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The Best Gaming Websites You Need to Know

Elisa Day
10 min readNov 30, 2023

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In the ever-evolving landscape of gaming, staying informed and connected is like having an extra life in your back pocket. It’s not just about knowing the latest releases or the hottest cheats; it’s about being part of a community that breathes pixels and dreams in 4K resolution. Welcome to our digital odyssey, where we guide you through the labyrinth of the internet to uncover the most epic websites every gamer should have on their radar.

Get ready to upgrade your online gaming itinerary with our hand-picked selection of websites that are must-visits for anyone who’s ever picked up a controller, fired up a console, or launched a game on their PC. Let’s dive into the virtual world where every click leads to new adventures. Buckle up, it’s going to be an exhilarating ride!

Can You Run It?

systemrequirementslab.com/cyri

This essential website for gamers, System Requirements Lab, also known as “Can-You-Run-it,” is designed to evaluate if a specific video game can run on your gaming PC. It simplifies the process of checking computer specifications against game requirements, thus preventing the disappointment of buying or downloading incompatible games. The site offers a detector tool to scan your PC’s specs, provides upgrade suggestions if needed, and lists popular games compatible with your system. Additionally, it allows for hardware comparisons with other PCs. While widely trusted and easy to use, some users have reported occasional inaccuracies in the compatibility assessments provided​​​​​​​​.

HowLongToBeat

howlongtobeat.com

HowLongToBeat stands as a unique and invaluable resource for gamers, functioning almost like a gaming concierge. This website offers a comprehensive look at the time commitment required for various video games, an aspect often overlooked yet crucial for players. It categorizes games based on the time needed to complete the main story, side missions, and for those aiming for a completionist approach. The site’s utility extends beyond mere time estimates; it facilitates informed decisions, especially for those with limited gaming hours, ensuring you invest your time wisely. Whether you’re considering a quick adventure or a sprawling epic, HowLongToBeat presents a clear picture of what to expect before you dive in.

Recently, HowLongToBeat has expanded its influence by integrating with Microsoft’s Xbox app on PC. This collaboration enhances the gaming experience by providing completion time statistics right within the app, making it easier for players to choose games that fit their schedules and preferences. The website is community-driven, with gamers contributing their own completion times, offering a realistic view of how long games might take to beat. This feature is particularly helpful for balancing gaming with other life commitments, allowing players to select titles that align with their available time and interests, whether they seek a brief escapade or an in-depth gaming journey.

Itch.io

itch.io

Itch.io is a vibrant hub for indie game developers and enthusiasts, offering an expansive library of unique and offbeat indie games. Active since 2013, the platform has become a sanctuary for small-time developers, providing them with a space to showcase and sell their games. It operates on a commission basis, supporting a vast array of over a million games. The site is particularly appealing to those seeking experiences beyond mainstream gaming, hosting games that are quirky and unconventional in their gameplay. This platform caters to a niche audience, celebrating the diversity and creativity of the indie gaming world​​​​.

Nexus Mods

nexusmods.com

Nexus Mods emerges as an indispensable treasure trove for gaming enthusiasts keen on customizing their gameplay experiences. Hosting an impressive collection of over 471,000 mods for more than 2,305 games, it stands as the largest modding community on the internet. The platform is celebrated for its user-friendly interface and a multitude of features that cater to both seasoned modders and newcomers alike. Noteworthy features include multi-game support for popular titles such as Skyrim, Fallout, and The Witcher series, seamless integration with NexusMods for easy mod installation, and the ability to manage independent mod profiles. This allows gamers to tailor their gaming experiences with precise mod combinations for each playthrough.

A significant highlight of Nexus Mods is its Vortex mod manager, an open-source tool designed to make modding accessible to all. Vortex supports a wide array of games and offers features like an auto-sorting system for managing mod load orders and resolving conflicts, further enhancing its utility. The platform not only simplifies the process of organizing, installing, and uninstalling mods but also offers an auto-updating feature, giving users control over their mod setup. This autonomy contrasts with platforms like Steam Workshop, where mods are auto-updated. The vast array of mods, coupled with the ability to create and manage mod profiles, makes Nexus Mods an essential tool for gamers looking to experiment with different configurations. Additionally, the platform’s Donation Points system incentivizes and rewards mod authors, fostering a vibrant and creative modding community.

