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GZDoom

GZDoom logo

Overview

GZDoom is a modern source port that extends the Doom engine with slopes, true 3D floors, uncapped framerates, and broad mod compatibility. REG-Linux keeps it grouped under ports so you can launch Doom, Heretic, Hexen, Strife, or custom projects with the same interface.

Quick reference

  • ROM folder: /userdata/roms/gzdoom
  • Accepted formats: .wad, .iwad, .pwad, .pk3, .gzdoom
  • Emulator: gzdoom
  • System group: ports

BIOS

GZDoom requires no BIOS files.

ROMs

Drop your Doom/Heretic/Hexen/Strife data into /userdata/roms/gzdoom/. GZDoom needs the main IWAD for each game (doom.wad, doom2.wad, heretic.wad, hexen.wad, strife1.wad, etc.) plus any .pk3 or .pwad mods you want to load.

A .gzdoom wrapper tells the port exactly which command-line arguments to pass. Each file contains a single line such as:

-iwad DOOM2.WAD -file ALIENS_ERADICATION_TC_2_0.pk3 ERADICATION_MAPSET_2_0.wad

Use wrappers when combining multiple mods, keeping filenames and case exactly as they appear on disk. GZDoom also opens .zip, .7z, or .pk3 files directly, so compressing a bundle is fine as long as the engine can read it.

Custom IWADINFO lumps let the port detect fan-made IWADs (.iwad or .ipk3) without needing the original base files. Place those alongside the main archives inside /userdata/roms/gzdoom/.

You can add alternate music banks or soundfonts by dropping files into /userdata/system/configs/gzdoom/fm_banks/ and /userdata/system/configs/gzdoom/soundfonts/.

Supported titles (examples)

  • Doom (doom.wad, doom1.wad, doom2.wad)
  • Heretic / Hexen (heretic.wad, hexen.wad, mission packs)
  • Strife (strife1.wad)
  • FreeDoom and community Total Conversions (Urban Brawl, Harmony, etc.)

Saves

Save files go to saves/gzdoom/<mod name>/.

Emulators

GZDoom

REG-Linux launches the GZDoom executable with the usual gzdoom.* options (videomode, padtokeyboard, bezel, etc.) plus gzdoom.nologo for skipping intro videos. The Quick Menu allows you to swap IWADs or add/remove .pk3 files on the fly.

Controls

The default overlay maps the Retropad buttons to Doom actions. Use the in-game controls menu to fine-tune aiming, voice toggles, or to bind the joystick to the strafe buttons.

Troubleshooting

  • If the port complains about a missing IWAD, double-check that the name matches one of the expected filenames and that the file is not nested inside another folder.
  • Custom mods may require you to prefix command lines inside .gzdoom wrappers with -file or -merge. Keep the line to a single command and preserve case sensitivity.
  • Need new config values? Delete /userdata/system/configs/gzdoom/ and let GZDoom regenerate them on the next launch.