Gallius IV Discussion Board

Has anyone played Deadlock on a tablet?

I've read about Windows simulators that run on Android, but I think installing them might require a risky update that voids the warranty. Curious if anyone has a lower-risk solution that works on Android.

I was able to run the Macintosh version of Deadlock on an iPad using Basilisk II.

You should be able to run Windows 95 in an emulator, then run Deadlock I or II on that. However, most of these emulators are optimised for x86 processors and can be a little slow on ARM processors, even Mac ARM laptops. Hopefully it should be fast enough for Deadlock I at least.

I can run DOSBOX on a tablet easily.
If you have the skills, you can install Windows 3 and Deadlock 1.
The CD version comes with Win32s, which is an extension to make Windows 3 capable of running on it. Not that I really recommend it though, DL1 runs very glitchy on Win 3.

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll give the windows simulator a try.

Ubergeneral Grunt wrote: Thu Aug 21, 2025 7:32 am I was able to run the Macintosh version of Deadlock on an iPad using Basilisk II.

I've got an iPad for reading (Kindle app), so this might be an option.

Ubergeneral Grunt wrote: Thu Aug 21, 2025 7:32 am You should be able to run Windows 95 in an emulator, then run Deadlock I or II on that. However, most of these emulators are optimised for x86 processors and can be a little slow on ARM processors, even Mac ARM laptops. Hopefully it should be fast enough for Deadlock I at least.

If I stick to those in Google's Play Store, "Win7 Simu" has 4.1 stars and 10M+ downloads. Might be worth $2/month if I can run Deadlock and save/load games.

Tggtt wrote: Thu Sep 04, 2025 3:29 pm I can run DOSBOX on a tablet easily.

I might have to try "Magic DosBox", the first result for "DOSBOX" in Play Store. I'm trying to avoid jailbreaking my tablet as a first step.

Tggtt wrote: Thu Sep 04, 2025 3:29 pm If you have the skills, you can install Windows 3 and Deadlock 1.
The CD version comes with Win32s, which is an extension to make Windows 3 capable of running on it. Not that I really recommend it though, DL1 runs very glitchy on Win 3.

I had the Deadlock CD decades ago, but no longer do. I'm using the gog.com version of Deadlock 1 & 2.

Try the simulator first, DOSBOX is hard to use and only DL1 runs on it... and not perfectly

MaugTheInfirm wrote: Sun Sep 28, 2025 5:01 am I might have to try "Magic DosBox", the first result for "DOSBOX" in Play Store. I'm trying to avoid jailbreaking my tablet as a first step.

I have suggested DOSBOX because it doesn't seem to require any kind of rooting/jailbreaking.

MaugTheInfirm wrote: Sun Sep 28, 2025 5:01 am I had the Deadlock CD decades ago, but no longer do. I'm using the gog.com version of Deadlock 1 & 2.

Just install Windows 3. Get Win32S from some mirror, it's a free addon. https://winworldpc.com/product/win32s/125
Use a GOG version of DL1 from your Windows desktop then copy the Deadlock folder to the drive C: of your DOSBOX.

It should run by starting Deadlock.exe

Tggtt wrote: Mon Sep 29, 2025 1:03 am Try the simulator first, DOSBOX is hard to use and only DL1 runs on it... and not perfectly

Looks like "Win7 Simu" won't work for me - no downloading or installing.

Can I install exe files/Windows programs on this?
No. This is just a simulator. It does not have the necessary infrastructure to run those programs.

https://visnalize.com/win7simu/faq

Tggtt wrote: Mon Sep 29, 2025 1:03 am

MaugTheInfirm wrote: Sun Sep 28, 2025 5:01 am I might have to try "Magic DosBox", the first result for "DOSBOX" in Play Store. I'm trying to avoid jailbreaking my tablet as a first step.

I have suggested DOSBOX because it doesn't seem to require any kind of rooting/jailbreaking.

I can't find "Android" in the list of supported platforms. Is there another site with DOSBOX available for Android?
https://www.dosbox.com/download.php?main=1

Tggtt wrote: Mon Sep 29, 2025 1:03 am

MaugTheInfirm wrote: Sun Sep 28, 2025 5:01 am I had the Deadlock CD decades ago, but no longer do. I'm using the gog.com version of Deadlock 1 & 2.

Just install Windows 3. Get Win32S from some mirror, it's a free addon. https://winworldpc.com/product/win32s/125
Use a GOG version of DL1 from your Windows desktop then copy the Deadlock folder to the drive C: of your DOSBOX.

It should run by starting Deadlock.exe

I'll need to find another simulator... maybe "wine" or "winlator", which I need to investigate further.

MaugTheInfirm wrote: Tue Sep 30, 2025 2:44 am I can't find "Android" in the list of supported platforms. Is there another site with DOSBOX available for Android?

It's not an official port. But Magic Dosbox and DosBoxTurbo (for older devices) are viable options.


[Edit] If you wish to try the DOSBOX path, first try to get DL1 running on a DOSBOX on your PC. It's cumbersome. It might be easier to find a Bochs port for Android instead.

Try to search for a viable Bochs build for your android and then install Windows 98 or something like that on it, it should run better than Windows 3 or Windows 95.