Homebrew DOS emulation on 3DS

[GaroK]

I haven't really found a guide on that.
How do I run DOS games. I tried running install file on retroarch, but it requires me to choose the install directory, which I'm unable to do, because I can't bring up the keyboard.
Any idea what to do?

 

[Rahkeesh]

Install stuff on a PC or android based dosbox and transfer over the resulting HD directory.

You can also bind keyboard keys to 3ds buttons, but that's kind of a pain for typing.

 

[GaroK]

Is there a list of games that work properly with the 3DS?

 

[Dracari]

Is there a list of games that work properly with the 3DS?

not so much but the performance level is roughly between a 286/386

 

[GaroK]

not so much but the performance level is roughly between a 286/386

What is this supposed to mean?

 

[The Real Jdbye]

What is this supposed to mean?

It means games designed to run on a 286 will run fine but games designed to run on a 386 might not (those are CPU standards, like i686 (and up) AFAIK is the one we are normally referring to when we say x86 these days but there were many earlier x86 versions. i686 just happens to be the earliest x86 version still supported by modern things, at least last I checked, of course you'd be using Linux because good luck running any modern Windows version on that)
Back in those days Intel would change the *86 number with each new revision. They were used as model numbers much like how these days we have i7 7700k, 8700k, 9700k etc. And developers took to listing the model number in the system requirements rather than the minimum clock speed. So if you look at system requirements for old DOS games you'll often see those numbers.

 

[GaroK]

It means games designed to run on a 286 will run fine but games designed to run on a 386 might not (those are CPU standards, like i686 AFAIK is the one we are normally referring to when we say x86 these days but there were many earlier x86 versions)
Back in those days Intel would change the *86 number with each new revision. They were used as model numbers much like how these days we have i7 7700k, 8700k, 9700k etc. And developers took to listing the model number in the system requirements rather than the minimum clock speed. So if you look at system requirements for old DOS games you'll often see those numbers.

And where do I check which game is 286/386. I'm searching some sites and so far none of them display that info.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

And where do I check which game is 286/386. I'm searching some sites and so far none of them display that info.

You can usually tell by the age of the game. The 386 came out in 85. Anything from at least 1987 onwards you can assume to be designed for a 386 or even a 486 (but may still work on 3DS), anything older than 1985 will likely work, anything inbetween could be designed for either a 286 or 386.

Edit:
486 came out in 1989. It's likely that anything designed for a 486 won't run well (or at all) on the 3DS. So don't expect to be able to run anything from the 90s.
586 was introduced with Pentium. These games obviously won't run, most of them are designed for Windows anyway.

 

[Gangu]

And where do I check which game is 286/386. I'm searching some sites and so far none of them display that info.

if you're unsure about a game, you can also google the minimum requirements for the game, and check what it says under "cpu"

 

[N7Kopper]

If DOSBox doesn't work out for you, and the game you're trying to play is supported by it (mostly adventure games, but some RPGs with heavy adventure game elements - e.g. some Might and Magic games, the DOS Quest for Glory ones; all but 5 and 2VGA) you could try the 3DS build of ScummVM. No guarantees on performance there either though, those builds aren't well optimised, especially for New 3DS.

 

[Dracari]

@GaroK your better off in the end w/ Dosbox for android or a GPDWin for dos gaming on the go if you dont want to mod a switch(if you have one) in all reality vs the 3DS, much like PS1 emulation, Dosbox on the 3DS is kinda... somewhere between a Proof of Concept and early Alpha. for things like lemmings/Duke Nukem 3D, Doom theres actual Homebrew ports thats better to use than running in Dosbox,

 

[Deleted User]

Try InputRedirection.

 

[lone_wolf323]

Try InputRedirection.

what would this accomplish if they cannot get whats needed done? Its not going to allow for accessing the dosbox keyboard.

 

[Deleted User]

what would this accomplish if they cannot get whats needed done? Its not going to allow for accessing the dosbox keyboard.

Oh yeah, InputRedirection only works with controllers, right.