DOSBox Archives

AppWizard

August 18, 2026

11 Of The Best Retro Emulators For PC Gamers

Emulators are applications that allow older gaming console games to run on modern PCs, making retro gaming accessible despite the scarcity of original consoles and unavailability of many classic games on modern platforms. Emulators like RetroArch provide a unified interface for various retro consoles, while Dolphin emulates GameCube and Wii games, MelonDS is known for Nintendo DS titles, mGBA is the leading Game Boy Advance emulator, Super ZSNES enhances SNES gaming, Rosalie's Mupen GUI is designed for Nintendo 64, Flycast is the top Sega Dreamcast emulator, PCSX2 is the best for PlayStation 2 games, PPSSPP is the go-to for PSP, MAME emulates arcade games, and DOSBOX Pure Unleashed is for MS-DOS games. Each emulator offers unique features and improvements over original hardware, enhancing the gaming experience.

AppWizard

August 15, 2026

This Solitaire game is so tiny it can load from a QR code, which is just what I need in the age of massive games and expensive storage

TinySol is a minimalist solitaire game created by Classic Bits, accessible via a QR code and discovered by YouTuber LGR Blerbs at the VCF Southwest convention. It is intentionally monochrome for clarity on old displays, with a QR code version offering limited features. Currently, it includes a 3-card draw mode, with a one-card draw mode planned for future release. TinySol is available for free download on the Classic Bits website and can be run in DosBox. Many three-card draws may not be winnable, but Classic Bits has provided 640 winnable save files for download.

Winsage

August 11, 2026

Microsoft Word 1.1a Runs Natively on Windows 11 on x64

A developer has adapted Microsoft Word 1.1a, originally for 16-bit x86 systems, to run natively on modern 64-bit Windows PCs through a project called “Opus.” This adaptation compiles the original source code into a genuine x64 application, avoiding the use of emulators or virtual machines. The developer translated incompatible segments of the original code, including 16-bit assembly language, into C or C++, while mapping Win16 functions to modern Win32 APIs. The project retains original resources and copyright notices, and is hosted on GitHub without a broad open-source license. Automated testing has been implemented to ensure functionality mirrors the original application. Microsoft has previously published similar historic projects, but this port is an independent effort, providing insights into early Windows software architecture.

AppWizard

April 25, 2026

I played the Lord of the Rings RPG where Frodo can straight-up die and the game just keeps on going

Sam Gamgee's true name in Westron is Banazîr Galpsi. Sauron once served as a lieutenant to Melkor, also known as Morgoth. Frodo never reached Mordor; he died at the hands of three identical men in a mill at the edge of the Shire. These plot twists are from the 1990 CRPG, The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I, developed by Interplay. The game presents a version of Frodo as a middle-aged hobbit, contrasting with the youthful portrayal in the films. The visual interpretations of Gandalf and Aragorn in the game depict them in a more rugged and relatable manner compared to their cinematic versions. The Internet Archive provides access to this gaming experience.

Winsage

April 25, 2026

Linux and Windows 95 running side by side? This dev made it happen.

Open-source developer "Hailey" has introduced the Windows 9x Subsystem for Linux (WSL9X), which allows users to run both Windows and Linux applications simultaneously on classic versions of Windows, including Windows 95, 98, and Me. WSL9X operates by running a modern Linux kernel (6.19) alongside the Windows 9x kernel, enabling features such as paging, memory protection, and pre-emptive scheduling. It is neither emulation nor virtualization and does not require hardware virtualization. WSL9X is available for download, but users must build it from the source provided by Hailey. It allows access to a genuine Linux terminal alongside classic Windows applications, enabling various tasks without compromising system stability.

AppWizard

December 15, 2025

id Software released its first game 35 years ago today — Commander Keen title showcased John Carmack’s breakthrough side-scroller engine

Today marks 35 years since the release of Commander Keen in Invasion of the Vorticons - Episode 1: Marooned on Mars, a DOS game that contributed to the formation of id Software. John Carmack's development of smooth scrolling on PCs was a significant achievement during the Enhanced Graphics Adapter era, initially intended for a port of Super Mario Bros. 3. The success of Commander Keen led Carmack and his colleagues to leave Softdisk and establish Ideas from the Deep, which became id Software. The Commander Keen trilogy laid the groundwork for id Software's transition into 3D rendering, culminating in the release of Wolfenstein 3D in 1992 and Doom in 1993. This period marked a shift in PC hardware from 486 to Pentium processors and the rise of dedicated 3D graphics cards. Nvidia introduced the GeForce 256 at the end of the 1990s, with Quake III Arena being one of the first titles to utilize this technology.

AppWizard

October 19, 2025

If emulating classic DOS games seems like a pain, there’s a DOSBox fork ‘aiming for simplicity and ease of use’, now standalone for the first time

DOSBox Pure is a standalone application derived from the core of RetroArch, designed to simplify the process of running classic DOS games on modern systems. It allows users to load ZIP files, mounted CD and floppy disk images, and DOS executables. Available as a pay-what-you-want download on itch.io, it features a user-friendly interface and provides step-by-step instructions for launching games. Users must supply their own game files, which can be sourced from platforms like GOG. Key features include rebindable keys, gamepad and joystick support, save states, a CRT video filter, and touchpad mode. The application automatically assigns controller buttons when detecting the game and gamepad, with customization options available.

Winsage

October 19, 2025

DOSBox Pure Unleashed is ready for Windows, Mac, and Linux computers after five years in development — enhanced standalone release no longer restricted to being a RetroArch core

DOSBox Pure Unleashed is a new version of the DOS emulator developed by Psyraven, released on Saturday evening. It is a standalone application compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, featuring a user-friendly interface. Key enhancements include experimental support for Windows 9X, the ability to run games from ZIP archives, Voodoo graphics emulation up to 4K/UHD resolution, and integration of MIDI synths and SoundFonts. The emulator is available for download on its GitHub page, and its source code is accessible under the GNU General Public License, version 2 or later.

Winsage

July 1, 2025

Windows 95 on a PlayStation 2 kind of works — but this modded PS2 couldn’t play Doom

Jace, the host of the YouTube channel MetraByte, attempted to install Windows 95 and run Doom on a Sony PlayStation 2. He faced significant challenges due to the differences in architecture between the PS2's MIPS processor and the x86 code of Windows 95. Initially using DOSBox, he made "47 attempts" before switching to Bochs, an emulator for x86. The process was fraught with technical difficulties, including limited I/O capabilities, read and write errors, and missing files. After approximately "14 hours," he successfully reached the Windows 95 setup screen and launched Paint, but was unable to run Doom95.

Winsage

June 29, 2025

Windows 95 On PlayStation 2 Works As Well As You Expected

[MeraByte] has successfully installed Windows 95 on a PlayStation 2 using an x86 emulator called Bochs, despite the PS2's MIPS-based Emotion Engine not being designed for x86 instructions. The installation process faced numerous challenges, resulting in limited functionality, such as non-responsive mouse input and the inability to run the game Ultimate Doom 95. The endeavor raises questions about the overall success of the hack, especially given the significance of Doom in gaming culture. Alternative suggestions for PS2 users include exploring programming with GoLang, as there has never been an official release of Doom for the console.