DOSBox-X version 2026.01.02

DOSBox-X v2026.01.02 has been released, enhancing the DOSBox emulator for Intel x86 PCs, enabling legacy MS-DOS games to run on modern systems. Key updates include the removal of 8-bit bank switching limits, improved memory management, and support for multiple disk image swapping. The rendering system was optimized for better performance and oversight, handling various resolutions and advanced scalers seamlessly. VGA output now automatically adjusts to enhance visual accuracy, with new IPS patching tools allowing for game modifications. Additional fixes address issues like file handle leaks and CD label detection. Download and source are available.

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DOSBox-X v2026.01.02 has been released. DOSBox-x is a variant of DOSBox. DOSBox simulates an Intel x86 PC, including sound, graphics, mouse, joystick, and modem, which are essential for playing many classic MS-DOS games that cannot be executed on contemporary PCs and operating systems like Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, Linux, and FreeBSD.

DOSBox-X Changelog:
The VESA BIOS will eliminate the 8-bit bank switching limitation if the video memory
is sufficiently large to require more than 256 banks. Memory size will always
be capped at no more than 64 banks (or 128 if smaller than 64KB
granularity) only with S3 emulation active. The DOSBox Integrated Graphics
machine type is not subject to the bank switching limit, which means that if you’re operating
legacy code or Demoscene content that does not properly clear the upper
8 bits, it won’t function unless smaller memsize
settings are used. (joncampbell123).
Updated the BOOT command to accommodate multiple disk images with swapping (maron2000).
The render scaler system has been reworked so that rendering and frame caches
are now dynamically allocated, rather than using fixed buffers. This change not only
reduces memory waste caused by excessively large buffers but also removes
prior limitations on guest video mode resolutions, previously restricting video modes to 1920×1440 or lower, and the advanced scalers (HQ2X,
Advanced MAME, etc.) to 800×600 or lower. (joncampbell123).
VGA output will now automatically disable doublescan mode whenever an
advanced scaler, like the “XBRZ” or Advanced MAME scalers, is selected, allowing scalers to work effectively on low
resolution graphics mode without manual intervention. (joncampbell123).
Introduced TV, Scanline, and RGB scaler variants suitable for VGA
200-line modes with doublescan enabled (rendering to 400 lines). In fact,
supporting these scalers with 400-line VGA is arguably more visually
accurate than applying them to 200 lines of graphics, as it better represents the actual 400-line raster as displayed
on a VGA monitor. (joncampbell123).
Randomly, the VGA render might invoke RENDER_DrawLine excessively,
leading to buffer overruns at unpredictable times. Instead of directly assigning
the scaler line handler, we now assign a function that validates the rendered
line count and ensures rendering halts at the correct count. This should resolve random crashes and corruptions, especially
on Linux with the OpenGL output which tends to allocate exactly the
amount of memory needed for the frame. (joncampbell123).
A patch has been added to DOSLIB DSXMENU to include non-selectable
informational text lines. The updated DSXMENU binaries are now part of DOSBox-X (joncampbell123).
Developed IPS patching tools IPSMAKE and IPSPATCH in DOSLIB, and incorporated
them as built-in executables on drive Z: under Z:\PATCHING. You can now use IPS patch files to “ROM hack” your MS-DOS games. (joncampbell123)
Added map13/map14 CGA/HGC-style interleaved rendering support for VGA
256-color mode. A game engine under development intends to utilize such unique modes. (joncampbell123)
Included SDL2_net in the source tree (maron2000)
Fixed the regression affecting FIFA96 CD label detection (maron2000)
Logged OpenGL context version (rebb)
Forced SDL window regeneration upon exiting fullscreen (rebb)
Resolved file handle leak that hindered save state file deletion (srcdabada)