EA brings 25 classic titles back to PC with modern restorations

Electronic Arts has surprised the gaming community by releasing 25 classic titles from its extensive back catalogue onto PC platforms. As reported by Video Games Chronicle, these games are now available to purchase through Steam, GOG, and the EA App. The initiative aims to make these legacy games playable on modern systems, with seven of the releases specifically identified as “restoration” projects. This release arrives as part of a Restored Classic Sale, marking a significant effort to modernize titles that had previously been difficult to access.

Restored and ready for modern hardware

For the seven featured restoration projects, EA has put in extra effort to ensure compatibility with modern hardware. Notably, these official releases include updates derived from community-made mods, helping the games run as smoothly as possible for today’s players. The restored list includes the 30th Anniversary Editions of Road Rash, Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger, Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom, and Wing Commander Prophecy, alongside the 35th Anniversary Editions of Wing Commander and Wing Commander II: Vengeance of the Kilrathi. Other classics released as part of this drop include several titles from the Ultima series, such as Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness, Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress, Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar, and Ultima VII: The Complete Edition.

Player options and availability

If you are looking to pick these up, all 25 titles are currently available at a 50% discount until November 19. Furthermore, players can grab additional savings through bundle offers for the Ultima and Wing Commander series, which are discounted by 55% for a limited time. These releases are designed for those looking to take a trip down memory lane, providing official and accessible versions of these games on current PC hardware.

Why it matters

This move is a departure from EA’s usual stance on its older catalogue, which has often been a point of contention for fans frustrated by the company’s lack of support for legacy software. By putting these titles on storefronts like Steam and GOG and integrating fan-favorite community fixes, EA is making it significantly easier to play these historical games on modern hardware. While these releases are a step toward preserving gaming history, they arrive during a period of broader community tension surrounding the company’s recent management of other franchises. Many of EA’s recent social media posts have been met with an overwhelmingly negative response. Despite this, the move represents a rare bit of positive news for those who have long criticized the publisher for sitting on older titles without taking action to ensure their modern functionality.