GamePlan1.5_UK_Umschlag 07.02.2005 23:48 Uhr Seite 1
Acorn Archimedes Acorn BBC A, B Acorn BBC Master Acorn Electron Aiwa CSD-GM1 Amstrad CPC 464 Amstrad CPC 464+ Amstrad CPC 664 Amstrad CPC 6128 Amstrad GX 4000 Amstrad Spectrum +2 Amstrad Spectrum +3 APF M1000 Apple 2 Apple 2+ Apple 2c Apple 2c + Apple 2e Apple 2gs Apple Macintosh Atari 1200 XL Atari 130 XE Atari 2600 (black) Atari 2600jr Atari 2800 Atari 400 Atari 5200 Atari 600XL Atari 65 XE Atari 7800 Atari 800 Atari 800 XE Atari 800 XL Atari Jaguar Atari Lynx Atari Lynx II Atari ST, Mega ST Atari STE, MegaSTE Atari VCS 2600 Atari VCS 2600A Atari XE GS Bally Astrocade Bandai HMG 2650 Bandai Pippin Bandai Playdia Bandai Wonderswan Bandai Wonderswan Color Bandai Wonderswan Crystal Casio PV-1000, 2000 Casio PV-16, PV-7 Coleco Adam Colecovision Commodore 16/116 Commodore 128 Commodore Amiga 1000 Commodore Amiga 1200 Commodore Amiga 2000 Commodore Amiga 3000 Commodore Amiga 4000 Commodore Amiga 500 Commodore Amiga 600 Commodore C 16 Commodore C 264 Commodore C 64 Commodore C 64 GS Commodore C 64 II Commodore C 64SX Commodore CD 32 Commodore CDTV Commodore Maxmachine Commodore Pet Commodore Plus/4 Commodore VC 20 Commodore VIC-1001 Creative Labs 3DO Blaster Daewo/Dynadata Zemnix Dragon 32 Emerson Arcadia 2001 Entex Adventurevision Epoch Cassettevision Epoch Super Cassettevision Fairchild Channel F Fujitsu FM-7 Fujitsu FM-Towns Fujitsu FM-Towns Marty Fujitsu FM-X Fujitsu FM-8 Gamepark GP32 GCE Vectrex General Paxon Goldstar GDI 750, 1000 Goldstar GPI 1000, 1200 Goldstar System 32/GDO 202P Grundig Superplay 4000 Hanimex HMG 2650 Hitachi Hi-Saturn Hitachi MB-H1 `Hint Hitachi MB-H2 Hitachi MB-H3 IBM PCjr. IBM PC Interton VC 4000 INTV System III JVC HC-7 JVC HC-80,-90,-95 JVC V-Saturn JVC Wondermega JVC Wondermega 2 Magnavox Odyssey Mattel Aquarius Mattel Intellivision II Mattel Intellivision Master Component MB Microvision Microsoft Xbox Mitsubishi MLF-48, -80 Mitsubishi ML-G NEC LD-ROM2 NEC PC-FX NEC PC-88 NEC PC-98 NEC PC-Engine NEC PC-Engine CD-ROM2 NEC PC-Engine CoreGrafx NEC PC-Engine CoreGrafx II NEC PC-Engine Duo NEC PC-Engine Duo-R NEC PC-Engine Duo-RX NEC PC-Engine GT NEC PC-Engine LT NEC PC-Engine Shuttle NEC PC-Engine Super CD-ROM2 NEC PC-Engine SuperGrafx NEC Turbo Grafx 16 Nintendo 64 Nintendo