Nostalgic Gaming on a Budget: Best Classic PC Games for 2025

This is an article that will go well with all the nostalgic, old gamers like myself who want to re-discover some of the best classic PC games and replay them today. Some come in stunning HD remakes, with various improvements, and are worth your time.

Plus, the best part: they’re extremely cheap! You can get these amazing classic games for as little as $1 during discounted periods and always under $10. Perfect! So let’s not waste any time and instead let’s check out the classic games you must play on a budget today.

Heroes of Might & Magic 3 Complete

Some games on this list can be played indefinitely and HoMM3 is one of them.

Made even better with mods that you can download for free – like WoG or HoTA, this is a classic that still has a strong following. It’s also one of my all-time favorite games, so it has to top the list.

You can even load it up fully in HD thanks to the HD mod (or get the limited, yet official HD Edition on Steam which lacks many things though, like the random map maker or the Conflux faction). The community is still very active and new content, as well as maps, constantly pop up. It’s really impressive!

A bit more difficult to play if you haven’t done so already – since it is complex and demanding – HoMM3 has aged well and is a must in your inventory. It is available for download on GoG.

Diablo & Hellfire

This is a game that was launched over 20 years ago and is still considered one of the most influential and popular games ever. It’s a joy to replay the classic hack’n slash RPG and see if you still have the skills to rule the game.

Download Diablo, packed with the Hellfire expansion on GoG, for less than $10.

Related reading: Best RPGs with job systems.

Commandos 2 & 3

A bit slow-paced for my taste, but a classic that needs to be replayed nevertheless. Any game in the series will do – or all of them – and you have various purchase options.

All will allow you to travel back in time and control your squad, one at a time, deep behind enemy lines, and turn the tides of war in your favor.

A brilliant game for those who like to strategize a lot and plan each move carefully. It’s not like you’re in a hurry anyway!

You can get the entire Commandos collection pack here, including Commandos 2, Commandos 3, but also Behind Enemy Lines and Beyond the Call of Duty.

Warcraft 2

I actually played and enjoyed Dune 2 more than I did the Warcraft RTS series, but since the former is no longer available (unless you look on some abandonware sites) and the latter is easier to get – and still of insanely high quality, I decided to recommend it instead.

Get back into the battle between the Orcs and the Humans and guide your faction to victory in this classic game that will definitely turn on all the nostalgia buttons that you have. Also available on GoG.

The Settlers 3

For those of you who are a bit more peaceful and looking forward to a slow-paced city-building sim, The Settlers 3 is the best game in the series, in my opinion.

It will get you hooked instantly and it will help you relax… it’s easy, straightforward yet complex.

You can get the Settlers 3 right now on Good Old Games.

Also read: BEST Open World Games for PS5

Max Payne

The FPS game that introduced Bullet Time, Max Payne is definitely a game ahead of its times.

With a deep story, a lovable character, and some impressive gameplay elements, this remains one of the best shooters ever made. Worth playing or replaying to see if you still have it (yes, the game is brutally difficult!)..

You can download the game on Steam.

Caesar 3

Moving away from the rural settings in The Settlers 3 all the way to the days long gone of the Roman empire.

Another city building sim that earned its place in the history books. This time, one of a ruthless difficulty – because this is how games were made back then!

You can download the game from GoG or Steam.

The Witcher

While not as old as most games on this list, The Witcher is definitely a classic and an actual masterpiece. So join Geralt in his adventures and have endless hours of fun.

At the moment of writing this article, there’s a massive discount running for the original Witcher, available for under $2 (but also all the other games in the series – a great moment to pick them up, if the discount is still available).

You can get the game from Steam or GoG.

Related reading: Best Farming Games to Play on PC

Jazz Jackrabbit 2

If you’re stuck home, you won’t be doing a lot of running – but you can make up for that (at least partially) if you (re)play Jazz Jackrabit 2.

An amazing, colorful, and lighthearted platformer featuring Jazz the Rabbit, this game will keep old and young entertained for hours.

You can get it from Good Old Games right now.

Terraria

Another game that’s a bit more recent, but delightful and definitely a classic. Also a game that can keep you busy until this whole madness is over, allowing you to craft your dream world and have fun while doing so.

The level of challenge is really high and crafting/building and general gameplay options are endless, so consider Terraria a must play during these times.

