programming is too easy nowadays
wanna learn about what it was like back when it was worse?
you can just go find out!
explore some computing history by writing a game for MS-DOS.
we'll send you a floppy disk with your game on it!
figuring it out is part of the challenge!
use whatever tools you like. why not Turbo Pascal? Turbo C++? or if you're looking for a more engine-y starting place, how about Allegro on DJGPP?
something else? cool! awesome! whatever works for you :-)