DS Nintendo Famicom Nintendo Game Boy Nintendo Game Boy Advance Nintendo Game Boy Color Nintendo Game Boy Light Nintendo Game Boy Pocket Nintendo Gamecube Nintendo NES Nintendo New Famicom Nintendo Super Famicom Nintendo Virtual Boy Nokia N-Gage NTT Captain Multi-Station Nuon Oric-1 Oric Atmos Panasonic CF-2700 Panasonic FS-3900 Panasonic FS-A1 FX, WX, WSX Panasonic FS-A1 GT, ST Panasonic FS-A1 Panasonic FZ-1 3DO Interactive Multiplayer Panasonic FZ-10 3DO Interactive Multiplayer Panasonic Q Philips 21TCD-i30/CD-i 130 Philips CD-i 210 Philips CD-i 220 Philips CD-i 310 Philips CD-i 350, 360 Philips CD-i 370 Philips CD-i 450 Philips CD-i 470 Philips CD-i 660 Philips CD-i 740 Philips CD-i 910 Philips FW380i Philips G7000 Philips G7400 Philips NMS-8280 Philips VG-8010, 8020 Pioneer PX-7 Pioneer PX-V60 Saba Fairchild Sanyo Laser 2001 Sanyo MPC-FD2 Sanyo PHC Sanyo Try 3DO Interactive Multiplayer Sanyo Wavy -23, -77 Sanyo Wavy/MPC Schmidt HMG 2650 Sega 32X Sega CX-1 Sega DC R7 Sega Dreamcast Sega Game Gear Sega Game Gear Coca Cola Sega Game Gear White Sega Kids Gear Sega Mark III Sega Master System Sega Master System II Sega Mega CD Sega Mega CD 2 Sega Mega Drive Sega Mega Drive 2 Sega Mega Jet Sega Multimega Sega Nomad Sega Saturn Derbysta Sega SC 3000 Sega Sega Saturn Sega SG-1000 Sega SG-1000 II Sega Skeleton Saturn Sega Terradrive Sega/Majesco Genesis 3 Sharp Famicom Televi C-1 Sharp Famicom Televi SF-1 Sharp MZ Sharp Twin Famicom Sharp X1 Sharp X68000 Sinclair QL Sinclair Spectrum Sinclair Spectrum + Sinclair Spectrum 128 Sinclair ZX-80 Sinclair ZX-81 SNK Hyper Neo Geo 64 SNK Neo Geo SNK Neo Geo CD SNK Neo Geo CDZ SNK Neo Geo Pocket SNK Neo Geo Pocket Color Sony HB-101, -201, -500, -501, -700 Sony HB-F1XV Sony HB-F Sony HB-G900 Sony HB-T Sony Hitbit HB Sony IVO-V10 Sony Net Yaroze Sony Playstation Sony Playstation Sony Playstation 2 Sony Playstation, white Sony PSOne Sony PSP Sony PSX Sord M5 Spectravideo SVI-318, 328 Spectravideo SVI-728, 738 Super Famicom Jr. Super NES Takara Game PC Tandy TRS-80 Texas Instruments TI99/4a Thomson TO7 Tiger Game.Com Timex Sinclair TMS 2068 Timex Sinclair TMS-1000 Timex Sinclair TMS-1500 Tomy Pyu-Ta Tomy Pyu-Ta jr. (Tutor) Toshiba HX-10, -20, -30 Toshiba HX-23, -33, -34 VT Creativision Yamaha CX5 Yamaha YIS-503

