Windows XP SP3 x86 offers decent compatibility of games of the period from the beginning of the Windows era, up to the end of the 2000s (games of the DOS era are better to be run in the DOSBox).
Hardware from the 2000-s also just recently became "vintage", so it's totally possible to find a laptop from the late 2000s in a decent condition, or requiring minimal restoration and upgrade.
The advantage of the system is not only support of retro-games within 15-years period, but also ability to run relatively modern software.
I have to note, that whatever the reason you use a system with official support ended and lack of security updates, avoid using it for internet browsing or any online exposure in general. If possible, keep it cut from the Internet most of the time.
At the moment, my minimal list includes the following applications and updates:
- Latest security updates possible:
- WSUS Offline February 2021: ISO Image; Torrent file
- WSUS Offline December 2021: ISO Image; Torrent file
- Old versions of DotNet x86 are required for lots of software:
- Lots of useful stuff comes with SDK for Windows 7 (MS official ISO image, will be probably taken down soon)
- Java if someone needed: Java 7 Update 5
- The latest PowerShell I witnessed working on XP was PowerShell 2.0, I also found PowerShell 1.0
- Code editor: Notepad++ 7.9.2
- Simple and functional HEX-editor: MH-Nexus HxD 2.5.0
- Better not to use the machine for internet browsing, but it's just nice to have a modern browser:
- MyPal browser, based on Firefox Quantum and PaleMoon, is the best actively supported browser for XP
- K-meleon browser, another product designed for older systems, based on the Mozilla Gecko engine
- Firefox ESR 52.9.0
- Opera 36.0.2130
- File and Archive Tools
- Multimedia
- VLC Media Player offers support for Windows XP SP3 as of January 2024
- Winamp 5.622 music player
- Latest supported tools for system maintenance: