I'm not a big gamer, but there are a few games I've enjoyed along the way. Usually they're ones where I can finish a stage without spending hours on it so I can use them for breaks when I've been writing and programming too long. I'm running Parallels 4 on Snow Leopard and the two old games I'd like to be able to use are Duke Nukem 1 and Duke Nukem 2. I don't care about the 3D, I like the older side-scrolling versions. I'm running into several problems with these games and I've searched but don't see clear answers. 1) With Duke Nukem 1 there is a lag. It's keyboard based and when I hit CTRL, he should jump. There's a notable lag and sometimes it seems hitting CTRL twice, rapidly, results in less of a lag. Also, for some weird reason, it works better to jump if I hit CTRL and the UP arrow at the same time and hitting ALT to fire *seems* to fire faster if I hit ALT along with the up arrow. That part could be my imagination, but I do know there is a lag when I hit CTRL for jumping. I tried redefining keys to use non-modifier keys in Duke Nukem 2, but there were still delays. 2) I found, for cheap, a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro joystick for cheap and plugged it into my iMac, in the USB port, and my iMac recognizes it, but it's not recognized by WinXP in Parallels. Can I get my joystick to be recognized? 3) With this game and others, when I run, I get a smaller window. I understand that's due to their lower resolution. Is there any way to get old games like this, with smaller screens, to display in a a bigger window? I know it won't help the resolution, but it might be more fun, in some cases, to be able to do that. Thanks for any help on this!
1) CTRL is a modifier key. By default Parallels usually doesn't send modifier key presses unless you're pressing another key or a mouse button. To fix this, select Virtual Machine -> Configure -> Options -> Advanced -> Optimize modifier keys for games. 2) Does your virtual machine hardware configuration include a USB Controller? If not, then add one by pressing [+]. Then Windows will take over the joystick when you plug it in if you allow it. 3) To get bigger pixels, select Virtual Machine -> Configure -> Options -> Full Screen -> Adjust Mac resolution in full screen. Then use full screen mode. When Parallels Tools is not installed, changing the virtual machine window size changes the size of the pixels. When Parallels Tools is installed, changing the virtual machine window size changes the Windows resolution to match. Parallels should add a mode that temporarily turns off this feature (called "Dynamic Resolution Tool") so we don't need to use full screen mode or change the Mac resolution to get bigger pixels.
I have the Configure window open for the VM, but under Options, there are only these choices: General, Boot Order, Startup and Shutdown, and Optimization. There's no "Options" there, or anywhere in the config window. The Optimization is for power use only. The same issue comes up for the full screen resolution. Also, on the USB controller issue, when do I press the plus sign? My guess is we're using different versions, but thanks for the info.
Sorry, didn't see you were using Parallels 4. I was referring to Parallels 6. 1) I don't see an option in Parallel 4. 2) Press the + if you don't see a USB Controller listed under Hardware. http://download.parallels.com/desktop/v4/docs/en/Parallels_Desktop_Users_Guide/22372.htm If the USB controller is working and enabled then you should see the following when you plug in your joystick. http://download.parallels.com/desktop/v4/docs/en/Parallels_Desktop_Users_Guide/22374.htm 3) http://download.parallels.com/desktop/v4/docs/en/Parallels_Desktop_Users_Guide/22895.htm "Adjust the host computer's screen resolution in full screen"
Okay, upgraded to Version 5. I had it downloaded, but had not had the time to install it yet. (It wasn't an issue for the "needed" software, and didn't want to waste "game time" to upgrade!) In version 5 I see it, including the [+]. (I thought you meant the + key, not the button control.) One other note: On it's own, Duke Nukem uses DosBox, and in Parallels 4, that was crashing, so I was running it straight in DOS and I'd get no sound. In Parallels 5, DosBox works fine and the program runs. I got it to not only work with the keyboard, allowing me to use CTRL and ALT as I need to in games. Also, I did get the joystick working. I shelled out about $30 or so for a joystick and it's a lot bigger than the older ones I was used to! I haven't used a joystick in 10 years or more and it's certainly taking me time to get used to using one again, and using one that feels so differently! Now I have to check on the upgrade to Parallels 6. I had just bought 5, so I think I get 6 for free or some kind of discount. Thanks for the help. I know it's not a big deal to play old DOS games like this, but I like having them around to blow off steam when I need a break after a long time coding or writing!