The encyclopedia of consoles, handhelds & home computers 1972 - 2005

The encyclopedia of

Consoles, handhelds & home computers 1972 - 2005
tari From A rom ,f to Sega tendo DS: Nin o of Apple t rated history st , The illu machines 0 s, 50 icture 600 p ory & hist al data technic
33 years of on-screen fun and interaction: This book presents every game computer and console ever created, from Japan, USA and Europe, along with classic software in its authentic, pixellated glory, and background information and key technical facts. More than 400 dream machines and million sellers, bizarre slip-ups and exotic variants are celebrated in full colour chapters with extensive appendixes. From Atari to Xbox, from the C64 to Nintendo DS: Game.Machines is the reference point for members of the PlayStation generation; whether theyre gamers or collectors. Originally published in Germany, Game.Machines has been recognized as a `suitable reference and `recommended reading (by Germany's premier micro monthly Ct), as `very entertaining (Gamestar) and `compulsory reading (PlayZone) or simply as `Ace (ComputerBILD). Two years in the making, this greatly enhanced and revised edition invites you to a time journey across the video game epoch: From the 4-Bit beginning to the broadband future.
`A thrilling journey. don't miss it!
(Official PlayStation Magazine, OPM) The author Winnie Forster is a publisher and expert in digital media and has worked in the computer and video game industry since 1990. He was co-founder and editor of the legendary German game magazines PowerPlay, VideoGames and Man!ac. He now lives, plays and works in a Bavarian village near lake Ammersee.
17.95 ISBN: 3-00-015359-4

www.game-machines.co.uk

153594

Winnie Forster

GP15_001-009_UK Wi.qxd

21.01.2005 15:31 Uhr

Seite 2

Contents

Preface Explanation of hardware chapters Introduction to game storage media First era: Birth of electronic games. Mainframes, arcades and TV games 1972 Magnavox Odyssey 1976 Saba Fairchild 1977 TRS-Apple II 1977 CBM Pet 1977 Atari VCS 1978 Interton VCPhilips GNEC PC-Atari Sharp MZ 1979 Mattel Intellivision 1979 Microvision 1981 Sinclair ZXTexas Instruments TI99/Commodore VC Second era: Videogame crash and home computer success story 1982 CBS Colecovision 1982 Entex Adventurevision 1982 Vectrex 1982 Hanimex HMG Sinclair Spectrum 1982 Acorn BBC B 1982 Commodore C VT Creativision 1982 Atari Sharp XOric-MSX 1983 Sega SG-1000 & Master System 1983 Nintendo Famicom & NES 1984 Epoch Super Cassettevision 1984 Commodore 16 & Plus/Atari Amstrad CPC

Third era: 16-Bit 1984 IBM PC-AT 1984 Apple Mac 1985 Atari ST 1985 Commodore Amiga 1985 Enterprise 1987 Acorn Archimedes 1987 NEC PC-Engine 1987 Sharp XSega Mega Drive 1989 Nintendo Game Boy 1989 Atari Lynx 1989 FM Towns 1990 SNK Neo Geo 1990 Sega Game Gear 1990 Super Nintendo

139 140

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Fourth era: Rendered crazy 1991 Philips CDi 1991 Supervision 1993 Atari Jaguar 1993 Panasonic 3DO 1994 Sega Saturn 1994 Sony PlayStation 1994 NEC PC-FX 1995 Nintendo Virtual Boy 1996 Nintendo Bandai Pippin 1997 Tiger Gamecom Fifth era: The 21st century: Caught in the net of gaming 1998 Sega Dreamcast 1998 Neo Geo Pocket 1999 Bandai Wonderswan 2000 Sony PlayStation Nuon 2001 Nintendo Game Boy Advance 2001 Microsoft Xbox 2001 Nintendo Gamecube 2002 Gamepark GPNokia N-Gage 2004 Nintendo DS 2004 Sony PSP Other formats: Home computers Other formats: Game consoles

168 169

Appendix: Technical data 8-Bit home computers 8-Bit and 16-Bit game consoles 16-Bit home computers 32-Bit and CD-ROM consoles 64-Bit and DVD consoles Handhelds Multimedia handhelds Technical data: Explanations Index A: Hardware Index B: Games Bibliography Imprint 224 224
Bandai Wonderswan Tare Panda no Gunpey Edition (Japan, 2001)
The Tramiel clan extended the Atari range with a `Jackintosh. Despite similar technology, the 520 ST and its variants couldnt match the audio and visuals of Commodores Amiga.
French adventure artists dropped 8-Bit in favor of the ST: Future Wars by newcomers Delphine.

