DOS Games Discussion

A message board to talk about DOS games, get help, and find old games.
https://mail.dosgames.com/forum/

DOS games that don't need DOSBox to run in Windows

https://mail.dosgames.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22637

Page 1 of 2

DOS games that don't need DOSBox to run in Windows

Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 7:47 am
by MrFlibble
DOSBox is a great tool to run DOS games on modern systems, but I can perfectly understand users who would like to jump right into the game without having to go through the process of setting up and configuring this emulator.

Besides, there are several inherent limitations to DOS as a platform, including typically low screen resolution and often limited sound options.

Luckily, there are DOS games that just don't need DOSBox to run in any version of Windows, which is accomplished by a number of means:

1. Official Windows versions
These are games that have both DOS and Windows versions available, either bundled together or released within a short time span. If the game is a Windows re-release, the year of its publication is noted in brackets.

NOTE: For certain old Windows games, you might need additional utilities like DxWnd or winevdm to successfully run them on modern Windows systems.

Commercial titles Shareware and freeware games 1a. Official enhanced remakes, remasters for modern platforms
These are enhanced re-releases of DOS games for Windows and other modern platforms, usually appearing a considerable amount of time after the original DOS release. Enhancements include higher screen resolution, improved graphics (higher definition sprites and art, better 3D models, etc.), audio enhancements and various engine improvements (up to a complete engine replacement). Sometimes, other extra content is possible, including development materials, outtakes or even entirely new levels/scenarios. 2. Third-party source ports
If the source code of a game is available, it may be ported to Windows and/or other systems to run natively on these platforms. Source ports are often created by enthusiasts after the original source code is released by the developer and may feature enhancements such as higher resolution modes, improved sound/music and bug fixes. 2a. Unofficial enhanced remakes
DOS games ported/converted to Windows (and other platforms) and enhanced, by fans. Sometimes these projects receive licensing or at least blessing from the original creators and/or copyright holders. Others are libre remakes without any copyright content. 3. Engine recreations
If a source port is not available for whatever reason, enthusiasts often attempt to recreate a native Windows (or cross-platform) version of a game on their own, using observation and/or reverse engineering to achieve a result that would play similarly to the original game. These projects tend to be somewhat less accurate than source ports, but nevertheless quite often are very close to the original game to be deemed a proper replacement.

NOTE: Games that are supported by ScummVM are not listed individually because there are so many of them!

Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 1:20 pm
by Rwolf
I see the Underworld Adventure project was cancelled in 2007, something that often happens to these remakes.
(I guess it's still on sourceforge for anyone who wants to pick it up again.)

Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 2:12 pm
by MrFlibble
I have included incomplete and/or abandoned projects if they are playable. A while ago I made a separate thread about Underworld Adventures, it's quite functional and even supports the demo version. And as the source code is available perhaps someone might pick it up and continue development (maybe).

Posted: Wed May 03, 2017 4:31 pm
by MrFlibble
Added a note explaining why ScummVM games are not listed separately.

Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2017 10:49 am
by MrFlibble
Added the Cylindrix Windows port.

Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2017 12:26 pm
by MrFlibble
Added PowBall DeluXe to the list.

Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2018 6:52 am
by Nyerguds
Why isn't Command & Conquer under "Modern Windows re-releases"? Not modern enough? :P

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 1:44 am
by TagYoureIt
Thanks for the games. Can't wait to get another Windows laptop to play some I'm stuck on a Chromebook right now :cry:.

Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 5:50 am
by MrFlibble
Nyerguds wrote:Why isn't Command & Conquer under "Modern Windows re-releases"? Not modern enough? :P
I think I just keep assuming that everyone knows about C&C95...

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 6:53 am
by MrFlibble
Added the following titles to the list:

Redneck Rampage
o Rednukem
Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss
o Underworld Exporter
Flashback
o 25th Anniversary Edition
Super Fighter
o Super Fighter: Special Edition
Lemmings
o Lemmings for Windows
Little Big Adventure/Relentless: Twinsen's Adventure
o LbaWin
The Settlers/Serf City
o The Settlers: History Edition

DOS games that don't need DOSBox to run in Windows

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 7:58 am
by TenIcy
I love this forum:)

DOS games that don't need DOSBox to run in Windows

Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2019 12:56 pm
by plateshutoverlock
TagYoureIt wrote: ↑ Thanks for the games. Can't wait to get another Windows laptop to play some I'm stuck on a Chromebook right now :cry:.
Wow, I feel for you. :\

I'd try websites that emulate Dosbox through your web browser. Archive.org has a huge playable archive of them. Search ms-dos games.

DOS games that don't need DOSBox to run in Windows

Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 5:01 am
by MrFlibble
I haven't updated the thread in a while, but there have been some recent developments concerning Build and some other games.

In addition to Rednukem, the Redneck Rampage recreation based on EDuke32, there are now similar project for Powerslave and Blood called PCExhumed and nBlood, respectively. All three are available here. PCExhumed supports the demo version of Powerslave too.

EDuke32 devs also began the public beta phase of VoidSW, the Shadow Warror source port.

Raze is a project that wraps the EDuke32 codebase from the above ports with some GZDoom features.

There's also the catch-all BuildgGDX port that uses a different approach to deliver an authentic experience plus supports some games that have not had official code releases.

Finally there's RAD, the engine recreation of Radix: Beyond the Void on the Doom engine. Currently supports the v2.0 REMIX release, including the shareware version.

DOS games that don't need DOSBox to run in Windows

Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2020 10:06 am
by MrFlibble
Spectalum is a cross-platform engine recreation of Eye of the Beholder II.

DOS games that don't need DOSBox to run in Windows

Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2020 1:06 pm
by MrFlibble
fRaBs
o fRaBs SDL 2.1
Greedy
o official Windows port
o Open Greedy
Supaplex
o OpenSupaplex
o Supaplex Online

DOS games that don't need DOSBox to run in Windows

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2021 11:22 am
by MrFlibble
Atomiks is an open source remake of the classic puzzle game Atomix. The author obtained permission from the original copyright holders to use the levels and art from Atomix.

DOS games that don't need DOSBox to run in Windows

Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 1:13 pm
by MrFlibble
Aaand now there's a way to play Speed Haste natively on Windows: GLSpeed (based on original source code).

DOS games that don't need DOSBox to run in Windows

Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2021 1:14 pm
by MrFlibble
Updated the lists in the first post. I completely removed the section with modern official re-releases, and the other two lists have been substantially expanded.

DOS games that don't need DOSBox to run in Windows

Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2021 5:26 am
by MrFlibble
Added Reflection Keen as a port for Wolfenstein 3-D.

DOS games that don't need DOSBox to run in Windows

Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 9:08 am
by MrFlibble
The Force Engine is now fully playable, but cutscenes and player inventory are not supported yet.
All times are UTC-05:00
Page 1 of 2

Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Limited