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List of Windows & DOS Games with Color Mode Depths with 8bit, 15bit, & 16bit only

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First post, by Meatball

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Greetings all,

I will be going through all of my games from 2005'ish and earlier in an effort to notate their maximum color mode capabilities.

I'm doing this because:

  • Some games look ugly, or lose fidelity, or lose special effects in wrong color modes, with which they were not designed.
  • I want to create retro systems which only play games with color modes not exceeding 16bit.
  • I don't like readjusting my CRT monitor(s) for different modes, colors, and refresh rates.
  • I want to justify playing games on 3dfx cards prior to the VSA series.
  • I don't want to sacrifice games designed with 32bit color by playing them on the 3dfx cards.
  • Someone else might want to know the same when designing their retro system, and this list could be handy.
  • I enjoy imposing artificial limits in a retro-environment of nigh-unlimited resources; thus, allocating resources more efficiently.

If anyone would like to contribute their own findings/knowledge; kindly reply in the thread, and I will update the reserved posts.

Last edited by Meatball on 2022-04-03, 20:48. Edited 13 times in total.

Reply 1 of 40, by Meatball

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16-BIT COLOR WINDOWS GAMES

All games tested using Direct3D acceleration and it is implied for each game. Additional or alternative acceleration and/or exceptions may be noted beside the game. Games which can be rendered without a 3D accelerator in 16bit color depth will be noted with "DirectDraw/Software," though it's possible for some of those same games to support hardware acceleration in color depths greater than 16bit.

