100 Games to play on your netbook or home computer « GamingBolt.com: Video Game News, Reviews, Previews and Blog

100 Games to play on your netbook or home computer

January 5th, 2010 at 5:33 pm -

So you have just recieved your new netbook. Of course, the prime use for a netbook is for working, and for using simple applications such as MS Word and surfing the web. However, there is often more power crammed into these tiny things than you might expect. So, although you will probably be working on your new home or office computer, I’m sure that at some point you may feel the need to let off some steam with a little gaming. Choosing games that are good, don’t feature severely dated visuals, and run smoothly on a netbook are hard to find. However, we have tested hundreds of games on 3 different computers (specs below) and picked out a delectable selection for you to choose from.

9- Year Old Hewlett-Packard Desktop

Cpu: 1.6 ghz Intel Pentium 4 (Single Core)
RAM: 256 MB- DDR 400 mhz
Graphics: GeForce 2 MX, 32mb video memory

2- Year Old Dell Inspiron Laptop

CPU: 2.1 ghz Intel Core 2 Duo (Dual Core)
RAM: 2 GB- DDR2 667 mhz
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 4500MHD, 384 MB video memory (shared)

New MSI Wind Netbook

CPU: 1.6ghz Intel Atom N270 (Single Core)
RAM: 1 GB – DDR2 667 mhz
Graphics: Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950, 128 MB video memory (shared)

These are the computers we will be using to evaluate the performance of our 100 games. For each game I will give a short low down on performance experienced.

N.B. Shared video memory indicates memory that is utilized from system RAM, and some computers may not be able to use that much, it depends on the amount of RAM. The number stated indicates max possible video memory.

Before we get started just check out this key

Smooth = Average 35+ FPS
Playable = Average 24-34 FPS
Unplayable = Average 0-23 FPS

Also, sometimes only the sequel game is listed. If you see this, assume that the original game performs as well as or better than the sequel. *

Shooter Games

Shooters were some of the earliest form of games, and it is safe to say that this is one genre that has only improved with time. As such, the games here may not match up to the action found in the latest releases, but they will provide some decent stress busting to break up your workload.

America’s Army

HP: Playable, choppy at times (low settings)
Dell: Smooth (mostly high settings)
MSI: Smooth (med settings)

F.E.A.R

HP: Did not run
Dell: Smooth (low settings)
MSI: Playable, choppy (low settings)

Left 4 Dead

HP: Did not run
Dell: Mostly smooth (low settings)
MSI: Unplayable

Project I.G.I

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Quake 3

HP: Playable (med settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Quake Arena

As above

DOOM 3

HP: DNR
Dell: Playable, very choppy
MSI: Unplayable

No One Lives Forever 2

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Counter Strike Source

HP: Unplayable
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Playable (low settings)

Max Payne 2

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Medal of Honor Allied Assualt

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Call of Duty

HP: Smooth (high-med settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Call of Duty 4

HP: DNR
Dell: Smooth (low settings)
MSI: Unplayable

Far Cry

HP: DNR
Dell: Playable, choppy (low settings)
MSI: Unplayable

Freedom Fighters

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth, some graphical glitches possibly due to hardware (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Grand Theft Auto Vice City

HP: Very sluggish, unplayable
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (med settings)

Grand Theft Auto San Andreas

HP: DNR
Dell: Smooth (low-med settings)
MSI: Playable (low settings)

Half Life 2

HP: Unplayable
Dell: Playable (high settings)
MSI: Unplayable

Mafia

HP: Playable (low settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Playable, sometimes choppy (high settings)

Operation Flashpoint

HP: Playable (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Return to Castle Wolfenstein

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory

As above

Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix

HP: Smooth, sometimes choppy (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

System Shock 2

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Deus Ex

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Unreal Tournament 2004

HP: DNR
Dell: Smooth (med settings)
MSI: Unplayable

Battlefield 1942

HP: Smooth (med settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Hitman Contracts

HP: DNR (Hitman Silent Assassin works fine)
Dell: Smooth (med settings)
MSI: Smooth (low settings)

Rainbow Six 3: Raven Shield

HP: Smooth, occasionally choppy (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

RPG Games

The RPG genre, in many people’s minds, has become somewhat delapidated as time has gone by. Some of the all-time classics are the older ones in this category. Sure, there are modern greats like Dragon Age: Origins or Fallout 3, but if you want to play RPG games on your netbook, you are getting the best or the rest.

