How to Play MS-DOS Games

MS-DOS games from the 80s and 90s were built for a very different era of computing. If you're new to retro gaming, some things can feel a little unfamiliar at first. This guide covers the essentials — controls, saving your progress, and tips for getting the best experience in your browser.

Quick Start

  1. Open any game and wait for the emulator to load (usually a few seconds).
  2. Click inside the game window to give it keyboard/mouse focus.
  3. Press Alt + Enter to switch to fullscreen for the best experience.
  4. Read the game's intro screen — many games display controls right at the start.
  5. If the game asks for a key press to continue, just press any key.

Browser & Emulator Shortcuts

These shortcuts work in the browser while the game window is focused:

Shortcut What it does
Alt + Enter Toggle fullscreen mode
Ctrl + F10 Release / capture mouse cursor
Ctrl + F5 Take a screenshot (DOSBox)
Esc Often pauses or exits menus in games

Saving Your Progress

Saving in MS-DOS games is very different from game to game — there was no universal standard. Here are the most common methods:

  • In-game save menu — Most RPGs and adventure games have a dedicated Save Game option in their in-game menu, usually accessed via Esc or F1.
  • Save slots — Many action and strategy games let you press a key like F5 (save) and F7 or F8 (load). Always check the game's help or README.
  • Passwords — Some older games (especially platformers and action games from the late 80s) don't save at all — instead they give you a password at the end of each level to resume later.
  • No saving — Arcade-style games typically have no save feature. You play until you run out of lives, just like in an arcade.
  • Auto-save — Some games save automatically when you exit or at certain checkpoints.

Tip: If you're unsure how to save, check whether the game has a manual linked on its page — many DOS games came with detailed printed manuals.

Common Controls by Genre

Controls varied a lot between genres. Here's a general overview:

Action / Platformers
  • Arrow keys — move / jump
  • Alt or Ctrl — fire / attack
  • Space — jump (in some games)
  • Joystick / gamepad supported in many titles
Adventure / RPG
  • Mouse — click to interact / move
  • Arrow keys — navigate menus or move character
  • Enter — confirm / talk
  • Esc — back / menu
  • F1 — help / save in many games
First-Person Shooters
  • Arrow keys — move & turn
  • Ctrl — shoot
  • Space — open doors / interact
  • Alt + arrows — strafe
  • Number keys — switch weapons
Strategy / Simulation
  • Mouse — select and give orders
  • Arrow keys or WASD — scroll the map
  • Space or P — pause
  • Number keys — speeds or unit groups
  • F10 — main menu in many games
Sports & Racing
  • Arrow keys — steer / move
  • Space — accelerate / action
  • Ctrl / Alt — brake / special
  • Joystick often works better than keyboard
Puzzle / Arcade
  • Arrow keys — move / navigate
  • Space or Enter — confirm / action
  • Esc — pause or quit
  • Often very simple — controls shown on title screen

Mouse in Games

Some games (like first-person shooters or strategy games) capture your mouse cursor so it stays inside the game window. To release the cursor — for example to switch tabs or resize the window — press Ctrl + F10. To recapture it, click inside the game again.

Sound & Music

Many DOS games were written for specific sound hardware (AdLib, Sound Blaster, PC speaker). The emulator tries to match the best sound card automatically, but in some games you may need to configure sound in the in-game setup or at the main menu. Look for an option like Sound Setup, Options, or a separate SETUP.EXE / SETSOUND.EXE in the game's start menu.

If a game starts in silence, check the volume settings in your browser and on your system — some games default to very low volume.

General Tips

  • Read the intro screens — most DOS games display basic controls or instructions when you first start them. Don't skip them too fast.
  • Check the manual — if a game has a manual linked on its page, it's worth a look. Many DOS games were complex and relied on the manual to explain mechanics that aren't obvious in-game.
  • Use fullscreen — press Alt + Enter for a more immersive experience.
  • Be patient with load times — some larger games take a few extra seconds to boot up in the emulator.
  • Game won't start? — try clicking directly on the game window and pressing any key. Some games wait for user input before starting.
  • Controls not working? — make sure the game window has focus (click inside it). Your browser may be intercepting some key combinations.
  • Every game is different — the controls above are general guidelines. When in doubt, look at the game's help screen (F1 or ? key in most games) or the manual.

Have a question or found something that's not covered here? Feel free to leave a comment on any game page and the community can help.