So, I did what I said I wasn't going to, and I got Peggle. Rest assured, I think the worst of my addiction is already over. The game gets a lot less fun when you become utterly uncapable of winning. Yes, I'm bad at peggle. So as long as they don't make any Insanaquarium addons, I think I'll probably be safe. Hopefully.

I spent a better part of the night talking with some of my FSJ friends, talking about the games we grew up with. A lot of us played classic DOS games, which instantly brought me me into a gleeful sort of horrible joy. And then I remembered: I have a giant ZIP file of all the best Freeware and Shareware DOS games out there. And yes, I'm willing to share it with you.

To play these games...

Over 200 DOS games for FREE. No spyware or adware, just a shit ton of KICKASS GAMES. Clicky to download.

-Unzip the game pack using winrar, which you can download at: http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm
-Place the DOSGame's  "game" folder in your c:/ directory
-Download DOSBox for free at: http://www.dosbox.com/download.php?main=1
-Install and run DOSBox
-At the Z:\> prompt, type: "mount C C:/games
-Type: c:
-at the C:\> prompt, type: MENU

 

Note: There are some games that do not show up on the list. You may have to move these files to your computers C: folder manually, and then follow the steps below, replacing the mounted folder as the new folder. When you do this, your new command to type at the C:\> prompt will be something like "JILL.EXE" or whatever. You're a smart cookie, I'm sure you can figure it out. 

Additional notes:
-As with all freeware, SOME OF THESE GAMES WILL BE BUGGED. It actually has nothing to do with the file I've uploaded. Believe me, as a child I had to learn that not every game worked off that CD. Its a shame, I know, but its the cold hard truth.
-DOSbox tends to bug out. Frequently. Much like DOS would. So get used to ALT+CTRL+DEL to the task manager or alt-tabbing to another window, because it will abduct your mouse with no remorse. However, it doesn't hurt your computer. DOSBox just needs manhandled every once in a while.
-Yes, every time you want to play a different game, you have to do the whole "mount C C:/games" rigamarole. I'm sorry, but that is just how it goes. It really isn't all that much to type.
-No, I won't walk you through why DOSBox isn't working for you. They have forums and tutorials on their website, check 'em out. 

 

For those of you who have never experienced the joy of playing DOS games, you have to first shake out the preconceived notion that games need to have great graphics and really in depth storylines to be fun. Embrace the 8-color and 16-color color pallets. They are kickass. Embrace the maddeningly simple concepts that actually take a bit of detailed execution. And best of all, totally love the hell out of the 1980s-1990s humor. It is corny and amazing.

Growing up, I had a lot of DOS games that I loved. Commander Keen was my favorite. I actually spent a lot of time jumping around and pretending to be Commander Keen. I was more than happy to pretend to have a pogstick to squash space slugs. I pretended to blast away giant bugs and bouncing balls with a ray gun. I actually sometimes debate dressing up as Commander Keen for halloween, but I'm not entirely sure who would get the reference.

Other favorites, of course were DOOM and Duke Nukem, Hugo's House of Horrors and then the others in the series. I actually used to have ass-kicking dreams where I was similar to Duke Nukem in DNII, killing those little spider things that sometimes stick to your face and make you have to wiggle back and forth to fling them off. DOOM gave me nightmares. But I still played it anyway.

As we sat around and talked about the good old days, I had to laugh. I guess it sort of refreshed the love I have for DOS games, as well as some old NES and SNES gamaes. Its a good feeling when something in your childhood is emulatable. Harr harr, that was a joke. Get it? GET IT?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be off playing Commander Keen for a while.