ReactOS, an open-source operating system designed to achieve binary compatibility with Windows NT, has recently added support for 3dfx's renowned Voodoo5 GPUs. According to Phoronix, developers have reported near-native performance in OpenGL applications using third-party MesaFX and WickedGL Installable Client Drivers (ICDs). This achievement extends ReactOS's appeal to retro gamers and collectors, who prize Voodoo5 GPUs for their iconic status and compatibility with classic games built using the Glide API. In the late 1990s, 3dfx Interactive was a dominant player in the GPU market, known for its Voodoo series of graphics accelerators. The Voodoo5, the fastest and final lineup of GPUs from 3dfx, featured five variants, though only the Voodoo5 5500 AGP and PCI versions reached consumers. These GPUs remain highly sought after today, not just for their historical significance but also for their ability to run vintage games with unparalleled authenticity. The new Voodoo5 driver in ReactOS is the result of experimental patches from a dedicated contributor. This driver is expected to work with the Voodoo4 family as well, given that they share the same VSA-100 GPU core. Early tests show that Epic Games’ classic game Unreal (1998) launches and runs smoothly in full-screen mode with the new driver. Developers have noted 'full speed' OpenGL performance using MesaFX and WickedGL, indicating that the system can handle graphical tasks as efficiently as the original Windows environment with the same hardware and drivers. However, the current implementation has some limitations. Windowed mode is not supported yet, but developers believe this issue can be resolved with a few additional patches. ReactOS, while not production-ready—it is still in alpha stage—has been under continuous development since 1996. The latest numbered release, version 0.4.15, was released last month and includes improvements such as plug-and-play support, better memory management, more audio formats, and a variety of bundled accessories. Despite its current stage, ReactOS is valuable for testing and validation purposes. Increased compatibility with legacy hardware like the Voodoo5 GPUs makes it an attractive option for retro gaming enthusiasts who seek a more secure alternative to running outdated versions of Windows NT. By providing a modern, open-source environment for vintage hardware, ReactOS could help preserve and enhance the gaming experiences of yesteryear. For more updates on this and other technology news, follow Tom's Hardware on Google News. Ensure you click the Follow button to keep receiving the latest news, analysis, and reviews in your feed.