Again within the Eighties, having fun with a pc recreation meant you had to use MS-DOS. In order for you to re-live that old-school expertise, you should utilize DOSBox to play MS-Dos games on Linux.
What’s DOSBox? It’s a classy emulation atmosphere that works on Mac, Linux, Home windows, and different platforms. The app permits customers to take pleasure in MS-DOS, play MS-DOS video games and even run software program too! Right here’s how to use it.
Set up DOSBox
Earlier than we get into how to use the DOSBox app to play basic MS-DOS games on Linux, you’ll want to set up this system to your pc. Happily, DOSBox has been round for fairly a very long time on Linux, and almost each Linux OS at present in circulation can obtain and use this instrument by way of a wide range of totally different bundle codecs, together with DEB, RPM, or by way of Snap bundle, Flatpak, the supply code, and others.
To start out the set up course of, launch a terminal window on your Linux PC utilizing the Ctrl + Alt + T or Ctrl + Shift + T keyboard mixture. Then, look under to the command-line directions that correspond with the Linux working system you at present use.
Ubuntu
To get the DOSBox emulator on Ubuntu, use the Apt bundle supervisor and set up the “DOSBox” bundle.
sudo apt set up dosbox
Debian
Want the DOSBox emulator on Debian Linux? Check out the next Apt-get command. Although, understand that the model of DOSBox within the Debian bundle repository could also be old-fashioned, in contrast to different working methods.
sudo apt-get set up dosbox
Desire a newer model of DOSBox on your Debian Linux system? Contemplate skipping this set up methodology in favor of the Snap or Flatpak launch, as they get up to date with new options far faster than the native Debian one does.
Arch Linux
The most recent launch of DOSBox is up on the official Arch Linux software program servers. To get it working on your system, use the next Pacman bundle command in a terminal window.
sudo pacman -S dosbox
Fedora
Fedora Linux customers that would love to use DOSBox can set up it rapidly, because the Fedora mission carries it of their software program sources. To arrange the app on your Fedora system, use the DNF command under.
sudo dnf set up dosbox -y
OpenSUSE
On OpenSUSE, DOSBox is installable from the OSS All software program repository. Guarantee it’s enabled on your system. Then, launch a terminal window and use the Zypper command to get it going.
sudo zypper set up dosbox -y
Snap
DOSBox is within the Snap retailer, which implies for those who’re a fan of Snaps, you’re in luck! To start out the set up, use the snap set up command under.
Word: to set up DOSBox from the Snap retailer, you have to have the SnapD runtime working. For extra info, take a look at our submit on the topic.
sudo snap set up dosbox-x
Flatpak
Like many applications nowadays, DOSBox is on Flathub as a Flatpak. To get it working, use the terminal instructions under.
Word: utilizing Flatpaks on Linux requires the Flatpak runtime. Head over to this submit and find out how to get it arrange earlier than persevering with.
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub
sudo flatpak set up flathub com.dosbox.DOSBox
Arrange DOSBox
DOSBox requires a little bit configuration earlier than it’s doable to play games on it. Begin the configuration by launching a terminal window (Ctrl + Alt + T or Ctrl + Shift + T). Then, use the mkdir command to create a brand new folder for MS-DOS games.
mkdir -p ~/dos-games
With the folder made, be happy to shut the terminal window. Then, head over to the DOSGames website and seize your self a recreation to play (or 2). Don’t fear! They’re free and authorized to obtain! Most of the games on the web site are within the public area, due to copy-write expiration!
Taking part in a recreation with DOSBox
After you’ve arrange the ~/dos-games folder on your Linux PC and completed downloading an MS-DOS recreation from DOSGames.com, it’s time to begin up the sport. To do that, comply with the step-by-step directions under.
Step 1: Launch the Linux file supervisor and unzip the downloaded DOS recreation from the ZIP archive.
Step 2: Place the unzipped DOS recreation information into /house/username/dos-games/.
Step 3: Open up the DOSBox utility on your Linux desktop. Or, begin it from the terminal with the dosbox command.
Step 4: In DOSBox, run the MOUNT command to entry the ~/dos-games folder.
MOUNT c ~/dos-games
Step 5: Use the CD command to change DOS to the C:/ drive which holds your entire MS-DOS online game information.
C:
Step 6: Run the dir command to view the contents of the ~/dos-games listing. Then use CD to transfer DOS into the online game sub-folder.
dir
cd ms-dos-game-folder
Step 7: Run dir as soon as once more to view the contents of the listing. Then, run SETUP.EXE, or no matter file you want to execute to play the sport you’ve downloaded!