ROMHacking.net

romhacking.net

ROM Hacking is a distinctive online community and repository dedicated to the art of ROM hacking, fan translations, console homebrew, and related resources. The site’s content, which ranges from hacks and translations to utilities and learning resources, is primarily contributed by community members and staff. This collaborative nature ensures a diverse and ever-growing collection of hacks and modifications.

The site is particularly renowned for its extensive database of hacks and translation patches. New users find the platform user-friendly, as it simplifies the process of applying patches to clean ROMs, often taking just a few seconds. The community at ROM Hacking makes it easier for gamers to enjoy their favorite games in their native languages or experience modified versions of classic titles. The site’s offerings cater to both seasoned hackers and newcomers alike, providing a unique gateway into the world of video game customization and preservation. ROM Hacking stands out as a treasure trove for those interested in exploring and contributing to the realm of retro gaming modifications.

GBAtemp

gbatemp.net

GBAtemp.net is a vibrant, user-friendly independent video game community that has been a key player in the gaming world since its inception in 2002. Initially a simple ROM hosting site, GBAtemp has evolved into a comprehensive platform known for its support of NDS/GBA flashcarts and console hacking. The community’s focus extends to a wide range of consoles, including Nintendo Switch, 3DS, DS, Wii, Wii U, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC gaming, making it a versatile resource for gamers.

The site boasts a wealth of content, including the GBAtemp Game Center, a massive database with over 122,000 games, more than 150 game platforms, and upwards of 21,000 video game companies. This feature integrates seamlessly with the site, enriching the user experience. GBAtemp also offers a unique GBAtemp Download Center, where users can upload project files, receive reviews, and share new versions, fostering a collaborative environment.

Arcade Punks

arcadepunks.com

Arcade Punks is a digital haven for retro gaming aficionados, offering an extensive array of content that caters to the nostalgia and innovation in the gaming community. The site features a diverse range of retro gaming content including ROMs, gaming images, reviews, tutorials, emulators, and more. It specializes in guiding users on how to construct and personalize retro gaming systems using various platforms such as Raspberry Pi, PCs, handheld devices, and other mini-computers. Furthermore, it hosts a community forum where enthusiasts can exchange their knowledge and experiences in retro gaming.

The core attraction of Arcade Punks lies in its comprehensive collection of pre-configured gaming images. These images typically include a front-end interface, ROMs for multiple systems, emulators to run the ROMs, and media to showcase video snippets of the included games. The site’s offerings are designed to save users significant time in building their own gaming setups, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to delve into the retro gaming world. The images come in different formats suitable for various devices, from Single Board Computers like the Raspberry Pi to PC-based systems, each with its specific installation requirements.

Run by a small team of passionate retro gaming enthusiasts, Arcade Punks operates as a not-for-profit entity. Revenue generated from advertising and memberships is reinvested into maintaining and upgrading their servers and supporting the development and testing of new content. The website emphasizes its commitment to offering content for free, countering misconceptions about the safety and legitimacy of its downloads.

Webrcade

webrcade.com

Webrcade revolutionizes the concept of browser-based gaming with its unique feed-driven approach. It allows games to run natively in browsers across a range of platforms, such as desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and even Xbox Series X|S consoles. This is achieved through a combination of technologies including JavaScript, WebAssembly, and HTML5 gamepad and audio interfaces.

The platform offers extensive support for various controllers, both USB and Bluetooth, enhancing the gaming experience. One of its core features is the game feed system, which lets users create sharable, user-defined feeds to collect and execute gaming resources within the browser. These resources encompass game content and related meta-information, like artwork.

The webrcade feed editor simplifies the creation of these feeds, making it accessible even for those without technical expertise. Its growing application library includes emulators for classic systems like Atari, Sega, and Nintendo, and game engines such as Classic Doom, with plans to expand further.

