Posted January 18, 2023
high rated
This year I decided I'm going to start going through some old games that I couldn't get running before, and with a little effort, I've had some success getting some of them working. I'm going to document the solutions in case I lose my own notes, and for posterity's sake so it can help out others. If anyone would like to contribute solutions for your own games, feel free to post in this thread. :)
SimCity (Classic)
I have the CD-ROM version and both the setup.exe and game itself are 16-bit programs, while my machine is 64-bit.
Solution:
1. Download and run the stable version of the open-source winevdm:
https://github.com/otya128/winevdm/releases
2. Use the file 'otvdmw.exe' to run and launch the setup and game files.
Iron Grip: Warlord
I bought this game as a digital download directly from the developer. Now that they are defunct, the registration servers are offline, so the full game couldn't be unlocked.
Solution:
1. Start the game and try to register with any key input.
2. Open regedit and Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > WOW6432NODE > Isotx > IGWarlord and modify Licenseinfo, delete all data inside but not the Licenseinfo entry itself.
The game will now run with full content working.
Master of the Skies: The Red Ace
I have the CD-ROM version but it does not run well under Windows 10.
Solution:
1. Install the game by running Setup.exe directly from CD-ROM
2. Install to a directory other than Program Files
3. Download dgVoodoo2 and copy dgVoodoo.conf, dgVoodooCpl.exe, and the .dll files from dgVoodoo2\MS\x86 to the game's base directory (should be 4 files: D3D8.dll, D3D9.dll, D3Dlmm.dll, DDraw.dll)
4.Run dgVoodooCpl.exe and select the DirectX tab. Set VRAM to 512 MB max.
Rainbow Wars
Available here: https://acid-play.com/download/rainbow-wars
A freeware Geometry Wars clone created by a Volition developer in GameMaker as a demonstration for rapid prototyping. By default it doesn't run on modern Windows.
Solution:
Download GameMaker's Game Conversion Program and use it to convert the executable to a version compatible with modern Windows.
https://help.yoyogames.com/hc/en-us/articles/216753218-Troubleshooting-Legacy-GameMaker
Acidbomb & Acidbomb 2
Available here:
https://archive.org/details/Acidbomb
https://archive.org/details/Acidbomb_2_-_Rearmed
The freeware precursors to Vertigo Games' Shellblast. GameMaker games that no longer works on modern Windows.
Solution:
Download GameMaker's Game Conversion Program and use it to convert the executable to a version compatible with modern Windows.
https://help.yoyogames.com/hc/en-us/articles/216753218-Troubleshooting-Legacy-GameMaker
Escape Velocity: Nova
Bought as a Windows digital download directly from Ambrosia Software, with a license key that expired after a year. Ambrosia's out of business now so unlocking the game is problematic.
Solution:
1. Disconnect from the Internet, and change the system date to the date that the key was issued per the email, or date plus one.
2. Run the registration program with Windows Vista (Service Pack 2) compatibility.
3. Register the game using the user name, number of copies, and license key.
The House of the Dead
Installing the CD-ROM version is particularly troublesome on Windows 10 due to the installer using a 16-bit stub to check system data before launching a 32-bit installer, but installing and playing is possible.
Solution:
1. Download and run the stable version of the open-source winevdm:
https://github.com/otya128/winevdm/releases
2. Use the file 'otvdmw.exe' to run and launch the SETUP.EXE file from the CD. The installer will complain that the setup cannot be run on a Windows NT system. Before closing the setup program, navigate to C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Temp and copy the file '_ins0432._mp' to an empty folder. Rename the file to SETUP32.EXE
3. Copy the contents of the CD-ROM to the work folder, then run the SETUP32.EXE file with Windows 98/ME compatibilty. After installation is complete, I kept a copy of the SETUP32.EXE file and deleted the rest, in order to skip steps 1 and 2 in the future.
4. The game must be launched by using the file THOTDRUN.EXE from the CD and selecting 'The House of the Dead - Direct3D'. I used an image mounted on a virtual drive.
