Classic Windows XP/98/95 games
At the end of the DOS era, as personal computing evolved, the industry shifted towards the latest offerings from Microsoft in terms of Operating Systems. This transition marked a significant milestone as PCs began to adopt Windows, with version 3.1 heralding a new era of computing. With its user-friendly interface and enhanced capabilities, Windows quickly gained traction, captivating the attention of both users and software developers alike.
The subsequent releases of Windows, notably Windows 95, 98, and Windows XP, marked significant milestones in the evolution of gaming on the PC platform. Titles like Age of Empires and the Civilization series exemplified the newfound potential of gaming on Windows.
However, with progress came challenges, and one of the most persistent issues was backward compatibility. As newer versions of Windows were introduced, ensuring compatibility with legacy games became increasingly complex. Attempting to run older games on modern Windows systems often proved to be a daunting task, fraught with technical hurdles and compatibility issues. In many cases, resorting to emulation software, such as MS-DOS emulators, became the preferred method for running DOS-based games on modern hardware.
For enthusiasts determined to experience the nostalgia of older Windows games on contemporary PCs, options were limited. The most reliable approach involved installing them directly on older versions of Windows or, for those with technical expertise, setting up and configuring a Virtual Machine environment.