| Effect | Command line parameter |
| Enable debug mode | /debug |
| 1024x768 resolution | /1024 |
| 1280x1024 resolution | /1280 |
| 16 bit color | /d16 |
| 1600x1200 resolution | /1600 |
| 24 bit color | /d24 |
| 32 bit color | /d32 |
| 640x480 resolution (default) | /640 |
| 800x600 resolution | /800 |
| Allow LAN play regardless of version | /forceLAN |
| Autosaves game frequently, records packets | /debugSync |
| Center the SM world plane at about 0,0,0 rather than the camera | /smCentreCamera |
| Close captioning | /closeCaptioned |
| CPU players are deterministic | /determCompPlayer |
| Create log of data files loaded | /logFileLoads |
| Disable bi-linear filtering of textures | /noFilter |
| Disable default CPU players1 | /noCompPlayer |
| Disable FMV sequences | /disableAVI |
| Disable galaxy backgrounds | /noBG |
| Disable int 3 after fatal error | /nodebugInt |
| Disable ship damage effects | /noShowDamage |
| Disable tactics | /notactics |
| Disable usage of OpenGL perspective correction hints | /nohint |
| Disables retreat tactics | /noretreat |
| Display fullscreen with software renderer (default) | /fullscreen |
| Display in a window | /window |
| Do not load textures | /nilTexture |
| Do not use anything from bigfile(s) | /ignoreBigfiles |
| Do not use KNI even if support is detected | /disableKatmai |
| Do not use polygon smoothing | /noSmooth |
| Do not use the packed textures if available | /disablePacking |
| Enable AI Player logging | /aiplayerLog |
| Enable gathering of stats | /gatherStats |
| Enable stipple alpha (software renderer) | /stipple |
| Enable text feedback in game commands | /textFeedback |
| Enables NIS testing mode using [nisFile] | /testNIS |
| Enables NIS testing mode using [scriptFile] | /testNISScript |
| Fatal errors do not generate int 3 before exiting | /nodebugInt |
| Force mixer to write to DirectSound driver | /dsound |
| Force mixer to write to Waveout | /waveout |
| Force usage of KNI even if determined to be unavailable | /forceKatmai |
| Generate game stats log file | /statLogOn |
| Generate Int 3 when a sync error occurs | /intOnSync |
| No border on window | /noBorder |
| No minimize with [Alt] + [Tab] | /noMinimize |
| No pausing with [Alt] + [Tab] | /noPause |
| Play a demo | /demoPlay |
| Play back packet recording | /packetPlay |
| Press [F11] to toggle free mouse movement | /freemouse |
| Record a demo | /demoRecord |
| Record packets of multiplayer game | /packetRecord |
| Render bounding bowties on the ships | /boxes |
| Reset rendering system to defaults at startup | /sw |
| Select an rGL device by name (sw, fx, d3d) | /device |
| Select default OpenGL as renderer | /gl |
| Select Direct3D as renderer | /d3d |
| Sets global memory heap size | /heap |
| Sets path to CD-ROM | /CDpath |
| Sets path to search for opening files | /prepath |
| Show dock lines | /dockLines |
| Show gun lines | /gunLines |
| Show light lines in debug mode | /lightLines |
| Swap the left and right audio channels | /reverseStereo |
| Try 24 bit modes before 15/16 bit | /truecolor |
| Turn all sound effects off | /noSound |
| Turn all speech off | /noSpeech |
| Turn off captaincy log file | /captaincyLogOff |
| Turn off front end textures | /NoFETextures |
| Turn off network logging file | /logOff |
| Turn on captaincy log file | /captaincyLogOn |
| Turn on network logging file | /logOn |
| Turn on verbose network logging file | /logOnVerbose |
| Use slow screen blits | /slowBlits |