Baldur’s Gate II

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Diablo II

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Gothic 2

HP: Playable (med settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (med-high settings)

Fallout 2

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Knights of the Old Republic

HP: Unplayable
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Playable (low settings)

Final Fantasy XI Online

HP: Playable (low settings)
Dell: Smooth (med settings)
MSI: Playable (med settings)

Planescape: Torment

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

World of Warcraft

HP: DNR
Dell: Playable (low settings)
MSI: Unplayable

Sims 3

HP: DNR
Dell: Smooth (low settings)
MSI: Unplayable

Mount and Blade

HP: Playable (low settings, DX7 mode)
Dell: Smooth (med settings)
MSI: Playable (low settings)

Neverwinter Nights

HP: Unplayable
Dell: Smooth (med settings)
MSI: Playable (low settings)

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind

HP: Smooth (med settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Vehicle- Based Games

The games that fall into this category are simply any game that requires sole use of vehicles throughout the game. Racing games, like shooters, have improved with time, but don’t let that stop you from having a good race. Pedal to the metal!

IL2 Sturmovik

HP: Smooth (highsettings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Combat Flight Simulator 3

HP: Smooth (highsettings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Colin McRae 3

HP: Smooth, occasionally laggy (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Colin McRae Rally ‘04

HP: Smooth (med settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Crimson Skies

HP: Smooth (highsettings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

FlatOut 2

HP: Unplayable
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (low settings)

Ford Racing 3

HP: Playable (low settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (med settings)

Lego Racers 2

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Motorcross Madness 2

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Need For Speed Underground 2

HP: Unplayable
Dell: Smooth (med settings)
MSI: Playable (low settings)

Trackmania

HP: Smooth (med settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Driver

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Crazy Taxi

HP: Smooth, although many consistent frame rate issues (high settings)
Dell: Smooth, although many consistent frame rate issues (high settings)
MSI: Smooth, although many consistent frame rate issues (high settings)

Virtual Skipper 5

HP: DNR
Dell: Smooth (low settings)
MSI: Playable (low settings)

The Simpsons Hit and Run

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

NASCAR Racing 4

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Carmageddon II

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Strategy Games

Fortunately, the old strategy games do tend to be the best. Although it’s hard to resist the photo realistic graphics seen in some of the newer strategy games, the best is commonly found by taking a look back at around the year 1998…

Starcraft

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Dawn of War

HP: DNR
Dell: Playable (med settings)
MSI: Smooth (Safe Mode)

World of Goo

HP: DNR
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Anno 1404

HP: DNR
Dell: Unplayable (although almost bearable after you get used to it)
MSI: Really is unplayable

Homeworld

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars

HP: DNR
Dell: Playable (low-medsettings)
MSI: Playable (low settings, shader must be set to Low)

Empire Earth

HP: Smooth (med settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Playable (high settings)

Age of Empires 2

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Europa Universalis 2

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Hearts of Iron

HP: Unplayable
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Civilization III

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

The Settlers IV

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Commandos 3: Destination Berlin

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Sudden Strike II

HP: Smooth (med settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Silent Storm

HP: Playable, choppy (low settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Soldiers: Heroes of World War 2

HP: DNR
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth, sometimes choppy (med settings)

Praetorians

HP: Smooth (med settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Rome Total War

HP: DNR
Dell: Playable (low settings)
MSI: Playable (low settings)

Jagged Alliance 2

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Total Annihilation

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Ground Control

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Rise of Nations

HP: Smooth (medsettings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Warcraft III

HP: Smooth (med settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Dune II

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Simcity 4

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Theme Hospital

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Theme Park World

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Majesty

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Black and White

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Adventure Games

Many of you will probably be familiar with the Assassins Creed games. Although these recent ones won’t work on our test computers, there are a ton of older games out there that will give you a similar experience. By similar experience, I mean something that isn’t overtly shooter related, but something that maybe requires platforming, or stealth. Sure, these games might not have the scope or size of newer games, but hey- they are a lot of fun.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

