DOSBox Pure is a DOS game emulator fork for desktop computers, also available as a RetroArch core. It runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and loads ZIP and DOSZ files, DOS executables, configuration files, folders, and CD, floppy, or hard disk images. For games that use controllers, it can detect titles and apply mappings, or let you assign gamepad controls to emulated keyboard, mouse, or joystick functions. Each item of content has 10 save-state slots, but complex late-era games may have problems; a state also requires the same game and video or CPU settings. You can create an 8 to 1024 MB hard disk image to install an operating system from a bootable CD-ROM or floppy image. That system can detect an emulated NE2000 network card, but it cannot connect to the real internet. Graphics include 3dfx Voodoo PCI emulation, with OpenGL hardware rendering by default and a software option that uses much more CPU. SoundFont files support General MIDI, while ROM files can emulate an MT-32 synthesizer. DOSBox Pure is free and licensed under GNU GPL version 2 or later.
Who it is for
DOSBox Pure suits people looking to run DOS games or software on Windows, macOS, or Linux. Its controller mapping and support for disk images may help users with different game setups.
What is good
- Available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Loads DOS executables, folders, and disk images.
- Provides 10 save-state slots per content.
- Gamepad controls can map to keyboard, mouse, or joystick.
What to know first
- Complex late-era DOS games may have save-state problems.
- Save states require matching game and video or CPU settings.
- The emulated network card cannot access the real internet.
- Software graphics rendering uses much more CPU.
Verdict
DOSBox Pure offers a range of DOS file and disk-image support, controller mapping, and save states in a free desktop emulator. Note the save-state conditions and the network limitation if those matter to your setup.
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
