Tech refresh 2025: Tornado

This is a tech refresh article describing any changes since the original article, 'The Tornado (Digital Integration) guide' was published. Since the original article the version of DOSBox Staging has changed from v0.81.2 to v0.82.0.

The only change is an updated DOSBox Staging configuration shown below, the rest of the advice in the previous articles 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                     = 31
dos_rate                    = 1000

[cpu]
cpu_cycles           = 20000
cpu_cycles_protected = auto
cycleup              = 1000
cycledown            = 1000

[voodoo]
voodoo                    = false

[mouse]
dos_mouse_immediate       = true

[mixer]
reverb     = large
chorus     = normmal

[midi]
mididevice      = mt32

[mt32]
model       = mt32_new
romdir      = "D:\Midi\Versioned"

[joystick]
joysticktype                = 4axis
timed                       = false
swap34                      = true
deadzone                    = 0

[autoexec]
mount c "D:\Games\Dos\Tornado\hdd"

C:
call go.bat
pause
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.

The midi and mt32 sections allow both Soundblaster and MT32 to be used in the sim for an optimum audio experience.

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

Good hunting!