Magic, monsters, and an apprentice wizard with big ambitions — Hocus Pocus brought a fresh fantasy flavor to Apogee’s platformer lineup in 1994. Bright, colorful, and charming, it’s one of the most visually appealing DOS games of its era.
About Hocus Pocus
Hocus Pocus was developed by Moonlighter Software Development and published by Apogee Software in 1994. Hocus, a young wizard’s apprentice, must prove his worth to the Wizard’s Council by battling through four worlds filled with magical enemies. The full game spans 36 levels across four episodes, with the first episode available as shareware and all four later released as freeware.
Gameplay
Hocus Pocus plays as a horizontal side-scrolling platformer with magic spells replacing conventional weapons. Hocus fires magical bolts that can be upgraded to different elemental types by collecting power-ups. Enemies range from bats and skeletons to mechanical robots and giant bosses.
Each level requires collecting a set number of gems to unlock the exit. Bonus items grant temporary invincibility, speed boosts, and rapid fire. The level design is straightforward but well-crafted — platforms, moving hazards, and enemy placements create satisfying flow through each stage.
Why It’s Worth Playing
Hocus Pocus is one of the best-looking DOS platformers ever made. The SVGA graphics — available on compatible hardware — render the fantasy world with vivid, painterly color. Even in EGA mode the game is visually appealing. The wizard theme gives it personality, and the magic spell system adds enough variety to keep combat interesting across all 36 levels.
How to Download Hocus Pocus
New to DOSBox? Our complete DOSBox setup guide walks you through everything you need. Looking for more classics? Browse our top free DOS games list.
Watch Gameplay
How to Run with DOSBox
Follow our DOSBox setup guide, then mount the folder and run HOCUS.EXE.
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