Difference between revisions of "Cabinet-Friendly DOS Games"

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To make a suggestion for this list, please see the [http://www.anti-particle.com/forum_phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=569&start=0 Cabinet-friendly DOSBox games] thread at the [http://www.anti-particle.com/forum_phpbb3/viewforum.php?f=2 Wah!Cade forums].
 
To make a suggestion for this list, please see the [http://www.anti-particle.com/forum_phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=569&start=0 Cabinet-friendly DOSBox games] thread at the [http://www.anti-particle.com/forum_phpbb3/viewforum.php?f=2 Wah!Cade forums].
 +
 +
== Games Requiring No Keyboard Intervention ==
 +
 +
The games in this list require no keyboard intervention at any point.
  
 
{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="1" width="100%" style="border: 2px solid darkgray;"
 
{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="1" width="100%" style="border: 2px solid darkgray;"
Line 9: Line 13:
 
! License
 
! License
 
! Description / Tips
 
! Description / Tips
−
|-
 
−
| '''Alien Carnage'''
 
−
| 1993
 
−
| Apogee
 
−
| Freeware ([http://www.3drealms.com/news/2007/05/alien_carnage_freeware.html link])
 
−
| Action platformer.
 
−
* Some keys are redefinable in-game.
 
−
* Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
 
−
* Exiting the game requires a keystroke prompt to confirm, so keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for easy exit is recommended.
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| '''Bananoid'''
 
| '''Bananoid'''
Line 44: Line 39:
 
* Menu navigation is done using game keys.
 
* Menu navigation is done using game keys.
 
* ESC exits by default
 
* ESC exits by default
−
|-
 
−
| '''Bio Menace'''<br \>Episodes 1, 2, & 3
 
−
| 1993
 
−
| Apogee
 
−
| Freeware ([http://www.3drealms.com/menace/ link])
 
−
| Action platformer.
 
−
* Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
 
−
* Keys are redefinable in-game.
 
−
* Exiting the game requires a "Y" keystroke to confirm, so keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for easy exit is recommended.
 
−
|-
 
−
| '''Classic Jumpman'''
 
−
| 2001
 
−
| Ingenieurbüro FRANKE
 
−
| Freeware ([http://www.icfs.de/english/jumpman.html link])
 
−
| Action / puzzle platformer. Clone of Jumpman.
 
−
* Spacebar jumps, but keymapping to CTRL is recommended.
 
−
* Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
 
−
* High score entry requires the keyboard.
 
−
* Extra game modes & options require keyboard.
 
−
|-
 
−
| '''Commander Keen: Invasion of the Vorticons'''
 
−
| 1990
 
−
| Apogee / id Software
 
−
| Shareware ([http://www.3drealms.com/downloads.html link])
 
−
| Action platformer.
 
−
* Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
 
−
* Exiting the game requires a keystroke prompt to confirm, so keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for easy exit is recommended.
 
−
|-
 
−
| '''Commander Keen IV: Goodbye, Galaxy!'''
 
−
| 1991
 
−
| Apogee / id Software
 
−
| Shareware ([http://www.3drealms.com/downloads.html link])
 
−
| Action platformer.
 
−
* Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
 
−
* Keys are redefinable in-game.
 
−
* Exiting the game requires a "Y" keystroke to confirm, so keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for easy exit is recommended.
 
−
|-
 
−
| '''Commander Keen: Keen Dreams'''
 
−
| 1991
 
−
| Softdisk Publishing / id Software
 
−
| Shareware ([http://www.classicdosgames.com/game/Keen_Dreams.html link])
 
−
| Action platformer.
 
−
* 5 key is required at the start to begin the game.  This is conveniently mapped to player 1 coin.
 
−
* Keys are redefinable in-game.
 
−
* Main menu may be fully navigated with a trackball.
 
−
* Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| '''Cyberdogs'''  
 
| '''Cyberdogs'''  
Line 107: Line 56:
 
* Keys are redefinable in-game.
 
* Keys are redefinable in-game.
 
* Menu navigation is done using game keys.
 
