Mate the sound of this machine is WICKEDLY CRISP, the MIDI soundtracks were Blissful and punchy as hell. And not to mention, they were 30 years ahead of the "Keyboard Illumination Immersion" that is being more and more implemented in modern gaming (ambient keyboard lighting that matches your surroundings etc.) The fact they thought ahead just to implement the keyboard LEDs into the games is nuts.
This video was excellent, i will search the channel for more for the 68000. One thing i appreciate as a recent owner of a x68000 is the tutorial type format this followed. I would suggest a kind of beginner series of video on these as its hard to find this kind of content on youtube. Again excellent video and hope to see more of this kind of videos for the X68000 and maybe FM towns , PC98 in the future.
Yes, tutorial videos on how to use the OS and the three different graphical interfaces (Visual Sell, SX-Window, Ko-Window) would be nice. Judging some screenshots, Visual Shell looks somewhat like the early Macintosh system software - how about a direct comparison between VS and the (emulated) MacOS?
Yes, tutorial videos on how to use the OS and the three different graphical interfaces (Visual Sell, SX-Window, Ko-Window) would be nice. Judging some screenshots, Visual Shell looks somewhat like the early Macintosh system software - how about a direct comparison between VS and the (emulated) MacOS?
Thank you for supporting the platform and I hope I didn't butcher the names too badly! I plan to do a more in-depth look when my card arrives :) A question that I've been asked a few times is whether or not the Etarikashikoshi will work with machines that only have 1MB of base system RAM.
Amazing video, thank you so much for uploading this! After many years of owning a x68k I am still learning new things about the system. You certainly put a lot of effort into exploring the NFG image. Looking foward to check the new version. I just would like to add you certainly were lucky with the etarikashikoshi preorder, it sold out really quickly. I think I missed it twice for a matter of minutes. Let's hope the make a new batch in the future.
I got lucky because the pre-order tweet showed up in my feed right away and there were only 3 slots left when I got to the site! Given the level of interest I'm sure there will be more available once this first batch ships and any issues are discovered.
They are still darn useful! I bought my set new all the way back in 1997 or so but the sub died and I tossed it years ago which is a bummer because I'm sure I could fix it now :/
@@retrobitstv 1998 here! i ABSOLUTELY wish I still had the 5.1 setup I originally had. I sold them (at a steal lol) to a good friend and bought a new system thinking "New = Better" and MAN do I regret that to this day! (... 8+ years later maybe? lol)
this video is awesome, thanks a lot! I'm particularly interested into the Mac emulation part, as I tried myself to make it run on my X68000 Ace, but I never figured it out how to do it. Can you point me to the download pages you used and tell briefly what is needed to do to let it run? Thanks!
Thanks! Here are the basic steps to get the Mac emulator up and running from the NFG disk image: - Quit out of the menu and cd to c:\tools\emulators\macos - Extract the software: lha x macos.lzh - Put a blank 1.2MB floppy in the second drive and run the f512 command to format it. Hit 'y' to accept - Write an 800k Mac image to the disk: conv finder.mac - Add the ROM to the startup db file: db rom,1e0000 < q - Configure how much RAM you have, e.g. 8MB: cst 8m - Run start2.bat to launch the emulator. YMMV! I did a lot of in-between steps that seemed to take me nowhere and locked up the machine half a dozen times before getting it to work so I'm not 100% sure of the order.
@@retrobitstv ok, I tried to follow your steps, but the X68000 fail to load the ROM, I stay on a black screen with the x68000 logo on the top right. I'm pretty sure the it's failing to load the rom itself. Do you have maybe an idea what I'm doing wrong? Thanks 🙂
They just came out with an X68000 mini (called the Zuiki) but of course it was in Japan only. There are plenty on US eBay now, but the price is a bit steeper than other minis at about $300. They look cool though!
