Want to play some old PC games? Unless they have been re-released, it probably isn’t possible. Current versions of Windows are built on a different architecture to anything pre-Windows XP.

The result is that these old games won’t work without some help.

That’s where DOSBox comes in.

What Is DOSBox?

If your old games were released pre-2001, then they’re probably intended to be run on MS-DOS, the forerunner to Windows. DOSBox emulates the MS-DOS environment, letting you run old games and apps from physical media or disk images.

Civilization running in DOSBox

DOSBox has provided DOS emulation almost since DOS was dropped from Windows back in 2002. Since then, it has been ported to many operating systems and platforms, essentially letting you run any pre-Windows MS-DOS game on any device.

Install DOSBox on Your PC or Mobile Device

Perhaps the most wonderful aspect of DOSBox is that it allows you to play MS-DOS era games not just on Windows, but other platforms too.

It doesn’t matter which operating system you install it on, the same commands work on them all.

These are the devices you can play your classic PC games on.

Windows, Mac, Linux, and Beyond

For playing retro MS-DOS games on your PC, you'll need to download and install the most recent version of DOSBox.

Here, you'll find versions of DOSBox for:

  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux (Debian, Gentoo, and Fedora)
  • FreeBSD
  • Solaris 10
  • BeOS
  • RISC OS
  • OS/2

Old DOSBox releases are also archived on the DOSBox website.

Android

Want to play old PC games on your Android smartphone or tablet? You're in luck! Among the several DOSBox-based apps are:

  • lDosBox: a free app that includes various software keyboard layouts, useful for certain strategy games
  • DOSBox Turbo ($2.49): this app is optimized for current Android versions
  • Magic DOSBox ($3.49): a popular alternative suited to touchscreen devices, Magic DOSBox also has a free version

Once installed on your phone or tablet, these apps work in largely the same way as their desktop counterparts. You can use the software keyboard or plug a USB keyboard into your phone. Connecting a Bluetooth mouse is also a good idea if preferred over touch.

What commands are required to find, install, and load your games into DOS?

DOS Commands You'll Need for Retro Gaming

To get started with retro PC gaming, you'll need to know the basics for using MS-DOS. It utilizes a command line, which you use to create virtual drives, install applications, manage sound and graphics, and run software.

When you install and run DOSBox, you'll see the Z:\ prompt. This is a substitute for the old C:\> prompt, which referred to a PC's hard disk drive.

You can change this to mount a folder on your physical PC as a virtual C:\ drive. Use the mount command to do this:

        mount c c:\dosgames
    

In effect, the root of the C:\ drive in DOSBox is now the dosgames directory on your PC. This makes installing and running games in DOSBox more convenient, and avoids problems with some games expecting only the C:\ drive.

Perhaps the most-used command in DOSBox is cd. This instructs a change of directory, as follows:

        cd [directory_name]
    
Using DOSBox

Jumping between directory hierarchies is also possible with these commands:

  • .. (double period) -- This refers to the directory one step above the current folder.
  • / -- Jumps to the root of the current drive.

So, you could combine cd with .. to jump up one directory level:

        cd ..
    

You can also return to the root directory:

        cd /
    

Both of these commands are invaluable for navigating around the directory structure. To view the contents of a directory, meanwhile, use:

        dir
    
Managing directory in DOSBox

This will output a list of the folder contents to the window, in list form. Variants are available:

dir/p -- Pauses the list at each page, awaiting your input.

dir/w -- Produces the list in wide view, saving space.

Finally, once you're done in DOSBox, simply input the exit command to close the window. You can find a wider selection of commands for DOSBox at the DOSBox wiki.

Run a Game in DOSBox

To load a game, first find its executable. This is typically something like GAME.EXE, and all you need to do is enter the name of the program without the .EXE suffix. Once you've navigated into the game folder, enter the name of the game and tap enter.

For example, say you want to play SimCity in DOSBox. You've visited a website offering abandonware games for download, and you've unzipped the files into the C:\dosgames directory on your hard drive. With DOSBox running, mount the drive, view the contents, then use cd to navigate into the simcity directory, like so:

        mount c c:\dosgames
    
Install a game in DOSBox

Here, enter dir again to view the contents. Some games may have an INSTALL.BAT file. In this case, run the file to install the game. Installation options will appear, such as specifying a sound card, or control method (e.g. with Doom, you'll get a choice of Keyboard, Keyboard and mouse, or Controller).