* Menu navigation is done using game keys.
−
|-
 
−
| '''Dangerous Dave'''
 
−
| 1990
 
−
| Softdisk Publishing
 
−
| Freeware ([http://www.classicdosgames.com/game/Dangerous_Dave.html link])
 
−
| Action platformer.
 
−
* High score entry requires the keyboard.
 
−
* Exiting the game requires a keystroke prompt to confirm, so keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for easy exit is recommended.
 
−
|-
 
−
| '''Digger (Remastered)'''
 
−
| 1983
 
−
| Windmill Software
 
−
| Freeware ([http://www.digger.org link])
 
−
| Clone of Dig Dug/Mr. Do!  This is ''not'' the original version.  This is a remake.
 
−
* Keymapping F10 to ESC for to exit is recommended.
 
−
* Keymapping F1 to CTRL to shoot is recommended.
 
−
* High score entry requires the keyboard.
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| '''Electro Man'''  
 
| '''Electro Man'''  
Line 150: Line 82:
 
| Space Invaders/Galaxian clone.
 
| Space Invaders/Galaxian clone.
 
* Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
 
* Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
−
|-
 
−
| '''Galactix '''
 
−
| 1992
 
−
| Cygnus Studios
 
−
| Freeware ([http://www.dosgamesarchive.com/download/galactix link])
 
−
| Space shooter. Galaxian/Galaga clone.
 
−
* Mouse/Trackball controlled.
 
−
* Keymapping B to L-Shift for megabomb is recommended.
 
−
* High score entry requires the keyboard.
 
−
|-
 
−
| '''God of Thunder'''
 
−
| 1993
 
−
| Adept Software
 
−
| Freeware ([http://www.adeptsoftware.com/got/ link])
 
−
| Action/adventure. Zelda clone.
 
−
* Name entry requires the keyboard.
 
−
|-
 
−
| '''Jazz Jackrabbit'''
 
−
| 1994
 
−
| Epic MegaGames
 
−
| Shareware ([http://www.dosgamesarchive.com/download/jazz-jackrabbit link])
 
−
| Action shooter/platformer.
 
−
* Keys are redefinable in-game.
 
−
* Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| '''Jump 'n Bump'''  
 
| '''Jump 'n Bump'''  
Line 231: Line 139:
 