HP: Unplayable
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (med settings)

Tomb Raider II

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Trine

HP: DNR
Dell: Smooth (low settings)
MSI: Smooth (low settings)

Splinter Cell

HP: Playable (low settings, shadows off)
Dell: Smooth (medsettings)
MSI: Smooth (low settings)

Theif: Deadly Shadows

HP: Playable (low settings, but with shadows off, and Theif with shadows off is rubbish)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Playable (high settings)

Oddworld: Abe’s Exodus

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Rayman 2

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

The Curse of Monkey Island

HP: Smooth (high settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance

HP: DNR
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Playable (med settings)

Beyond Good and Evil

HP: Playable (med settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Smooth (high settings)

Second Sight

HP: Playable (low settings)
Dell: Smooth (high settings)
MSI: Playable (medsettings)

Well there you go, 100 games to play on your netbook. Admittedly, a lot of the games are pre-2001, and won’t have such pretty graphics. However, shouldn’t gameplay come first?

We have tried our best to get you as many games as possible, and we’re sorry if your favourite game isn’t here. However, if you want a game to be tested, tell us in the comments below!

So finally, whether you own a netbook or a top-end gaming rig, these are 100 games you should try.

*Except Call of Duty/4 and Command and Conquer 3/RA 2

101 Comments

cruelty
January 10, 2010
Reply #1

UPDATE::

On the previous post, the games tested on my netbook were running on Windows 7 starter edition/ I also tried Colin McRae 2005, but that didn’t work at all.

Did a retest now that I’ve upgraded to 7 Ultimate and the performance increased slightly.
NFSU2: Runs at the lowest resolution with all settings turned down, but turns into a slideshow when you encounter traffic or city details (neon, taller buildings).

CMR 2005: Plays at the lowest resolution & setting, but it’s too laggy to comfortably play a rally game. Note that it never worked on7 Starter.

CMR 2004: Very frustrating since the default graphics setting changed from low (7 starter) to high. The vehicles look great and move smoothly, but the environment is still glitchy as hell, and unplayable as a result.
Dar
January 10, 2010
Reply #2

Sorry, but most of these games aren’t going to actually work on a netbook. It almost seems like you are trying to convince us that Intel graphics aren’t that bad, and that it’s we the user with the problem. That isn’t the case.

There has been a flood of this kind of nonsense lately, that it’s fine to buy a netbook/laptop with Intel graphics because they are “pretty good”. They aren’t. Sorry Intel has nothing better to sell, but they are the only ones that can change that situation.

There’s a big difference, too, between “this is all I have to play this game on so even if it is 8 fps, I’ll still do it” and “playable”.
- Anon
  March 11, 2010
  Reply #3
  
  They’re Netbooks, designed for surfing the web. And as for the “1.8 ghz atom processors, or 1.6ghz whatever they run at. They aren’t actually that clock, its for example 1.6ghz cpu, however its divided into 4 cores, so its basically running 400 mhz clock each core, which makes it slow as hell. (Sources: I’ve tried gaming on a netbook similar (eepc, with 128 mb intel graphics and a 1.6 ghz intel atom processor)
jacqui
January 10, 2010
Reply #4

Does Sim City 3000 or Sim City 4 work on the MSI Wind? How about Sims 2?
- Will Kenny
  January 10, 2010
  Reply #5
  
  Sim City 4 works fine, as does Sims 2.
gto55
January 11, 2010
Reply #6

and with the asus 1201N with ION and dual core atom ?
sambront
January 11, 2010
Reply #7

I’ve updated my netbook gaming thread over on the Steam forums. These are my finding with games on netbook (Chris/Will – feel free to remove this post if links to other sites aren’t allowed).

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?p=12997104&posted=1#post12997104
sambront
January 11, 2010
Reply #8

Ok, so I’ve posted a short (crappy) clip of Neverwinter Nights running on my netbook.

The netbook is a stock Lenovo S10 (w/1.5GB RAM), so your standard netbook, fresh reboot. There isn’t any bloatware on this machine, and I’ve killed any processes I don’t need. Fresh install of NWN, with the latest patches.

The game is running at 800×600, all settings on the lowest possible. The video is really crappy (I used a digital camera so as not to affect framerates). I’m using the latest version of FRAPS.

