Classic PC demoscene productions from the early 1990s now run natively in the browser through instruction-level recompilation. Each demo's original DOS code is executed in an x86 emulator that records every CPU instruction and cycle timing. This trace is translated into C, preserving exact behavior, then compiled to WebAssembly alongside hardware models for VGA, timer, and Sound Blaster.
The output is validated against the emulator event-by-event to ensure fidelity. Demos such as Unreal and Second Reality by Future Crew, Crystal Dream II by Triton, and Stars: Wonders of the World by Nooo N run exactly as they did in 1992–1993, with only the hardware layer emulated. Original release files are served unmodified, and visits are counted anonymously without tracking.
The IBM VGA 8x16 font is used under CC BY-SA 4.0. These demos run smoothly at 70 Hz or higher refresh rates.
Source: Hacker News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing