Workaround allows Windows-only GOG DOS games to run on Apple Silicon Macs
A user has detailed a method to run Windows-exclusive GOG DOS games on M-series Macs by leveraging DOSBox for Mac, avoiding the performance penalties of x64 virtualisation.
A technical guide published by a 2008 Oxford University Computing Laboratory graduate outlines a method for running Windows-only GOG DOS games on Apple Silicon Macs. The author, who holds an M.Sc. in Computer Science, identified performance limitations with virtualised x64 Windows environments on M-series chips as the primary barrier for titles such as Settlers II and Heroes of Might & Magic II.
Previously, users on Intel-based Macs could utilise VirtualBox or Boot Camp to run Windows natively. However, the transition to Apple Silicon has rendered these methods significantly slower due to the overhead of emulating x64 architecture on ARM processors. While GOG typically bundles DOSBox within installers to ensure compatibility, some titles remain Windows-only, leaving users without a straightforward path to play these classics on modern hardware.
The proposed solution requires temporary access to a Windows machine, such as an older Intel MacBook, to download the GOG Windows installer and extract the game files. Once installed, the files are copied to the M-series Mac, for example to a directory like /Users/<username>/GOG/HoMM2. This initial step is a one-time requirement; the Windows machine is not needed for long-term gameplay.
Users must then create a custom DOSBox configuration file and a Mac command script. The configuration file mounts the game folder and required CD data, while the command script directs the system to use DOSBox for Mac instead of the Windows-specific version bundled with the game. This approach bypasses the need for x64 virtualisation entirely, allowing the games to run natively on the Apple Silicon architecture.
The author notes that macOS may display warnings regarding the future compatibility of DOSBox for Mac, suggesting DOSBox-X as an actively developed alternative. The guide also details how users can adjust display settings and scaler parameters within the configuration file to optimise the visual experience. This method provides a viable workaround for preserving access to legacy DOS titles on current-generation hardware.
