Since the newly released Z remake sucks balls in my opinion, here's a little guide that shows you how to setup the old game using dosbox.

-Create a Dosbox folder under c:\Games\DOSBox-0.74\
-Copy the files of your original Z CD to c:\Games\DOSBox-0.74\Z-CD
-Copy the following text into a newly created Z.conf file (create it using some text editor and change the file ending):
http://pastebin.com/WtZGAsCd
-If you use the same folder structure, there is no need to change that file. Else, all directory settings needed can be found at the bottom.
-Put that z.conf file into your dosbox folder
-Create a shortcut to your Dosbox.exe modifying the following 'target' options of that shortcut file:
C:\Games\DOSBox-0.74\DOSBox.exe -conf "Z.conf"
-Click on the shortcut to start dosbox
-Type 'D:' and hit enter. Then type 'install' and hit enter
-Install Z under C:\Z
-chose 'vesa no' and setup your sound card by chosing the default sound devices
-quit the installer, don't run the game
-make sure the game is installed under c:\Games\DOSBox-0.74\Z and not c:\Games\DOSBox-0.74\Z\Z. Else, move the files in ..\Z\Z to c:\Games\DOSBox-0.74\Z
-run the previously created shortcut again to play the game

if it does not work, please check your Z.BAT file in the main folder and make sure it looks like this:
@Echo Please Wait - Loading ......
@ZED.EXE /CD:D %1 %2 %3 %4 %5

'CD:' has to be followed by the same letter used to mount a cd drive in that Z.conf file, i.e.
'mount d c:\Games\DOSBox-0.74\Z-CD -t cdrom'
If it isn't change either the Z.BAT file or the Z.conf file so that both drive letters match.

I will also post a guide on how to play the game with multiplayer over IPX emulation soon. Stay tuned!

EDIT: I updated the Z.conf file:
http://pastebin.com/Pp0RmCxk

Aspect ratio now corrected to proper 4:3 output. Renderer has been changed to opengl to provide a softer image.

Hi,

Just out of interest, what is supposed to be so problematic about Z under DOSBox? My standard DOSBox configuration (0.74) works happily and without any customisation for Z (output set to openglnb and resolution fixed to 1280x960, soundcard configured as SB16 plus general midi for music).


Cheers

Umm... nothing really. This is just a step-by-step guide for inexperienced people. The original game might not work the CD files present, which makes it more complicated. I have no idea what version you're using, tho...

the normal German retail version (Topware Gold Games 2 edition...) :-)

Since the current Weekend Promo is titled “TopWare Reloaded” I would have wished for a Z Classic release on GOG. ;)

original post updated

I prefer openglnb plus normal2x - gives DOSBox games a good crisp look

(otherwise also use General Midi for music and SB16 for sound...)

Would it not be even simpler for inexperienced gamers to use a frontend like D-Fend Reloaded instead of trying to configure Doxbox?

Hi, do they actually work for the current DOSBox version? The last time I dabbled with such tools was in the age of DOSBox 0.6x. Editing the config stuff of DOSBox is far easier than it may seem. The most difficult part is to actually find it... Then all you need to do is make a backup just in case and then start editing it as you like. It is largely self-explanatory. Cheers

I´m running the "Z Platinum" CD from D-Fend Reloaded so it does work

If you have a copy of the Z and Z Expansion version of Z 1 for Windows 95 (I'm talking about this version:
http://www.thelegacy.de/Museum/36343/), be sure to try this out as well:
http://zzone.lewe.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=304
Cannot say how it fares under Win 7, but it worked way better than the classic Z with Dosbox on WIndows XP.