Honestly, if you told someone in 1993 that we’d eventually reach a point where a video game box—the actual cardboard and plastic container—could play the game it holds, they’d probably think you’d spent too much time huffing CRT monitor ozone. But here we are. The Doom Will It Run Edition isn't just a collector's item; it’s a self-aware, expensive, and deeply hilarious nod to the longest-running joke in computer science.
"But can it run Doom?"
That question has been a rite of passage for every piece of hardware released in the last three decades. We’ve seen the 1993 classic squeezed onto pregnancy tests, smart fridges, and even the tiny OLED screen of a single keyboard key. Limited Run Games finally looked at that meme and decided to turn it into a physical reality.
What’s Actually Inside the Will It Run Edition?
This isn’t your typical "deluxe edition" that comes with a flimsy art book and a sticker. It’s a beast. Priced at a very intentional $666, it’s basically a piece of interactive history.
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The centerpiece is a high-quality display box that actually functions as a standalone console. You don’t need to slot a disc into a PS5 or a cartridge into a Switch to see those pixelated demons. You just plug a USB controller into the box itself, and the integrated screen lets you play DOOM + DOOM II right then and there.
It’s meta. It’s weird. It’s essentially Doom running on a box that is about running Doom.
But it gets weirder. The bundle includes a Cacodemon statuette that—you guessed it—also has a screen and can run the game. If you’ve ever wanted to play a first-person shooter on the literal face of a floating meatball demon, 2026 is officially your year.
Beyond the Novelty Hardware
While the hardware is the headline, the "Will It Run" version is packaged with the new DOOM + DOOM II definitive port. This isn't just a ROM dump. It’s an enhanced version developed by id Software, Nightdive Studios, and MachineGames.
- Legacy of Rust: A brand-new episode co-developed by the legends at id and Nightdive.
- Performance: Native 60 FPS (with 120 FPS support on modern consoles).
- Sound: You can swap between the original MIDI and the modern IDKFA soundtrack by Andrew Hulshult.
- Accessibility: Proper 16:9 support, improved weapon carousels, and cross-platform play.
The Technical Wizardry: Why Does Doom Run on Everything?
You might wonder why we aren't porting Quake or Half-Life to our smart toasters with the same fervor. It’s because the original Doom engine is a masterpiece of "hacked" geometry.
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John Carmack and the original team wrote the game in C, which is basically the universal language of hardware. Because it uses integer math rather than complex floating-point calculations, it doesn't require a dedicated GPU. Any tiny microcontroller with a few megabytes of RAM and a pulse can theoretically handle the 2D-to-3D "raycasting" illusion that makes Doom look the way it does.
Recently, we’ve even seen programmers porting Doom to a Krups Cook4Me smart pressure cooker. By reflashing the Renesas processor on the display board, they managed to get a playable framerate while the beef stew stayed warm on a separate, isolated circuit.
It’s the same logic behind the Doom Will It Run Edition. The "box" is effectively a custom-built embedded system designed to run a lightweight version of GZDoom. It proves that in 2026, the barrier between "appliance" and "gaming PC" is practically non-existent.
Is It Worth the $666 Price Tag?
Let’s be real: no one is buying this for the ergonomics. You aren't going to sit on your couch for eight hours playing Doom on a cardboard box with a 5-inch screen.
This is a trophy. It’s for the folks who have a shelf full of Big Box PC games and a deep appreciation for the "it runs Doom" subreddit culture. With only 666 copies produced, it’s also a scarcity play.
There are cheaper ways to get your fix. The Standard Edition is around $30, and the Big Box Edition (without the playable screen) sits at $100. But those don't have the same "Look what I can do" energy.
Why the Meme Refuses to Die
The "Will It Run" phenomenon isn't just about irony. It’s about the "Right to Repair" and hardware sovereignty. When hackers like Sick Codes ran a custom farm-themed version of Doom on a John Deere tractor, it was a political statement. It proved that if you can run Doom on it, you own it.
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The Doom Will It Run Edition celebrates that spirit. It acknowledges that the community has taken this game away from the developers and turned it into a universal benchmark for human ingenuity.
If you managed to snag one of the 666 copies, you own a piece of that legacy. If not, don't worry—someone is probably porting the game to a smart lightbulb or a digital thermometer as you read this.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re looking to dive into the "Will It Run" culture without spending $666, start by exploring the r/itrunsdoom community. They have extensive guides on how to sideload the WAD files (the game data) onto unconventional devices like graphing calculators or old iPods.
If you just want the best gameplay experience, grab the digital DOOM + DOOM II bundle on Steam or GOG. It’s the same software found in the collector's editions, including the new Legacy of Rust expansion and the restored SIGIL chapters by John Romero. You won't be able to play it on your lunchbox, but your 4K monitor will thank you.