In an era where modern web development often means complex frameworks, countless dependencies, and client-side rendering, there's something refreshing about building a web application that stays true to the old-school approach. Today, I want to introduce you to Old School Games, a retro gaming platform I've been developing that not only celebrates classic DOS games but also embraces the web technologies of yesteryear.

What is Old School Games?

Old School Games is a web platform dedicated to preserving and making accessible the golden age of PC gaming. The site features a curated collection of classic DOS games from the 1980s and 1990s - titles like System Shock, Monkey Island, Civilization, Wolfenstein 3D, and many others. What makes it special is that all these games can be played directly in your browser without any downloads or complicated setup.

The platform serves as a digital museum for gaming history, complete with detailed descriptions of each game, developer information, screenshots, and the ability to play these classics instantly. It's a nostalgic journey back to a time when games were crafted with heart and soul, featuring pixelated graphics, unforgettable soundtracks, and that unique atmosphere that defined an entire generation of gaming.

Technical Philosophy: Old School Web Development

What's particularly interesting about Old School Games is that it doesn't just celebrate retro gaming - it's built using a retro web development approach. In keeping with the philosophy of simplicity and staying true to the era it represents, the entire platform is built with traditional server-side technologies:

• Node.js and Express - For the backend server and routing
• PostgreSQL - Direct database queries without ORM overhead
• EJS templating - Server-side rendering for fast, SEO-friendly pages
• Minimal client-side JavaScript - Just enough for essential interactions

This approach mirrors how websites were built in the 1990s and early 2000s - predominantly server-side rendered with minimal client-side JavaScript. It's a deliberate choice that aligns with the platform's mission to preserve and honor the past.

Why Server-Side Rendering Still Matters

In today's JavaScript-heavy web development landscape, Old School Games demonstrates that server-side rendering (SSR) still has significant advantages:

• SEO Benefits - Pages are fully rendered on the server, making them easily indexable by search engines
• Performance - Fast initial page loads without waiting for JavaScript bundles
• Accessibility - Works perfectly even with JavaScript disabled
• Simplicity - No complex build processes or state management

The result is a website that loads quickly, works reliably, and provides an excellent user experience across all devices and browsers - much like the robust, dependable games it hosts.

Game Collection and Features

Old School Games features an impressive collection spanning multiple genres:

• Strategy Games - Civilization, Dune II, Transport Tycoon Deluxe
• Adventure Games - Monkey Island series, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis
• Action Games - Duke Nukem 3D, Wolfenstein 3D, Doom II
• RPGs - System Shock, Lands of Lore, Ishar series
• Simulation Games - SimCity, Star Wars: TIE Fighter

The platform includes useful features like:

• Alphabetical browsing and genre-based filtering
• Developer and publisher information
• Release year organization
• Game of the Week highlights
• Recently added games section

Technical Implementation Highlights

Building a retro gaming platform presents unique technical challenges. The games run using DOSBox compiled to WebAssembly, allowing classic DOS executables to run in modern browsers. This requires careful optimization to ensure good performance while maintaining compatibility across different browsers and devices.

The database structure is designed to efficiently handle game metadata, user preferences, and game states. Using PostgreSQL with direct SQL queries (no ORM) provides maximum control over database performance and allows for complex queries needed for filtering and searching the game collection.

The Future of Retro Gaming

Old School Games represents more than just a gaming platform - it's a preservation project. As we move further into the future, these classic games risk being forgotten or becoming inaccessible due to hardware and software obsolescence. By making them available in modern browsers, we ensure that future generations can experience the games that shaped the industry.

The platform continues to grow, with new games being added regularly. The focus remains on quality over quantity - each game is carefully selected for its historical significance and gameplay value.

Conclusion

Old School Games proves that sometimes the best approach is to keep things simple. By using traditional web technologies and server-side rendering, the platform delivers a fast, reliable, and accessible experience that honors both the games it hosts and the web development practices of the era.

Whether you're a gaming enthusiast looking to relive childhood memories, a developer interested in retro gaming preservation, or someone curious about classic game design, Old School Games offers a unique window into the golden age of PC gaming.

Visit Old School Games and take a trip back to when games were simpler, but arguably more memorable. Fire up a classic title and experience the magic that defined an entire generation of gaming.

In a world of complex modern games, sometimes the most profound experiences come from the simplest pixels and the most straightforward gameplay.