Playing a version of id Software’s DOOM on a TI-83 Plus calculator is pretty cool, as it uses a stripped-down version made for the calculator’s basic hardware: a 6 MHz Zilog Z80 processor, 24 KB of usable RAM, 512 KB of storage, and a 96×64 black-and-white screen.
You’ll need the graphing calculator itself, a TI-Graph Link Cable for connecting the calculator to a computer for file transfers, and TI-Connect Software to transfers files to the device. A shell like MirageOS or Ion is installed to manage third-party programs. Next, using TI-Connect, the MirageOS file is sent to the calculator’s archive memory (not RAM, to save space). Once installed, MirageOS appears in the “Apps” menu, allowing easy launching of games.
“DOOM for TI-83,” a fan-made DOOM clone for the TI-83 series, was programmed in TI-BASIC to fit the calculator’s constraints. The file can be downloaded from ticalc[.]org and then transferred to the calculator’s archive memory via TI-Connect.
Once launched, you’ll see that it uses basic raycasting for 3D walls (likely wireframe or blocky), crude sprites for enemies, and limited levels. Controls are mapped to calculator keys: typically, arrow keys or number pads for movement, and buttons like 2nd or ALPHA for actions like shooting.
