A keyboard, mouse and joystick are all you need to play computer games. You can add headphones and speakers to get sound. You can also go for driving wheels if you are playing racing games. You need the latest version of the Windows operating system to install computer games on your computer. However, game developers are trying to run computer games even on Mac and Linux operation systems. They are coming up with versions compatible with Mac and Linux programs. Before installing computer games on your PC, you have to make sure that your computer fulfills certain requirements to run the games properly. Memory, hard drive space, Internet connection speed, operating system, CPU speed and video card memory all need to be in proper order so as to facilitate smooth and hassle-free installation of computer games.

Computer games are available on dedicated game-console platforms, such as the Gamecube, Xbox and PlayStation 2. Nevertheless, the most challenging aspect of computer games is to keep pace with the ever-changing PC hardware market. New CPUs and graphics cards are coming up every day. The initial versions of computer games require minimum hardware requirements. But the updated versions may need a faster processor or improved graphics card. Thats why older PCs cant run the latest computer games at all. Computer games are trying hard to match you with the always-changing hardware segment.

Another addition to the computer games is networked multiplayer systems through Internet or LAN connections. They have become a necessity in racing games and other games that require real-time strategy. Computer has come a long way from the era of Spacewar in 1960, when the games were only text-based. However, with the introduction of the mouse, the text has been replaced with graphics. Computer game developers are always trying to infuse some new features to make the games more sophisticated.