Sopwith: 4 Open Source Clones Compared
SDL Sopwith is actively developed and extends the original with custom mission-file loading, TCP/IP multiplayer, and a browser build via Emscripten. The STM3241G-EVAL port instead targets a specific embedded evaluation board and runs without any extra hardware, but because the board exposes fewer physical buttons than the original controls need, the brake, missile and starburst actions aren't mapped by default — a user can edit the source to remap one button to recover one of them.
Comparison table
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows, Web
- Play in browser
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Active
- Last updated
- 26d ago
- Stars
- 116
- Contributors
- 10
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Engine
- SDL2
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- NoIncludes its own assets and does not require original game data.
- Modding support
- YesSupports loading custom mission files for new levels.
- Multiplayer
- TCP/IP multiplayer
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- None
- Play in browser
- YesPlay in Browser
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Halted
- Last updated
- 6y ago
- Stars
- 0
- Contributors
- 1
- License
- GPL-2.0
- Engine
- —
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Modding support
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- DOS
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Not tracked
- Last updated
- Not tracked
- Stars
- Not tracked
- Contributors
- Not tracked
- License
- Not tracked
- Engine
- Not tracked
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Modding support
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
Availability
- Status
- Playable
- Platforms
- Windows
- Play in browser
- No
- Mobile
- No
Project health
- Development status
- Not tracked
- Last updated
- Not tracked
- Stars
- Not tracked
- Contributors
- Not tracked
- License
- Not tracked
- Engine
- Not tracked
Compatibility
- Requires original assets
- —
- Modding support
- —
- Multiplayer
- —
| Title | SDL Sopwith | sopwith_stm3241g_eval | Sopwith | Sopwith 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Status | Playable | Playable | Playable | Playable |
| Platforms | Windows, Web | None | DOS | Windows |
| Play in browser | YesPlay in Browser | No | No | |
| Mobile | No | No | No | No |
| Project health | ||||
| Development status | Active | Halted | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Last updated | 26d ago | 6y ago | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Stars | 116 | 0 | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Contributors | 10 | 1 | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| License | GPL-2.0 | GPL-2.0 | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Engine | SDL2 | — | Not tracked | Not tracked |
| Compatibility | ||||
| Requires original assets | NoIncludes its own assets and does not require original game data. | — | — | — |
| Modding support | YesSupports loading custom mission files for new levels. | — | — | — |
| Multiplayer | TCP/IP multiplayer | — | — | — |
| Preview | | |
Known limitations
- controls: Buttons for brake, missile, and starburst are not set due to hardware limitations requiring 11 buttons total.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Sopwith clones on this page open source?
Yes — every clone catalogued here is an open-source project. Availability, license, and development-status details for each one are listed in the comparison table above.
What license do these Sopwith clones use?
SDL Sopwith and sopwith_stm3241g_eval (GPL-2.0).
Do I need to own the original Sopwith to play these clones?
SDL Sopwith runs standalone, no original files needed.
Can I play any of these Sopwith clones directly in a browser?
Yes — SDL Sopwith and sopwith_stm3241g_eval have a browser-playable build linked in the comparison table above, no install required.
Which Sopwith clone is the most actively maintained?
SDL Sopwith is currently under active development, based on recent commit activity. See the "Development status" row above for every clone's current status.
See the full write-up for each clone, or go back to Sopwith.