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Buying Old Games on Stores

/ How to play / Buying Guide

Many classic games have been put back on sale over the past decade, with the rise of online stores and the re-release of classic consoles. This guide gives some advice before buying online.

When a game from our catalog is sold again, it's no longer abandonware: its game page shows a Buy game button and the stores where you can get it, instead of the download.

PC game stores

GOG and ZOOM Platform are the best places for old PC games: no DRM, and the games are set up to run on modern computers. Steam has many classics too, but check that they still work before you buy.

  • GOG (Good Old Games): founded in 2008, GOG provides very well-crafted releases with extras like soundtracks and manuals, and support for Windows, Mac and Linux. No DRM: you download an installer that is yours to keep, and install it on as many of your computers as you like. Games in the GOG Preservation Program are tested and fixed by GOG to keep working on current and future systems.
  • ZOOM Platform: online since 2014, offers DRM-free games with manuals, soundtracks and bonus content. Supports Windows, Mac and Linux.
  • Steam: the biggest PC store, with many classic games. Some of them were put on sale long ago and never updated, so they may not run on Windows 10 or 11. Read the recent user reviews before buying.
  • EA app: EA's store, which replaced Origin in April 2025. Your old Origin games moved to it. Game availability can change, with removals or regional restrictions.
  • Other stores:

Avoid websites that resell keys from unknown sellers: the key may not work, or may be removed from your account later.

What to expect from these releases

Most classic games sold on stores come ready to play, but not always at their best. Community patches often fix what the store version doesn't.

  • DOS games: usually bundled with DOSBox, and they work out of the box. You can still use your own DOSBox for better settings, see our DOS guide.
  • Windows games: should work out of the box on GOG, but may look bad at modern resolutions. Check PCGamingWiki, ModDB or the Widescreen Gaming Forum for community patches and fixes. These patches are unofficial and must be installed by hand. Our Windows games guide explains the most common fixes.

Console games

Nintendo and Sony sell their classic games through subscriptions now. Retro compilations, cartridges and streaming services are other legal ways to play old console games.

  • Nintendo Switch Online: the subscription includes hundreds of classic games, from the NES, Super Nintendo and Game Boy to the Nintendo 64 and GameCube with the Expansion Pack. The Wii U and 3DS shops closed in March 2023, so their Virtual Console games can no longer be bought.
  • PlayStation Plus Premium: includes a catalog of classic PlayStation, PlayStation 2 and PSP games, playable on PS4 and PS5.
  • Compilations: many publishers sell collections of their old games for modern consoles and PC, often with extras and a museum of the time.
  • Evercade: a retro handheld and home console with cartridges of officially licensed old games, from consoles, arcades and home computers.
  • Antstream Arcade: a subscription that streams more than 1,300 licensed retro games to your computer, phone or console.
  • Mini consoles: the NES, Super NES and PlayStation mini consoles, sold a few years ago with a selection of games, can still be found second-hand.

Why buy an old game?

When a game is sold again, the download leaves our site, and buying it is the only legal way to play it. It's also the best way to thank the people who keep these games alive.

A store version usually comes with fixes for modern computers, and sometimes with manuals, maps and soundtracks. Your purchase also tells publishers that old games are worth selling again.

First written by hand, and brought up to date in October 2026 against each program's own documentation and, where it exists, its source code. Game counts and file sizes come from our own catalogue. The update was drafted with the help of an AI assistant and checked by hand before publishing. If something here is out of date, tell us.