| Action / adventure / puzzle
 
| Action / adventure / puzzle
 
* Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
 
* Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
 +
|-
 +
| '''Round42 '''
 +
| 1986
 +
| Elven Software
 +
| Shareware ([http://www.classicdosgames.com/game/Round_42.html link])
 +
| Lo-res shooter. Space Invaders/Galaxian clone.
 +
* Keymap F1 to CTRL, F2 to ALT
 +
* Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
 +
|-
 +
| '''Spot'''
 +
| 1990
 +
| Virgin Mastertronic
 +
| Commericial
 +
| Multi-player puzzle / Ataxx clone
 +
* Spacebar jumps, but keymapping to CTRL is recommended.
 +
* Trackball or mouse controlled.
 +
* Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
 +
|-
 +
| '''TerraFire '''
 +
| 1997-2004
 +
| Ort Software
 +
| Freeware ([http://www.ortsoftware.com/tf.html link])
 +
| Multi-directional flying shooter. Plays like Asteroids.
 +
* Keys are redefinable in-game.
 +
* Up arrow thrusts, but redefining to ALT is recommended.
 +
|-
 +
| '''Tyrian/Tyrian 2000 '''
 +
| 1995/1999
 +
| Eclipse
 +
| Freeware ([http://www.classicdosgames.com/game/Tyrian_2000.html link])
 +
| 1-2 Player vertical-scrolling flying shooter.
 +
* Main menu may be fully navigated with a trackball.
 +
* Player 1 controller is keyboard, and player 2 controller is joystick.
 +
* Keys are redefinable in-game.
 +
* Joystick Y-axis must be keymapped to R (up) and F (down).
 +
* Joystick X-axis must be keymapped to D (left) and G (right).
 +
* Joystick buttons 1 and 2 must be keymapped to A and S respectively.
 +
* The '''timed''' option must be set to '''false''' in the dosbox conf file.
 +
|}
 +
 +
== Games Requiring Some Keyboard Intervention ==
 +
 +
The games in this list cannot be played without at least one instance of keyboard intervention.  In most cases the intervention is limited to game saves, high-score entry, or option configurations.
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="1" width="100%" style="border: 2px solid darkgray;"
 +
! Title
 +
! Year
 +
! Author/Developer
 +
! License
 +
! Description / Tips
 +
|-
 +
| '''Alien Carnage'''
 +
| 1993
 +
| Apogee
 +
| Freeware ([http://www.3drealms.com/news/2007/05/alien_carnage_freeware.html link])
 +
| Action platformer.
 +
* Basic movement and action keys are redefinable in-game.
 +
* Other hotkeys are not redefinable, but could be keymapped.
 +
* Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
 +
* Exiting the game requires a keystroke prompt to confirm, so keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for easy exit is recommended.
 +
|-
 +
| '''Bio Menace'''<br \>Episodes 1, 2, & 3
 +
| 1993
 +
| Apogee
 +
| Freeware ([http://www.3drealms.com/menace/ link])
 +
| Action platformer.
 +
* Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
 +
* Keys are redefinable in-game.
 +
* Exiting the game requires a "Y" keystroke to confirm, so keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for easy exit is recommended.
 +
|-
 +
| '''Classic Jumpman'''
 +
| 2001
 +
| Ingenieurbüro FRANKE
 +
| Freeware ([http://www.icfs.de/english/jumpman.html link])
 +
| Action / puzzle platformer. Clone of Jumpman.
 +
* Levels/difficultly selected by typing 1-9 on keyboard.
 +
* Spacebar jumps, but keymapping to CTRL is recommended.
 +
* Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
 +
* High score entry requires the keyboard.
 +
* Extra game modes & options require keyboard.
 +
|-
 +
| '''Commander Keen: Invasion of the Vorticons'''
 +
| 1990
 +
| Apogee / id Software
 +
| Shareware ([http://www.3drealms.com/downloads.html link])
 +
| Action platformer.
 +
* Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
 +
* Exiting the game requires a keystroke prompt to confirm, so keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for easy exit is recommended.
 +
|-
 +
| '''Commander Keen IV: Goodbye, Galaxy!'''
 +
| 1991
 +
| Apogee / id Software
 +
| Shareware ([http://www.3drealms.com/downloads.html link])
 +
| Action platformer.
 +
* Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
 +
* Keys are redefinable in-game.
 +
* Exiting the game requires a "Y" keystroke to confirm, so keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for easy exit is recommended.
 +
|-
 +
| '''Commander Keen: Keen Dreams'''
 +
| 1991
 +
| Softdisk Publishing / id Software
 +
| Shareware ([http://www.classicdosgames.com/game/Keen_Dreams.html link])
 +
| Action platformer.
 +
* 5 key is required at the start to begin the game.  This is conveniently mapped to player 1 coin.
 +
* Keys are redefinable in-game.
 +
* Main menu may be fully navigated with a trackball.
 +
* Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
 +
|-
 +
| '''Dangerous Dave'''
 +
| 1990
 +
| Softdisk Publishing
 +
| Freeware ([http://www.classicdosgames.com/game/Dangerous_Dave.html link])
 +
| Action platformer.
 +
* High score entry requires the keyboard.
 +
* Exiting the game requires a keystroke prompt to confirm, so keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for easy exit is recommended.
 +
|-
 +
| '''Digger (Remastered)'''
 +
| 1983
 +
| Windmill Software
 +
| Freeware ([http://www.digger.org link])
 +
| Clone of Dig Dug/Mr. Do!  This is ''not'' the original version.  This is a remake.
 +
* Keymapping F10 to ESC for to exit is recommended.
 +
* Keymapping F1 to CTRL to shoot is recommended.
 +
* High score entry requires the keyboard.
 +
|-
 +
| '''Galactix '''
 +
| 1992
 +
| Cygnus Studios
 +
| Freeware ([http://www.dosgamesarchive.com/download/galactix link])
 +
| Space shooter. Galaxian/Galaga clone.
 +
* Mouse/Trackball controlled.
 +
* Keymapping B to L-Shift for megabomb is recommended.
 +
* High score entry requires the keyboard.
 +
|-
 +
| '''God of Thunder'''
 +
| 1993
 +
| Adept Software
 +
| Freeware ([http://www.adeptsoftware.com/got/ link])
 +
| Action/adventure. Zelda clone.
 +
* Name entry requires the keyboard.
 +
|-
 +
| '''Jazz Jackrabbit'''
 +
| 1994
 +
| Epic MegaGames
 +
| Shareware ([http://www.dosgamesarchive.com/download/jazz-jackrabbit link])
 +
| Action shooter/platformer.
 +
* Keys are redefinable in-game.
 +
* Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
 
