DOS Gaming when PC gaming was truely Unique

[CRTGAMER]

DOSBox is definitely the way to go. I have it running in a Windows 7 64 bit PC. It does not need all the Memory and Sound Bootup Configurations for the different games. DOSBox does like Sound Blaster IRQ 5 better then 7 though and also emulates the Gravis Sound card. I use an older DOS utility called Power Menu to run all the Games and Utilities.

I have my older 486 DX2 PC DOS hard drive installs backed up to multiple CD Roms. A nice thing about DOS games is everything is installed in its own directory; no hidden system files buried in Windows. This makes for an easy transfer into a DOSBox created virtual drive.

All the DOS games with just a tap of the Cursor and Return key. Oooh there is all the Monster Bash levels!

DOS Box Power Menu Games.JPG (135.65 KiB) Viewed 2503 times

Now here is a very old Utility, I present you XTPro! A very powerful copy, rename, delete, file set utility program. Take a guess of each Directory Name of the various Game and Utility folders. Lets see how many seasoned PC users recognize the disk copy utility.

The M.BAT loads the Power Menu (Autoexec loads when DOS Box first is run) from the C:\ prompt and the L.BAT loads a very handy List utility added to the DOS 6.22 folder. A bit of trivia, DOS has 8 letter word limit; the Commodore 64 and Vic20 has 16 letters allowed. The Windows folder is Windows 3.11 Workgroups!

DOS Box XTPro.JPG (107.65 KiB) Viewed 2503 times

Emulators DOS versions. Speaking of Arcade Cabs, guess the Windows background in the Screenshot.

DOS Box Emulators.JPG (130.06 KiB) Viewed 2503 times

The fantastic DOS exclusive Retrocade works perfect in DOSBox![/b]

[Tanooki]

Now if I can find out how to obtain Zone 66 again, that would be awesome. Overhead shmup by Epic.

New from $3.41 at amazon -




Also I used XTPro in the day, there was also this dosshell program made by another group of people which had a fantastic menu system I loved to use too. I recognize most those directories. I think if I had to I probably still could setup a very lean autoexec and config file too.

[Ack]

Now if I can find out how to obtain Zone 66 again, that would be awesome. Overhead shmup by Epic.

New from $3.41 at amazon -

And totally worth it. Zone 66 was the shit! Just watch that intro again:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zuwIQ3Y6ck

[CRTGAMER]

Now if I can find out how to obtain Zone 66 again, that would be awesome. Overhead shmup by Epic.

New from $3.41 at amazon -

And totally worth it. Zone 66 was the shit! Just watch that intro again:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zuwIQ3Y6ck

You will need a disk drive. There are USB portable drive versions for the "pocket protector" sized floppies. As I mentioned earlier, DOS games can also be easily backed up to CD Rom (or USB Mem stick) once fully installed, say on a friend's PC that might have the older disc drive. A good idea to do that as a backup archive of a decades old magnetic disc.

I played a bit of the DOS Raptor SHMUP again, the explosions and gameplay so much like the arcade Raiden.

Also played TFX floppy hard drive install game (CD had better music quality but would not switch tracks based on target acquire) again in all its polygon glory, man that old Flight Sim is the best! Second press of F10 brings a virtual view. Fly straight and the view rotates to the target. Roll and turn view switches to the front. If target lost, reacquaint by flying straight again

"Tracking..............
Looks Like the Lizard...........
Missile launched..............
Kill.................
Good Shot!"



Anyone notice the SECOND and UNREAL folders? Demo programs from Future Crew, great stuff!

[noiseredux]

I wish there were USB 5.25" floppy drives.

[MrPopo]

I wish there were USB 5.25" floppy drives.

http://www.deviceside.com/fc5025.html

[noiseredux]

I wish there were USB 5.25" floppy drives.

http://www.deviceside.com/fc5025.html

yeah I've seen that. I meant, "I wish there was a mass-produced USB 5.25" floppy drive."

[ExedExes]

Thanks for all the Zone 66 love. Looks like Amazon's going to be the place, new and sealed! I've got a computer with a disk drive so that won't be a problem.

[Tanooki]

I noticed the Future Crew stuff, used to keep copies of all their work and just kick back and experience it entirely -- especially Unreal and Second Reality. I hate you really can't run them anymore as they're a fun flash back, just not the same captured on some lame youtube video.

I said it before, saying it again, GoG needs to get Epic Megagames on board and get their stuff posted. It would be a rare case where I'd do a batch discount buy which I've never done to date. Solar Winds, Silverball, Zone 66, Jazz Jackrabbit, and more.

[Gunstar Green]

I've posted in their suggestions in the past to get One Must Fall: 2097 up there as a freebie since like Tyrian it's been released as freeware by its creator.

For a lot of games I think it's a matter of figuring out who they need to get permission from, especially in the case of Epic Megagames where the rights stayed with the programmers and not the publisher.