If you don't own the original files, there are completely free ways to experience the gameplay:
The most famous and stable source port. It fixes hundreds of bugs and removes all DRM. quake 3 arena no cd patch link
Quake 3 Arena, released in 1999, was a groundbreaking first-person shooter game developed by id Software. The game's popularity was immense, and it quickly became a staple in the gaming community. However, one issue that plagued players was the requirement for the game to be played with a CD-ROM. In response, a no-CD patch emerged, allowing players to bypass the CD check. This paper will explore the context and implications of the no-CD patch for Quake 3 Arena. If you don't own the original files, there