We’ve witnessed numerous older video games receiving a dose of Nvidia RTX magic, including Doom and Quake II. Now, we’re treated to a glimpse of how Tomb Raider would look with full RTX path tracing, yielding stunning and bewildering results in equal measure.
Wolfenstein 3D, a pioneering first-person shooter, captivated PC enthusiasts in the 1990s, including myself, with its lightning-fast and surprisingly intuitive 3D gameplay on our iconic beige PCs – a technological marvel that, although primitive by today’s standards, still exudes a nostalgic charm. Notwithstanding these screenshots reveal a hidden Wolfenstein 3D mod within Doom 2, where lighting has been elegantly handled through an RTX pathway on one of today’s most impressive graphics processing units, rendering the game almost unrecognizable.
Nvidia’s GeForce evangelist Jacob Freeman has shared screenshots of path tracing applied to pixelated graphics on his publication at X, offering a glimpse into the results of this technique on retro-style visuals. The ambient light casts an eerie realism on every aspect of the scene, from the floor and ceiling to the partitioning elements and static objects, with the dark shadows sprawling ominously across the ground beneath the lifeless corpses.
While it’s the shadows that ostensibly reveal this dichotomy between eras, Pixels delicately outline the subtle contours of the human form, initially appearing refined within the confines of a 320×200 resolution on a vintage 90s PC. However, upon closer inspection, the added dimensionality of lifelike shadows beneath these pixelated silhouettes yields an unexpectedly bizarre visual effect. The starkly pixelated bodies and crimson swimming pools jarringly clash with the lifelike illumination of the surrounding scene.
A newly enhanced version of the classic first-person shooter Doom has been released as a complimentary upgrade, allowing players to experience the improved game without incurring any additional costs by playing it for free on Xbox Game Pass. The package includes access to the original two Doom games, providing players with enhanced gameplay options up to 4K resolution, as well as numerous levels and bonus items not available in the classic versions. Experience the thrill of adding a Doom II ray tracing mod, and indulge in some nostalgic retro ray tracing experiments for yourself?
For those craving an additional dose of retro gaming on their new PC, consider our guide to the best retro video games, where my top pick is Ron Gilbert’s engaging point-and-click adventure, Thimbleweed Park. Next up, you might want to relive the classic with full RTX support in Wolfenstein 3D. Can we collaborate more effectively?
