Fun School 2: For the Under-6s
DOSEducational
DOS
DOS is a command-line operating environment for IBM PC compatibles, forming the foundation for many early PC games and applications.
2,424games in catalog
Browseableby title and genre
About DOS
DOS (Disk Operating System) refers primarily to the family of IBM PC-compatible operating systems led by MS-DOS and PC DOS. It is not a fixed piece of hardware but a software platform that defined the early personal computer gaming era through its simple, low-level access to CPU, memory, graphics, and audio hardware.
Its importance comes from broad hardware compatibility and a vast catalog of shareware, commercial games, and productivity software. DOS helped establish the PC as a major gaming platform and influenced later Windows-based PC gaming, while titles like Doom, Commander Keen, and Prince of Persia became enduring classics.
Explore DOS games
View all ->EducationalAdventurePuzzle-platformerStrategy
The Lost Vikings
DOSPuzzle-platformer
Buzz Aldrin's Race into Space
DOSStrategy
Yendorian Tales: The Tyrants of Thaine
DOSRole-Playing
Battle Charge
DOS1993
King's Bounty
DOSTurn-based strategy
Killer Bees!
DOSAction
Technical specifications
- Processor
- 8088/8086 and later x86-compatible CPUs
- Graphics
- CGA, EGA, VGA, and later SVGA graphics adapters; software-driven rendering common
- Memory
- 64 KB minimum for early PC DOS; commonly 640 KB conventional memory, with expanded/extended memory support on later systems
- Display
- Text mode and bitmap graphics via compatible display adapters; resolution dependent on installed hardware
- Audio
- PC speaker; later support for AdLib, Creative Sound Blaster, Roland MT-32, and compatible sound cards
- Storage media
- 5.25-inch floppy disk, 3.5-inch floppy disk, hard disk; later CD-ROM support via drivers
- Controllers
- Keyboard; optional mouse, joystick, flight stick, and gamepad via compatible ports or adapters
Release history
- 1981United States
IBM PC DOS 1.0 launched with the original IBM Personal Computer.
- 1981Worldwide
MS-DOS began spreading through OEM licensing on IBM PC-compatible systems.
- 1980s-1990sWorldwide
DOS became the dominant platform for IBM PC-compatible software, especially games and business applications.
Notable games
DOS questions
Catalog, discovery, and browser compatibility answers.
How many DOS games are in the catalog?
DOS currently has 2,424 active entries in the EmuGamers catalog.
How can I find a DOS game?
Use the platform directory filters or search by title, genre, series, and first letter. Open a game detail page for its controls and compatibility status.
Can I play every DOS game in the browser?
No. Browser play is title-specific. A configured runtime is not the same as a dated compatibility test, so review the status shown on each game page.