NEC PC-88 guide

The NEC PC-88 are a series of 8 bit computers sold by NEC in Japan between 1981 and 1989. They are based on the Z80A CPU from Zilog, although NEC used their own clones. Roughly speaking, PC-88 models up to 1986 use the µPD780 @ 4 Mhz. and from then on the µPD70008 @ 8 Mhz. RAM sizes go from 64 Kb. (plus 48 Kb. dedicated to video) to 192 Kb.

The PC-88 VA / VA2 / VA3 models are different animals. They're the only 16 bit PC-88s, and use a µPD9002 CPU @ 8 Mhz. They have 512 Kb. RAM (plus 256 Kb. dedicated to video) and offer several graphic enhancements. Unfortunately, only a bunch use these characteristics, such as R-Type:

There tons of different PC-88 models, but they are easily classified by de video modes they can display.

V1 Mode: 640×200 and 8 colors or 640×400 with 2 colors.
V2 Mode : Same resolutions and number of colors, but now these can be chosen from a 512 color palette. Most games after 1985 use this video modes.
V3 Mode : 640×200 and 65.536 colors, 640×400 and 256 colors from 65.536 palette, 320×200 and 65.536 colors, 320×400 and 64 colors from a 65.536 palette. These modes are exclusive to the PC-88VA models and rarely used.

Something similar happens with the audio devices. Early PC-88 modes use internal speakers, but newer models employ Yamaha YM2203 and YM2608 chips with up to six voices. These were excellent audio devices for their time.


Emulation:

We'll need the following:

- The BIOS of the PC-88 computer.
- An emulator. In this guide we will use an English version of the M88 emulator.
- Some PC88 software, naturally.

We unzip everything in the same folder and run the emulator. We'll see the following screen:



PC-88 games can load from tape, disk or CD-ROM images. Games will load from the N88 BASIC or primitive CP/M and DOS versions.



Zork Trilogy loading from CP/M.

1) To load a game from disk(s), we enter the floppy images from Disk --> Drive 1 and Disk --> Drive 2.

We then reset the machine and the game will probably load automatically.

If it doesn't, we type FILES to see the content of the disk and type LOAD "FILENAME" and RUN "FILENAME" to load and run the program.

2) To load a game from tape, we load the tape image from Tools --> Tape , then type LOAD"CAS: and RUN.

If a game runs too fast or too slow, remember we can switch between 4 and 8 Mhz. CPU speeds in Control --> Configure --> CPU .

Games are usually controlled through the cursors and keys such as Z, X, CTRL and ALT. If a game needs to be run in a certain graphic mode (remember, V1 , V2 or V3 ) it will usually be mentioned in the filename.

If you want to emulate the PC-88 VA machines, you will need specific emulators such as 88VA Eternal Grafx and Vaegx , and also specific BIOS files.


What games are available?

The library of the PC-88 is very interesting, although it overlaps with other current Japanese computers such as the MSX , the Fujitsu FM-7 and the Sharp X1. Games such as Snatcher, Thexder, Dragon Slayer, RPG Maker and the first three Ys appeared for all these machines.

Among the system exclusives we have some NES / Famicom titles ported by Hudson Soft, such as Excitebike, Balloon Fight, Tennis, Golf, Ice Climber, a few licensed Mario games (Super Mario Bros. Special and Punch Ball Mario Bros.) and a sequel to Donkey Kong 3 named Donkey Kong 3: Dai Gyakushū .

We also get F-15 Strike Eagle, Gunship y Sid Meier's Pirates! from MicroProse and tons of classics from the 8 bit era.



Bruce Lee



Sid Meier's Pirates!



Ys: The Vanished Omens

 

A new English translation for the system has appeared. It's for the adventure game Shin Taketori Monogatari.



You can download the patch here.

 

Just learned the legendary RPG Ys: The Vanished Omens for this platform has been translated into English:





Information and download here.