There are currently three primary methods to get verified, authentic Quake 1 PAK files. None of them involve random file-hosting sites.
Open your terminal/command prompt in the folder containing pak0.pak and run: quake 1 pak files download verified
Do not use or link to pirated distribution sites. There are currently three primary methods to get
Modern source ports completely re-write the engine (the .EXE file) to add widescreen support, higher framerates, dynamic lighting, and bug fixes. However, copyright law prevents these ports from including the actual game assets. Modern source ports completely re-write the engine (the
When you download a source port like Ironwail or QuakeSpasm-Spiked, you get a program that looks for pak0.pak. If it doesn’t find a verified, uncorrupted copy, you’ll be staring at a console that says "Couldn't find gfx/palette.lmp" or something similar.
Bottom line: You need the PAK files to play.