For example, the 2D platformer Salt and Sanctuaryis basically a riff on Dark Souls, one of the most well-known third-person action game from the last few years. Most of these titles are from indie developers, and are considerably cheaper than AAA releases.ĢD games needn’t necessarily be retro-styled, either. Almost any game that relies on 2D sprites rather than 3D polygons can run on the integrated graphics cards found on inexpensive desktops and lightweight laptops. Just because a game is new doesn’t mean it demands an incredible amount of power. There are other options, like the Steam Controller and a ton of third-party wired and Bluetooth controllers, but I’d still recommend staying with the Xbox designs unless you have a compelling reason to go elsewhere.

It includes Bluetooth in addition to Microsoft’s proprietary RF technology, so a separate (and bulky) USB adapter is not required. That being said, prospective laptop gamers might want to take a look at the recent revision of the Xbox One controller. RELATED: How to use an Xbox One Controller on Windows, OS X, and Linux The Xbox 360 controller ($30) is a bit cheaper, though. The Xbox 360 and Xbox One versions are both solid options-there’s very little practical difference in the designs, though the Xbox One controller ($45) does subjectively look a bit nicer. Microsoft’s Xbox controllers are the de facto standard for PC games, and they’re available in both wired and wireless models. You’ll also want some kind of controller, at least if your gaming tastes extend beyond mouse-driven fare like shooters, adventures, and strategy games. RELATED: Why You Should Get an Xbox Controller for PC Gaming

Check out this article for a list of stores that should work even on old or low-power machines. You might want to look into alternatives, too, especially Good Old Games’ Galaxy and EA’s Origin, both of which are filled to the brim with older games. Any Windows-based machine (even tablets) or Mac can download the program, and creating an account and browsing the store is free. To start, you’re going to want Steam, which is still the premier PC gaming store right now. RELATED: 10 Alternatives to Steam for Buying Cheap PC Games

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