DOSBox
Current Included DOSBox builds
This is a list of the current versions of DOSBox being used by the eXo projects.
- DOSBox 0.74
- DOSBox ECE r4230
- DOSBox ECE r4460
- DOSBox-X 0.82.18
- DOSBox-X 0.83.25
- GunStick DOSBox
- DOSBox Staging 0.81.1
- DOSBox Staging 0.82.0
- SVN Daum
DOSBox is an MS-DOS emulator that emulates both the hardware and software for the system. It is capable of emulating several different machine types including PCjr, Tandy, and an IBM compatible. As an open source project, there are many variants of DOSBox, which is important as there is no single version of DOSBox that can run every game. The eXo projects use a variety of DOSBox builds in order to achieve maximum compatibility. The following is a list of DOSBox builds currently used by the project as well as a list of games that are assigned to the build.
Please note that games are not randomly assigned. If a game is not using one of the default builds (DOSBox 0.74 or DOSBox ECE r4230), then it has been specifically assigned to a different build. We will attempt to link each game to a relevant GitHub ticket and/or reason for the assignment.
As the project evolves and new DOSBox builds are created, this list will change and games will be re-assigned as needed.
DOSBox Keys
ALT+ENTER = Full Screen.
ALT+PAUSE = Pause emulation.
CTRL+F1 = Show the keymapper configuration screen
CTRL+F4 = Update cached information about mounted drives. Useful if you changed something on a mounted drive outside of DOSBox. Also cycles through disk images mounted using IMGMOUNT.
CTRL+F5 = Save a screenshot (goes to capture folder).
CTRL+ALT+F5 = Start/Stop recording of AVI video. NOTE: You may well have some problems with this, please see Recording Video for more information.
CTRL+F6 = Start/Stop recording sound output to a wave file (goes to capture folder).
CTRL+ALT+F7 = Start/Stop recording of OPL commands.
CTRL+ALT+F8 = Start/Stop the recording of raw MIDI commands.
CTRL+F7 = Decreases frameskip
CTRL+F8 = Increases Frameskip
CTRL+F9 = Kill (close) DOSBox.
CTRL+F10 = Capture/Release the mouse (if you need to use the mouse within DOSBox).
CTRL+F11 = Slows down the game
CTRL+F12 = Speeds up the game
ALT+F12 = Unlock speed (turbo button).
DOSBox 0.74
Description
The last official full release stable build (three revisions with minor fixes have since been released). This version of DOSBox was released May 12th, 2010. It is the most commonly seen version of DOSBox as it is packed in with most MS-DOS GOG and Steam games.
Games
A full list has not been provided as this and ECE 4230 are the default builds we test with.
DOSBox ECE r4230
Description
ECE (Enhanced Community Edition) adds several patches to the vanilla DOSBox build that greatly enhance the potential of the emulator. One of the primary reasons it is used in eXoDOS is for its Roland MT-32 (Munt) and FluidSynth sound font capabilities. It also has improved 3Dfx emulation, enhanced OPL3 & PC speaker emulation, and increased VRAM (which assists in reducing flicking in Build engine games).
Another primary enhancement that is included in this version is the pixel perfect patch.
Games
This is one of the default DOSBox builds for the projects, which means hundreds of games (just under 2,000 in eXoDOS alone) are set to this build. This includes nearly all games with MT-32 and Sound Canvas 55 support.
DOSBox ECE r4460
Description
The r4460 version includes several patches that improve game compatibility above and beyond the r4230 release. Unfortunately, the pixel perfect patch was dropped shortly after the r4230 release. As we do not shift games to a new version of DOSBox without extension testing, the r4460 version was added to the pack as an alternative option. It specifically includes kcroft's CD-audio patch, which solves several CD audio issues.