Another Bound Neo
Available here: http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA029904/anotherbound-neo/index.htm
A freeware indie Metroid Prime clone. Trying to run the game on Windows 10 with English locale results in a mojibake error pop-up. Switching to Japanese locale in Windows 10 now requires restarting the computer.
Solution:
1. Download and install Locale Emulator:
https://xupefei.github.io/Locale-Emulator/
2. Drag and drop the AnotherBoundNeo.exe file onto LEGUI.exe. Click 'Create shortcut'
3. The game will now launch normally. The initial setup screen is for setting mouse or pen tablet as input, and screen resolutions.
Teudogar and the Alliance With Rome
Available here: http://www.teudogar.com/private/index.html Unzip with the password, 'Password'.
A top-down RPG that was released as freeware. The game launches in a black screen on Windows 10.
Solution:
1. Download dgVoodoo2 and copy dgVoodoo.conf, dgVoodooCpl.exe, and the .dll files from dgVoodoo2\MS\x86 to the game's base directory (should be 4 files: D3D8.dll, D3D9.dll, D3Dlmm.dll, DDraw.dll)
2.Run dgVoodooCpl.exe to set the instance of the config file to the game folder. This is enough to get the game running with graphics working, other options can be selected as desired or needed.
Shadow of Power
Available here: https://www.phatcode.net/downloads.php?id=128
A freeware German-made RPG. Even back in the days of Windows XP I had trouble getting this one to work.
Solution:
1. Download and install DOSBOX-X from here:
https://dosbox-x.com
2. Follow the instructions to Install Windows 98 from here: (I used Windows 98 Second Edition)
https://dosbox-x.com/wiki/Guide%3AInstalling-Windows-98
3. Use a program such as IMGBurn to create an image of the Shadow of Power game folder.
4. Edit the win98.conf file created in step 2 to mount the game image, for example by adding the line:
IMGMOUNT D SoP.iso
5. After re-launching DOSBOX-X with Windows 98, copy the files from the CD-ROM drive to a desired folder on the C drive.
6. The game can be launched by running the Shadow of Power.exe inside the guest virtual machine. For future sessions, the win98.conf file can be further configured and a batch file can be created to launch Windows 98 in DOSBOX-X more easily.
SimCity (Classic)
I have the CD-ROM version and both the setup.exe and game itself are 16-bit programs, while my machine is 64-bit.
Solution:
1. Download and run the stable version of the open-source winevdm:
https://github.com/otya128/winevdm/releases
2. Use the file 'otvdmw.exe' to run and launch the setup and game files.
Iron Grip: Warlord
I bought this game as a digital download directly from the developer. Now that they are defunct, the registration servers are offline, so the full game couldn't be unlocked.
Solution:
1. Start the game and try to register with any key input.
2. Open regedit and Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > WOW6432NODE > Isotx > IGWarlord and modify Licenseinfo, delete all data inside but not the Licenseinfo entry itself.
The game will now run with full content working.
Master of the Skies: The Red Ace
I have the CD-ROM version but it does not run well under Windows 10.
Solution:
1. Install the game by running Setup.exe directly from CD-ROM
2. Install to a directory other than Program Files
3. Download dgVoodoo2 and copy dgVoodoo.conf, dgVoodooCpl.exe, and the .dll files from dgVoodoo2\MS\x86 to the game's base directory (should be 4 files: D3D8.dll, D3D9.dll, D3Dlmm.dll, DDraw.dll)
4.Run dgVoodooCpl.exe and select the DirectX tab. Set VRAM to 512 MB max.
Rainbow Wars
Available here: https://acid-play.com/download/rainbow-wars
A freeware Geometry Wars clone created by a Volition developer in GameMaker as a demonstration for rapid prototyping. By default it doesn't run on modern Windows.
Solution:
Download GameMaker's Game Conversion Program and use it to convert the executable to a version compatible with modern Windows.
https://help.yoyogames.com/hc/en-us/articles/216753218-Troubleshooting-Legacy-GameMaker
Acidbomb & Acidbomb 2
Available here:
https://archive.org/details/Acidbomb
https://archive.org/details/Acidbomb_2_-_Rearmed
The freeware precursors to Vertigo Games' Shellblast. GameMaker games that no longer works on modern Windows.
