See my post a bit higher up. Played that version without problems a few months ago on Win7.

And how long did you play it? Getting the game to run isn't too difficult but it has numerous problems ranging from speed problems (speed is to high on the world map) up to at least somewhat frequent hangs (the AI simply stops doing anything during its turn) during duels.

I managed to get by most of the problems but never found anything that helps against the hangs. I've been playing the game for years in that state even back in the days of Windows XP so the problems aren't really new.

I'd really love to have a properly fixed version that runs flawless on modern systems.

To completion. All dungeons, half the map on manalinks, ~400 cards etc.

That's too bad, guess I just found some bad information concerning their compatibility. I actually have had very good luck getting my older disc based games working on windows 7 64bit. Still wouldn't hurt to try if I would get ahold of them once again.

JMich is totally right, Manalink 3 from Slightlymagic.com would run flawless up untill w8.1. And I love it... But I would like to have the feeling of ownership over such a legendary title during this century!

I've been hoping for so long that GOG would release Microprose's game. I was completely unaware of the fans efforts. I'm glad you posted the link to their forums.

However, now I'm a bit confused, and seeing that you have played the game using their version, I want to ask you, "which have you played" / "which do you recommend":
Shandalar 2012 Install,
or
Microprose Magic the Gathering 2010 Custom Installer ISO?

As far as I can tell the ISO is the original Microprose game, patched to work on modern systems, while the Shandalar 2012 version is a complete fan remake with replacement artwork.

I've played the Shandalar 2012, and I think it had the option of only using the original cards. But feel free to play with whatever seems better for your taste, or why not both?

I'd give a kidney stone.

Well, this is why I'm confused. I wouldn't play both, because they are essentially the same game, or am I missing something? I would prefer to play the game as close as possible to the original. And if I understand correctly the Shandalar version has all new, fan made, artwork for the cards, thus avoiding the need for Microprose original artwork.

I fail to see why they would choose to single out the artwork, while presumably still using the sound assets from Microprose version.

The question that will determine whether the games can be rereleased is simple; who currently owns the rights to the Microprose games? If it's Atari or Tommo, then we can forget about them. If, on the other hand, it's Hasbro themselves, then it's legally possible, but Hasbro might not want to bother with an old Magic, while they are still releasing the newer Duels of the Planewalkers games.

The artwork was in a separate archive from what I recall, so you could skip it. As to why use different artwork, it's because the artwork has changed since 4th edition. Take a look here for the Serra Angel for example, and feel free to check the other cards.

That explains everything. Thank you very much!

Ah, I see. The fan patched might explain out differences in experience. I used the original version from my CD with only the official patches. I didn't know about the fan patched version either. I'll try that one and check how well it runs compared to the original.