/vr/ - Retro Games

Do you want DOSBox to accurately match a specific CPU speed? Or do you want it to actually run each game at the correct speed?

Because you can't have both. Which is exactly how it was on real PC hardware.

I'd really recommend Retro Arch for DOSBox. Most brainlets here can't use it, but it's easier to use and set up with individual games because you can easily save DOSBox game profiles, and do things like quickly fuck around with the CPU cycles speed while the game is still running. It's easier/quicker.


This is what i do:

1. Start a game in Retro Arch with a DOSBox core (I typically use the 'DOSBox SVN' core). If you don't know how to use Retro Arch and install cores then check out JewTube tutorials.
2. Get in to the actual game and press F1.
3. Go to Options.
4. Click on 'Save Game Options File' to save DOSBox settings for the game that's currently running.
5. Now simply fuck around with the four CPU Cycles settings shown in the bottom of the pic.
6. The two 'Coarse CPU cycles' options will make more obvious large changes to game speed. Increase/decrease these numbers and then press F1 to unpause the game and see how it is now running. If it's running too slow for example, press F1 again, go back to Options and increase these numbers. Repeat this until it's looking good.
7. The two 'Fine CPU cycles' options will make smaller less noticeable changes, but it's important to use these to get the game speed perfect (higher numbers = increased speed). Again, change these numbers, then press F1 to see how things are running. Repeat this the same as above.
8. Go back and forth doing this until the game is running at a nice speed/frame rate, and that's it. You don't have to do anything else. The settings will already be saved for that game.
9. Now repeat these steps for each DOS game, making sure you always click on 'Save Game Options File'.


By doing this i have around 60 DOS games running great. I can just click on a game and it will JUST. FUCKING. WORK.