|-
 
|-
 
| '''Raptor: Call of the Shadows '''  
 
| '''Raptor: Call of the Shadows '''  
Line 240: Line 296:
 
* Main menu may be fully navigated with a trackball.
 
* Main menu may be fully navigated with a trackball.
 
* Name/codename entry at start of game requires a keyboard.
 
* Name/codename entry at start of game requires a keyboard.
−
|-
 
−
| '''Round42 '''
 
−
| 1986
 
−
| Elven Software
 
−
| Shareware ([http://www.classicdosgames.com/game/Round_42.html link])
 
−
| Lo-res shooter. Space Invaders/Galaxian clone.
 
−
* Keymap F1 to CTRL, F2 to ALT
 
−
* Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| '''Scorched Earth: The Mother of All Games '''  
 
| '''Scorched Earth: The Mother of All Games '''  
Line 267: Line 315:
 
* Also trackball or mouse controlled.
 
* Also trackball or mouse controlled.
 
* High score entry requires keyboard.
 
* High score entry requires keyboard.
−
* Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
 
−
|-
 
−
| '''Spot'''
 
−
| 1990
 
−
| Virgin Mastertronic
 
−
| Commericial
 
−
| Multi-player puzzle / Ataxx clone
 
−
* Spacebar jumps, but keymapping to CTRL is recommended.
 
−
* Trackball or mouse controlled.
 
 
* Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
 
* Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
 
|-
 
|-
Line 286: Line 325:
 
* Keys are redefinable in-game.
 
* Keys are redefinable in-game.
 
* High score entry requires keyboard.
 
* High score entry requires keyboard.
−
|-
 
−
| '''TerraFire '''
 
−
| 1997-2004
 
−
| Ort Software
 
−
| Freeware ([http://www.ortsoftware.com/tf.html link])
 
−
| Multi-directional flying shooter. Plays like Asteroids.
 
−
* Keys are redefinable in-game.
 
−
* Up arrow thrusts, but redefining to ALT is recommended.
 
−
|-
 
−
| '''Tyrian/Tyrian 2000 '''
 
−
| 1995/1999
 
−
| Eclipse
 
−
| Freeware ([http://www.classicdosgames.com/game/Tyrian_2000.html link])
 
−
| 1-2 Player vertical-scrolling flying shooter.
 
−
* Main menu may be fully navigated with a trackball.
 
−
* Player 1 controller is keyboard, and player 2 controller is joystick.
 
−
* Keys are redefinable in-game.
 
−
* Joystick Y-axis must be keymapped to R (up) and F (down).
 
−
* Joystick X-axis must be keymapped to D (left) and G (right).
 
−
* Joystick buttons 1 and 2 must be keymapped to A and S respectively.
 
−
* The '''timed''' option must be set to '''false''' in the dosbox conf file.
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| '''Wacky Wheels'''  
 
| '''Wacky Wheels'''  
Line 313: Line 331:
 
| Shareware ([http://www.3drealms.com/wacky/ link])
 
| Shareware ([http://www.3drealms.com/wacky/ link])
 
| Arcade kart racing. Clone of Mario Kart SNES.  
 
| Arcade kart racing. Clone of Mario Kart SNES.  
−
* Keys are redefinable by running SETUP.EXE.
+
* Basic movement and action keys are redefinable by running SETUP.EXE.
 +
* Giggle keys are not redefinable, and must be keymapped.
 
