It's a pity that for many of these 80s games, the PC/IBM version, which includes these Ultimas that GOG just released, is inferior to some of the versions released on other computers, like the Atari ST or the Commodore 64/128/Amiga. Take Ultima III: on the Commodore 64 it had a full 3 channel soundtrack that I for one never got tired of hearing repeatedly, and 16 colors. On the IBM/PC version the sound is just internal PC speaker beeps with no music, and only 3 or 4 colors (CGA). I will still buy this collection because of its history and to encourage GOG to continue on its mission of classic PC game restoration, but I do wish that it could somehow bring us the best versions of some of these older games than the default inferior ones.

These upgrades can help giving you better graphics etc.

http://reconstruction.voyd.net/index.php?event=project&typeKeyword=upgrades

I thought Ultima IV was being reported as being part of the bundle? What happened? That is where I originally fell in love with the series.

The original report said IV would be added as separate freebie for everyone (like Beneath a Steel Sky, Tyrian 2000, etc.), not part of the bundle. If true, they will probably add it tomorrow.

That site is an excellent resource. I kept up with it for several years. It fell stagnant a few years ago and some of the links no longer work. Many of the no-longer working links have simply moved though and those sites are still around doing Ultima-related stuff. Some quick use of Google will set you straight. When you see a really good Ultima site fall stagnant, it's always a good idea to use an Ultima folder in your bookmarks. Grab all the links you wouldn't want to lose access to in the future. You never know when a site will go dark. Export it every few months to an HTML file and email it to yourself in case something happens to your PC or OS. You will thank yourself a couple or few years down the line when the Ultima itch returns.

That is something that Wiley E Coyote would say (if he could speak).

I think PCGamer should be scolded for telling us this personally (unless GOG told them too of course, to garner more attention?)...Getting it free by suprise would have been much more pleasant for everyone...Now when (or even if) it is released free here, many won't be nearly as excited, and some will, perhaps, be feeling entitled to it even, rather than it feeling like a sweet gift GOG just gave all it's loyal, adoring, wonderful, brillant, fans, some will be like "finally," or "So what, who cares"...At least that is my take on it...A free game should be a suprise, makes it that much sweeter...I know it's free already, but, that doesn't mean GOG needs to post it seperately, they could of had a Ultima 4-7 pack (or whatever) instead of offering it alone...So I am still very grateful if they do release it seperately and for free, and tommorrow would be great too, though any time soon would be good too. :)

On the release of Ultima 1-3, this to me looks so awesome..Reminds me of the first RPG I really played: Morraff's Revenge...Seeing those wonderful graphics brings a smile to my lips..It's grand to me. Thanks GOG! :D

Amen brother.

Yeah, but ole Wile E. would, to save a buck or two, then go buy from ACME instead... and we all know what kinds of coyote-pulverizing trouble THAT can get one into.

but $5.99 is too expensive. I think should like 25 cents itself lol no offence or I could accept if Ultima 1 to Ultima 5 and Ultima 6 should bundle with Savage Empires and Martian Dreams because they are same engine look alike. Ultima 7 Pack....

I dislike Ultima 8 upward :D

Using DosBox is fairly simple, just go to there website Dosbox.com and enter the forums. There are a few well written tutorials on how to use the program. It usually only takes a few minutes to get DosBox up and running.
Yes it did, most of the nasty bugs were crushed and it has excellent D3D performance now. I believe that was one of the common complaints (back in the day). At that time I had a 3DFX card so performance wasn't a problem. I hoped i addressed your concerns.

I disagree, it ran just fine (bugs, mind you) if you if you had a non D3D card i.e. 3DFX card.

Didn't the Atari ST version (at least of U2) have mouse support, too, or am I mistaken?

I never played the ST version of this, sorry. I did on the Commodore 64-128 with a keyboard only (never owned a mouse for either machine), and on the Amiga (for which I regularly used a mouse), but I don't remember if the Amiga version had any mouse support.