Super Street Fighter 2 is excellent, just a tad smaller color pallete than the CPS2 so a few shades are missing here and there, it runs a bit slower but overall a very good port, the Neogeo games, like FF Special runs at a slightly lower res, sprites are missing a few frames and they are smaller, a few animations on the background have been cut, some scrolls missing here and there, but overall also an excellent port.
Unfortunately, one of the big limitations of the current MiSTer core is that it only supports SASI drives which are limited to 40MB or something like that. The SCSI image is 3GB so there's no practical way to convert it. There are some good HDF images available for the core though. Search archive.org for "[MiSTerFPGA] Sharp X68000 Starter Pack" and "Sharp X68000 games HDFs"
Great video. I've a Etarikashikoshi too. Do you know how to use the mt-pi mounted to the Etarikashikoshi pcb? It works externally, but there is space on the Etarikashikoshi to mount a pi directly.
Great video, thanks for making it. I have a question about midi output, like to the mt-32, are the sound effect samples also somehow output by the mt-32? Like, does the x68000 send sound samples to it to play back, or are the sound effects coming separately from the x68000 and you just mix them together with the output of the mt-32 ?
Most games still use the machine's internal PCM/FM chip for sound effects even when an external MIDI device is used for music. MIDI synths do have a number of sound effects built in and some games do use these. Sierra point-and-click adventures come to mind, but I don't think those ever made it to the X. When using an MT-32 you either need a second set of speakers or a mixer to combine the two audio sources together. When using an SC-55, the synth has an audio input on it and will mix the computer audio with the MIDI music for you.
And here I am, thinking to myself, "There's no way I'm about to be shown a console that I've never heard of, and from Sharp??" Welp, yeah. Just when you think you knew what there is to know about niche platforms, a system you've never heard of from a company that you never knew made entertainment machines pop up in your feed. Edit: Yeah definitely something that would have more presence in Japan, there were a couple other Japan-Only combination PC/game consoles that are quite a doozy to revisit, since they usually have their own entire operating system.
Great video, but I'm a bit confused. Is the CRT connecting to a modern PC? or is it an emulator running on real x68k hardware? (I have very little knowledge about x68k)
Sorry I totally understand your confusion - the video was a bit all over the place as it was supposed to be a Part 2 of the previous episode but morphed into something else along the way. All of the scenes with the CRT are filmed on a real X68000 using a modern sdcard based SCSI hard drive replacement. The disk image works the same on both the real hardware and PC emulation. Any scene where you don't see the CRT was captured from the emulator.
Unfortunately not that I know of. The current MiSTer core only works with smaller SASI images. There are pre-made images for MiSTer but they're not as comprehensive. It would certainly be nice to see support for SCSI images in the future.
Mate the sound of this machine is WICKEDLY CRISP, the MIDI soundtracks were Blissful and punchy as hell. And not to mention, they were 30 years ahead of the "Keyboard Illumination Immersion" that is being more and more implemented in modern gaming (ambient keyboard lighting that matches your surroundings etc.) The fact they thought ahead just to implement the keyboard LEDs into the games is nuts.
Best X68K video I've seen for a very long time. Congrats!
This video was excellent, i will search the channel for more for the 68000. One thing i appreciate as a recent owner of a x68000 is the tutorial type format this followed. I would suggest a kind of beginner series of video on these as its hard to find this kind of content on youtube. Again excellent video and hope to see more of this kind of videos for the X68000 and maybe FM towns , PC98 in the future.
Yes, tutorial videos on how to use the OS and the three different graphical interfaces (Visual Sell, SX-Window, Ko-Window) would be nice.
Judging some screenshots, Visual Shell looks somewhat like the early Macintosh system software - how about a direct comparison between VS and the (emulated) MacOS?
Yes, tutorial videos on how to use the OS and the three different graphical interfaces (Visual Sell, SX-Window, Ko-Window) would be nice.
