I agree there isn't a simple plug and play solution, but that's Microsoft's fault for not including it when it's easy to include the necessary files to enable it to run.
Since 32 bit is emulated by WOW64 why can't there be a version that does the same thing only for 16 bit games?
It's not their fault for ditching something that was defunct a decade on time of release of Windows 10, BUT it is included in 32bit. So, they didn't leave any body high and dry, you just have to use 32bit. What you're asking for is essentially double emulation. That's like emulating Windows XP to run a console emulator inside it, you just don't do it and why it wasn't done for x64. In fact being 2021 and having many major updates to the OS it's surprising how well some old games and programs still work despite all that's been said. I'm pretty sure if they had it their way we wouldn't even have any 32bit processes running and everything would just be native 64bit.
My point is I shouldn't have to use a third party program to play a game that is Windows compatible simply because Microsoft wants people to always use new software.
This mindset has held technology back quite a bit. IMO if it's strictly for games, I'd just build an XP machine. I have an XP box and a 98se box just for this because frankly some stuff is better run native on the hardware it was designed for in the era.
However I may have to use a third party program reluctantly.
I seem to remember having to use dosbox on my XP computer for a couple games that ran too fast.
It would be nice if there was a program one could run that adds the necessary subsystems to use 16 bit and older programs.
There is, technically. It's called PCem and it emulates machines at the hardware level. A Pentium 2 machine with Voodoo graphics takes a considerable amount of CPU power though.
I have never been able to get a 16bit app to work in windows 10 x64...
Yup, said it wouldn't work.
You can run a lot of older games on a 32 bit version of windows 10 on almost any computer, i got some of mine working in 1080p until the PSU blew on my "retro" i3 560 rig (That thing was a piece of junk) now i just have to get around to installing 32 bit windows 10 on my "new" (i5 2xxx, GT 220) retro rig
x86 W10 has a software layer to run 16bit apps, so makes sense. I now actually want to try that, but my XP machine runs so good with the latest Integral version that I don't really want to mess with it.
I'm not trying to rain on anybody's parade here, I mean I prefer retro hardware and games to modern, but this stuff really should be left to older machines. It honestly saves a lot on headaches trying to find patches, API wrappers, workarounds, etc.