Last updated on November 29th, 2023 at 09:13 am
The Internet has revolutionized the accessibility of past games and information, allowing almost any game to be downloaded and emulated, and nearly every piece of knowledge to be documented. However, there is one realm of Japanese gaming history that remains relatively unexplored by English-speaking enthusiasts: the world of Japanese home computers.
Japan has long been seen as a console-centric country, particularly since the rise of Nintendo and the NES, there exists a forgotten era in which thousands of games were developed for various Japanese computers over an 18-year period, spanning from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s. While Nintendo played a significant role in this era, it was the open hardware of companies like NEC that allowed small groups to form and become giants in the Japanese gaming industry.
The personal computer industry in Japan had a similar beginning to that of other countries, with the development of microprocessors in response to Intel’s creation of the world’s first microprocessor, the 4004, in 1971. Companies such as NEC, Toshiba, Hitachi, Fujitsu, and Sharp released personal computer kits and homebrew packages in the following years, primarily targeting electronics tinkerers and enthusiasts who had to program the computers themselves.
In the early 1980s, the first fully-fledged 8-bit computers designed for average users were introduced, marking a shift from the previous era of primarily amateur programmers. Three companies eventually emerged as the leaders in the 8-bit market: NEC with its PC-8800 series, Fujitsu with the FM-7, and Sharp with the X1.
While NEC would later dominate the Japanese computing scene for over a decade with its 16-bit PC-9801, Fujitsu and Sharp maintained a small but loyal following by staying competitive and eventually releasing two incredible 16-bit machines of their own: the Fujitsu FM Towns and the Sharp X68000.
This era of Japanese home computers remains a fascinating and relatively unexplored frontier for English-speaking games enthusiasts, offering a unique glimpse into a forgotten chapter of gaming history.
Sharp X68000
Launched: 1987 – Emulators: WinX68k, XM6
In 1987, Sharp released the X68000, a powerful computer designed for core gamers, programmers, artists, and musicians, rather than competing head-on with NEC. The X68000 was so powerful that Capcom used them as development machines for their arcade CPS1 titles.
The case was designed in a stylish “Manhattan shape”, with separate vertical case sections inspired by the twin towers of New York City’s World Trade Center.
While the X68000 is perhaps best known in the West for its arcade ports and a Castlevania spin-off, it also had many awesome exclusives that are now sadly overlooked by Westerners too focused on its arcade ports. Here are some key features of the X68000:
###########Hardware
– The X68000 was an expensive but powerful computer designed for core gamers, programmers, artists, and musicians.
– The X68000 was so powerful that Capcom used them as development machines for their arcade CPS1 titles.
– The case was designed in a stylish “Manhattan shape”, with separate vertical case sections inspired by the twin towers of New York City’s World Trade Center.
###############Games
– The X68000 is perhaps best known in the West for its arcade ports and a Castlevania spin-off, but it also had many awesome exclusives that are now sadly overlooked by Westerners too focused on its arcade ports.
– The X68000 saw many awesome exclusives that are now sadly overlooked by Westerners too focused on its arcade ports.
– There are dozens of X68000 games that are not available anywhere else.
The X68000 was an enthusiast’s dream machine, designed for core gamers, programmers, artists, and musicians. Its powerful hardware and stylish design made it a unique and impressive computer for its time. While the X68000 is perhaps best known in the West for its arcade ports and Castlevania spin-off, it also had many awesome exclusives that are now sadly overlooked by Westerners too focused on its arcade ports. If you’re a fan of retro gaming and looking for a unique and powerful computer, the X68000 is definitely worth checking out.
Fujitsu FM Towns
Launched: 1989 . Emulators: Unz
In 1989, Fujitsu made its mark on the 16-bit scene with the release of the FM Towns, a computer that was well worth the wait. The FM Towns featured a CD-ROM drive as a standard component, along with a mouse-driven OS, 24-bit color, and PCM sound. The CDs were even bootable, adding to the convenience and functionality of the system. With its hardware-level sprite support, the FM Towns was as capable a game machine as the X68000.
By 1991, Fujitsu had achieved an 8.2% market share, just under Seiko Epson, and by 1995, this stake had more than doubled, giving Fujitsu second place to NEC. Fujitsu was also successful in convincing Western developers such as Psygnosis, Infogrames, and LucasArts to port their games to the FM Towns, resulting in these FM Towns ports remaining the definitive versions of games like “Zak McKracken” and the “Ultima” series.
Even modern gamers are blessed with the excellent emulator Unz, which can flawlessly play most Towns games, allowing players to experience the unique and innovative titles that were exclusive to the FM Towns.