If you want to play an MS-DOS compatible game again, you typically have four options. The first three are building a retro computer, using local resources like DOSBox, or looking for a port that simplifies running it on Windows... but there's also a fourth option: online emulation of the operating system. Many users dismiss it because of performance and latency issues, yet the new platform DOS_deck offers the best of classic shareware and freeware without any headaches.
Many franchises took their first steps under MS-DOS, and the most important ones come to mind without much effort: Wolfenstein, Doom, Quake, Command & Conquer, Warcraft, System Shock, SimCity, Civilization, X-COM, Master of Orion, Fallout, Grand Theft Auto... it would be hard to mention them all, but you end up trying anyway.
The point is that there's a huge amount of material to explore, yet technical difficulties drive many users away. That's why we need simpler tools, and that's where DOS_deck comes in. Besides presenting a solid selection of shareware and freeware, DOS_deck tackles several issues from the start, eliminating downloads and offering gamepad support.
How to play the best MS-DOS titles on DOS_deck
For now, the available games number 16, but its subreddit already anticipates that dozens more are coming soon. DOS_deck uses a combination of DOSBox and JS-DOS, completely transparently, and I want to add that its main interface is impeccable. DOS_deck shows you all keyboard and gamepad bindings (though we can't modify them yet), and also enables a full-screen mode. As if that weren't enough, DOS_deck includes a virtual keyboard in case of compatibility issues.
DOS_deck saves your games automatically (so you can return at any time without losing progress), and doesn't require account creation. Now, all that sounds good... but it doesn't make it immune to certain performance details. Personally, I've found audio glitches in Doom, and other minor issues like flippers that get stuck in Epic Pinball, but nothing too serious.
Just a few rough edges that will disappear over time, and more player presence. DOS_deck has already crossed the 60,000 mark in two weeks, and it has everything in its favor to keep growing.
Official site: Click here