Solution:
Download GameMaker's Game Conversion Program and use it to convert the executable to a version compatible with modern Windows.
https://help.yoyogames.com/hc/en-us/articles/216753218-Troubleshooting-Legacy-GameMaker
Escape Velocity: Nova
Bought as a Windows digital download directly from Ambrosia Software, with a license key that expired after a year. Ambrosia's out of business now so unlocking the game is problematic.
Solution:
1. Disconnect from the Internet, and change the system date to the date that the key was issued per the email, or date plus one.
2. Run the registration program with Windows Vista (Service Pack 2) compatibility.
3. Register the game using the user name, number of copies, and license key.
The House of the Dead
Installing the CD-ROM version is particularly troublesome on Windows 10 due to the installer using a 16-bit stub to check system data before launching a 32-bit installer, but installing and playing is possible.
Solution:
1. Download and run the stable version of the open-source winevdm:
https://github.com/otya128/winevdm/releases
2. Use the file 'otvdmw.exe' to run and launch the SETUP.EXE file from the CD. The installer will complain that the setup cannot be run on a Windows NT system. Before closing the setup program, navigate to C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Temp and copy the file '_ins0432._mp' to an empty folder. Rename the file to SETUP32.EXE
3. Copy the contents of the CD-ROM to the work folder, then run the SETUP32.EXE file with Windows 98/ME compatibilty. After installation is complete, I kept a copy of the SETUP32.EXE file and deleted the rest, in order to skip steps 1 and 2 in the future.
4. The game must be launched by using the file THOTDRUN.EXE from the CD and selecting 'The House of the Dead - Direct3D'. I used an image mounted on a virtual drive.
Another Bound Neo
Available here: http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA029904/anotherbound-neo/index.htm
A freeware indie Metroid Prime clone. Trying to run the game on Windows 10 with English locale results in a mojibake error pop-up. Switching to Japanese locale in Windows 10 now requires restarting the computer.
Solution:
1. Download and install Locale Emulator:
https://xupefei.github.io/Locale-Emulator/
2. Drag and drop the AnotherBoundNeo.exe file onto LEGUI.exe. Click 'Create shortcut'
3. The game will now launch normally. The initial setup screen is for setting mouse or pen tablet as input, and screen resolutions.
Teudogar and the Alliance With Rome
Available here: http://www.teudogar.com/private/index.html Unzip with the password, 'Password'.
A top-down RPG that was released as freeware. The game launches in a black screen on Windows 10.
Solution:
1. Download dgVoodoo2 and copy dgVoodoo.conf, dgVoodooCpl.exe, and the .dll files from dgVoodoo2\MS\x86 to the game's base directory (should be 4 files: D3D8.dll, D3D9.dll, D3Dlmm.dll, DDraw.dll)
2.Run dgVoodooCpl.exe to set the instance of the config file to the game folder. This is enough to get the game running with graphics working, other options can be selected as desired or needed.
Shadow of Power
Available here: https://www.phatcode.net/downloads.php?id=128
A freeware German-made RPG. Even back in the days of Windows XP I had trouble getting this one to work.
Solution:
1. Download and install DOSBOX-X from here:
https://dosbox-x.com
2. Follow the instructions to Install Windows 98 from here: (I used Windows 98 Second Edition)
https://dosbox-x.com/wiki/Guide%3AInstalling-Windows-98
3. Use a program such as IMGBurn to create an image of the Shadow of Power game folder.
4. Edit the win98.conf file created in step 2 to mount the game image, for example by adding the line:
IMGMOUNT D SoP.iso
5. After re-launching DOSBOX-X with Windows 98, copy the files from the CD-ROM drive to a desired folder on the C drive.
6. The game can be launched by running the Shadow of Power.exe inside the guest virtual machine. For future sessions, the win98.conf file can be further configured and a batch file can be created to launch Windows 98 in DOSBOX-X more easily.
Post edited March 06, 2023 by SCPM