DOSBox Pure is a DOS game emulator fork that aims to make running DOS software simple. It is available as a standalone desktop download for Windows, macOS, and Linux, and as a RetroArch core. It opens ZIP and DOSZ archives, DOS executables, configuration files, folders, and CD, floppy, or hard disk images. For gamepad use, it can detect games and apply controller mappings; its mapper can also assign controls to emulated keyboard, mouse, or joystick functions. Each item has 10 save-state slots, although complex later-era DOS games may have problems, and loading a state requires matching game and video or CPU settings. Users can create an 8–1024 MB hard disk image and install an operating system from a bootable CD-ROM or floppy image. The emulated NE2000 network card cannot connect to the real internet. Graphics include 3dfx Voodoo PCI emulation, with OpenGL hardware rendering by default. DOSBox Pure is free, source-available, and licensed under GNU GPL version 2 or later.
Who it is for
DOS game players who want a free emulator for desktop systems, including people using a gamepad or bootable disk images. Its operating-system installation option may also suit users working with DOS-era software environments.
What is good
- Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Works as a standalone download or RetroArch core
- Loads archives, executables, folders, and disk images
- Offers 10 save-state slots per content
- Includes gamepad mapping and 3dfx emulation
What to know first
- Complex late-era games may have save-state problems
- Save states require matching game and video or CPU settings
- Emulated network card cannot reach the real internet
- Software rendering uses much more CPU
Verdict
DOSBox Pure brings DOS games and disk images to Windows, macOS, and Linux, with controller mapping and multiple audio and graphics options. Be aware that save states have compatibility limits and its emulated network card cannot access the real internet.
DOSBox Pure plans and pricing
All plansCompared on MS-DOS emulators
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported host platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux
- DOS target versions
- ms-dos
- Disk image formats
- ISO, CUE, INS, IMG, IMA, VHD, JRC, TC, M3U, M3U8
- Gamepad support
- Yes
- Save states
- Yes
- Source available
- Yes