  • Assault Rigs (ATI CIF)
  • Beast Wars (3dfx Glide)
  • Blood II - The Chosen + The Nightmare Levels
  • Blood Omen - Legacy of Kain (DirectDraw/Software only)
  • Claw (DirectDraw/Software only)
  • Command & Conquer 2 - Tiberian Sun + Firestorm (DirectDraw/Software only)
  • Command & Conquer Red Alert 2 + Yuri's Revenge (DirectDraw/Software only)
  • Crimson Skies (DirectDraw/Software or Direct3D)
  • Cyber Troopers: Virtual-ON (PowerVR SGL, DirectDraw/Software)
  • Daikatana (3dfxGL, OpenGL, PowerVRGL; No Direct3D)
  • Daytona USA Deluxe (DirectDraw/Software; Direct3D with patch)
  • Deathtrap Dungeon (3dfx Glide, ATI CIF)
  • Descent II Windows 95 Edition (DirectDraw/Software or 3dfx Glide, No Direct3D)
  • Dethkarz (DirectDraw/Software only)
  • Diablo II + Lord of Destruction (3dfx Glide)
  • Die by the Sword + Limb from Limb (3dfx Glide, DirectDraw/Software; PowerVR SGL with Limb from Limb)
  • Dino Crisis (DirectDraw/Software or Direct3D)
  • Dreams to Reality (DirectDraw/Software)
  • Dune 2000 (DirectDraw/Software)
  • Fighting Force
  • Final Fantasy VII (DirectDraw/Software or Direct3D)
  • Final Fantasy VIII (DirectDraw/Software or Direct3D)
  • Forsaken (DirectDraw/Software only)
  • Grand Theft Auto 2
  • Homeworld (DirectDraw/Software only)
  • Homeworld Cataclysm (DirectDraw/Software only)
  • Interstate '76 1.2 Gold Edition (3dfx Glide, PowerVR SGL)
  • Jazz Jackrabbit 2 (8bit might be forced upon startup even if previously set to 16bit)
  • Last Bronx (DirectDraw/Software only)
  • Half-Life (3dfxGL, OpenGL, DirectDraw/Software)
  • Hardwar - The Future is Greedy (3dfx Glide, DirectDraw/Software or Direct3D, PowerVR SGL)
  • King's Quest VIII - Mask of Eternity (3dfx Glide, DirectDraw/Software)
  • Kiss: Psycho Circus - The Nightmare Child
  • Metal Gear Solid + VR Missions (DirectDraw/Software or Direct3D)
  • Machines
  • Manx TT Superbike (3dfx Glide only)
  • Monster Truck Madness
  • Monster Truck Madness 2 (3dfx Glide, PowerVR SGL, Rendition RRedline)
  • Moto Racer
  • Need for Speed II SE (3dfx Glide only)
  • Need for Speed III - Hot Pursuit (3dfx Glide)
  • NHL '97 (DirectDraw/Software only)
  • NHL '98 (DirectDraw/Software, 3dfx Glide; No Direct3D)
  • NHL '99 (DirectDraw/Software, 3dfx Glide, ATI CIF)
  • NHL 2000 (DirectDraw/Software, 3dfx Glide)
  • NHL 2001 (3dfx Glide)
  • NHL 2002 (3dfx Glide)
  • Nightmare Creatures (3dfx Glide, DirectDraw/Software, PowerVR SGL)
  • Omikron - The Nomad Soul (DirectDraw/Software or Direct3D)
  • Outlaws (1.0 DirectDraw/Software; 1.1 & later include 3dfx Glide, Direct3D)
  • Panzer Dragoon (DirectDraw/Software only)
  • POD - Planet of Death
  • Rebel Moon Rising
  • Redline Racer
  • Resident Evil
  • Resident Evil 2 (DirectDraw/Software or Direct3D)
  • Revenant (DirectDraw/Software or Direct3D)
  • Risk (DirectDraw/Software only)
  • Sega Rally Championship (DirectDraw/Software only)
  • Sega Touring Car Championship (DirectDraw/Software or Direct3D)
  • Shogo - Mobile Armor Division (DirectDraw/Software or Direct3D)
  • SiN + Wages of SiN (Software, 3dfxGL, OpenGL, PowerVR GL, RagePro GL, RRedline GL. No Direct3D)
  • Sonic 3D Blast (DirectDraw/Software only)
  • Space Bunnies Must Die! (DirectDraw/Software or Direct3D)
  • StarLancer (DirectDraw/Software or Direct3D)
  • Star Wars - Jedi Knight + Mysteries of the Sith
  • Star Wars - Rogue Squadron (3dfx Glide)
  • Star Wars - Shadows of the Empire
  • System Shock 2
  • Team Apache (3dfx Glide, Rendition RRedline)
  • Thief & Thief Gold
  • Thief II - The Metal Age
  • Time Warriors (DirectDraw/Software, 3dfx Glide, ATI CIF, Matrox MSI, S3 3D; No Direct3D)
  • Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six + Eagle Watch Mission Pack (DirectDraw/Software or Direct3D)
  • Tomb Raider + Unfinished Business (ATI CIF DLL v4.12.2696 - ATI patch converts game to Windows. Requires installed sound drivers. No Direct3D.)
  • Turok - Dinosaur Hunter (3dfx Glide, ATI CIF, PowerVR SGL)
  • Trespasser - Jurassic Park (DirectDraw/Software or Direct3D)
  • Ultim@te Race Pro (3dfx Glide, DirectDraw/Software or Direct3D, PowerVR SGL)
  • Vigilance (DirectDraw/Software or 3dfx Glide, No Direct3D; 1.1 update allows game to run in 100% Glide mode)
  • Virtual Fighter 2 (DirectDraw/Software only)
  • Wipeout (ATI CIF)
  • Wipeout XL (PowerVR Direct3D)
Last edited by Meatball on 2023-08-10, 17:56. Edited 161 times in total.

Reply 2 of 40, by Meatball

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16-BIT COLOR DOS GAMES

  • Alien Trilogy (Some video cards can't handle this game's 16bit color setting properly.)
  • Dreams to Reality (3dfx Glide)
  • Extreme Assault (3dfx Glide)
  • NHL '97
  • Screamer 2
  • Screamer Rally
  • Tomb Raider (3dfx Glide, PowerVR SGL PCX1, Matrox MSI, PowerVR SGL PCX2, Rendition Speedy3D, S3 3D)
  • Tomb Raider - Unfinished Business (3dfx Glide, PowerVR SGL PCX1, PowerVR SGL PCX2, S3 3D)
Last edited by Meatball on 2022-05-01, 00:59. Edited 35 times in total.

Reply 3 of 40, by Meatball

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15-BIT COLOR WINDOWS GAMES

All games tested using Direct3D acceleration. Additional or alternative acceleration and/or exceptions are noted beside the game.

