With all the new online games out in the market today, there will surely be numerous options for you to choose from in terms of the perfect game that will suit your taste. However, there are several reasons why you may want to play old school games even with the list of new games already available. One of these is the good feeling and memories that old games bring forth. No, you don’t have to revive your old gaming console because there are several ways you will be able to play old school games using your personal computer.

Utilize an Emulator

One of the primary ways for you to access old school games through your personal computer is by using an emulator. An emulator is a software that simulates the capabilities of a game console. A Dolphin emulator will allow you to play the classic Nintendo gamecube games on modern computers. However, make sure that you check the minimum hardware requirements before you install Dolphin in your computer to ensure that it is powerful enough for the software that will allow you to play the games.

To get the maximum performance out of a Dolphin emulator, click on the Graphics button on the main menu. Here you will find four tabs that will allow you to adjust the settings accordingly. For instance, under the General tab, the Aspect Ratio is important and should be adjusted depending on your screen. Under the Enhancements tab, you will be able to add some cool game effects.

Other emulators for Nintendo games include Nestopia and Snes9x, while emulators for Sega and Game Boy include Kega Fusion and VBA-M respectively. There is also the DOSbox which is another popular gaming emulator. Just keep in mind that the process of using an emulator to access old school games in your computer proves to be a bit more complex compared to other options listed below.

Run as an Administrator

You can also access old school games through your personal computer by running as an administrator. This is as simple as clicking the right button of your mouse while it hovers above the .exe file that you have used to launch the game. From there, you will see a “Run as Administrator” button that you need to select to play the game on your computer without any hindrances.

Use a Compatibility Mode

Another way to play an old school game on your computer is by using the compatibility mode. In this case, instead of selecting the “Run as Administrator” option when you right-click the mouse hovered above the .exe file, you need to select “Properties” instead. A window will appear and on top of that window, you simply need to choose the Compatibility tab. From there, you can click the “Run compatibility troubleshooter” which will automatically detect any problems for a certain game. Otherwise, you can also manually change certain game options under the Compatibility tab.

Install Unsigned Drivers

You can also install unsigned drivers to play old school games on your computer. However, you need to boot into a special mode to perform this task. In this case, hold down shift while you click restart on the power icon of your start menu. This will direct you to the special boot menu where you need to select Troubleshoot, then Advanced Options, then Startup Settings, and finally Restart. After this, press F7 to select the Disable driver signature enforcement where you will be able to install the game, as well as the drivers that the game needs.

Leverage a Virtual Machine

Using a virtual machine is like tricking a game into thinking that it is being run in a gaming console. In this case, you need to set up the virtual machine and install the version of Windows that you need. After this, you can already run the game in that Windows environment. While this method proves to be time-consuming and cumbersome, the feeling that you get afterwards when you are already able to play the game is worth it.

In conclusion, you don’t have to take out your old gaming console to play the games that you have loved growing up. This is because you can now play these old school games using your personal computer by running as an administrator, using a compatibility mode, or installing unsigned drivers. You can also leverage an emulator or even a virtual machine. All these methods will allow you to enjoy the games that you have previously mastered even without having to restore your old gaming console.