DosBox Turbo is a highly optimized custom Android Wrapper around the latest SVN version of DosBox. Starting with version 2.x.x, DosBox Turbo has been completely re-written to incorporate numerous new features and optimizations. The goal of DosBox Turbo is to be the most highly optimized and feature enhanced version of DosBox for Android. Some of the features of DosBox Turbo include:
Certain desktop features of DosBox were removed due to limitations of Android. Screen capture, serial and some other minor features were removed from this version.
Upon startup, you will be greeted with a DOS Prompt.
DosBox Turbo will attempt to mount the root of your SDCARD as the C: drive. If you need other mounting options, type intro mount at the prompt for further instructions.
DosBox Turbo has an innovative GUI that allows quick and easy access to the settings while getting out of the way for game play. There are two ways to access the Settings Menu in DosBox Turbo:
DosBox configuration can be done either in the Menu's, or via the dosbox.conf file located in the /sdcard directory. It is suggested that the in application menus are used for configuration settings, and that only advanced users should modify the dosbox.conf file. Any changes to the dosbox.conf file will override the settings in the application menu. Normally, you would copy your dos game from your PC to your device's SDCard, and then launch DosBox Turbo and configure/start the game.
If you are not familiar with DOS emulators or have never used DosBox, I would recommend you start by reading the DosBox Turbo for Newbies Guide and then move on to the DosBox Wiki as much of the information there applies here as well.
You can also play many games purchased through GOG on DosBox Turbo. Please refer to this helpful blog post for setup instructions.
There are (4) input modes offered in DosBox Turbo:
In addition to the above input modes, there are two overlay's that you can add to any screen:
DosBox Turbo supports the use of an Analog Multi-Touch virtual Joystick in any of the above 4 input modes. The Virtual Joystick can also emulate a mouse if so desired. If you want to have a DPAD to emulate the Arrow/Cursor Keys, please read below. Most games have a joystick calibration setting you will have to use first. You can download the following DOS program to test your joystick: JOYTEST.ZIP
DosBox Turbo does not limit you to a single keyboard input method. Instead, you can use any compatible Android Keyboard (see recommended keyboard table) for key input with DosBox Turbo.
DosBox Turbo gives you fine control over the way you control the mouse:
In addition to setting the tracking mode, you can control the click behavior of the Touchscreen Mouse:
In addition, DosBox Turbo supports external USB and Bluetooth mice. Furthermore, you can use the virtual joystick as a mouse by selecting the appropriate option in the Settings Menu.
To access the keyboard on DosBox Turbo, click the keyboard icon on the top transparent menu, or select the keyboard option from the QuickMenu.
DosBox Turbo supports numerous methods of input, many of which provide cursor/arrow key support. Three common methods are:
Name | Cost | Notes |
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Gamepad | Free | Supports cursor keys, mappable buttons, function keys, and transparency. [Recommended] |
Hacker's Keyboard | Free | Supports cursor keys, Functions Keys, and transparency. [Recommended for Text apps] |
Perfect Keyboard | Free | Supports cursor keys, themes |
Arrows Keyboard | $0.99 | Supports cursor keys |
Keyboard with Control Key | Free | Supports cursor keys |
Programmers Keyboard | Free | Supports cursor keys, and numpad |
Go Keyboard | Free | Supports cursor keys and numpad. |
Flit Keyboard + Extra Layout | Free | Supports cursor keys and transparency. |
GameKeyboard | $2.49 | Supports cursor keys, mappable buttons, macros and transparency. Warning GameKeyboard purposely blocks DosBox Turbo from working. NOT RECOMMENDED |
Gamepad is a free virtual keyboard/gamepad addon that lets you use the cursor keys as a virtual GamePad or DPad. Also, as of v0.95, it has the ability to emulate an Xbox 360 controller. The easiest way to use GamePad is to set it up to emulate an XBox 360 controller, and then perform all the keymapping within DosBox Turbo (or DosBox Manager) itself by selecting Xbox 360 as the game controller type. Note: Gamepad emulates the Directional Pad (4 or 8 way) and 4 or 6 buttons (A,B,X,Y,C,Z) of the XBox 360 controller.
DosBox Turbo is compatible with any Android Compatible USB or Bluetooth Controller. The analog sticks can be used for Analog joystick and Mouse emulation in DosBox Turbo and can be configured in the Buttom Mapper->Analog Sticks in the settings menu. The Digital buttons on the controller can be configured in the Button Mapper. Please refer to the following video for further help:
DosBox Turbo supports the MOGA Pocket controllers through the free MOGA Universal Driver. The newer Pro version of the MOGA controllers have a Bluetooth USB mode which requires no external driver app and just works with DosBox Turbo. Please watch the following video for setup instructions for the MOGA Pocket.
Virtual Gamepad Video | MOGA Pocket Controller |
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