  • Croc 1.0 Release (3dfx Glide, ATI CIF, Matrox MSI, S3 3D)
  • Croc 2.0 Release (3dfx Glide)
  • Need for Speed III - Hot Pursuit (DirectDraw/Software only)
  • Need for Speed IV - High Stakes (DirectDraw/Software only)
Last edited by Meatball on 2022-04-25, 01:27. Edited 64 times in total.

Reply 4 of 40, by Meatball

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8-BIT COLOR WINDOWS GAMES

All games tested use DirectDraw/Software acceleration. Additional or alternative acceleration and/or exceptions are noted beside the game.

  • Beast Wars
  • Beavis & Butthead in Virtual Stupidity
  • Bug!
  • Bug Too!
  • Command & Conquer + Covert Operations Windows 95 Edition
  • Command & Conquer Red Alert + Counterstrike & Aftermath Windows 95 Edition
  • Deathtrap Dungeon
  • Diablo
  • Diablo II + Lord of Destruction
  • Doom Final (Ultimate Doom Trilogy)
  • Doom Ultimate (Ultimate Doom Trilogy)
  • Doom II (Ultimate Doom Trilogy)
  • Ecco the Dolphin
  • Hexen II (WinQuake Engine Software)
  • Hover
  • Ice & Fire (Will not start unless display is set to 256-color/8bit mode)
  • Interstate '76 (1.0 or 1.2 Gold Edition)
  • MechWarrior 2 + Expansions (DirectDraw/Software Windows 95 & Pentium Editions; 3dfx Glide, ATI CIF, Matrox MSI, PowerVR SGL, S3 3D)
  • Monster Truck Madness
  • Moto Racer
  • Need for Speed SE
  • Need for Speed 2 SE
  • Quake (WinQuake Engine Software)
  • Quake II
  • Sonic CD
  • Star Wars - Jedi Knight + Mysteries of the Sith
  • Thief & Thief Gold
  • Tomb Raider II + The Golden Mask
Last edited by Meatball on 2022-10-22, 16:23. Edited 22 times in total.

Reply 5 of 40, by Meatball

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8-BIT COLOR DOS GAMES

Last edited by Meatball on 2022-04-25, 01:29. Edited 8 times in total.

Reply 10 of 40, by Gmlb256

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Some games that supports at least 16-bit color:

  • Alien Trilogy (DOS): Has "hi-color" mode support but several video cards can't handle it properly.
  • Crusader: No Regret (DOS): Optional 16-bit color support on movies only.
  • Extreme Assault (DOS): Supports 3Dfx Glide API in addition to 16-bit color on VESA video modes.
  • Jazz Jackrabbit 2 (Windows): Supports both 8-bit and 16-bit color. Depending of the system it can force 8-bit color mode when starting the game no matter if the configuration was set to use 16-bit color mode after exiting.
  • Rebel Moon Rising (Windows): Only supports 16-bit color.

Side notes:

  • 16-bit color mode is used when playing a game using the 3Dfx Glide API on real 3Dfx cards. Depending of the game it may no be the optimal color mode.
  • For 8-bit and 4-bit colors, only Windows games should count as there are obviously too many DOS games using these color modes.

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Reply 11 of 40, by Meatball

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Gmlb256 wrote on 2022-03-19, 22:58:
Some games that supports at least 16-bit color: […]
Show full quote

Some games that supports at least 16-bit color:

  • Alien Trilogy (DOS): Has "hi-color" mode support but several video cards can't handle it properly.
  • Crusader: No Regret (DOS): Optional 16-bit color support on movies only.
  • Extreme Assault (DOS): Supports 3Dfx Glide API in addition to 16-bit color on VESA video modes.
  • Jazz Jackrabbit 2 (Windows): Supports both 8-bit and 16-bit color. Depending of the system it can force 8-bit color mode when starting the game no matter if the configuration was set to use 16-bit color mode after exiting.
  • Rebel Moon Rising (Windows): Only supports 16-bit color.

Side notes:

  • 16-bit color mode is used when playing a game using the 3Dfx Glide API on real 3Dfx cards. Depending of the game it may no be the optimal color mode.
  • For 8-bit and 4-bit colors, only Windows games should count as there are obviously too many DOS games using these color modes.

