Steam for buying old computer games

mcooper131416 · 08 Aug 2019

Hi all, I am new to this site and wanted to see if anyone could help me out.
I was looking into buying some of the old computer games that I played as a child. I bought the CD disk Pajama Sam and googled how to get it to work on my desktop windows 10 computer.
I tried doing all the steps, even watched several youtube videos and I just couldn't get it to work. Even tried scummvm with no luck. My folders always showed it was greyed out and "zipped" even after unzipping them they stayed greyed out.

So I found this site called steam and it shows that I can buy the game for $6.99. If I buy this game will it work on my new desk top HP windows 10 computer?? I know its not a lot of money but I would hate to waste $7 for it to not even work.
Thanks!

TairikuOkami · 09 Aug 2019

mcooper131416 said:

So I found this site called steam and it shows that I can buy the game for $6.99. If I buy this game will it work on my new desk top HP windows 10 computer?? I know its not a lot of money but I would hate to waste $7 for it to not even work.
Thanks!

The Steam refunds games within two weeks of purchase and with less than two hours of playtime.

Steam Refunds

By the way, GOG is a good store to look for old games working on Windows 10.

If, within 30 days after the purchase of your game, you experience technical problems or game-breaking bugs that prevent you from finishing your game, contact our customer support. They will do their best to help you fix the problem and if, at the end of their attempts to solve the problem your game is still not working, we'll give you back your money.

GOG.COM Money Back Guarantee Policy

Dude · 09 Aug 2019

Steam and GOG are both good choices.

Faith · 09 Aug 2019

GoG is better at supporting older games because they usually add community patches to ensure better or even full compatbility. It's also DRM-free if you feel ownership is important in this disposable gaming world. Both Steam and GoG is good, but GoG is objectively better at what it does since it started as a niche platform for older games, hence the name, Good old Games. You can get Gog Galaxy if you want to use their client on your PC.

GOG GALAXY
The gaming Client designed for a convenient purchasing, playing and updating games, as well as an online play between gaming platforms, GOG GALAXY is also built with optionality in mind, and a belief that you should own the games you buy.

bro67 · 09 Aug 2019

Also check archive.org for old games along with Amazon.

Lugh · 16 Aug 2019

Faith said:

Both Steam and GoG is good, but GoG is objectively better at what it does since it started as a niche platform for older games

I agree with this. I have hundreds of games on both, but will purchase from GOG in preference because of probably better compatibility going forward. Galaxy 2.0 when it comes out is also intended to be close to a single dashboard for gamers, in that you can import your games from other sellers and deal with them all in one place.

Pajama Sam … will it work on my new desk top HP windows 10 computer?

GOG
Volume 1 Works on: Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8);
Volume 2 Works on: Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8).

Steam
Pajama Sam: No Need to Hide When It's Dark Outside—RECOMMENDED: OS: Windows 10;
Pajama Sam 2: Thunder And Lightning Aren't So Frightening—RECOMMENDED: OS: Windows 10.

So unusually, it looks like Steam is the better bet this time for Windows 10.

Tip: if you're not in a rush to get the game, 'Wishlist' it and wait for a sale—eg I see the first one is 50% off right now on Steam, ie $3.50. Also, checkout the bundles listed down the Steam/GOG pages—you might get all the Pajama Sam games for a nice discount.