What Is DOOM 1 and How Do You Start Playing the Original 1993 Game?

Updated

DOOM 1 is the 1993 first-person shooter released by id Software, and the name covers both the original three-episode PC release and its 1995 retail expansion, The Ultimate Doom, which adds a fourth episode. To start playing, pick a version that matches your hardware (DOS-era PC, Doom95, or a console port), set up mouse-and-keyboard controls, and keep level maps and walkthroughs on hand for the maze-like maps and hidden secrets. ClassicDOOM.com is a support site that collects walkthroughs, level maps, version comparisons, passwords, cheat codes, and demo files for the PC and console Classic DOOM games.

What "DOOM 1" actually refers to

The term is used loosely, so it helps to separate the pieces:

  • DOOM (1993) — the original PC release with three episodes: Knee-Deep in the Dead, The Shores of Hell, and Inferno.
  • The Ultimate Doom (1995) — the retail re-release that keeps the three original episodes and adds a fourth, Thy Flesh Consumed. When people say "DOOM 1" today, they often mean this version.
  • DOOM II — a separate game with its own levels and the Super Shotgun; it is not part of DOOM 1.
  • Console ports — versions for PlayStation 1, Sega Saturn, Nintendo 64 (Doom 64), PlayStation 3, and others. These differ in level content, controls, and features, so a guide written for the PC release may not match what you see on screen.

If you are following a walkthrough, check which version it was written for before you rely on it.

Choosing a version to play

There is no single "best" version; the right choice depends on what hardware you have and how faithful you want the experience to be.

If you want… Consider What to check
The most complete original content The Ultimate Doom (PC) Includes the fourth episode; runs under DOS or Doom95
A period-accurate PC setup DOOM (1993) under DOS or Doom95 Command-line parameters and WAD loading differ from modern ports
To play on a console you own PS1, Saturn, N64, PS3 ports Level layouts and controls vary by platform
Help with a specific stuck point ClassicDOOM.com DoomHelp pages Solutions are organized by game and platform

ClassicDOOM.com's level map collections are split by platform for this reason: PC maps, PlayStation 1 and Sega Saturn maps, PlayStation 3 Master Levels maps, and Nintendo 64 Doom 64 maps are listed separately.

Setting up controls

The original game was designed around keyboard play, but the site hosts a guide on configuring mouse-and-keyboard control for Classic DOOM games so the game handles more like a modern shooter. The general steps are:

  1. Confirm which executable you are running (DOS, Doom95, or a console port), because the configuration method differs.
  2. Open the game's control or setup menu and bind movement to WASD-style keys and turning to the mouse.
  3. Test in the first level of Knee-Deep in the Dead: you should be able to strafe, turn smoothly, and shoot without reaching for arrow keys.
  4. If the mouse feels inverted or too fast, adjust sensitivity and the invert option before continuing.

If a menu option described in a guide does not exist in your version, you are likely on a different port than the guide assumes.

Getting through levels and finding secrets

DOOM 1's maps reward exploration: keys, exits, secret areas, and teleporter destinations are easy to miss. Two resources on ClassicDOOM.com are built for this:

  • Level maps that mark keys, exits, secret areas, and teleporter destinations, available per platform.
  • DoomHelp level solutions and instructional demos/videos for common problem areas, covering DOOM, DOOM II, NRFTL, Final Doom, Master Levels, SIGIL, and Doom 64.
  • MaxSec, a simple count of secrets per map with maximum scores, useful if you are trying to find every secret rather than just finish the level.
  • DoomExit, quick-reference lists of all levels and how they connect.

A practical routine: play the level once without help, then open the map for that level to see which secrets you missed, and only consult the walkthrough if you are stuck on a key or exit.

Troubleshooting common problems

  • Loading WAD files — the site's How-WADs page covers loading PC Doom/Doom II WAD files under DOS and Doom95. Check that the file is in the expected directory and that the launch command points to it.
  • Running demos — LmpIntro introduces PC Doom/Doom II demo files, and How-LMPs explains how to play them under DOS and Doom95. Demo playback is version-sensitive, so a demo recorded on one version may not play correctly on another.
  • Command-line parameters — DoomParm lists DOS and Doom95 command-line parameters for single-player PC Classic DOOM and DOOM II games.
  • Cheat codes — DoomCode documents cheat codes in detail across most platforms; codes differ between PC and console versions.
  • Passwords — console ports often use level passwords instead of save files, and the site keeps password lists for those versions.

Where to go next

Start with the version comparison and the DoomHelp index on ClassicDOOM.com to match your platform, then bookmark the level maps for your version and the control-configuration guide. If you hit a wall, the walkthroughs and demo videos are organized by game, so you can jump straight to the level you are on rather than reading a full-game guide.