You can get if from GOG or Steam

GTA San Andreas

San Andreas is, undoubtedly, one of the most popular Grand Theft Auto games, and one that will always bring back sweet memories.

Sure, all GTA games are amazing and insanely popular, but if you want to travel in time a bit, this is the game that you must play.

You can get it on Steam for less than $10 right now.

Civilization 3

The Civilization series is one of my favoritesof all time. I love turn-based strategy games and I don’t think there’s any to match the complexity and awesomeness of the Civ games.

While it is debatable which is the best – Civ 2 or Civ 3 – I decided to recommend the latter since it’s a bit more recent and more visually appealing.

You can’t go wrong with this one, trying to beat the game over and over again, setting challenges for your civilization, and trying new things. Absolutely amazing!

You can get the game on GOG or Steam.

Gothic 1 or 2 (or both)

I lost countless nights playing the original Gothic and then more (although fewer) playing the sequel. A brilliant series of games that will make RPG fans really, really happy.

Yes, it is filled with bugs and it sometimes can get frustrating because of that, but it has an amazing story and is, without a doubt, one of the best RPG series ever.

Unfortunately, you can’t get both for under $10, but choose one and enjoy it. You can get them from GOG: Gothic 1 or Gothic 2, or Gothic 2 from Steam.

Also read our previous article: Best Gaming Laptops with 64GB RAM

Doom

The original. The one. The only. FPS greatness.

Developed by id Software, and originally released in 1993, DOOM popularized the first-person shooter genre, setting a standard for all FPS games of that time.

The demons came and the marines died…except one. You are the last defense against Hell. Prepare for the most intense battle you’ve ever faced.

Game is available for download on GOG.

Deus Ex (GOTY Edition)

In the dystopian future of the year 2052, society slowly spirals into chaos. A lethal virus, the “Gray Death”, ravages the world.

The only vaccine, “Ambrosia”, is in such short supply, it is only available to those wealthy enough and deemed “vital to the social order”.

With no hope for a cure for the common people, riots occur worldwide and several terrorist organizations have formed.

You assume the role of JC Denton, a nanotechnologically augmented UNATCO agent. You get plunged into the world of augmentations, human misery, and conspiracies, determined to uncover the truth behind the real world order.

Game available on GOG.

Jazz Jackrabbit 1

You can normally get both games for under $10, and they’re often on sale too. Great if you want to relieve some platformer madness.

This little bunny – with a very big gun – is on a mission to save the beloved rabbit princess, Eva Earlong, from Devan Shell and the Shellian Terrorists.

This is an exciting high-speed, platform, action-jump’n’run adventure with animated cinematics, old-school graphics, incredible 3D bonus stages, and an awesome soundtrack.

Both editions come with the holiday versions included (with extras). For this one, check GOG: Jazz Jackrabbit Collection.

Another World

A beautiful game that was well ahead of its time, Another World has been re-released and must be played.

Telling an amazing story without any words, and being challenging enough even today, Another World is the type of game you can finish in one afternoon (if you’ve done it before), and then again and again just because of the great story.

I recommend grabbing the 20th Anniversary Edition on either Steam or GoG.

Feeling nostalgic already? Get back into Facebook gaming too by checking out the good games still available on the platform.

Jagged Alliance

I grew up playing, failing, loading and reloading games in the JA series until my mercs managed that lucky shot (or the opponents failed theirs). While this doesn’t sound like fun – and it is not – the rest is.

I recommend replaying all the titles in the classic series, starting with the original Jagged Alliance, moving to Deadly Games, and rounding it up with Jagged Alliance 2 (all available on GoG and Steam).

Build up your team of mercs – Ivan, Igor, Grunty, Fox, Lynx and whichever are your favorites – and relive the amazing moments this series has to offer.

And if you want something more up-to-date, Jagged Alliance 3 is a great addition to the series and we have plenty of guides here.

Wrapping Up

These would be the cheap classic games that we recommend playing now that you have to spend more time inside the house.

GoG also has a list of free old games that you can install at no cost and enjoy – they’re not the best ones ever released, but they’re better than nothing and still fun: check them out here.

We have other articles to help, though, like a list of the most relaxing games you can play now or top hidden object adventure games you can play for free. if you’re looking to solve a mystery or two.

If you think other classic games should be included on the list, let us all know by commenting below. I am sure there are plenty that spark up that nostalgia, so share them with us.