you're interested are old enough (the ones you listed aren't), you could use DOSBox or something like that, which will let you play old DOS games like TES II Daggerfall or the original Prince of Persia. That'll only work for very, very old games though.

Also, with some tweaking, you can get older games to run on a modern computer; I could get Planescape: Torment to run on 64-bit Win7 without much effort, and that came out way back in '99. Try google searching a bit, you can usually find a forum thread or two with some tips.

[Ultramonkey]

Pretty sure this is against forum rules.

[zakayron]

Pretty sure this is against forum rules.

How would an old OS emulator for PC be against the rules? You can't exactly buy like windows 95/98 anymore

[Bucknazty]

If you own the games originally, then its not illegal. Hence it should not be against the forum rules. But im not 100%

[DeltrusDisc]

Sigh. I can't even install X-Wing Alliance even after turning on compatibility mode.

---------- Post added 2011-10-09 at 03:11 AM ----------

The legality behind ROMs is that if you own the original game then you should have every right to play it, whether if you have to use a ROM or not. I personally would prefer just installing the original versions but I'm not so sure it's going to happen.

[Halicia]

Poke around various abandonware sites and you'll find plenty of options.
(now if only i could find a way to play my Apple IIc Softdisks on 5.25" disks... there's gaming history on there...)

[slackjawsix]

i wouldnt even bother with compatability mode or atleast on vista, tried running a windows xp game doesnt allow sound

[Caiada]

Dosbox. Many of them are abandonware, and thus completely legal. See Abandonia for details and downloads.

[tielknight]

i wouldnt even bother with compatability mode or atleast on vista, tried running a windows xp game doesnt allow sound

Must be a vista problem because i have quite a few older games installed on windows 7 64bit and they run fine. Ahh fallout and dungeon siege, how i love you

[Evilmaniac]

Old dos games can be gotten and played here if your talking about old games like doom and what not. http://www.dosgames.com/
The game should come with a dos emulator