I started a new NWN campaign using a random pre-made character. As you can see, my framerates hover around in the mid-teens. If I zoom in things are a bit better, hitting 20fps at some points. But you can’t really play the game that way. So I would say I’m averaging mid- teens.

That’s at 800×600, with all settings at their lowest. In a room with nothing going on, no enemies on the screen, no fighting, no spell effect or animation.

I would love to know how you are getting 24fps+ throughout the game on high settings.
- sambront
  January 12, 2010
  Reply #9
  
  No response?
- Will Kenny
  January 12, 2010
  Reply #10
  
  It would be interesting to see the video.
  However, I stand by my statements in this article. As soon as I can, I will film each game running at the stated level of playability and add it to the article.
  Further discussion is not required.
  - sambront
    January 12, 2010
    Reply #11
    
    My bad, I didn’t post the link to the video in my post. Here it is:
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iaRya0zVJgs
    
    Will – understand I want nothing more than to have your results to be correct, because I want to play Neverwinter Nights on my netbook. I just cannot see how it’s possible. So I look forward to whatever you can provide. Even if you can show me what I’ve recorded (just the first part of the original NWN tutorial), running at 24fps…even at low quality…I would be very, very happy. Just let me know what settings you are using.
  - Will Kenny
    January 12, 2010
    Reply #12
    
    Thanks for the video.
    
    As soon as I can provide video proof, I will. However, there are others who report relatively smooth gameplay in NWN: http://www.gadgetoid.com/2009/08/12/netbook-gaming/. About half way down NWN is described as fairly smooth once shadows are turned down.
    
    Here: http://nwn.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic.html?topic=368215&forum=49
    Here an Intel Chipset featuring a GMA 950 (same as netbook in above article) is described as running with 20-25 FPS after a patch update (make sure you are fully patched of course).
    
    I know it’s not much evidence, but I hope this supports my case with you somewhat…
    I am looking towards getting video evidence soon.
    - sambront
      January 12, 2010
      Reply #13
      
      Will – There are all sorts of claims on the internet that lots of games like Guild Wars, Neverwinter Nights, Nights of the Old Republic, Dungeon Siege, etc work well on netbook. That has not been my experiance. I’m not sure if people just _think_ the games are running faster than they are (i.e. not using benchmark tools, just eyeballing it), or they just don’t care. I’m sure there are people out there that are fine with NWN running at 15fps. In my opinion, that’s not playable for a game like that. But “playable” is subjective. You’ve decided to put a number on the word, though. You’re saying “playable” is 24-34fps. I’m saying that you can’t get those frames in Neverwinter Nights (or Guild Wars, Dungeon Siege, etc).
      
      I have Neverwinter Nights Platinum, which has all the expansions. The game is patched to 1.69, the latest patch. My Intel driver is updated to the latest version, as are all my drivers.
      
      And the original post in the second link you provide is over five years old. Sooo many things have changed since then, you shouldn’t use that as a standard. But it does bring up something interesting…
      
      What version/patch are you using? The only thing that I can think of that might be happening here is that you are using the plain Neverwinter Nights and an older patch. It’s possible that the expansions added stuff that increased the requirements (I seem to remember this being the case). Maybe the expansions and latest patch can’t run on a netbook? The first post mentions that the expansions are not installed as well.
      
      I assume you are using the latest version of NWN with all the expansions installed.
    - sambront
      January 15, 2010
      Reply #14
      
      Just wondering if there is an update. I’ve noticed that Neverwinter Nights is now listed as playable on “low” settings, instead of high”. I’m still curious how you’re getting 24+fps even on low settings.
    - sambront
      January 18, 2010
      Reply #15
      
      It’s been a week without any update on this. I’m going to assume that you’re not able to provide proof that some of the games you list are actually playable on netbooks, otherwise there would have been some update by now.
      
      So just a warning to those who see this report in the future: a good portion, if not most, of the games listed here are not playable on netbooks.
      
      I’m dissapointed in Gamingbolt’s testing procedures, and the way they handled this story. Oh well.
    - sambrot
      January 25, 2010
      Reply #16
      
      Why do my posts keep being deleted? I’m not crazy, they are being deleted.
      
