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DOS games are like fossilized time capsules of a gaming generation — I think about them far too often, but rarely ever play them. We're talking boot disks, weird config files, and endlessly tweaking autoexec.bat just to play something like Blood or Quake. So far, DOSBox is inarguably the best way to play older DOS games, but it's never felt quite seamless.
Over the years, players from the DOS generation have tenaciously chased that original buzz, hoping to capture the same excitement, only with fewer headaches, hopefully. That's where remasters come in — they enhance and modernize older games without ever compromising on the special feeling that made those games special in the first place.
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7 The Doom Classic Unity port is as good as it gets
An example of a truly modern remaster
No other game has had as many ports as Doom — it has been resurrected almost as much as the Doom Slayer. However, today, it's the game's Unity ports and PrBoom versions that make it feel both modern and comfortably retro. In its remastered version, the original Doom I and II games run at 60fps, include online multiplayer, and even feature practical quality-of-life additions like an automap that shows us kills, items, and statistics.
We also got widescreen support, aspect ratio options, and the ability to enter any level at any skill level. Plus, for those who consider even the Ultra-Nightmare difficulty a cakewalk, there's even a new Ultra-Violence+ difficulty level if you're feeling arrogant. The Doom remasters, all the way from MS-DOS to the Unity ports, aren't just playable — they are pristine. This is how you preserve a legacy. Sure, the modern Doom games make for one of the best trilogies ever, but there's nothing that beats the feeling of the original with all the jank removed.
Released August 9, 2024
ESRB M
Developer(s) id Software
Publisher(s) Bethesda Softworks
Engine Unity, KEX
DOOM + DOOM II brings the legendary first-person shooters to modern platforms. Relive the fast-paced action as you battle demons across hellish landscapes with upgraded visuals. These iconic titles offer non-stop, intense combat, classic weapons, and unforgettable levels, all in one collection.
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6 Blade Runner: Enhanced Edition fixed its shaky launch
The modern remaster of the 1997 DOS version of Blade Runner, titled the "Enhanced Edition", launched like a Replicant with one leg. It had buggy visuals, the controls were stiff, there was no 16:9 aspect ratio, and the AI-upscaled cutscenes looked terrible. However, to Nightdive's credit, the creators did manage to stick to their guns and give Blade Runner: Enhanced Edition a glow-up.
First, they packed in the original, classic version of the DOS game as a mea culpa. Next, we now get all 13 endings from the original game, sharper visuals, and an interface that was vastly improved. Sure, it's still moody and complex, but that's the charm of the original — only it is now enjoyable. Thank god they didn't just let it die in the rain.
Blade Runner: Enhanced Edition
Released June 23, 2022
ESRB teen
Developer(s) Westwood Studios, NightDive Studios
Publisher(s) NightDive Studios, Limited Run Games
Engine KEX Engine
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5 Quake Enhanced is a remaster that reveres the original FPS game
FPS royalty deserved this fantastic modern retouch
Quake is, without a doubt, one of the greatest DOS games ever made. The original game was a pioneer for the first-person-shooter genre, and to this day, I'm still waiting for Quake 6. The Lovecraftian horrors and realms in Doom: The Dark Ages make me hopeful about seeing the sixth mainline game soon. Until then, however, if you want to play the original game, its Enhanced Edition is the best possible way for that.
It gave the original Quake all the love in the world, adding dynamic lighting, full-widescreen support, rock-solid online multiplayer, and all new levels that blend perfectly with the original maps. All of these improvements make the Enhanced Editions of the Quake I and II games a complete and uninterrupted experience, and easily the most definitive way to play the OG Quake.
Released December 18, 2023
ESRB M
Developer(s) Nightdive Studios, id Software, MachineGames
Publisher(s) Bethesda Softworks
The Quake I + II Enhanced Bundle brings two legendary FPS games back with upgraded visuals, restored content, online multiplayer, and modern platform support—perfect for both old fans and new players.
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4 The Tie Fighter remaster passes with flying colors
The GOG bundle of this game gave us its best version
Star Wars: Tie Fighter is one of the most memorable games I've ever played, even if it was for a rather brief period of time when I took an interest in Star Wars. Regardless, I can't help but appreciate just how fantastic the GOG bundles have been at modernizing three separate versions of Tie Fighter.