Games
| Games List | |
|---|---|
| Game Name | Reason |
| A320 Airbus (Edition Europa) (1992) | https://github.com/exoscoriae/eXoDOS/issues/3233 |
| A320 Airbus (Edition USA) (1993) | https://github.com/exoscoriae/eXoDOS/issues/3233 |
| Adventures of Willy Beamish, The (1991) | |
| Aethra Chronicles, The - Volume One - Celystra's Bane (1994) | |
| Armored Fist 2 (1997) | |
| Balance (1993) | |
| Cover Girl Strip Poker (1991) | https://github.com/exoscoriae/eXoDOS/issues/3351 |
| Dungeon Keeper (1997) | |
| French With Rayman (1998) | |
| Gulp-Man (1994) | |
| Inter-Stellar Wars (1993) | |
| Mino's Adventure (1997) | |
| Mixed-Up Mother Goose (1991) | https://github.com/exoscoriae/eXoDOS/issues/2431 |
| Pinball Wizard 2000 (1995) | https://github.com/exoscoriae/eXoDOS/issues/1167 |
| Seasons of the Sakura (1997) | https://github.com/exoscoriae/eXoDOS/issues/2771 |
| Secret of Monkey Island, The (1990) | https://github.com/exoscoriae/eXoDOS/issues/2990 |
| Theme Park (1994) | Fixes crashes after the game has been running for a while |
| Theme Park Mystery (1990) | |
| Wolf (1994) | |
| Zombie Dinos From Planet Zeltoid (1995) | |
DOSBox-X 0.82.18
Description
DOSBox-X is a heavily patched enhanced build of the base DOSBox. Many enhancements and extra features exist, including enhanced support for Windows installations.
Games
| Games List | |
|---|---|
| Game Name | Reason |
| Alf's Party Kit (1988) | |
| Best of the Best Championship Karate (1992) | |
| Design Your Own Railroad (1992) | |
| Design Your Own Train (1989) | |
| EGA Mouse Paint (1994) | |
| FaceMaker - Golden Edition (1988) | |
| FBCOACH (1985) | |
| Frank Bruno's Boxing (1988) | |
| Funny Face (1990) | |
| Hound of the Baskervilles (1993) | |
| New Print Shop Companion, The (1989) | |
| New Print Shop, The (1989) | |
| Newsroom Pro, The (1989) | |
| Newsroom, The (1985) | |
| Stare-EO Workshop (1991) | |
| StarFight III - Within the Darkness (1997) | |
DOSBox-X 0.83.25
Description
Another build of DOSBox-X that is needed for specific games.
Games
| Games List | |
|---|---|
| Game Name | Reason |
| Jet Stream (1996) | |
| Viper (1998) | |
GunStick DOSBox
Description
A patched build of DOSBox that adds support for the Opera Soft Gun Stick, a light gun developed for the PC. This build of DOSBox maps the mouse cursor to the aiming target, allowing the user to use the cursor in place of the Gun Stick peripheral.
Games
| Games List | |
|---|---|
| Game Name | Reason |
| Cosmic Sheriff (1989) | GunStick Support |
| Mike Gunner (1988) | GunStick Support |
| Pack Regalo Gun Stick (1989) | GunStick Support |
DOSBox Staging 0.81.1
Description
DOSBox Staging is a modern continuation of DOSBox with many advanced features such as adaptive CRT emulation, ReelMagic support, integrated Roland MT-32 emulation, built-in MIDI support (via FluidSynth), and so much more.
Games
Over 650 games are configured to use this build of DOSBox Staging and it is the version of DOSBox used by the Alternate Launcher.
DOSBox Staging 0.82.0
A newer build of DOSBox Staging with additional changes used by the eXoDOS project. This build is used for the games that incorporate 3Dfx technology.
