Struggling to find a PC game to play? It's no secret that games released today don't have as much magic as those from the 1990s and early 2000s. There are some excellent games from talented studios, but many fall short of what came before. So sit back, grab a beverage, and make some notes as I'm going to run through a shortlist of classic PC games you can still play today on a desktop or laptop PC running Windows 11. This list is in alphabetical order.

UPDATE: 2025/10/27 BY RICHARD PINNOCK-EDMONDS

Added more classics!

We've hit 50 classics for you to try out on a modern PC. Taking feedback from our comments, we've added some additional hits that should be on your radar.

Age of Empires II

Age of Empires II is largely considered the peak of Microsoft's real-time strategy series of PC games. Following up on the original Age of Empires, the second release improved every aspect of gameplay, graphics, performance, and longevity. A remastered version is available now and runs like a dream on modern hardware. Microsoft continues to roll out new campaigns, civilizations, and other content, too. Multiplayer is also a blast!

Baldur's Gate

Baldur's Gate is a game where you control multiple party members, lose yourself in a whirlwind of a story, and complete incredibly well-written quests in a vibrant world. Before the 2000s were upon us, this was a colossal game from BioWare and cemented the developer as one of the best RPG makers in the business. The mechanics may feel dated in today's fast-paced action world, but if you haven't played the original Baldur's Gate, you owe it to yourself to give it a go.

Battlefield 2

Battlefield has been around for decades, offering intense action and gorgeous visuals, but Battlefield 2 is still regarded as one of the highlights of the series. It may not be as simple as getting other games to run through Steam or GOG, but the process does provide full functionality, and many of the BF2Hub servers are populated with players to this day. So long as you have access to a legit product key or don't mind some shady deals down some dark alleys, you'll be blasting others in no time.

Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse

The third installment in the Castlevania series, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, is a prequel to the first game. Count Dracula has unleashed an army of monsters on Europe, and it's down to the Belmont family, specifically Trevor Belmont, to take down Dracula in this epic platformer.

Civilization II

The original Civilization by Sid Meier was excellent, but it was the second installment, developed by MicroProse, that grabbed my attention for many years. You're tasked with taking a civilization from the Stone Age up through industrialization, forging alliances, and declaring wars. It's in-depth, dated, and absolutely brilliant. Since this was originally sold on disc and came out in 1996, there's no copy available through GOG or Steam. You can play it for free through your browser, however!

Command & Conquer Tiberian Sun and Firestorm

One of the pinnacle RTS games was Westwood Studios' Command & Conquer Tiberian Sun and its expansion Firestorm. Picking either NOD or GDI, you'll be tasked with building a base, collecting resources, and going to war with numerous units and technologies. You could view it as a science-fiction version of Age of Empires with a slightly different take on the same formula. The gameplay is incredibly refined, even to this day.

Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines

I fondly remember this game as a young lad. Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines is one game I played for hours after watching my old man battle his way through each level. You're put in charge of a squad of elite military personnel, each with their own weapons, skills, and personalities. Go behind lines and cause havoc on the enemy. If you enjoy this game, the sequel Commandos: Beyond the Call of Duty is just as good.

Counter-Strike

You've probably heard of Counter-Strike: Source as the massive esports game that it has become today, but it was a classic shooter back in the day. Released in 2000 as a follow-up to Half-Life, Counter-Strike lets you play as teams to rescue hostages, complete objectives, and score incredibly difficult kills.

Crysis

"But can it run Crysis?" is a meme that was born from Crytek's game of the same name. Crysis is not only a tech demo of the engine, but it's also a decent game. Even to this day, Crysis looks amazing and runs better on modern hardware. You've got zero gravity, customizable weaponry, a sweet nano suit, and an open world to take on enemies. You'll be able to use the environment and everything within it to help you achieve various goals, and it's a blast.

Day of the Tentacle

The follow-up to the 1987 Maniac Mansion, Day of the Tentacle is a fantastic, humorous point-and-click adventure game from LucasArts. You'll be helping Bernard Bernoulli and his friends, Hoagie and Laverne, as they attempt to stop the evil Purple Tentacle by solving puzzles and traveling through time.