Atari ST

USA, 1985
Units sold: Number of games: Game storage: Games developed until:
6 Million 1,000 Disk 1994
San (Starglider) supported the platform right into the 90s. Germany was another stronghold for Atari, where Thalion developed mainly for the ST, releasing huge RPGs (Dragonflight) and fast action games (Wings of Death). By 1990, the Amiga overtook the Atari as a graphics and games machine, but due to its MIDI port, the ST remained the first choice for professional musicians. Similarly, small DTP offices used it as an affordable alternative to Macs. The final variant was the 68030-driven Falcon in 1992.
Dungeon Master was a revolution. If you didn't own an ST, you had to wait ages for a conversion of this realtime expedition. New wine in old bottles: The last ST compatible was called Falcon and was audio-visually more powerful than its predecessors, though it wasnt a success.

Variants and successors

520ST 1985 The 512 K ST first shipped with a monochrome monitor, an external power supply as well as TOS on disk. It was replaced by the 260ST and 520ST+ (1 MB) and was also available as STm (with TV modulator) and STf (internal floppy drive). This short-lived 520ST twin (also with 512 K, external floppy) was shipped only in Europe. A 1 MB computer with TOS in ROM and internal power supply. An `m in the name stands for TV modulator; `f for a sideward floppy drive. A desktop PC with separate keyboard, integrated floppy, up to 4 MB memory as standard and two new chips for graphics acceleration. Professional add-ons were hard-drive and removable media with up to 60 MB as well as a DTP-suitable 19 monitor. The 520ST successor was enhanced in terms of graphics (4,096 colour palette, hardware scrolling, Blitter) and memory, shipping with 1 to 4 MB, in the UK and France along with 512 MB RAM as 520STE. Apart from two ordinary 9-pin ports Atari used its own 12-pin controller ports. The laptop with monochrome LCD, mini-trackball, 4 MB RAM and 40 MB hard-drive was replaced in the early 90s by a lighter, just as unsuccessful ST-Book (no LCD backlight, no floppy). A compatible successor with new 68030 CPU (2 MB RAM, up to 8 MB on top of the TTs RAM) and better graphic modes: 320x480 in 256 of 4096 colours, 640x480 in 16 colours and a monochrome mode in 1280x960 pixels. It was replaced by the Falcon. Mega-ST successor with separate keyboard, a CPU clocked at 16 MHz, cache and an optional co-processor. A keyboard computer with integrated floppy, 68030 CPU as well as a programmable DSP, 4 to 14 MB RAM and a graphics resolution of 640x480 pixels in 16-Bit colours.
Musicians and DTP artists bought their Atari ST with the 12 monitor SM 146 and got a small, but crisp picture.

260ST 1040ST Mega ST

In 1984, while devising its 16-Bit computer range, Atari invested in the Amiga company, owned by ex-employee Jay Miner. However, a bullish negotiating-style drove the hardware team to competitor Commodore, which promptly swallowed Amiga and released a computer of the same name simultaneously to the Atari ST. Miners graphics chips were missing from the ST, but other than that it was similar to the Amiga: Both machines used a Motorola 68000 CPU, 3.5 disks and a mouse as input device, and both enticed punters with a graphical user interface. GEM was the name given to Ataris GUI with its

small drive and drawer symbols accompanied by the `Tramiel Operating System (TOS). The Atari ST was cheaper than other 16-Bit machines and was supported by many games manufacturers. 1987 turned out to be its most successful year: In the US, the real-time RPG Dungeon Master was released, along with Dan `Choplifter Gorlins Typhoon Thompson and Midi Maze which networked 16 computers anticipating the deathmatches of the 90s. After that, the scene shifted to Europe. Prominent programmers like the Bitmap Brothers (Speedball, Cadaver), Eric Chahi (Another World), the adventure specialists Magnetic Scrolls as well as 3D pioneers Paul Woakes (Damocles) and Jez

1040STe

STacy Atari TT

1989 1990

Mega STe Falcon

1991 1992

In the UK, most games were developed for both ST and Amiga: A cheering Speedball 2 player from 1990.
Trendsetter Sega commenced the age of 16-Bit consoles, becoming popular in western markets. Supporting the console were almost 1,000 games, add-ons for all purposes and tastes, as well as several upgrades.
The peaceful dolphin Ecco was brought to life by Novotrade in Hungary, later known as Appaloosa.