* Menu navigation is done using game keys.
 
* Menu navigation is done using game keys.
 
* High score entry requires keyboard.
 
* High score entry requires keyboard.
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 +
== Disqualified Suggestions ==
 +
 +
The titles listed here were suggestions found to not provide a cabinet-friendly experience.  Comments are provided to indicate why not.
 +
 +
* '''Mega Man''' - Basic movement and actions may be remapped easily.  However, the weapons menu requires a keystroke of the letter of the desired weapon (P-Plasma, V-Volt Shield, ESC to close) for each available weapon.  Each of these keys ''could'' be mapped to an unused cabinet button, but you will quickly run out of buttons this way, and the experience won't be enjoyable.
 +
* '''Mega Man 3''' - Same reasoning as given for Mega Man, but add two more buttons for two more weapons.
 +
* '''Monster Bash''' - The options on the main menu are only selectable by typing the first letter of the desired option.
 +
 +
== Not Yet Reviewed ==
 +
 +
This space is reserved for suggested titles that have not yet been reviewed for cabinet-friendliness.
 +
 +
* Avoid the Noid
 +
* Freddy's Rescue Round up.
 +
* Beetlejuice
 +
* Galacta: The Battle for Saturn
  
 
== External Links ==  
 
== External Links ==  
  
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Index_of_MS-DOS_games Index of MS-DOS games] on Wikipedia.
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Index_of_MS-DOS_games Index of MS-DOS games] on Wikipedia.

Revision as of 21:15, 28 June 2011

This is a listing of DOS games that are cabinet-friendly, meaning they play well using a MAME-compatible control panel. Some games are cabinet-friendly as-is, while others require a substantial amount of keymapping in DOSBox. See the tips where applicable.

To make a suggestion for this list, please see the Cabinet-friendly DOSBox games thread at the Wah!Cade forums.

Games Requiring No Keyboard Intervention

The games in this list require no keyboard intervention at any point.

