If you prefer the authentic feel of the original files but want them to run smoothly on Windows 10/11, community-made "source ports" are the gold standard. Quake GOG Tweak Guide

Before Quake , shooters were largely "2.5D," using clever tricks with sprites to simulate depth. Quake shattered this limitation with John Carmack’s revolutionary engine, which rendered 100% true 3D environments and enemy models. This shift allowed for:

The release is more than a product; it is a preservation of a specific moment in PC gaming history. While the remasters are shiny and convenient, they sand off the rough edges that made the original so legendary. The GOG version gives you the raw lumber and nails to build your own experience.