I'll make a note while testing and categorizing for all of your points, thanks! If the game is 8bit, but has movies and so on which support greater depths, I'll make a note next to the game, while still allocating it to the 8bit list.

I may even go crazy and test the video cards I have with Alien Trilogy to see which ones work and which don't.

Reply 12 of 40, by leileilol

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You're missing 15-bit modes (that definitely was a thing).

Meatball wrote:

Turok - Dinosaur Hunter

Can you exclude 3D acceleration? You're just going to list all of them if you go that route and if so, it'd be a much shorter (and more interesting) list for games that do support 32-bit 3d accel in the 90s. Then again, listing 8-bit/4-bit games is extreme effort inflation to just about everything after 1984...

Meatball wrote on 2022-03-19, 21:41:

16BIT COLOR DOS GAMES
Jazz Jackrabbit 2

Never was on DOS.

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Reply 13 of 40, by BEEN_Nath_58

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MechWarrior 2 Titanium Trilogy had 8 and 16-bit folders and the 8 bit folder had the Battlepack version. So perhaps MechWarrior 2 Battlepack Edition is 8-bit

It has same style to MechWarrior 2 Pentium Edition. So that should be 8-bit as well.

And since CD Titanium Trilogy had 16-bit folder, thus MechWarrior 2 Titanium Edition should be 16-bit.

DOS (8 bit)

MechWarrior 2 (if Pentium Edition is 8 bit)

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Reply 14 of 40, by Meatball

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leileilol wrote on 2022-03-20, 03:27:
You're missing 15-bit modes (that definitely was a thing). […]
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You're missing 15-bit modes (that definitely was a thing).

Meatball wrote:

Turok - Dinosaur Hunter

Can you exclude 3D acceleration? You're just going to list all of them if you go that route and if so, it'd be a much shorter (and more interesting) list for games that do support 32-bit 3d accel in the 90s. Then again, listing 8-bit/4-bit games is extreme effort inflation to just about everything after 1984...

Meatball wrote on 2022-03-19, 21:41:

16BIT COLOR DOS GAMES
Jazz Jackrabbit 2

Never was on DOS.

For 15bit, I’m happy to record if you like. I figured someone would mention if interested.

For Jazz, it was a mistake, thanks for catching it.

For Turok, I don’t understand your request other than to say if I exclude 3D acceleration, I lose most of the reason for putting this list together. The period for 16bit color games is rather small relative to the 8bit - 32bit sandwich it is contained within.

For 4/8 bit, I put that in as a courtesy for all members. You are the 2nd to comment about being too much, and I appreciate the input. I can remove the 4/8bit if nobody wants it. I’ll continue to keep watch.

Was your feedback post in the feedback thread about mega threads a comment about this one?

Reply 15 of 40, by BEEN_Nath_58

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Meatball wrote on 2022-03-20, 05:39:
For 15bit, I’m happy to record if you like. I figured someone would mention if interested. […]
Show full quote
leileilol wrote on 2022-03-20, 03:27:
You're missing 15-bit modes (that definitely was a thing). […]
Show full quote

You're missing 15-bit modes (that definitely was a thing).

Meatball wrote:

Turok - Dinosaur Hunter

Can you exclude 3D acceleration? You're just going to list all of them if you go that route and if so, it'd be a much shorter (and more interesting) list for games that do support 32-bit 3d accel in the 90s. Then again, listing 8-bit/4-bit games is extreme effort inflation to just about everything after 1984...

Meatball wrote on 2022-03-19, 21:41:

16BIT COLOR DOS GAMES
Jazz Jackrabbit 2

Never was on DOS.

For 15bit, I’m happy to record if you like. I figured someone would mention if interested.

For Jazz, it was a mistake, thanks for catching it.

For Turok, I don’t understand your request other than to say if I exclude 3D acceleration, I lose most of the reason for putting this list together. The period for 16bit color games is rather small relative to the 8bit - 32bit sandwich it is contained within.

For 4/8 bit, I put that in as a courtesy for all members. You are the 2nd to comment about being too much, and I appreciate the input. I can remove the 4/8bit if nobody wants it. I’ll continue to keep watch.