Sega Mega Drive

Japan, 1988
Sega itself created the best cartridges: Advanced Military Commander even supported the Mega Drive modem.
This is excellent vertical action: Musha Aleste was coded by Compile for Sega and published in late 1990.
parties held back in order to avoid complications with Nintendo. Square, Enix and Konami ignored Sega; Capcom preferred to sell licences instead of developing and publishing Sega software under its own logo. In the west, the machine was much more welcome, as developers thirsted for an alternative to Nintendos licence-dictatorship. At first, Atari ST and Amiga games were converted, followed by original Mega Drive game concepts. In the UK Virgin supported Sega with games and hardware distribution, in the US Electronic Arts immediately stood by Sega. Nearly all EA Sports series
started out on the Mega Drive, while computer-hits like Populous, Budokan and Starflight were converted, the action-adventure Immortal even with enhanced graphics. From 1992 on, the Mega Drive became the most popular platform amongst western developers. Sega countered the introduction of the Super Nintendo with a CD-ROM upgrade: The Mega CD introduced a second 68000 chip, and was placed under the actual console, merging with it to become more powerful than any hardware. However, as few Mega Drive users bought the upgrade, the market remained too small to attract a
30 Million 850 Cartridge, CD 1997
Japanese games manufacturer Sega had always come in second producing accomplished technology and brilliant arcade and console games, but lacking the worldwide success of Nintendo. In joining the 16-Bit fray, Sega finally sought to capture the market from its rival: As the successor to the Master System, the Mega Drive was released in Japan in 1988, arriving in Europe two years later. American and European gamers welcomed the new hardware: The console was technically similar to the successful Amiga and ST home computers, but

graphically superior and thanks to proven and well documented chips, pretty easy to code for. Early releases like Altered Beast had good visuals, but were a let-down gameplay-wise. Thereafter new cartridges went to prove both the hardwares capabilities, as well as the creativity and talent of Segas developers: The RPG Phantasy Star II, the Capcom conversion Ghouls n Ghosts and a year after the launch the excellent action skirmish Revenge of Shinobi. But in spite of Segas internal development teams programming full steam ahead, the large third-
Mickey Mouse was charming as one of the first licensed Mega Drive heroes: Castle of Illusion (1990).
To fight Nintendo, Sega invested heavily in internal game development (picture: Story of Thor) and.
.manufactured the flat Mega Drive 2 (sparing minor details like the volume control) as well as a cheaper Mega CD device.
A glimpse into the future: The polygon background in Silpheed streamed from CD. Smaller vehicles were rendered in realtime.
In 1993, Japanese developer Treasure unleashed a late sprite- and pixel-feast starring the Gunstar Heroes.
major commitment by the software companies; developers rarely utilized the CD capacity or the power of the second CPU. Just a few months after release (12.12.1991 in Japan), the CD system was perceived to be dead whilst Nintendos new cartridge machine the Super Famicom replaced the market-leading NES. In the west, Sega closed in on their arch-rival selling 12 million consoles before the end of 1993 in the US alone, where
Core proved their competence and squeezed the most out of the complicated Mega CD setup: Thunderhawk
the console was released as the Genesis, and where the industry veteran Tom Kalinske was in charge. According to US magazine Wired, Segas market share of 45% overtook Nintendos 44%; in Europe as many as 66% of gamers played with the Mega Drive. With Sonic the Hedgehog, Sega provided their console with a mascot that was more modern and swaggering than Mario. Now, Acclaim and Konami, previously exclusive Nintendo partners, joined Segas bandwagon.

