Computers are worth celebrating for their extreme backward compatibility. At the same time, many enthusiasts are dedicated to developing “correct” environments for the most stubborn programs, or they take advantage of the virtues of open source and adapt code to modern operating systems. EmuOS is a project that combines all that and more in one place, offering demos and open versions of classic games, right in your browser.
MS-DOS has some games that we can only call true gems. Over time, that operating system and its classics lost support, but thanks to resources like virtualization and tools on par with DOSBox, it's now possible to bring them back on modern computers. We know well that these aren't perfect solutions, and each extra year on the calendar creates new challenges, among which preservation stands out. At the top of the list is the Internet Archive, and we've talked more than once about the games stored there, but it's not the only project of this kind. Today we came across EmuOS, from the Emupedia.net portal. When you first enter, you can choose a style (Windows 95, 98, or Me), and automatically you'll be taken to the desktop, where you'll find shortcuts to all kinds of freeware, shareware, and open-source ports of retro titles that are well worth a look.
A library of classics
Wolfenstein 3D, the Doom series, the Quake series, the first Half-Life, Diablo 1, Command & Conquer and Red Alert 2, X-COM UFO Defense, Transport Tycoon Deluxe, Unreal Tournament... let's just say EmuOS doesn't come empty-handed. Some of these games are simple demos (that's the case with Doom 3), others require certain files from the original game (Diablo 1), and then we find technical details like the absence of mouse in Doom or the too-small graphics in C&C, but as far as framerate and sound go, EmuOS responded very well.
The best part? It all happens in the browser. No need to download modules or anything like that. In addition, the environment includes a copy of DOSBox that allows access to additional games. Commander Keen, Dune II, several LucasFilm/Arts adventures, the Mortal Kombat series, the first two Prince of Persia... great memories, just a click away. It's possible that DOSBox performance might be a bit lower inside EmuOS (mainly sound skips), but I guarantee those games are worth your time.
EmuOS also offers some apps and access to external portals, but what really interests us here are the games, and it definitely fulfills its promise of preserving these classics. Give it a try!
Official site: Click here