Was your feedback post in the feedback thread about mega threads a comment about this one?

Why not collect 8 bit Windows games instead? And if exists, 4 bit Windows games too. I agree 8 bit DOS games would be too much, same for 16 bit 3d accelerated games...

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Reply 16 of 40, by Meatball

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BEEN_Nath_58 wrote on 2022-03-20, 04:13:
MechWarrior 2 Titanium Trilogy had 8 and 16-bit folders and the 8 bit folder had the Battlepack version. So perhaps MechWarrior […]
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MechWarrior 2 Titanium Trilogy had 8 and 16-bit folders and the 8 bit folder had the Battlepack version. So perhaps MechWarrior 2 Battlepack Edition is 8-bit

It has same style to MechWarrior 2 Pentium Edition. So that should be 8-bit as well.

And since CD Titanium Trilogy had 16-bit folder, thus MechWarrior 2 Titanium Edition should be 16-bit.

DOS (8 bit)

MechWarrior 2 (if Pentium Edition is 8 bit)

Thanks for the input!

I’m reading a bit of uncertainty with the shoulds, ifs, and perhaps. If you are 100% certain, please confirm for each version I should record on a separate line. I own many versions of this game, and I will be testing it in any event. Thanks, again!

Reply 17 of 40, by leileilol

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Meatball wrote on 2022-03-20, 05:39:

Was your feedback post in the feedback thread about mega threads a comment about this one?

You do realize that you're proposing about making a list of over 5,820 games, right?

When Vogons usually has a games list megathread, it's about signal boosting for the games that have support for certain exotic hardware that's not commonplace, etc. Way more interesting and useful. This thread on the other hand, seems to be made for the sake of it.

Last edited by leileilol on 2022-03-20, 05:54. Edited 1 time in total.

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Reply 18 of 40, by Meatball

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BEEN_Nath_58 wrote on 2022-03-20, 05:42:
Meatball wrote on 2022-03-20, 05:39:
For 15bit, I’m happy to record if you like. I figured someone would mention if interested. […]
Show full quote
leileilol wrote on 2022-03-20, 03:27:

You're missing 15-bit modes (that definitely was a thing).

Can you exclude 3D acceleration? You're just going to list all of them if you go that route and if so, it'd be a much shorter (and more interesting) list for games that do support 32-bit 3d accel in the 90s. Then again, listing 8-bit/4-bit games is extreme effort inflation to just about everything after 1984...

Never was on DOS.

For 15bit, I’m happy to record if you like. I figured someone would mention if interested.

For Jazz, it was a mistake, thanks for catching it.

For Turok, I don’t understand your request other than to say if I exclude 3D acceleration, I lose most of the reason for putting this list together. The period for 16bit color games is rather small relative to the 8bit - 32bit sandwich it is contained within.

For 4/8 bit, I put that in as a courtesy for all members. You are the 2nd to comment about being too much, and I appreciate the input. I can remove the 4/8bit if nobody wants it. I’ll continue to keep watch.

Was your feedback post in the feedback thread about mega threads a comment about this one?

Why not collect 8 bit Windows games instead? And if exists, 4 bit Windows games too. I agree 8 bit DOS games would be too much, same for 16 bit 3d accelerated games...

I am thinking I am extremely unaware, but are there really that many 3D accelerated games with a bit depth no greater than 16bit relative to 8bit and 24/32bit? The window seems like 4 years - ‘96 / ‘99.

Reply 19 of 40, by Meatball

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leileilol wrote on 2022-03-20, 05:49:
Meatball wrote on 2022-03-20, 05:39:

Was your feedback post in the feedback thread about mega threads a comment about this one?

You do realize that you're proposing about making a list of over 5,820 games, right?

When Vogons usually has a games list megathread, it's about signal boosting for the games that have support for certain exotic hardware that's not commonplace, etc. Way more interesting and useful. This thread on the other hand, seems to be made for the sake of it.

If you don’t find it it interesting, what are you doing in this thread? I find it interesting and I thought instead of keeping the list to myself, I would help others, as well. I have seen a number of threads with people asking about 16bit color, I was also wondering, and no useful data was provided so why not provide it?

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