Tech refresh 2025: F-22 Lightning II

This is a tech refresh article describing any changes since the original article 'F-22 Lightning II: Running in DOSBox' was published. Since the original article the version of DOSBox Staging has changed from v0.80.1 to v0.82.0.

The only change is an updated DOSBox Staging configuration shown below, the rest of the advice in the previous article remains valid.

DOSBox Staging configuration

These are the settings which differ from the DOSBox Staging defaults.

[sdl]
host_rate           = vrr
vsync               = off
presentation_mode   = vfr

[dosbox]
memsize                     = 32
dos_rate                    = 1000

[cpu]
cpu_cycles           = max
cpu_cycles_protected = auto
cycleup              = 1000
cycledown            = 1000

[voodoo]
voodoo                    = false

[mouse]
dos_mouse_immediate       = true

[mixer]
reverb     = large
chorus     = normal

[midi]
# To use MT32 emulation
# mididevice      = mt32

# If you wish to try out fluidsynth and soundfonts
mididevice       = fluidsynth

[fluidsynth]
# One of my installed soundfonts
soundfont     = "D:\Midi\Soundfonts\FluidR3_GM_GS.sf2"

[mt32]
model       = auto
romdir      = "D:\Midi\Versioned"

[joystick]
# Your settings may need to differ
joysticktype                = 4axis
timed                       = true
swap34                      = true
deadzone                    = 0

[autoexec]
mount    C "D:\Games\Dos\F-22 Lightning II\hdd"
imgmount D "D:\Games\Dos\F-22 Lightning II\cd\F22Lightning2.iso" -t cdrom

C:
cd f22
f22.exe
exit

The sdl settings are appropriate for a variable refresh rate monitor. They can be left as default or omitted for standard monitors.

The sdl, dos_rate and mouse settings are also applicable for high frame rates as described in this article by Omnicycle.

The voodoo emulation is disabled as it isn't required.

The mixer settings are a personal preference to enhance the music and audio.

Midi settings for mt32 and fluidsynth are included, the choice is left as personal preference, in the above config, fluidsynth is enabled.

Joystick settings will be dependant on your particular HOTAS setup and may require adjustment.

Good hunting!