Return To Zork for Mac, does not run on Mac :[

[molokaicreeper]

Before I begin I would like to let it be known that at this point I am successfully running Return To Zork (1993) in DOS format using DOSBOX. I have an eMac running Panther 10.3.9. It took quite some tweaking but I got it to run and I am really happy about that.

I am a diehard fan of the Zork series of games and I own all of them.

I have the same game for "Power Macs" and it was released in 1994. But Classic wont run it on my eMac. I do believe it needs 256 colors and resolution of 640x480. I run it really well in my PM 8500/180 but that computer is being used by my 2 year old and this is my personal computer so I wish it would work here.

I need a good, reliable, Power Macintosh emulator in which I can play these games. I have loads of them (at least 300) that I wish I could play here. I was looking into this old archive and I see not many people gave really good useful advice: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/18451/

There someone suggests the poster to go and buy new games. Heck if there were GOOD games out there nowadays, and those who know what I am talking about, games nowadays they just don't impress me. Played and passed Half-Life 2 in my hubby's laptop, I am not impressed

Would love to see some constructive help please and thank you so much!!

 

[mpm227]

You can play them almost on anything.

Down load a product called frotz its available for almod any platform.
Softpedia has one for OSX. Then you can either copy the game file on to the
mac or goggle infocom games and down load the files you need for frotz.
I have even put the games on a Palm TX.

 

[molokaicreeper]

Frotz

I downloaded it but for some reason the installation ends with a "there were error while installing the software please try again"

So I don't know what else to attempt. I should also mention that I looked into SheepShaver and Basilisk but I must admit I saw the instructions on how to make them work and they seem scary and complicated.

I also would like to say that Return To Zork was a GUI game or to be more specific, the first graphical Zork game. It is not text based so I dunno if Frotz will solve my problem.

Thanks for the tip on Frotz I will continue to try to install it because I like the text adventures occasionally. I would appreciate anyone's information about a simple to use, standalone emulator for OS 9 or Power PC macs that I can run here in Panther that is easy to use and doesn't require a tech to put together (like DOSBOX)

 

[Eric5h5]

But Classic wont run it on my eMac. I do believe it needs 256 colors and resolution of 640x480.

Works here with Classic, in any color depth and resolution. The trick is that you have to run an old Sierra game first, like Gobliins 2 or Leisure Suit Larry 6. Somehow this sets up the display so that a few games that don't normally work properly will work after all. By far the best Power Mac "emulator" (virtualizer really) is in fact Classic. If it doesn't work in Classic then you can pretty much forget it.

--Eric

 

[molokaicreeper]

Works here with Classic, in any color depth and resolution. The trick is that you have to run an old Sierra game first, like Gobliins 2 or Leisure Suit Larry 6. Somehow this sets up the display so that a few games that don't normally work properly will work after all. By far the best Power Mac "emulator" (virtualizer really) is in fact Classic. If it doesn't work in Classic then you can pretty much forget it.

--Eric

That's what I was thinking. When I run it what happens is that my screen goes white and I can hear the game running and the arrow/hand shows but since I can not see the screen I can't click on the right options. I am going to give it another try I know that I played a Sierra game I think it was crystal caliburn pinball (was it?) sorry it was a pinball game from sierra but wow I don't know where it might be right now... I know I have it but where...

Also I am going to go ahead and try to adjust the resolution. Since you say the resolution is the problem I wonder if there is a program you can download for OSX that you can use to change resolutions to accomodate the resolution to those of the old Mac games. I appreciate your input thanks for taking the time to reply.

L.

 

[aidanpendragon]

By far the best Power Mac "emulator" (virtualizer really) is in fact Classic. If it doesn't work in Classic then you can pretty much forget it.

I wouldn't really agree with this - I can get lots of things to (kinda-sorta) run in SheepShaver that Classic won't even boot. But the OP is right, it's not for the faint of heart and requires a lot of fooling around to get to work.

If you have a working PM 8500/180 set up, I'd try to sneak in a game or two now and then. Probably much easier than all this emulation tomfoolery.

 

[molokaicreeper]

reply

I am happily running many DOS games RTZ, Jazz Jackrabbit, QBasic games and Simon The Sorcerer with DOS BOX. I am surprised and ashamed to admit that the reliability and promises given to the Mac Users about offering support longer than with any Microsoft product is stained greatly.

My Mac can do DOS but it can't do OS 9 Classic?

I was told off many times about my unhappiness with the move to OSX. Yes I understand it is more stable but there are wonderful things about the classic OS that users have never been able to experience ever again.

If everyone was completely happy about the move as those butt kissers made it seem, then why everywhere I look in the web there is someone asking how to run their old programs for MacOS in their new MacOSX machines?

It is 2008 and some people just can't move on... Why? I honestly think it is because games nowadays stink. At least I think they do!