Fatal Race! More DOS game retro goodness

ltmon's picture

Fatal Racing is one of my old favourite DOS games. Below the break are the instructions for setting it up to work, with IPX network emulation to play 16 player (wow! 16 players in a DOS game!) multiplayer races.

Part 1: Get it running

1. Download and install Dosbox. The version number should be 0.72. For Windows, it can be had here: http://www.dosbox.com/download.php?main=1

2. Get hold of Fatal racing. If you don’t have a copy ask me where to …. acquire it.

3. Unzip fatal.zip in a folder (e.g. c:\Fatal)

4. Create a new file in that folder called “dosbox.conf”

5. Insert the following into that file:


[sdl]
fullscreen=false
output=opengl
windowresolution=1280×800

[render]
scaler=normal3x

[cpu]
core=dynamic
cycles=max

[ipx]
ipx=true

[autoexec]
mount c C:\Fatal
c:
FATAL.EXE

This should be generic enough to work for everyone, but if not you may have to work out some dosbox settings that suit you.

6. Now create a batch file inside the same directory called (e.g.) “fataldos.bat”


C:\path\to\dosbox.exe -conf C:\Fatal\dosbox.conf

Make sure the “path\to\dosbox.exe” is replaced with wherever the dosbox.exe gets installed on windows.

7. Running that batch file should run dosbox and start the fatal racing game.

8. Quit immediately and then type “INSTALL.EXE”. Follow the prompts to set up your sound.

9. Type “exit”, and then run the program again. It should all work now.

IPX Network support

1. Exit from the fatal racing game to a DOS prompt

2. If you are a server, type ipxnet startserver 1234. This will start a server on UDP port 1234 which should then be port forwarded on your router etc. etc.

3. If you are a client, type ipxnet connect xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx 1234, where the xxxx bit is IP address of the server. This should connect to the server.

4. Start fatal racing again (“FATAL.EXE”) and select the “Players” menu item. Then select “Network” and follow the prompts from there.

Comments

Fuzz's picture

Update

So over the weekend Lt and I had a bash at this and had some network problems with the copy of Fatal Racing we had. The IPX connection was working but the game wouldn’t start. There’s another copy floating around we’ll have to give a try soon.

However we did manage to get Carmageddon 1 working over the net through Dosbox. Had a game of Fox and Hounds, as well as Driven to Destruction – and came to the conclusion we need more than 2 players :). There were some lag issues (probably understandable as it was written for LAN use not over the net).

Anyway, “someone” has nearly every dos game ever made on DVD so if anyone has any ideas on what they want to play, post here – I’m sure it can be arranged. I’m thinking Ignition is worth a game soon.

n0mad's picture

Ultimate Race Pro

I think Ultimate Race Pro would work well…..

n0mad
and yes Carma is still the best :)

Fuzz's picture

Sweet! Was that Dos or Win

Sweet! Was that Dos or Win 95 / 98?

n0mad's picture

dunn0

I think it was Win but I’ll check the readme t0night and report back….

n0mad

Fuzz's picture

Only reason I ask is Dosbox

Only reason I ask is Dosbox obviously plays dos games. Not sure how we’d go about emulating those old 95/98 games that don’t play on Win 2000 and beyond.

n0mad's picture

Will run on XP or Wine

Torrent txt
This game was written for Win95/98 but does work with XP if you alter one setting . Go to the installed file ie C:\\Program Files\\Microprose\\Ultim@te Race Pro\\ULTIM@TE RACE PRO.EXE , right click the file , left click Properties , left click the Compatability tab , and put a tick next to Run this program in compatability mode then choose Windows 98 / Windows me from the dropdown , then left click okay.

And for us Linux users – Wine
http://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=4472

Video
youtube.com/watch?v=8eFkLEbxX6A

n0mad

ltmon's picture

Nice

Looks a lot like the everlasting Daytona cabinets that haven’t disappeared from arcades after like 15 years.

Multiplayer support?

n0mad's picture

TCP/IP or IPX

TCP/IP or IPX

Fuzz's picture

REVISIT DOS GAMES!

I think we need to revisit this.

Carma, Ignition, Ultimate Race Pro?

Robag's picture

@Fuzz

i like the cut of your jib
tell me more of this retro gaming………

ta
Robag

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