I can't be the only one suffering the loss of playing the games of the '90's and early new century adventure games. I have games (and even printed out forum answers from so many of these old games) packed away and untouched for years. They have been occupying a bookcase in a closet all this time, collecting dust.
I'm going to assume you're not talking about DOS games because those are relatively easy to get working in DOSBox on modern computers. Beginners may have trouble with the concept of mounting the C: drive and the CD/DVD drive, but beyond that DOSBox is fairly easy if you know DOS -- and there are always front ends like DFend Reloaded to make things easier.
The choice in Windows games is different today from what it was in the 1990's.
Most Windows games in the 1990's and early 2000's were 1st person point-and-clicks, so if you like that style, or if you like to alternate between 1st and 3rd person point-and-clicks, it's no wonder you're feeling disappointed. There are very few first person point-and-click adventures being made any more (note I did not say none at all -- we still have Carol Reed, and she's better than ever). Keyboard-controlled games with FPS-style movement don't play the same as point-and-clicks (and are unplayable if they cause motion sickness), and casual games aren't the same as full adventures -- aren't as immersive.
Do I want to ever play these wonderful games again? I don't know. I kind of worry that I will be disappointed after all this time. That the thrill of the opening music and video won't move me any more. (well, I know hearing the Myst music always gets me excited!) Very few of the games today come any where near to the thorough enjoyment I experienced with these old games.
It may be partly due to nostalgia, but don't assume that's the only reason. As I said before, the games themselves are different. I also think not being able to hold the box (and the paper manual) in your hands diminishes the excitement of playing a new game. If you do manage to get an old favorite game playing, and the low resolution doesn't bother you, you may find yourself thinking, "YES !! This is why I enjoyed playing adventure games in the first place." Don't automatically assume you'll be disappointed.
Maybe they won't play on the updated laptops and Windows 8, 10 and Beyond!
It's not just the Windows version. There are issues with low resolution, non-widescreen, and CPU speed.
A few Windows games can be played in ScummVM.
http://www.scummvm.org/compatibility/1.7.0/Myst III is supposed to be playable in ResidualVM, though it's not 100%.
http://residualvm.org/compatibility/ Maybe I'll start a personal crusade and start playing them again, one-by-one. Get my XP desktop operating again.
Sigh! Its like parting with old friends.
I wouldn't give up on them. Maybe your XP desktop would work (if it's not too new). If you have an older computer from around year 2000, that would probably be the easiest way to play them. Unfortunately maintaining an old computer requires some degree of technical ability, or the interest in acquiring it, or someone to do it for you.
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This thread should really be in "Adventure Game Discussions" rather than "Mixed Bag" since it is definitely about adventure games. I'm sure some people missed it here in Mixed Bag.