Installing Repton 3
On an old version of windows you could just unzip the zip file and run Repton3.exe! But...
Old Windows requirement
Unfortunately this only runs on old versions of windows. I beleive it works on win95/98/NT/2000/MX. It does not work on windows 10 onwards, where 16 bit binaries are no longer supported unless...
Running it by enabling NTVDM/Otvdm
On new 64bit windows versions there's "Otvdm - A method for running 16-bit Windows programs in 64-bit Windows". This uses wine, and does apparently work to let you play repton!
On 32bit windows these NTVDM instructions may work: "16 Bit support will require enabling the NTVDM feature".
Want to know if you have 32bit or 64bit? Open the Start menu and go to Settings > System > About. Under the Device specifications section, check the System type.
Running with Wine on linux
If you're on linux you can use the windows campatibility tool Wine. Contrary to what I wrote here before, this does work, and is currently the only way I have of running it!
Running via a virtual machine
You can always play this game on windows, mac or others via a virtual machine. Tools such as VirtualBox, VMWare, and Hyper-V will let you get a old Windows 95 desktop for example. However this is a lot of hassle, and a heavyweight bit of software, just to play this game.
Other Installation Notes
It should run OK wherever you put the files, but you must have write access, if you wish to save your own levelsets. Windows should find the files VBRRUN300.DLL, and GRID.VBX, when you run 'Repton3.exe'. If not, try putting these 2 files into your Windows/System folder.
You can create a windows start menu shortcut to repton by simply dragging the repton3.exe icon onto the start menu (keep holding the mouse button down and drop it where you want it)
See troubleshooting section if you are troubled