Otherwise, enter the .EXE filename to run the game.

In the case of SimCity, simply enter:

        simcity
    
SimCity in DOSBox

To avoid entering the mount command each time you run DOSBox, meanwhile, you can edit the configuration file. You can find this in various places depending on your platform. For instance, in Windows 10, you'll find it in the Appdata directory in your personal profile:

        C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\DOSBox
    

With DOSBox closed:

  1. Right-click dosbox-[version_number].conf
  2. Select Open with and choose Notepad
  3. Find the section headed [autoexec]
  4. Add this line: mount c C:\dosgames
  5. Hit Enter, then add: c:
  6. Save and close the configuration file
Edit DOSBox configuration

This is instructs DOSBox to auto-mount the C:\dosgames directory each time DOSBox launches. Restart the software to test.

Installing a DOSBox Front-End

If all of those commands seem tedious, there is an alternative. Various DOSBox front-ends are available to install, providing an easier, mouse-driven interface for launching MS-DOS games. Of these, we suggest you try:

  • D-Box is for Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Launchbox is Windows-only and can also be used to launch modern PC games (our guide to Launchbox will help you get started).

Note that when using a front-end, DOSBox itself needs to be installed first (unless stated otherwise).

With a front-end installed, you're not only able to easily browse and launch your games, but save progress and settings on a game-by-game basis. In short, front-ends make using DOSBox simpler, particularly for gaming.

Finding and Organizing Your Games

You can usually find DOSBox-compatible MS-DOS games online. Although, if you have an old hard drive with retro games installed, you can copy these files into your default DOSBox directory. Before you go hunting for games, however, the best course of action is to create a directory on your C:\ drive in which to save them.

Several resources exist online where you can find MS-DOS games. While ROMs are freely available online, MakeUseOf can't help you find them. Downloading ROMs for games that you don't own is piracy, and doing so is your decision to make.

If you own the original disk media of the game you're planning to run, then you're operating within the law. If you do not own original media, and run software that you haven't previously purchased, you're breaching copyright.

If a game is available as abandonware, the publisher has essentially decided to ignore the game. Thus, you're not breaking any copyright laws by downloading it.

7 MS-DOS Games to Revisit

Once you've found your preferred DOSBox version and installed it, you might be looking for some excellent games to try out. In no particular order, we suggest you try some, or all, of the following.

DOOM running in DOSBox
  1. Doom: The daddy of all first-person shooters, this is the game that kickstarted PC gaming in the 1990s. And it's still going strong!
  2. Duke Nukem 3D: Another FPS, this one with an "adult cartoon" vibe. Some crude humor throughout, but ultimately fun.
  3. Sim City: The challenge here is to build and manage a city on a randomly-created map, keeping the citizens happy.
  4. Dune II: Before the real-time point-and-build tactics of the Command and Conquer series came Dune II, an RTS from the same developers.
  5. Railroad Tycoon: Set in Europe, the UK, the US, this mammoth game lets you build and manage a rail network. That this idea works as a compelling game demonstrates the genius of its designer, Sid Meier.
  6. The Secret of Monkey Island: Developed by LucasFilm and set in the Caribbean during the age of piracy, this point-and-click adventure game features the ridiculously-named Guybrush Threepwood.
  7. Civilization: The first game in the Civilization series cemented its success, challenging the player to overcome the machinations of rival leaders from history.
Civilization running in DOSBox

You'll find these games via the sites detailed earlier.

Do You Really Need DOSBox for Classic PC Gaming?

As useful as DOSBox is, you might find it overly complicated for the comparatively simple task of launching games. But what else can you do to play classic PC games?

Well, one option is to find classic games in the Google Play Store or the iOS App Store and see what retro games are available.

You’ll also find that GOG is a useful resource, a vast library of classic video games available to purchase. Steam also has a vast collection of retro games to enjoy without installing DOSBox.

Download and install them on your modern PC, and they're ready to play without any emulation or controller issues.

And you can even play MS-DOS games in your browser thanks to ClassicReload!

DOSBox: The Ultimate Retro Gaming Experience!

With DOSBox (or an unofficial port) installed on your computer, phone, tablet, or game console, you'll be ready to enjoy retro games from the 1980s and 1990s.

Whether you want to learn the commands or simplify things with a front-end, you’re guaranteed access to a world of amazing games. Graphically they might not compare to modern titles, but the playability will be off the chart.

Have fun!