How about some practical "games to be played on..." categories, for example:

1980s to ~1996
DOS --> DOSBox, ScummVM, etc
also by sound options: MT-32/GM/GUS/SB-AWE/Soundscape etc esp. if you have the hardware

~1996 to ~2002
GLide --> nGlide, or real Voodoo rig (ditto for PVR SGL, Speedy3D/Rredline, if you have the cards)
DX<8 or DX<9 era --> win9x + compatible D3D/OpenGL graphics (e.g. GF3/4/FX)

.... A3D --> 9x;
.... EAX --> 9x, XP (unless you want to try ALchemy on newer OSes)

~2002 to current
DX8+ or DX9+ era --> XP/7/8

Even then there will still be some exceptions requiring specific hardware/software combination for the *full* experience or whatever you want to call it (or just minimum problems).

tincup wrote:

Nice and simple. I was expanding the range to include current games as well.

I see, I keep to the 90's. But the structure could be the same:
I would probably go with OS/API best match for 3D game reference, the year range would come up by itself.

1- Early 3D Acceleration. Windows 95. say 1995-1997.
2- Glide and up to DirectX 7. Windows98. say 1996-2001
3- DirectX 9. Windows XP. something like 2001-2008 but I'm kind of lost here 😀
4- ...

leileilol wrote:

Deus Ucks Invisible Bore

😎