Judging some screenshots, Visual Shell looks somewhat like the early Macintosh system software - how about a direct comparison between VS and the (emulated) MacOS?
Dude I'm so jealous of you guys actually OWNING a physical machine... I could never justify some of the cost of the hardware, but UGH man I'd love to.
This is so cool. This machine is a beast. Can't wait to get my virtual hands dirty through emulation.
For anyone wanting to know how to start games like salamander and space harrier, you put your cursor over the start.bat and double click Q
Awesome review! Thanks for your feedback. We really appreciate your support.
Thank you for supporting the platform and I hope I didn't butcher the names too badly! I plan to do a more in-depth look when my card arrives :)
A question that I've been asked a few times is whether or not the Etarikashikoshi will work with machines that only have 1MB of base system RAM.
Thank you!
Amazing video, thank you so much for uploading this! After many years of owning a x68k I am still learning new things about the system. You certainly put a lot of effort into exploring the NFG image. Looking foward to check the new version. I just would like to add you certainly were lucky with the etarikashikoshi preorder, it sold out really quickly. I think I missed it twice for a matter of minutes. Let's hope the make a new batch in the future.
I got lucky because the pre-order tweet showed up in my feed right away and there were only 3 slots left when I got to the site! Given the level of interest I'm sure there will be more available once this first batch ships and any issues are discovered.
Awesome video! I'm definitely gonna try to integrate this into my Big Box setup. Thanks.
Much love!
Ahh man, those Cambridge Soundworks cubes are TIMELESS! My first ever surround sound setup! Had them for 11 years!
They are still darn useful! I bought my set new all the way back in 1997 or so but the sub died and I tossed it years ago which is a bummer because I'm sure I could fix it now :/
@@retrobitstv 1998 here! i ABSOLUTELY wish I still had the 5.1 setup I originally had. I sold them (at a steal lol) to a good friend and bought a new system thinking "New = Better" and MAN do I regret that to this day! (... 8+ years later maybe? lol)
This is pretty much the greatest thing ever.
That music in Tail Chaser really sounded like Companile of Lane from Ys II
Great video .
Just got myself the X68000z!
Well that's cool! My main problem with machines like this is the setup.
just need an x68000 now ;)
Awesome computer! More!
Sweet
this video is awesome, thanks a lot! I'm particularly interested into the Mac emulation part, as I tried myself to make it run on my X68000 Ace, but I never figured it out how to do it. Can you point me to the download pages you used and tell briefly what is needed to do to let it run? Thanks!
Thanks! Here are the basic steps to get the Mac emulator up and running from the NFG disk image:
- Quit out of the menu and cd to c:\tools\emulators\macos
- Extract the software: lha x macos.lzh
- Put a blank 1.2MB floppy in the second drive and run the f512 command to format it. Hit 'y' to accept
- Write an 800k Mac image to the disk: conv finder.mac
- Add the ROM to the startup db file: db rom,1e0000 < q
- Configure how much RAM you have, e.g. 8MB: cst 8m
- Run start2.bat to launch the emulator.
YMMV! I did a lot of in-between steps that seemed to take me nowhere and locked up the machine half a dozen times before getting it to work so I'm not 100% sure of the order.
@@retrobitstv thanks! I will give a try and report .
@@retrobitstv ok, I tried to follow your steps, but the X68000 fail to load the ROM, I stay on a black screen with the x68000 logo on the top right. I'm pretty sure the it's failing to load the rom itself. Do you have maybe an idea what I'm doing wrong? Thanks 🙂
Hmmmm , gimme more sharp x68000! Awesome awesome awesome!
Hoping the MiSTer core for X68K gets more work, since I’ll never afford a real one, and emulation just a isn’t the same.
It would be nice to see SCSI HDD support in the core for sure!
This machine was better than the arcade version so a mini of this would be good😊
They just came out with an X68000 mini (called the Zuiki) but of course it was in Japan only. There are plenty on US eBay now, but the price is a bit steeper than other minis at about $300. They look cool though!
