You have to forgive me as I am the biggest noob when it comes to this stuff.... I tried to look for a similar topic but didn't see one.

How come this game looks so bad compared to what I am used to?

I attached two photos. Bad.JPG is a screenshot I took of the game. Better.JPG I got from google and this is how I remember playing the game. It is much more detailed and crisp.

Again, I am a noob, so if there is a fix can someone explain it to me like a child? Lol thanks.

The 'bad' screenshot is taken from the '93 version of the game, the 'good' screenshot is taken from the '98 edition of the game. Download the more recent game and it'll be like you remember it.

Don't feel too bad; I tried to play the '93 version of both TIE and X-wing and just couldn't do it.

Because it's in 320x200 (Mode 13h DOS). The 1995 Collector's Edition included SVGA mode (640x480) and looks significantly better. The 1998 version also includes SVGA and adds on texture-mapping, but removes the dynamic music system (iMuse) that a lot of fans of the game preferred.

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_TIE_Fighter#Release

Just to be absolutely clear, the GOG release features two versions of the game. The original 1994 floppy disk DOS version, which is the one that looks ugly because it only supports 320x200 resolution, and the 1998 re-release that uses the X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter engine. This newer release looks much better.

However, there was a release in between these two that GOG does NOT have (yet... fingers crossed): the 1995 DOS Collector's Edition CD-ROM. This one is similar to the original DOS release but has higher-resolution 640x480 graphics (but no texture maps) and full voice during missions. Since this version still has the iMuse music system (unlike the 1998 re-release), most fans consider this to be the best edition.

For now, if you want nicer graphics, try the 1998 edition that's included with your GOG purchase. If you want improved music, check the sticky threads for modded soundtracks.

Wow I am such an idiot. I had no idea that when I purchased this through GOG there were two versions. I just installed the other version and this is how I remember the game. Thank you everyone!