      Anyway, GamingBolt either needs to provide hard proof of their findings (concerning their results on netbooks), or remove their findings. This is, honestly, shoddy reporting. The fact is your results are inaccurate and misleading.
      
      Still waiting on video proof. I’ve provided mine two weeks ago.
      
      And it’s really unprofessional to censor posts and remove them. I’m not doing anything offensive, I’m just asking your site to provide proof to back up your findings. That’s not too much to ask.
patman
January 14, 2010
Reply #17

Snakeworlds is a recent (2009) casual ‘indie’ snake game which runs good on netbooks. When played on a netbook, it automatically turns into a ‘light’ mode. I’m not sure whether it’s allowed to add links, but if you google for “snakeworlds game” you’ll find it
bobothechimp
January 16, 2010
Reply #18

How about silkroad online (mmo) for the wind?

thanks in advance
sambront
January 25, 2010
Reply #19

Why does GamingBolt keep deleing my comments?

This list is innacurate concerning netbook performance in games. GamingBolt has yet to provide any proof of the accuracies of their findings. The fact is that most of the games listed here as playable on netbooks are not.

Why censor comments, and why not provide proof of your findings if you are so sure they are correct?
- Will Kenny
  January 25, 2010
  Reply #20
  
  No one is deleting your comments; they are either being caught in the spam filter or aren’t being posted due to recent server issues.
  The reason as to why a game runs slower on your computer than ours could be down to several things; there are literally hundreds of different hardware conflicts that could cause it. If you want more help please provide the make and model of your netbook.
  Furthermore, simply because you disagree with our results does not make them incorrect.
  - sambront
    January 25, 2010
    Reply #21
    
    Will, I’ve seen my comments publically available for a few days, and then disappear.
    
    Furthermore, if you look at post #17 you’ll notice I’m using a stock Lenovo S10 (upgraded RAM to 1.5GB), with a clean install of XP. I don’t have any bloat. My netbook is the same build as yours in terms of the guts (i.e. same CPU, GPU, NSB, FSB, etc). Our results should be the same.
    
    And it’s not that I disagree with your results, I’m saying that your results are not possible with many of the games you list. This is not opinion, it’s a fact. I absolutely welcome your proof that I am incorrect. I would love to be wrong, since that means I would be able to play some of my favorite games on my netbook.
    
    But the fact is many of the games you list don’t work acceptably as you attest. A few weeks ago I posted a video that I took of Neverwinter Nights showing the performance I was claiming. You said you would provide a video backing up your results, and have yet to do so. Until you provide hard proof of your results, I’m saying your results are incorrect and misleading. Again, it’s not that I’m just saying these games don’t run well (as you are saying they do), I have provided proof they don’t. All you need to do is provide proof they do. Why is this so hard?
    
    I would absolutely love to see Neverwinter Nights, Knights of the Old Republic, or Ground Control running acceptably on a netbook. That’s just three games out of the dozen that you mention in your article that I’m saying won’t run at a playable state.
    
    You are a gaming site. Surely you’ve heard of FRAPS? You can record games using FRAPS. Or you can do what I did: borrow a digital camera that takes video, record some gameplay with FRAPS running, and post it to YouTube. I did all of this, including signing up for a YouTube account, a few weeks ago.
    
    Until you can provide such proof, your results are tainted. Honestly, I think the reason you haven’t posted any video, and keep deleting my posts, is that you know your data is wrong and just won’t own up to it.
    
    The thing is, if you’re wrong, just admit it. I’m not going to say “I told you so”. I’ll _help_ provide you with actual, accurate data (if you want. I _want_ to spread the word that gaming _is_ possible on netbooks…I do it all the time. But when reports like this are posted, with inacurate data, it just puts false information out there. I’m trying to avoid that.
    - Will Kenny
      January 25, 2010
      Reply #22
      
      No one is trying to fake, taint or otherwise create misleading data here. I spent the best part of a fortnight testing these games, and I of course I am trying to give accurate data here.
      
      However, it is possible that data was either mistyped, mis-recorded or whatever at some point in the process. I tried hard to avoid this, but it is possible it slipped through.
      
