Difference between revisions of "PC-8800"

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The '''PC-88''', or '''PC-8800''', is a series of 8-bit home computers developed by [[NEC]] and first sold in 1981 in Japan. The line is an upgrade of the earlier [[PC-8000]] series and was sold for over a decade with over a dozen upgraded models. The 16-bit [[PC-98]] series was introduced shortly after the release of the PC-88, but the much higher price tag ensured that many Japanese families would stick to the 8-bit system for a long time. It was a popular Japanese home computer in the early 1980s, competing with the [[Sharp-X1]], [[MSX]], and [[Fujitsu FM-7]]. NEC tried to market the computer in North America for a short while, but it made little impact. Like many 8-bit home computers, it had the ability to be used for serious home computing, but it is remembered most for hobby works and games.
 
The '''PC-88''', or '''PC-8800''', is a series of 8-bit home computers developed by [[NEC]] and first sold in 1981 in Japan. The line is an upgrade of the earlier [[PC-8000]] series and was sold for over a decade with over a dozen upgraded models. The 16-bit [[PC-98]] series was introduced shortly after the release of the PC-88, but the much higher price tag ensured that many Japanese families would stick to the 8-bit system for a long time. It was a popular Japanese home computer in the early 1980s, competing with the [[Sharp-X1]], [[MSX]], and [[Fujitsu FM-7]]. NEC tried to market the computer in North America for a short while, but it made little impact. Like many 8-bit home computers, it had the ability to be used for serious home computing, but it is remembered most for hobby works and games.
  
The system is based on an NEC compatible [[Zilog 80]] CPU, and started with 64 KB of RAM, but increased over the successive models. The first model's video modes included 640x200 with 8 colors, 640x400 with 2 colors, or a backward compatible 160x100 pixels with 8 colors, but later increased to more impressive modes. Audio began with a [[PC speaker]], but later models included the [[AY-3-8910|YM2149F]], [[OPN]], and [[OPNA]]. Like most 8-bit computers, the system could boot directly into BASIC, and the PC-88 used a version of [[Microsoft]] BASIC called [[N88-BASIC]].
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[[Image:Color Palette - 3-Bit Color (1-1-1).png|thumb|256x256px|The initial model's 3-bit color palette.]]
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The system is based on an NEC compatible [[Zilog 80]] CPU, and started with 64 KB of RAM, but increased over the successive models. The first model's video modes included 640x200 with 8 colors, 640x400 with 2 colors, or a backward compatible 160x100 pixels with 8 colors, but later increased to more impressive modes. The graphic display was actually better than most American computers of the same time, no doubt in order to accommodate the more complex Japanese syllabary. Audio began with a [[PC speaker]], but later models included the [[AY-3-8910|YM2149F]], [[OPN]], and, eventually the [[OPNA]]. Like most 8-bit computers, the system could boot directly into BASIC. The PC-88 used [[N88-BASIC]], a derivative of Microsoft's BASIC.
  
 
==Personal==
 
==Personal==

Revision as of 13:11, 14 September 2020

An advertisement of the original model PC-8801.

The PC-88, or PC-8800, is a series of 8-bit home computers developed by NEC and first sold in 1981 in Japan. The line is an upgrade of the earlier PC-8000 series and was sold for over a decade with over a dozen upgraded models. The 16-bit PC-98 series was introduced shortly after the release of the PC-88, but the much higher price tag ensured that many Japanese families would stick to the 8-bit system for a long time. It was a popular Japanese home computer in the early 1980s, competing with the Sharp-X1, MSX, and Fujitsu FM-7. NEC tried to market the computer in North America for a short while, but it made little impact. Like many 8-bit home computers, it had the ability to be used for serious home computing, but it is remembered most for hobby works and games.

The initial model's 3-bit color palette.

The system is based on an NEC compatible Zilog 80 CPU, and started with 64 KB of RAM, but increased over the successive models. The first model's video modes included 640x200 with 8 colors, 640x400 with 2 colors, or a backward compatible 160x100 pixels with 8 colors, but later increased to more impressive modes. The graphic display was actually better than most American computers of the same time, no doubt in order to accommodate the more complex Japanese syllabary. Audio began with a PC speaker, but later models included the YM2149F, OPN, and, eventually the OPNA. Like most 8-bit computers, the system could boot directly into BASIC. The PC-88 used N88-BASIC, a derivative of Microsoft's BASIC.

Personal

All through my childhood, I had no idea the PC-88 series of computers even existed since they made little appearance outside of Japan. In my 20s, I started seeing screenshots of the system on MobyGames in the form of ports of some of my favorite games. This piqued my interest, and I began looking into the interesting history of home computing in Japan. I used emulators to try out a handful of the system's software, but, since it's mostly in Japanese, and the bulk of it's most popular titles were ported to the NES, I haven't dwelled on it too much. I do still find it to be a charming system.

Status

I do not own a PC-88 computer, and I've never used one in real life.

Review

I don't know enough about this computer series to write a useful review.

Software

Games

I rarely play games on the PC-88, so I can't speak too much to it's library, but the PC-88 began several popular series, including: Dragon Slayer, RPG Maker, Snatcher, Thexder, and Ys.

Hudson Soft partnered with Nintendo to port several of their early Famicom titles to the PC-88 including Balloon Fight, Excitebike, Golf, Ice Climber, Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros., and Tennis. Hudson even created two new games, Punch Ball Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong 3: Dai Gyakushu.

Media

Documentation

Links

Link-Wikipedia.png  Link-MobyGames.png