You can use Android-x86 + VirtualBox
- free and open-source
- Windows/Mac/Linux (including I believe Windows 8 although I haven't tried it personally)
- Uses Android version 4.3
- Original and clean android interface, as little additions as possible
- Google Play included
- Should be able to play most apps without problems or issues
- to rotate screen, see rotating the view for android x86 on VMWare
Want to run Android on your PC? The Android-x86 Project has ported Android to the x86 platform from ARM. Android-x86 can be installed on netbooks with supported hardware, but you can also install Android in VirtualBox.
Android can be run as just another virtual machine, like you would run a Windows or Linux virtual machine. This allows you to play with the Android interface and install apps in a full Android environment on your PC.
Before you can get started, you’ll need both VirtualBox and an Android-x86 ISO to install inside VirtualBox.
Install VirtualBox:
- Download and install VirtualBox if you don’t already have it installed.
- Download an Android-x86 ISO
Android-x86 ISOAndroid-x86 ISO: You can find the latest Android-x86 ISO files at Google CodeGoogle Codetheir project site. Download the latest one — currently Android 4.2currently Android 4.2.