Title Year Author/Developer License Description / Tips
Bananoid 1989 William Rieder Freeware (link) Horizontal-scrolling ball-and-paddle game. Clone of Arkanoid.
  • Mouse/Trackball.
  • Exits automatically on game over.
  • Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
Battle Chess 1988 Interplay Commericial Animated Chess simulation
  • Trackball or mouse controlled.
  • Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
Beats of Rage 2003 Senile Team Open Source (link) 1-2 Player side-scrolling fighter. Clone of Streets of Rage/Final Fight.
  • Keys are redefinable in-game.
  • Menu navigation is done using game keys.
  • ESC exits by default
Cyberdogs 1994 Ronny Wester Freeware (link) 1-2 Player top-down shooter.
  • Keys are redefinable in-game.
  • Menu navigation is done using game keys.
  • Keymapping Enter to 1 is recommended to start game using the player-1 start button.
C-Dogs 1997-1999 Ronny Wester Freeware (link) 1-2 Player top-down shooter.
  • Keys are redefinable in-game.
  • Menu navigation is done using game keys.
Electro Man 1993 Epic Megagames Freeware (link) Action / puzzle platformer.
  • Exiting the game requires a "Y" keystroke to confirm, so keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for easy exit is recommended.
Executioners 1992 Bloodlust Software Freeware (link) 1-2 Player side-scrolling fighter. Clone of Streets of Rage/Final Fight.
  • Player 1 controller is keyboard, and player 2 controller is joystick.
  • INS and DEL must be keymapped to CTRL and ALT respectively.
  • Joystick Y-axis must be keymapped to R (up) and F (down).
  • Joystick X-axis must be keymapped to D (left) and G (right).
  • Joystick buttons 1 and 2 must be keymapped to A and S respectively.
  • ESC exits by default.
Galactic Battle 1990 Softdisk Publishing Shareware (link) Space Invaders/Galaxian clone.
  • Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
Jump 'n Bump 1998 Brainchild Design Freeware (link) Multiplayer arena fighting.
  • LEFT/RIGHT/UP For player 1.
  • A/D/W For player 2, keymap to D/G/R.
  • Mouse buttons control player 3.
  • ESC exits by default.
MsPac Pc 1996 JROK Freeware (link) Ms. Pac Man clone.
  • No config necessary for gameplay.
  • Changing options requires keyboard.
  • ESC exits by default.
One Must Fall: 2097 1994 Epic MegaGames Freeware (link) 1-2 Player versus fighting.
  • Player 1 controller is keyboard, and player 2 controller is joystick.
  • Keys are redefinable.
  • Joystick Y-axis must be keymapped to R (up) and F (down).
  • Joystick X-axis must be keymapped to D (left) and G (right).
  • Joystick buttons 1 and 2 must be keymapped to A and S respectively.
  • Changing options requires keyboard.
  • Run the game with FILE0001.EXE instead of OMF.EXE to avoid the cabinet-unfriendly menu at the beginning.
Pac PC 1997 JROK Freeware (link) Pac Man clone.
  • No config necessary for gameplay.
  • Changing options requires keyboard.
  • ESC exits by default.
PC*Bert 1997 JROK Freeware (link) Q*Bert clone.
  • No config necessary for gameplay.
  • Changing options requires keyboard.
  • ESC exits by default.
Prince of Persia 1989 Brøderbund Commercial Action / adventure / puzzle
  • Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
Round42 1986 Elven Software Shareware (link) Lo-res shooter. Space Invaders/Galaxian clone.
  • Keymap F1 to CTRL, F2 to ALT
  • Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
Spot 1990 Virgin Mastertronic Commericial Multi-player puzzle / Ataxx clone
  • Spacebar jumps, but keymapping to CTRL is recommended.
  • Trackball or mouse controlled.
  • Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
TerraFire 1997-2004 Ort Software Freeware (link) Multi-directional flying shooter. Plays like Asteroids.
  • Keys are redefinable in-game.
  • Up arrow thrusts, but redefining to ALT is recommended.
Tyrian/Tyrian 2000 1995/1999 Eclipse Freeware (link) 1-2 Player vertical-scrolling flying shooter.
  • Main menu may be fully navigated with a trackball.
  • Player 1 controller is keyboard, and player 2 controller is joystick.
  • Keys are redefinable in-game.
  • Joystick Y-axis must be keymapped to R (up) and F (down).
  • Joystick X-axis must be keymapped to D (left) and G (right).
  • Joystick buttons 1 and 2 must be keymapped to A and S respectively.
  • The timed option must be set to false in the dosbox conf file.

Games Requiring Some Keyboard Intervention

The games in this list cannot be played without at least one instance of keyboard intervention. In most cases the intervention is limited to game saves, high-score entry, or option configurations.

