It can even emulate old hardware from that era, like soundcards and graphics cards.ĭOSBox is a free, open-source program which means you won’t get in trouble for downloading and running it on your PC. It creates a virtual environment on your PC that resembles the Disk Operating System. So, how to play old DOS games on Windows 10? The easiest way to do it is by using DOSBox, a DOS emulator available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and various other operating systems. This is a great time to experience retro gaming, and our article will guide you through running classic DOS games on Windows 10.

And there are tons of open-source emulators out there which help you recreate the gaming magic of the 90s right on your Windows 10 PC.

A time in which the 3dfx Voodoo was considered premium-tier graphics and computers had dedicated soundcards to process game audio.įast forward to today, and Nintendo has released the NES Classic, while Sony has responded with the PlayStation Classic to attract retro gamers. Prince of Persia, Dangerous Dave, Contra, Sid Meier’s Civilization, and many other legends were born during the late 80s to mid-90s. Young gamers are also interested in trying out retro games to get a feel for it all started. There is a reason retro gaming is slowly gaining popularity, and it isn’t just 45-year-old dads trying to relive their youth through Mario. Sometimes you just feel like going back to the good old days of gaming: no DRMs, no always-online gaming, and just pure gameplay. If you’re looking for slightly newer ways to pass the time, then leave the 1990s behind and get started with Steam instead, where thousands of PC games are available for you to play on Windows, macOS, and Linux.In today’s gaming industry, we are tired of overhyped AAA titles, microtransactions, and a general lack of creativity (constantly remaking old classics and producing yearly sequels). If you’re looking to scratch that nostalgia itch, stick with Windows 10 and use compatibility mode, a virtual machine or a solution like DOSBOX to get your retro gaming fix. While Windows 10 isn’t really designed to play older Windows 95 games, it remains possible with a few workarounds.

Some (but not all) games from this era require DOS to work-you’ll need to research the game you’re looking to play to check if this is the case. DOSBOX is free and available for download on multiple platforms, including Windows 10.ĭOSBOX, as the name suggests, will only work with DOS-based games. If you have the original files for a DOS-based game to hand, then you can give DOSBOX a try yourself without buying the game a second time. For some older DOS-based games, GOG includes DOSBOX, a DOS emulator that runs older games on Windows 10, alongside the game files. GOG is a gaming marketplace that allows you to buy older games without resorting to piracy, where suspicious files from dodgy-looking websites can often bring nasty surprises.

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