      If there are mistakes in the article, then I understand that this may have misled people, and due to your persistece I have decided to adjust Neverwinter Nights in the article, as you will see above. As it is, I don’t have that particular netbook with me anymore, but I should get it back in a few weeks time when further tests will be conducted and if I turn out to be wrong after all, I will tell you and make adjustments as necessary.
      
      As far as deleting comments goes, the only people who have the ability are me and the head Admin. Neither of us have any reason to delete your comments, and I believe that the issue was caused by problems with our servers recently. (Many people have had a similar problem- seeing comments ‘deleted’ including myself. I in fact responded to one of your comments recently only to see it disappear.)
      - sambrot
        January 27, 2010
        #23
        
        So I typed up a response, which no longer exists. I believe you when you say that your server is deleting posts, not admins. This article lists 85 comments, but only 21 are visible. And they are all out of order now.
        
        Anyway, I have been persistent because I want the truth (both good and bad) about gaming on netbooks to be readily available. At this point, though, dealing with this site is just more of an annoyance than anything else.
        
        Will, I wish you luck in whatever new information you find. I’ve made my opinion on the matter obvious, no need in hammering that further into the ground. I’m going to move on to other more important matters, and let my existing comments be a warning to future readers.
        
        Take care.
cher
January 25, 2010
Reply #24

can you play ffxi on a samsung n130
Sambrot Sux
January 27, 2010
Reply #25

You sir are ungrateful.
Dave
January 28, 2010
Reply #26

I’ve been playing games for 20 years, recently got a netbook for the long journeys. Fired up some old games based quite a few are on this mysterious list. They did not run ’smoothly’ at all. No offense guys, but you need to provide some videos for the netbook results as they are just complete toss..
Blade
January 30, 2010
Reply #27

Quick note: a huge quantity of games on this list that are listed as “smooth” .. have “recommended” system requirements of 200Mhz cpu’s and anything better than a Voodoo 1 for 3d graphics. Like, duh.
Nicolas
February 1, 2010
Reply #28

What model is the MSI Wind Netbook?
Also Would http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834220554 Play any of the games that the MSI runs ?
- Will Kenny
  February 1, 2010
  Reply #29
  
  The Asus EeePC has very similar specs to the MSI Wind, so yes.
MOSSman
February 5, 2010
Reply #30

I’m typing from a ASUS 1000HE (GMA950, N280, 2GB on XP) that I bought for my wife. I installed Freedom Force which I have on Steam and it worked fine, although Freedom Force vs. Third Reich didn’t.

Although running these game for a while is a good indicator of their playability, there is a chance that the game cannot be played through to its completion. For example, my wife’s last desktop PC had an integrated nVidia GPU (4150 IIRC) on which I was playing KotOR. Once I got outside the enclave on Dantooine, the game grinded to a halt and became unplayable.

In any case, I think that the most people with integrated GPUs should expect to play are games with very limited 3D, perhaps even without TnL. Many thanks for performing all these tests, btw.
Guammy
February 8, 2010
Reply #31

Thanks so much for this list ^_^ have already tried many of these games on my netbook already. I appreciate the time you put into it.
Dantron
February 11, 2010
Reply #32

Before I came to see that some of this stuff was bogus I made the decision to buy a few games on here off of Steam. The only ones to work were the Grand Theft Auto games. I run a HP Mini 110, and they work good with the setting on high for Vice and medium for San Andreas. The main problem i have getting games to run on my Netbook is the resolution. I usually have to go back about 10-12 years, or find a console port to get games running. My macine only does 1024X578. This means problems for almost any game out there. This article should have talked about some of the limitations like this. My friends have Netbooks which are better, and we’ve never been able to get KOTOR to run even kind of playable, same with many of these games.
Jaosn
February 18, 2010
Reply #33

I have a Samsung N130 and I can see from this discussion what the problem is. Depending on wether or not you are running all the pre-installed bloatware and antivirus, and wether or not you are running on AC power or battery or how your power management software is configured, your performance will vary. I believe most of those having problems running the games they have been listed as “playable” need to do some tweaking on their factory setting to make them work better.
MGS2
March 13, 2010
Reply #34

What operating system you guys using on the Wind. I have the EEE901 and I just get a black screen in MGS2 when I try to play it.

I am using XP, so I am curious how you guys got it to work.