Treat MS-DOS Games Like Zipped ROMs - LaunchBox Tutorial

Learn how to import and play zipped MS-DOS games using RetroArch and the DOSBox Pure core.

CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro
00:35 - Why use the DOSBox Pure core?
00:58 - Install/Update RetroArch + DOSBox Pure core
02:16 - Import your zipped MS-DOS games
03:49 - Time to play some games
05:02 - Ending

[obmguitarist]

The fact that you have 3-D Dinosaur Adventure in the games list just made my day!! I still have the orange 3-D glasses that came with my old Packard-Bell! Awesome upload as always, thank you

[HexenStar]

Excellent! The title of this video was enough for me to make it work. I couldn't believe
it was THAT easy! I mean, i am well versed in Dosbox on PC, but the handheld version -
i was sure that it's some kind of an awkward Hell. Guess what - i was glad to be wrong.
Played my old DOS-favorite Novastorm in a single click on Anbernic RG353P! What's
even more curious - that it worked with a game that normally runs directly off a CD.
So i just put those as bin/cue, zipped the folder and placed it there, expecting nothing.
And voila! Worked like a charm, with zero manual configuration. Thank you so much!!

[claassixclaassix]

Wow...awesome 🤩 It's getting better and better when you think, it can't go better than before...THANKS

[Gaulent]

As soon as this core got released I migrated every game I have as zips. Best feature is that it creates a "save file" with the changed files as another zip file. This core is awesome.
Almost forgot, it includes gamepad mappings for every mayor game.

[SinisterTarheel]

Awesome. You been the go to for tutorials and can’t wait to try this.

[ianmalpass]

Have a no executable file found error keep recurring on all the games I'm trying to use

[warforlight]

Thank you for that very fast and simple explanation

[RonanLynch]

Had to try this, but a lot of zips give me a "no executable" found. There is an executable in the zip and if unpacked it works flawlessly. Other games don't have the problem.

[Breakzoras]

Thank you for this! I was struggling for years and it was that simple

[GetLostGames]

They can stay zipped! Woohooo! Great vid

[MattKasdorf]

Any updates on using Linux instead of Windows 10/11 as a host OS?

[jonnyardan]

Brother I need help! I followed each step exactly but it didn't work. When I reach the step to choose the emulator(2:58 on your video) I would like to use, it doesn't display the Core dropdown box... It displays only the Choose an emulator box. Any idea why please? Thank you!

[JBounleuth]

Oregon Trail, that's all I needed to see.

[damienretro]

DOSBox Pure doesn't support GSYNC/FREESYNC (External Timing) so all of those DOS games that run at 70Hz have tearing or stuttering. The "DOSBox Core" core for RetroArch has no such issues. To get around the zipped ROM issue, I just made my own little ROM zipper & unzipper that uses DOSBox "overlay" file system for saved games. I also made an auto iso/cue mounter while I was at it.
Some people are working on a standard for DOS "ROMS" Hopefully it comes to fruition.

[derekswitzer]

How can you add bezels to dosbox games? I wathced your LB 12.22 vid and tried to follow, but I'm on LB 13.10 now, and it doesn't give the option of bezels, only game media. (I'm also using the exoDOS v6 build that recently came out. TIA!

[ace]

mine does not remember the exe I choose and keep loading up setup or something else. is there something I am missing?

[jonathantodd]

So I followed your tutorial but I hvae a problem that some dos games don't want to load like for example if I try to load Alien Trilogy I get a dos fatal error and the game doesn't load?

[dukebryant]

I'm trying to install carmen sandiego great chase through time on here from an isolated and can't figure out how to make it run any suggestions

[Paperclown]

retroarch is on steam if you add it that way never have to mess with updates

[FuZZbaLLbee]

I want to add Amiga WHDLoad games like this. Is that possible?