Super Street Fighter 2 is excellent, just a tad smaller color pallete than the CPS2 so a few shades are missing here and there, it runs a bit slower but overall a very good port, the Neogeo games, like FF Special runs at a slightly lower res, sprites are missing a few frames and they are smaller, a few animations on the background have been cut, some scrolls missing here and there, but overall also an excellent port.
Regarding that new disk image: could that be converted to HDF to work on MiSTer?
Unfortunately, one of the big limitations of the current MiSTer core is that it only supports SASI drives which are limited to 40MB or something like that. The SCSI image is 3GB so there's no practical way to convert it. There are some good HDF images available for the core though. Search archive.org for "[MiSTerFPGA] Sharp X68000 Starter Pack" and "Sharp X68000 games HDFs"
I'm only here here for the X68000 coverage! 😍
Please cover some more sexy MIDI! 👍
Best platformer of all time - Bubble Bobble.
Great video. I've a Etarikashikoshi too. Do you know how to use the mt-pi mounted to the Etarikashikoshi pcb? It works externally, but there is space on the Etarikashikoshi to mount a pi directly.
If only this HD image could work on the x68kz mini!
Hi there! I have read that people have had success using the image with the X68000 Z. I plan to import one soon and test it myself.
Great video!
@@theincrediblehark Great to hear - I haven't given it a try yet, but if it does in fact work thats amazing!
Great video, thanks for making it.
I have a question about midi output, like to the mt-32, are the sound effect samples also somehow output by the mt-32? Like, does the x68000 send sound samples to it to play back, or are the sound effects coming separately from the x68000 and you just mix them together with the output of the mt-32 ?
Most games still use the machine's internal PCM/FM chip for sound effects even when an external MIDI device is used for music. MIDI synths do have a number of sound effects built in and some games do use these. Sierra point-and-click adventures come to mind, but I don't think those ever made it to the X.
When using an MT-32 you either need a second set of speakers or a mixer to combine the two audio sources together. When using an SC-55, the synth has an audio input on it and will mix the computer audio with the MIDI music for you.
@@retrobitstvthanks for the explanation, kind of a nice bonus if you can also set the sound effects and music volume separately there.
And here I am, thinking to myself, "There's no way I'm about to be shown a console that I've never heard of, and from Sharp??"
Welp, yeah. Just when you think you knew what there is to know about niche platforms, a system you've never heard of from a company that you never knew made entertainment machines pop up in your feed.
Edit: Yeah definitely something that would have more presence in Japan, there were a couple other Japan-Only combination PC/game consoles that are quite a doozy to revisit, since they usually have their own entire operating system.
For the games that need to run from floppy, could a floppy drive emulator work on/with the X68K? (Caveat: I don't know anything)
Yup, two Goteks can be added the system to replace the original drives!
Good job ♫♪♫♪
Great video, but I'm a bit confused. Is the CRT connecting to a modern PC? or is it an emulator running on real x68k hardware? (I have very little knowledge about x68k)
Sorry I totally understand your confusion - the video was a bit all over the place as it was supposed to be a Part 2 of the previous episode but morphed into something else along the way. All of the scenes with the CRT are filmed on a real X68000 using a modern sdcard based SCSI hard drive replacement. The disk image works the same on both the real hardware and PC emulation. Any scene where you don't see the CRT was captured from the emulator.
where are the doujins?
There are a bunch on the image with more coming in the next version from what I've read.
Could you run this on a mister?
Not at this time as the MiSTer does not support SCSI drive images. There are smaller SASI images available for the core though.
This image run on Mister?
That is what I want to know too!
Unfortunately not that I know of. The current MiSTer core only works with smaller SASI images. There are pre-made images for MiSTer but they're not as comprehensive. It would certainly be nice to see support for SCSI images in the future.
might as well add ray tracing and rgb to it... leave it original bro