Old CDs - video games

[Richardgregory]

I have tons of old PC games on CDs....just trying to think what the heck to do with them.  I don't want to necessary have them end up in a landfill....

Thoughts anyone?

[Slippyblade]

Depending on the games, most of them won't work anymore.  I've got a whole binder full of kid's games from when my spawn were younger and hardly any of them work anymore.  They tended to use dated and proprietary technologies that no longer exist.

[shponglefan]

There are recycling centres that may take old media.  I got rid of a whole lot of old disks and VHS tapes that way.

Alternatively, use them as coasters?

[dmckean]

Depending on the games, most of them won't work anymore.  I've got a whole binder full of kid's games from when my spawn were younger and hardly any of them work anymore.  They tended to use dated and proprietary technologies that no longer exist.

I bet between DOSBox and compatibly mode in Windows, around 50% would work.

[Howard_Casto]

Anything circa 1998 and beyond should work. 

The thing is it often takes a bit of effort to install archaic libraries that are no longer included in windows and most people aren't willing to do that. 

[JDFan]

Many times the problem is that the games themselves are 32 bit and would work fine but they are packed with a 16 bit installer --- Once you figure a way around the installer the games usually still work fine.

[nexusmtz]

DOSBox or VMWare (with es1371 in the .vmx) to play

Use binders for what you want to keep (if anything), then use media recycling or offer them up here to get rid of the rest.
Jewel cases are a pain though. I doubt anyone would want to pay to ship jewel cases. See if your town or school library still use them.

[Howard_Casto]

Jewel cases are a pain though. I doubt anyone would want to pay to ship jewel cases. See if your town or school library still use them.

umm... Collectors would.  Let's be honest here, the only people that are going to be interested are collectors of old pc games and to them, if you throw away the Jewel case you might as well throw away the game.

[smass]

I have a large amount of PC games in original retail boxes in my basement.  I guess I am waiting for the nostalgia train to make them into collectibles, but that's probably wishful thinking.

As far as making them work, most of them can be by using dosbox and other software, but its often a PITA.  I still like to play games like Baldur's Gate and Master of Orion on occasion, but I have gone and bought them on gog.com.  Its a great way to have your classics on any of your computers and not have to worry about compatibility or complicated installations.

[nexusmtz]

umm... Collectors would.  Let's be honest here, the only people that are going to be interested are collectors of old pc games and to them, if you throw away the Jewel case you might as well throw away the game.

The shipping comment was more about recycling than collecting, but sure, having the whole unit makes the item. For me, the booklet, j-card, and CD are enough. I don't care about the plastic, but still have plenty of it. Even back when it mattered to me, if a jewel case broke, I simply replaced it with one of the same type. I suppose some collectors would say that if it's not boxed, it's not a game, but I don't have the boxes anymore either.

I could afford to pay someone to ship me 300 games on spindles with the j-card and booklet (if the person were willing to do that work for a few bucks extra.) The jewel cases would put the shipping weight way up and I'd have to pass.

I was more like a half-dozen-buckets PC game guy than a storage unit one, so I can't call myself a collector.

[pbj]

I'll pay you $5 to set it all on fire and post the video to Youtube.

LMK

[Slippyblade]

...but I have gone and bought them on gog.com. 

I've handed GOG a decent amount of money just for this purpose.  It's totally worth the few bucks to me to not have to screw with getting an old game config'd and setup to work on a modern system.  I've been playing Dungeon Keeper 2 and Sacrifice a lot lately, man those were great games!

[Howard_Casto]

Is anyone offering a updated version of Crusader:  No Remorse?  It was one of the first PC games I got.... I played the crap out of that game. 

Hmmmm.......  I wonder if I still have the disc. 

[shponglefan]

I still like to play games like Baldur's Gate and Master of Orion on occasion, but I have gone and bought them on gog.com.  Its a great way to have your classics on any of your computers and not have to worry about compatibility or complicated installations.

Yup, ditto.  And with their sales, it's possible to get a lot of titles for mere dollars a pop.  Definitely worth it for the convenience factor.

[shponglefan]

Is anyone offering a updated version of Crusader:  No Remorse?  It was one of the first PC games I got.... I played the crap out of that game. 

Hmmmm.......  I wonder if I still have the disc.

GOG has it for sale, although it's the same game.  Comes with dosbox I believe and configured to run on modern PCs.

[ark_ader]

I have all my games backed up as ISOs, the insides and covers are stored in plastic crates and put into deep storage.  Cheap portable hard drives are your friends in this endevour.  They all cost you money.  Quit throwing your money away.