I'm looking to build a computer using parts from the Windows 98/XP era, and I'm considering running a Linux distribution on it. If I go with a version suitable for older hardware, will I be able to play physical PC games like Diablo 1 and 2, Half-Life 1 and 2, and the original Halo and Halo 2? I've heard about using Wine for compatibility, but I'm wondering if it will work as smoothly as it would on Windows XP. Any thoughts?
5 Answers
I’ve had success installing AntiX and Q4OS on older laptops. Q4OS has a GUI that feels familiar to Windows 98/XP users, and Wine can be installed easily. Performance varies, especially with titles from that era, so experimenting will be key. A virtual machine might also work if you hit roadblocks.
Definitely aim for a 64-bit build for your system, as many distros are phasing out 32-bit support. You could try something lightweight like Tiny Core, but be ready for a learning curve!
This sounds like a fun experiment! Consider using Lutris or Proton to help run those games. I've tried Diablo with Wine, and while I had some issues with a black screen in the menu, I managed to play it. Just remember that older hardware might have some quirks, and you might not need Steam to make it work.
When I switched to Linux back in the day, support for games through Wine was pretty hit or miss. You might get a few of those titles working, but it could turn into quite the adventure. I suggest checking the WineHQ website to see how those specific games were supported back then.
I've been testing the Halo games on a Linux setup with a Xeon processor, and while I finished Halo 2, my CPU was nearly maxed out. Just a heads up, my GPU utilization seems to stay below 50% though. It's important to note that I'm running it through Steam, which may influence performance.
I meant the physical copies of Halo 1 and 2, not the Steam versions, just to clarify!
I've had luck getting Windows 3.11 software to run fine, but anything from the Windows 95/98/XP era can be pretty unpredictable. It's a toss-up.