I'm looking to build a computer using parts from the Windows 98/XP era and want to run a Linux distro on it. My main question is about playing my physical copies of classic games like Diablo 1 and 2, Half-Life 1 and 2, and Halo CE/Halo 2 on this setup. If I use a Linux distro designed for older hardware and try running these games through Wine, will they perform similarly to how they did on Windows XP? Any insights or experiences would be really helpful!
5 Answers
I’ve actually played Halo on Linux Mint with an old Xeon processor, and it was quite resource-intensive. I recommend upgrading your hardware, like I’m doing with an i7, if you want smoother gameplay. Just keep an eye on those resource levels!
For those older titles, a 64-bit build is the way to go if you can. Some distributions are phasing out 32-bit support altogether. Tiny Core is an option, but it might come with its own learning challenges.
Using Linux back in 2003, I remember Wine having pretty hit-or-miss support for games. Some titles might work, but be prepared for a bit of tinkering. You can check the WineHQ archives for compatibility info on the specific games you're interested in.
That's good to know! I've heard running older Windows software in Wine can be tricky, so I guess I'll have to experiment.
I’ve used AntiX on some older laptops and found it works well with Wine for a few games, but it’s really hit or miss with anything from the Win95/98 era. In the end, you might need a virtual machine for the best compatibility. Just choose your distro wisely and give it a shot!
Try using Lutris along with Proton; it can make running games easier. With Diablo, I could play it using Wine a while back, but there were some graphical issues. Experimenting with different Wine versions through Lutris might help you get those games up and running without too much hassle.
Thanks for the input! I was referring to the physical copies of Halo 1 and 2 though, not the Steam versions.