Minimum System

IBM/compatible running DOS 5.0+, 486/33+, 8MB+ RAM, hard disk, CD-ROM drive

Recommended

Pentium+, 16MB+ RAM, SoundBlaster or compatible sound card with General MIDI

Install Size

10MB (Demo) / 50MB (CD-ROM, Medium) / 250MB (CD-ROM, Crazy)

Works With

Windows 3.1/95/98

Minimum System

IBM/compatible running Windows 95+, 486/33+, 8MB+ RAM, hard disk, CD-ROM drive

Recommended

Pentium+, 16MB+ RAM, SoundBlaster or compatible sound card with General MIDI

Install Size

50MB (Medium) / 250MB (Crazy)

Works With

Windows 95/98, XP

Sound Notes
As above, in XP, the DOS version will likely not have sound without VDMSound; the Win95 version should work, but you may have to use Compatibility Mode.  (I've actually never tried it.)

Network Game Support
Requirements same as Descent 1.  D2 has many more multiplayer modes and features, such as Capture-the-Flag and player handicaps.

Notes
• For the CD-ROM versions, the CD is only required for the installation; if you want to use Redbook audio or chose an install level below Crazy (e.g. leaving some or all of the movies on the CD), the CD is then required to run the game. • The Win95 version requires Microsoft DirectX; it comes with DirectX 2.1.

Availability
• As above, for the original DOS/Win95 versions, eBay is a good place to start (I managed to find a few copies there); I've also seen a copy or two being sold by Amazon.com merchants. • The DESCENT II: The Infinite Abyss 2-CD set (the one I was VERY lucky to happen across a copy of at an Electronics Boutique almost a decade ago), which has both Win95 and DOS installers, also includes the DESCENT II: Vertigo add-on mission, several additional multiplayer missions, and Descent Mission Builder II for Windows. • There is also a DESCENT I + II CD set; this is equivalent to the GOG collection I mentioned above.

OS's Supported

Windows XP/Vista/7 (32- and 64-bit), Mac OS X, Mac OS 9, any POSIX-compatible OS (build from source)

Requirements

The original game's data files: DESCENT2.HAM, DESCENT2.HOG, DESCENT2.S11, DESCENT2.S22, ALIEN1, ALIEN2, FIRE, GROUPA, ICE, and WATER PIGs, INTRO-H, OTHER-H, and ROBOTS-H MVLs (or INTRO-L, OTHER-L, and ROBOTS-L MVLs); these can be from the Demo, CD-ROM/Win95, or GOG versions; an OpenGL-capable graphics card.

Install Size (v0.57.1)

3.3MB (base), 48MB (with game data), 263MB (with game data and hi-res movies)

Features
 

Macintosh
As with the first game, there is a port to the Macintosh PowerPC platform; I assume the requirements are the same for both shareware and MacPlay CD-ROM versions.

Notes:  See notes on DESCENT for Mac above.

Availability:  Again, try eBay or Amazon.com for the CD-ROM version; I am still looking for a reliable source for the Macintosh shareware.

Sony Playstation (PSX)
Unlike the first game, the Playstation version is not a direct port, but contains 30 new levels with similar themes to the 30 in the DOS/Win95 CD-ROM version.

Availability:  Check eBay or Amazon.com.