This is a set of six free DOS games you should download and directions on where to download them from.

Last week I wrote an article on how to download and use DOSbox. DOSbox is software that allows you to run DOS on your modern computer. In this article, I want to list six free DOS games you need to install. These are listed in countdown order, leading to the number one DOS game to download and play.

Dosbox: Keen4

Number 6: Commander Keen 4

While Commander Keen 4 was the fourth in the series, it was actually the second game to be released free (after Commander Keen 1). It’s graphics and gameplay were a serious step up from the first three games and also had a quirky version of pong on the menu mode to play too. While it might not have the spark of Commander Keen 1, it is still a solid game and worthy of being in anyone’s DOS collection.

Download Commander Keen 4 here

Number 5: Wolfenstein 3D

Wolfenstein 3D was THE original first person shooter game. Following an escaped allied prisoner of war, breaking out of a Nazi prison, the game was gritty, unique, and very real for the time. The game only slightly loses out to Doom2 in terms of first person shooters, but it’s still a fantastic game.

Download Wolfenstein 3D here

Number 4: The Secrets of Monkey Island

Monkey Island is a puzzle/adventure game following wannabe pirate Guybrush Threepwood as he takes on the mysterious Monkey Island. Although there was sequels, Monkey Island 1 really was a  unique puzzle game. Controlling Guybrush, you make him walk, talk, and interact with characters and objects around the island. Although highly frustrating when you get stuck, there is something delightfully satisfying about passing a tricky part of the game – a true classic.

Download Monkey Island 1 here

Dosbox: Doom2

Number 3: Commander Keen 1

The prequel to Commander Keen 4, this first game of the series was a fantastic platform game from 1990. Controlling the kid who built his own spaceship and traveled to Mars, you take on aliens and navigate through different levels. It’s a fun and humorous game and, for reasons I don’t really know myself, is simply better and more enjoyable than the fourth Commander Keen. The best DOS platform game around in my opinion.

Download Commander Keen 1 here

Number 2: Doom2

Doom 1 pushed Wolfenstein 3D further in the first person shooter genre. Then Doom 2 came along and took the series to a whole new level. Following a human soldier fighting a hoard of aliens out to destroy Earth, the game shoots from one level to another as you blast your way though some pretty scary graphics for the early 90′s. It’s fun, challenging and gory – basically everything a good first person shooter should be. A close second in my top six DOS games.

Download Doom 2 here

Number 1: Transport Tyoon

I think most guys in their twenty’s love Transport Tycoon. Starting in the 1930′s, you build train, plane, road, and boat systems to transport your paying customers around the games world map. However, with other rival transport tycoons trying to steal your business, you need to move fast. As the game develops, you get new technology and new challenges to face. One of my favorite games (not just DOS) of all time and a must for DOSbox!

Download Transport Tycoon here

So what are you waiting for, install them now. If you haven’t got DOSbox installed yet, find out how to from my previous article.

This explains how to easily and quickly install and play retro DOS games through DOSbox.

Like most geeky guys in their twenties, I was a big fan of DOS games growing up. Games such as Doom2, Commander Keen and Transport Tycoon were simply fantastic and highly addictive. A couple of years ago I decided to start playing these games again and, after a little of bit of research, found DOSbox. DOSbox is a DOS simulator, allowing you to run DOS in a Windows computer. More importantly, this means you can play old DOS games on your modern computer!

For newbie’s this can be a little bit awkward to start with. So, in this post, I want to explain both how to install DOSbox, but also, more importantly, how to run games through it.

Dosbox: Keen4

Installing DOSbox

Firstly, you’re going to need to install DOSbox. This can be done by installing the official download version for free. Run the file, follow the instructions, and DOSbox is installed.

Downloading DOS Games to Play

Next, you need to install some old school DOS games. There are plenty of websites that store these games, with DOS Games Archive, Abandonia, and DOS Games probably being the best. If you can’t find you’re game there, just Google it.

Once you’ve found your DOS game, download the file and place it in a new folder on your C drive. For the sake of this article, lets say you call the new folder “Games” and the new game is Doom2 in a folder called “Doom2″.

Dosbox: Doom2

Loading the Game in DOSbox

Right time to play the game. Run the DOSbox software. Now type in the following:

Mount c c:/Games <Return>

c: <Return>

cd Doom2 <Return>

Doom2 <Return>

You should now have a working Doom2 to play.

You can download as many games as you want. In the future, you just need to replace “Doom2″ with the title of the other game you’ve downloaded in the text above. If you have any questions on this, feel free to ask me on the comments section below.