Games
| Games List | |
|---|---|
| Game Name | Reason |
| Archimedean Dynasty (1996) | 3Dfx |
| Battle Arena Toshinden (1996) | 3Dfx |
| BattleTech - The Crescent Hawk's Revenge (1990) | |
| Blood (1997) | 3Dfx |
| Blood Bowl (1995) | |
| Boston Bomb Club (1991) | |
| Bubble Bobble (1988) | |
| Budokan The Martial Spirit (1989) | |
| Bunny Bricks (1993) | |
| Burnout Championship Drag Racing (Player's Choice) (1998) | 3Dfx |
| Carmageddon Max Pack (1998) | 3Dfx |
| Chronicles of the Sword (1996) | |
| Crystals of Arborea (1990) | |
| Descent II (1996) | 3Dfx |
| Descent II Vertigo Series (1996) | 3Dfx |
| DREAMS to Reality (1997) | 3Dfx |
| Druid - Daemons of the Mind (1995) | |
| EF2000 (Special Edition) (1996) | 3Dfx |
| Elder Scrolls Adventures, The - Redguard (1998) | 3Dfx |
| Extreme Assault (1997) | 3Dfx |
| Extreme Tennis (1999) | 3Dfx |
| Furcol (1997) | 3Dfx |
| Grand Theft Auto (1997) | 3Dfx |
| Ishar - Legend of the Fortress (1992) | |
| Ishar 2 - Messengers of Doom (1993) | |
| JetFighter Full Burn (1998) | 3Dfx |
| JetFighter III Platinum (1999) | 3Dfx |
| Lands of Lore - Guardians of Destiny (1997) | 3Dfx |
| Magic Candle 2, The - The Four and Forty (1991) | |
| Metal Mutant (1991) | |
| NASCAR Racing 2 (1996) | 3Dfx |
| NetHack - Falcon's Eye (2001) | |
| Perfect Assassin (1997) | |
| Prost Grand Prix 1998 (1998) | 3Dfx |
| Puzznic (1990) | |
| Pyl (1999) | 3Dfx |
| QIX (1989) | |
| Quake II DOS Port (2024) | |
| Quest for Glory II - Trial by Fire (1990) | |
| Rambo III (1989) | |
| Rastan (1990) | |
| Screamer 2 (1996) | 3Dfx |
| Screamer Rally (1997) | 3Dfx |
| Shadow Warrior (1997) | 3Dfx |
| Soltys (1995) | |
| StarFight IV - Legacy (1998) | |
| Starfighter 3000 (1996) | 3Dfx |
| Storm Master (1992) | |
| Tomb Raider Gold (1998) | 3Dfx |
| Transarctica (1993) | |
| Trick or Treat (1994) | |
| UEFA Champions League 1996-97 (1997) | 3Dfx |
| VR Soccer '96 (1995) | 3Dfx |
| Whiplash (1995) | 3Dfx |
| Word Attack 3 (1995) | |
| XCar Experimental Racing (1997) | 3Dfx |
SVN Daum
Description
ykhwong's SVN Daum, last updated on January 25th, 2015, is an enhanced SVN build that incorporates several patches not found in other DOSBox builds. It is generally not considered super stable and it often experiences slowdown due to unoptimized emulation of several core systems. Despite all of this, there are several games that require the use of Daum for various reasons. A list of special patches from the SVN Builds wiki includes: The Windows build incorporates Direct3D with pixel shaders, OpenglHQ, Innovation, Glide, zip/7z mount, Beep, NE2000 Ethernet, Graphical user interface (menu), Save/Load states, Vertical sync, CPU flags optimization, Various DOS commands (PROMPT, VOL, LABEL, MOUSE, etc) and CONFIG.SYS commands (DEVICE, BUFFERS, FILES, etc), Continuous turbo key, Core-switch key, Show details (from menu bar), Nice DOSBox icon, Font patch (cp437), MAKEIMG command, INTRO, Ctrl-break patch, DBCS support patch, Automatic mount, Printer output, MT-32 emulation (MUNT), MP3CUE, Overscan border, Stereo-swap, SDL_Resize, MemSize128, Internal 3dfx voodoo chip emulation, etc.
Games
| Games List | |
|---|---|
| Game Name | Reason |
| Descent to Undermountain (1998) | |
Unused DOSBox builds
DOSBox Pure
Pure is a version of DOSBox aimed at RetroArch which is great for some specific use case scenarios.
Pure wants to treat DOS games like ROM files. Console games are preinstalled games with a very low amount of variation. They do not have setup utilities that are capable of thousands of combinations of sound, video, network, and gameplay options. It can't handle an eXoDOS zip file that has the games bin/cue in one folder and the installed game in another.
Arguably, DOSBox Pure hurts game preservation by preferring rips over original media.
Pure is also missing several features that the eXo projects rely on. Extended features like Tandy 3 voice, 3Dfx, IDE pass through, etc... are not supported in Pure currently.
Pure is most suitable for someone who wants to play a copy of DOOM they acquired online on their RetroPie without any setup options. It is not the best route, but it is possibly one of the easier ones.