For users looking to jump right in, Webrcade provides a default feed featuring high-quality games and demos for popular systems. The platform’s commitment to openness is evident in its 100% open-source code base, contributing to the open-source community.

Webrcade stands out with its comprehensive documentation, offering front-end user guides, detailed instructions for supported platforms, control mappings, and tutorials for creating custom Webrcade feeds​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

MyAbandonware

myabandonware.com

MyAbandonware is a treasure trove for retro gaming enthusiasts, offering over 26,100 old games available for free download. This platform primarily focuses on abandonware — games that are no longer sold or supported by their publishers. The site provides a safe and easy downloading experience, with no registration required for full-speed downloads. However, registering does offer benefits like disabling the adult screenshot filter and accessing more games per page.

The site is committed to ensuring the safety of its downloads, regularly scanning files with tools like VirusTotal. Users are advised to exercise caution, particularly with NoCD and keygen files, which can sometimes contain malware. MyAbandonware features different types of game files, including RIP versions with pre-installed game files for easy play, and repacks, which are compressed versions of games for quicker downloads. It’s important to note that some RIP versions may have cut content to reduce file size, potentially affecting the gaming experience.

As abandonware occupies a gray area in terms of legality, MyAbandonware encourages users to check the availability of games on platforms like GOG.com, Steam, Amazon, or eBay before downloading. They do not take responsibility for downloads considered illegal in specific countries. The platform is a fantastic resource for those looking to revisit classic games, with a vast selection catering to various tastes and interests in the realm of retro gaming​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.

The Spriters Resource

spriters-resource.com

The Spriters Resource is a unique and invaluable asset for game developers, graphic designers, and enthusiasts of pixel art and game graphics. It stands as one of the largest online repositories of sprites — the small, two-dimensional bitmap images used in video games. The website offers a comprehensive collection of sprites from a wide range of video games, spanning various platforms and eras. This includes classic 8-bit games to contemporary titles, making it a treasure trove for anyone interested in game design or seeking inspiration for their own projects.

The site is organized efficiently, allowing users to easily navigate and find sprites from specific games or franchises. Each sprite sheet is meticulously categorized and often includes various character poses, objects, and background elements, providing a detailed look at the game’s graphical elements. The Spriters Resource is more than just a collection; it’s a community hub where enthusiasts can discuss, share, and collaborate. The platform encourages users to submit their own ripped sprites, contributing to the ever-growing database and ensuring a constant influx of new content. Whether you’re a professional game developer, an aspiring artist, or just a fan of video game graphics, The Spriters Resource offers a wealth of resources and inspiration.

GameFAQs

gamefaqs.gamespot.com

GameFAQs, a cornerstone in the video gaming community since 1995, is a comprehensive repository for video game information, walkthroughs, FAQs, cheat codes, reviews, game saves, box art images, and screenshots. Much of its vast content, including over 56,000 guides for 21,639 unique games, is contributed by a dedicated volunteer community. The site covers systems from the 1980s to current-gen consoles and PC games, and all submissions are screened by administrators before posting.

GameFAQs is more than a resource; it’s a dynamic community hub. Each game listed has its own message board, fostering discussions among both novice and experienced gamers on strategies and game-related topics. The site also runs contributor contests like FAQ of the Month and Review of the Month, rewarding authors of comprehensive guides and reviews with gift certificates or cards.

With its extensive database and active message board forum, GameFAQs is a go-to destination for gamers seeking in-depth game guides and engaging community interactions. This long-standing platform continues to be an invaluable resource for gamers worldwide, making it a vital part of the gaming landscape​​.

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~Other Sites~

~Art Assets~

~Databases~

~Guides / Walkthroughs ~

~Mods, Rom Hacks, Fan Games~

~Emulation~

~Speedrunning~

~Cut Content~

~Specific Games~

~Specific Systems~

~News / Reviews~

~Subreddits~

~Achievements~

~Storefronts~

Third-party

Gaming
Videogames
Gamer
Website
Pc Gaming

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Elisa Day

Written by Elisa Day

70 Followers

Reviews and commentary on nerd stuff and more.

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