VmWare

A "sort-of" PC Emulator. It uses mostly virtualization, mixed with some emulation. In a sense, this basically runs a virtual "almost-clone" of your present PC, but don't expect it to virtualize everything: it will not emulate/virtualize 3D video hardware at all. This is it's general condition at present:

Video:

Video output is reasonably quick but still not nearly as quick as any "real" videocard output (seems a little better than Virtual PC's when running another Windows OS). Recommended for low-to-medium power Windows games, it can handle full-screen video as well. Not recommended for high-speed action games that need a high amount of precision while running at high-resolutions (IE: First-person shooters like "Duke3D"). No-so-hot SVGA support as it doesn't emulate a "classic" VESA videocard like Virtual PC.

Sound:
???? Can't remember. It's been ages...

Input:

Emulates input from your "real" mouse and keyboard, with mouse input, switchable through a function key. Some operating systems (Win9x, Win2k, WinXP) have additional support from software that you install on the "guest" OS, that allows it communicate more easily with your "host" OS. It allows files to be dragged to or from the Virtual-PC's desktop and your "real" desktop. Also allows for easy "sharing" of drives (same as Virtual-PC?). Very easy to network your virtual PC with your real one.

Other hardware:

Emulates harddrives, CD-ROM devices and floppies either from drive images or it can be configured to use actual drives. Using caution when using "real" drive partitions with VmWare. Fairly easy to install and configure. It's overall game performance is in the "poor-medium" range: much better than Bochs, not as good as DosBox. DOS games are a real weakness. At present, VMWare is recommended for some titles.

Major downsides are the use of virtualization (speeds up overall operation, but not well-suited for running old game software), little actual emulation, and the cost: $
A timed demo is available for download.

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Other computer or game systems:

Basilisk... for example

Why would we bother suggesting you emulate an entire other computer or game system and it's version of the game...instead of running the PC version?

Well, sometimes it's just a more viable option.

Sometimes the PC version is a major pain, even when run in emulation. Sometimes you get added features as a bonus.

H--hey! That's a photo of my computer! How did you get into my basement to take that? 😉