Title Year Author/Developer License Description / Tips
Alien Carnage 1993 Apogee Freeware (link) Action platformer.
  • Basic movement and action keys are redefinable in-game.
  • Other hotkeys are not redefinable, but could be keymapped.
  • Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
  • Exiting the game requires a keystroke prompt to confirm, so keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for easy exit is recommended.
Bio Menace
Episodes 1, 2, & 3 		1993 Apogee Freeware (link) Action platformer.
  • Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
  • Keys are redefinable in-game.
  • Exiting the game requires a "Y" keystroke to confirm, so keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for easy exit is recommended.
Classic Jumpman 2001 Ingenieurbüro FRANKE Freeware (link) Action / puzzle platformer. Clone of Jumpman.
  • Levels/difficultly selected by typing 1-9 on keyboard.
  • Spacebar jumps, but keymapping to CTRL is recommended.
  • Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
  • High score entry requires the keyboard.
  • Extra game modes & options require keyboard.
Commander Keen: Invasion of the Vorticons 1990 Apogee / id Software Shareware (link) Action platformer.
  • Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
  • Exiting the game requires a keystroke prompt to confirm, so keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for easy exit is recommended.
Commander Keen IV: Goodbye, Galaxy! 1991 Apogee / id Software Shareware (link) Action platformer.
  • Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
  • Keys are redefinable in-game.
  • Exiting the game requires a "Y" keystroke to confirm, so keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for easy exit is recommended.
Commander Keen: Keen Dreams 1991 Softdisk Publishing / id Software Shareware (link) Action platformer.
  • 5 key is required at the start to begin the game. This is conveniently mapped to player 1 coin.
  • Keys are redefinable in-game.
  • Main menu may be fully navigated with a trackball.
  • Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
Dangerous Dave 1990 Softdisk Publishing Freeware (link) Action platformer.
  • High score entry requires the keyboard.
  • Exiting the game requires a keystroke prompt to confirm, so keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for easy exit is recommended.
Digger (Remastered) 1983 Windmill Software Freeware (link) Clone of Dig Dug/Mr. Do! This is not the original version. This is a remake.
  • Keymapping F10 to ESC for to exit is recommended.
  • Keymapping F1 to CTRL to shoot is recommended.
  • High score entry requires the keyboard.
Galactix 1992 Cygnus Studios Freeware (link) Space shooter. Galaxian/Galaga clone.
  • Mouse/Trackball controlled.
  • Keymapping B to L-Shift for megabomb is recommended.
  • High score entry requires the keyboard.
God of Thunder 1993 Adept Software Freeware (link) Action/adventure. Zelda clone.
  • Name entry requires the keyboard.
Jazz Jackrabbit 1994 Epic MegaGames Shareware (link) Action shooter/platformer.
  • Keys are redefinable in-game.
  • Game saves and high score entry require the keyboard.
Raptor: Call of the Shadows 1994 Apogee / Cygnus Studios Shareware (link) Vertical-scrolling flying shooter.
  • Keys are redefinable by running SETUP.EXE.
  • Main menu may be fully navigated with a trackball.
  • Name/codename entry at start of game requires a keyboard.
Scorched Earth: The Mother of All Games 1995 Wendell Hicken Shareware (link) Multi-player turn-based tank strategy.
  • Trackball/mouse controlled.
  • Name entry requires keyboard.
  • Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
SkyRoads 1993 Bluemoon Software Freeware (link) 3D puzzle / obstacle course.
  • Keymapping Enter to 1 is recommended to start game using the player-1 start button.
  • Spacebar jumps, but keymapping to CTRL is recommended.
  • Also trackball or mouse controlled.
  • High score entry requires keyboard.
  • Keymapping "Shutdown" to ESC for quick exit is recommended.
Stargunner 1996 Apogee Freeware (link) Side-scrolling space shooter (think Gradius).
  • Main menu may be fully navigated with a trackball.
  • Keys are redefinable in-game.
  • High score entry requires keyboard.
Wacky Wheels 1994 Apogee / Beavis Soft Shareware (link) Arcade kart racing. Clone of Mario Kart SNES.
  • Basic movement and action keys are redefinable by running SETUP.EXE.
  • Giggle keys are not redefinable, and must be keymapped.
  • Menu navigation is done using game keys.
  • High score entry requires keyboard.

Disqualified Suggestions

The titles listed here were suggestions found to not provide a cabinet-friendly experience. Comments are provided to indicate why not.

  • Mega Man - Basic movement and actions may be remapped easily. However, the weapons menu requires a keystroke of the letter of the desired weapon (P-Plasma, V-Volt Shield, ESC to close) for each available weapon. Each of these keys could be mapped to an unused cabinet button, but you will quickly run out of buttons this way, and the experience won't be enjoyable.
  • Mega Man 3 - Same reasoning as given for Mega Man, but add two more buttons for two more weapons.
  • Monster Bash - The options on the main menu are only selectable by typing the first letter of the desired option.

Not Yet Reviewed

This space is reserved for suggested titles that have not yet been reviewed for cabinet-friendliness.

  • Avoid the Noid
  • Freddy's Rescue Round up.
  • Beetlejuice
  • Galacta: The Battle for Saturn

External Links

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