History MediaNotes / DOSBox

Creator/ApogeeSoftware's games available through their online store also come with [=DOSBox=] if the game doesn't run natively under Windows.

* [[https://dosbox-x.com/ DOSBox-X]]: Expands the feature set of [=DOSBox=] so it goes from playing DOS games to running DOS applications in general. Features a GUI for easier setup and configuration, easier mounting of virtual folders, better compatibility with Windows 3.x/9x, and UsefulNotes/PC98 support.

[=DOSBox=] is a program which UsefulNotes/{{emulat|ion}}es a Pentium-class UsefulNotes/IBMPersonalComputer[[note]]to be precise, a number of configurations can be emulated, from Hercules or CGA PC XT through Tandy/[=PCJr=] to SVGA Pentium[[/note]] running MS-DOS. Development is focused on compatibility with games, but the vast majority of DOS software works just fine under [=DOSBox=].

Creator/IdSoftware bundles [=DOSBox=] with the UsefulNotes/{{Steam}} versions of a number of their games, including:

* [[https://dosbox-staging.github.io/ DOSBox Staging]]: Started as " an attempt to revitalize [=DOSBox's=] development process." It extends existing features and adds a couple new ones while cleaning up and streamlining the codebase.

* [[https://dosbox-x.com/ DOSBox-X]]: Expands the feature set of [=DOSBox=] so it goes from playing DOS games to running DOS applications in general. Features a GUI for easier setup and configuration, easier mounting of virtual folders, better compatibility with Windows 3.1/9x, and UsefulNotes/PC98 support.
* [[https://dosbox-staging.github.io/ DOSBox Staging]]: Started as an "attempt to revitalize [=DOSBox's=] development process." It extends existing features and adds a few new ones while cleaning up and streamlining the codebase.

You can download [=DOSBox=] from http://www.dosbox.com/

Also, whenever Website/GOGDotCom re-releases PC-DOS classic games of past times, you can expect it to be possible thanks to [=DOSBox=].

Another advantage the program has is the ability to support modern USB joysticks and gamepads within the older programs. And even if a game was never meant for them, you can use the program's built in mapper (accessible by pressing ctrl+f1 on your keyboard) to add the ability. This runs in the background and routes each button press of your gamepad/joystick to a button on the keyboard which the game can support.

Another advantage the program has is the ability to support modern USB joysticks and gamepads within the older programs. And even if a game was never meant for them, you can use addons like ''[[http://www.electracode.com/4/joy2key/JoyToKey%20English%20Version.htm Joy to Key]]'' to add the ability. This runs in the background and routes each button press of your gamepad/joystick to a button on the keyboard which the game can support.

[=DOSBox=] is a program which {{emulat|ion}}es a Pentium-class UsefulNotes/IBMPersonalComputer[[note]]to be precise, a number of configurations can be emulated, from Hercules or CGA PC XT through Tandy/[=PCJr=] to SVGA Pentium[[/note]] running MS-DOS. Development is focused on compatibility with games, but the vast majority of DOS software works just fine under [=DOSBox=].

[=DOSBox=] is a program which {{emulat|ion}}es a Pentium-class {{IBM PC}}[[note]]to be precise, a number of configurations can be emulated, from Hercules or CGA PC XT through Tandy/[=PCJr=] to SVGA Pentium[[/note]] running MS-DOS. Development is focused on compatibility with games, but the vast majority of DOS software works just fine under [=DOSBox=].

[=DOSBox=] is a program which {{emulat|ion}}es a Pentium-class {{IBM PC}}[[note]]to be precise, a number of configurations can be emulated, from Hercules or CGA PC XT through Tandy/PCJr to SVGA Pentium[[/note]] running MS-DOS. Development is focused on compatibility with games, but the vast majority of DOS software works just fine under [=DOSBox=].

The project was born out of frustration with DOS incompatibility with the various versions of Windows available around 2000. Microsoft later dropped support for 16-bit software completely in 64-bit versions of Windows. [=DOSBox=] provides a means of continuing to enjoy older Windows games that cannot be run under current versions of Windows by running Windows 3.1 [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsGUZqCnI2A or even Windows 95]] inside [=DOSBox=] (yes, the compatibility is that good).

The official distributions do not support functions like printing, given the emulator is geared towards gaming. The developers have also cited no interest in emulating a [=SoundBlaster AWE32/64=] card, arguing that the Gravis [=UltraSound=] (which is emulated by DOSBox) produces far superior sampled sound, despite repeated requests from users. Of course, given the program is distributed under the GPL, you can always make your own custom patches and compile if you need to.