Not only does the GOG remaster give Tie Fighter Windows 10 and 11 compatibility, but it also adds cloud save support, and tweaked DOSBox settings to improve performance in all the games. Heck, they've even made the sounds better, thanks to sound card emulation enhancements. The one thing they didn't change is how special both these games felt — the remaster just makes it easier to jump into the cockpit and pick a side like it's 1994 all over again.
Released July 1, 1994
ESRB E
Developer(s) Totally Games
Publisher(s) LucasArts, LucasFilm, Disney
Star Wars: TIE Fighter Special Edition on GOG lets you join the Empire in this beloved space combat sim, featuring enhanced graphics, bonus missions, and full joystick support for modern systems.
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3 Command & Conquer + Red Alert – Remastered Collection
Not bad, EA. Not bad at all.
I've never been an RTS guy, but credit where credit is due, the original Command & Conquer games on MS-DOS were some of the greatest games on the platform, especially in their genre. Then, with EA's Remastered Collection for the original game and its Red Alert sequel, things went from great to amazing. With the modern remaster, EA gave us 4k visuals and remastered audio, along with the ability to toggle between the classic and new graphics on-the-fly.
This is how you modernize a classic without its soul being lost — every sprite, every tile, and every interface icon has been lovingly rebuilt in the C&C remaster, and multiplayer works like a charm, breathing new life into this classic RTS game. Whether you're a returning commander or a new recruit, this package doesn't just hold up — it dominates.
Command & Conquer Remastered
Systems
Released June 5, 2020
ESRB T For Teen Due To Blood, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
Publisher(s) Electronic Arts
Engine GlyphX
Multiplayer Online Multiplayer
Franchise Command & Conquer
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2 Rise of the Triad: Ludicrous Edition
A ludicrously good modern DOS game
Back in the DOS days, Rise of the Triad stood out for how wild, fast, and ridiculous it felt. The gory gibs, sky-high jumps, and absurd power-ups made it feel like a fever dream of carnage. Its modern remaster, the Ludicrous Edition, lives up to its name in all the right ways. Gloriously over-the-top and packed with more content than ever, this remaster gives players an entirely new episode, restored content from "lost" beta versions, and even a new lighting system that makes the visuals pop while conserving the retro feel.
The Ludicrous Edition of Rise of the Triad supports 4k, controllers, and offers a visual toggle if you want to switch between the classic and updated looks. Add to that an online and LAN multiplayer mode and a full-blown level editor, and this remaster becomes a playground for both chaos and nostalgia.
Rise Of The Triad: Ludicrous Edition
Released July 31, 2023
ESRB m
Developer(s) NightDive Studios
Publisher(s) NightDive Studios
Engine GZDoom
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1 A Fresh Supply of Blood got the most love
This is how you nail a remaster for a classic game
In 1997, when Blood came out for MS-DOS, it was unhinged and violent. The game's dark humor, disturbing visuals, and frantic pace made it a cult hit, and replaying it emulating it through DOSBox on RetroArch on my iPhone is the most fun I've ever had on a flight. Fresh Supply, the name of the game's remaster, is probably the most lovingly-detailed remaster on this list. It doesn't just clean up the cult classic — it supercharges it.
With the remaster, players of Blood: Fresh Supply get unlocked framerates, antialiasing, ambient occlusion, and support for 4K displays. The remaster also allows full keybinding and controller support, along with completely re-written netcode for a buttery-smooth, 8-player multiplayer game mode experience. Oh, and it's also got local split-screen if you want. To top it all off, the remaster also adds a new 3D view that lets you look up and down freely, but if that's too far away from the original feel, you can stick to the original movement as well. This is the blood-soaked love letter to the game that it always deserved.
Blood: Fresh Supply
Systems
Released May 9, 2019
ESRB m
Developer(s) NightDive Studios
Publisher(s) NightDive Studios
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Great remasters are lifelines for old experiences
There are plenty of reasons to love remasters for older games, and this is one of them. They allow new players to experience what made older games iconic, just without the tech frustrations and jank that come with the territory.
For older gamers who want to relive the high of playing old games and feel young again, these polished, modern versions ensure that they retain the heart of the originals. At the same time, they come with modern conveniences, because we might have gotten older, but definitely not more patient with ancient controls and cameras. Isn't that what preservation should feel like? Familiar, faithful, but also frustration-free?
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