Buzz
One of the greatest advantages of PC gaming is the ability to run older games on newer hardware. However, unlike playing retro console games on modern TVs, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Due to the vast array of hardware and software setups, the complexities of PC gaming, and the unique demands of each game, tailored solutions are often necessary. Even if you manage to get an old game running, it might not look great.
Although solutions vary depending on the game and your PC setup, there are general techniques you can use to run most older PC games on modern hardware while also improving their graphical quality.
Running Classic Games on a New PC: A Step-by-Step Guide
The initial step involves installing your classic games on your PC. For certain titles, this process is straightforward, requiring only a digital download or the original CD, DVD, or even floppy discs (if you still possess a floppy drive). However, some games may demand additional steps, such as enabling specific settings, applying fan-made patches or mods, locating outdated or unofficial drivers, or utilizing specialized software like DOSBox to emulate older systems. While the exact steps vary by game, online guides are often available to assist.
Alternatively, you can purchase and play these games through digital platforms like GOG or Steam. These versions typically include patches or community mods to ensure compatibility with modern systems. The community forums on GOG and Steam frequently provide setup guides. Additionally, some developers, such as Blizzard and Bethesda, offer updated digital versions of their older games optimized for current PCs.
Enhance the visuals
Upon launching an older PC game, you might notice it doesn’t look its best. Many classic games were designed for lower resolutions and different aspect ratios than modern monitors, resulting in a blurry, pixelated display that doesn’t fit the screen. Even if the game aligns with your monitor’s resolution and aspect ratio, the visuals may still appear dated.
Many older games, particularly those from the early 3D graphics era (late ‘90s to early ‘00s), have not aged well. While some, like myself, may find the blocky polygons and rough textures nostalgic, others might find them unappealing. Fortunately, free mods and third-party tools can significantly improve their appearance. However, compatibility varies, as these enhancements often rely on efforts from the original developers or dedicated fans.
Improve display resolution and adjust aspect ratio
Next, we’ll address the aspect ratio and resolution issues to enable full-screen gameplay on 16:9 or ultra-wide monitors.
Occasionally, developers may update older games to support modern screen sizes and resolutions. Check the game’s graphics settings to see if adjustments are available. If not, fan-made mods or unofficial patches often provide widescreen and high-resolution support.
Some patches are tailored to specific games, such as this one by “the bigg”, which enables widescreen gameplay for classic Infinity Engine RPGs like Planescape: Torment, Icewind Dale, Baldur’s Gate
While there are many patches available, it’s not guaranteed they exist for every game. However, finding them is easy if you know where to search. Platforms like Mod DB, Nexus Mods, Reddit, Steam community pages, and GOG forums are excellent resources for discovering patches, mods, and installation guides.
Community patches often go beyond fixing display issues. They can resolve bugs, improve stability, or introduce optional gameplay tweaks to make older titles more accessible. A notable example is the Arx Libertatis mod for the 2002 RPG Arx Fatalis, which enables high-resolution gameplay, simplifies in-game actions, and addresses bugs from the original release.
Enhance visuals with HD textures and detailed models
Running an older game at modern resolutions improves the display but doesn’t enhance the game’s textures or models. In fact, it may highlight the blocky characters and blurry textures even more.
This is where HD texture packs and high-poly model modifications become essential.
While HD textures and high-poly models aren’t available for every game, they are frequently created for well-known, classic titles that remain popular today. Some are developed by the original creators, but the majority are crafted by fans as unofficial mods.
A standout example is the Final Fantasy XI HD mod by Ashenbubs, which has garnered significant attention. This mod combines software upscaling with hand-drawn artwork to enhance the PC version of Final Fantasy XI’s textures to 4K, maintaining the original art style despite the PlayStation 2’s hardware limitations.
Several notable games, such as System Shock 2, Half Life, and The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, also have HD texture and model packs available.
Enhance lighting and post-processing effects using Reshade
While improved textures and models can significantly enhance the visuals of older games, applying advanced lighting and post-processing effects with Reshade can make a classic game feel like a modern release.
Reshade is a free application that applies post-processing effects to any PC game, regardless of its age. It introduces realistic features like depth of field and ambient occlusion, even for games that originally lacked such capabilities. Additionally, Reshade can simulate ray tracing effects without requiring an Nvidia RTX GPU, though this feature is currently in testing and requires Patreon support to access.
While many Reshade shaders have minimal impact on performance, some can be demanding. Certain effects may not work well or look appealing in every game. Be prepared to spend time fine-tuning settings for optimal results. For those who prefer a quicker setup, pre-made shader presets are available for numerous games.
Naturally, these mods and enhancements aren’t mandatory—there’s a unique charm in experiencing older games with their original settings and visuals preserved. Overdoing mods and post-processing can detract from the retro appeal you’re likely chasing when launching a classic title.
The key is ensuring your games run smoothly enough to be enjoyable. If the game is worth playing (and why else would you bother running an old bad game on a modern PC?), you probably won’t need many mods to achieve that.
[PCMag]
