Doom’s original floppy disks return as gold-plated collectibles

Doom has appeared on almost every kind of hardware imaginable, from ageing office PCs to modern consoles and even some devices that were never designed for gaming. Fanattik’s latest release takes a different approach. It doesn’t put Doom on another machine. Instead, it recreates the floppy disks that once carried the game. The officially licensed set includes two imitation gold-plated 3.5-inch floppy disks, based on the Doom v1.2 shareware release from 1994. Only 5,000 sets will be produced worldwide, and each one carries an individual number. It’s a display piece. Nothing more complicated than that. There’s no working storage inside the disks, no hidden copy of Doom and no download code in the box. You can’t insert them into an old PC and start playing. They’re replicas, made to look like the original media while adding a polished gold finish.

Based on the Doom v1.2 shareware release

The two-disk design refers to Doom v1.2, an early shareware version of the game distributed during the 1990s. At the time, shareware offered players part of a game for free and encouraged them to pay for the complete version.

Doom’s shareware edition included Knee-Deep in the Dead, the game’s first episode. That gave players nine levels to explore before they had to order the registered edition, which added two more episodes.

It was a clever system. Players could try a large part of the game without paying, then decide whether they wanted the rest. Because people could copy and share the disks, Doom spread quickly between friends, schools and workplaces.

Fanattik’s replicas copy the general appearance and size of those original disks. Each one measures 89 by 89 millimetres, which matches a standard 3.5-inch floppy disk. The set also comes with a display stand and packaging that uses the familiar Doom artwork.

They look functional, but they aren’t

The replicas include several details associated with real floppy disks, including the shutter and write-protect switch. However, those parts don’t work. There’s no magnetic disk inside, and the casing isn’t designed for use in a floppy drive. That’s worth knowing before buying, especially if you collect working retro hardware or original game releases.

This isn’t a rerelease of Doom. It’s not a reproduction disk either. It’s a decorative item designed for a shelf, desk or display cabinet. That makes the product easy to understand. You’re paying for the design, the Doom licence, the numbered production run and the presentation. You’re not paying for software or usable storage.

A small alternative to boxed collectors’ editions

Gaming collectibles can take up a surprising amount of space. Large statues, replica weapons and oversized collectors’ boxes often need their own shelves. Fanattik’s Doom set avoids that problem. The disks are compact, and the included stand lets you display them without finding room for a large box. You could place the set next to an old PC, a collection of boxed games or other Doom merchandise without rearranging an entire room.

The decision to focus on the floppy disks also makes sense. Doom’s original PC release belongs to a period when games often arrived on several disks, installation took time and storage space mattered. Modern players can download Doom in seconds, but the original release involved swapping disks and copying files onto a hard drive. The replicas reference that era without trying to recreate every part of the original package.

Price and availability

Fanattik lists the Doom floppy-disk replica set for £19.99 in the UK. GameStop has also listed it in the United States for $29.99. The worldwide production run is limited to 5,000 sets. Each package includes two imitation gold-plated disks, a display stand and an individually numbered design.

Compared with large statues or premium collectors’ editions, the price is fairly modest. It costs more than a simple badge or keyring, but it also has more visual impact than those smaller items. Of course, the value depends on what you’re looking for. Someone who wants an original copy of Doom won’t find much here. The same goes for anyone hoping to use the disks with working retro hardware. But that’s not the point of the set.

A straightforward Doom display piece

Fanattik hasn’t tried to add complicated features or turn the product into something it isn’t. The company has taken two recognisable Doom floppy disks, applied an imitation gold finish and packaged them as a numbered collectible. That’s the whole idea.

For Doom collectors, retro PC fans or anyone building a gaming display, the set offers a compact reference to the game’s early shareware release. It doesn’t include playable software, and it won’t replace an original boxed copy.

What it does offer is a simple, officially licensed display item based on a very specific part of Doom’s PC history. At £19.99, it’s likely to appeal most to buyers who recognise the disks immediately and know exactly what they represent.

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