Segas Plan for World Domination declared Wired as it put the blue hedgehog on its cover and quoted EAs Bing Gordon: The Genesis has an older custom base than Nintendo. And thats the growth market for the back half of the 90s. Gordon was eventually to be proved right, but it wasnt Sega that tapped into this adult market of gamers, but Sony. Following the introduction of the Mega CD, the Sonic-
With adapters for the cart port, the Mega Drive played both, past and future: The Master System Converter for 8-Bit cartridges and cards was released 1992.
Unreliable ports, area-coded lock out and dependence on a second mains outlet limited the Mega CDs use. The picture shows the Japanese, first variant; the Mega CD II was shipped world wide in a new look.
. four years later, the 32X add-on with its RISC chips appeared. It required its own power supply and had only 40 games.
Mega Drive variants and successors
Mega Drive 1988 Segas first 16-Bit console was shipped world wide in a similar case, but branded Genesis in the US. Including the Altered Beast cartridge it initially retailed for 21,000 yen and $189 respectively. It was later bundled with Sonic the Hedgehog. 1991 Retailing for 148,000 yen this black desktop PC had a Mega Drive built in and hence came with two CPUs (80286, 68000) as well as a Z80A for support, up to 2.5 MB RAM, disk- and hard-drive, additional graphics and sound memory as well as connectors for monitor and TV. The European model was built and sold by Amstrad.

Terradrive

Mega CD
Avoiding any additional cables the Mega Jet was a combination of pad and console, designed for in-flight use.
In America, the Mega Drive was more successful than in Japan. The screenshot shows US hero Vectorman from 1995.
empire fell apart. Projects such as virtual reality glasses were stopped, and a hardware update, the 32X, was released but failed. The combination of Mega Drive, Mega CD and 32X made use of two 16-Bit CPUs, two RISC processors and various supporting chips. At least, in theory. Three power-supplies were required; for both players and developers, the set-up was far too complicated. With the announcement of the Saturn, Sega itself began digging the grave for the hardware. At the same time, the industry awaited Sonys 32-Bit entry. In 1995, the cartridge market collapsed and Segas heyday in the west receded.
1991 The CD-ROM drive expanded the Mega Drive with a second 68000 CPU, which was clocked nearly twice as fast as the consoles processor. The add-on sold 2 million units world wide and saw the release of around 80 original games and about the same amount of conversions. The initial retail price in Japan was 49,800 yen. JVC Wondermega 1992 The combination of Mega Drive and Mega CD was sold from April on by JVC for 82,800 yen. Audio controls, Karaoke- and Midi ports made the Wondermega a well-equipped music and games console. The mascot Wonderdog was created by English company Core, the Wondermega however was never released in Europe. Mega Drive World wide case update in combination with a price reduction to 12,800 yen: The second Mega Drive is rounder and smaller than the predecessor but apart from missing headphone jack and volume control technically identical. The Mega CD also got new clothing, turned into a top loading device and shipped as the Mega CD 2 in July 1993. JVC Wondermega The externally revised Wondermega successor was sold for 59,800 yen by JVC (starting July) and was shipped with Midi port and a wireless infrared 6-button controller. Pioneer MegaLD 1993 The Control Pack was available as an add-on for Pioneers Laser Active disc player. It was pushed into a special slot and contained the complete Mega Drive hardware (chips, joypad and cartridge ports) making the disc player compatible with Sega games as well as interactive Laser Discs like Taitos 3D ride Pyramid Patrol. Mega Jet 1994 This combo consisted of a Mega Drive and 6-button controller (port for second joypad included) and was devised for use on board the JAL and sold in Japan only (starting price: 15,000 yen). With an LC display, the compact system could have been a handheld. Multimega 1994 CD Drive, cartridge port and two CPUs in a Discman-like case: The most powerful and beautiful Mega Drive was available in limited numbers in the west only. The name used in the US was Genesis CDX. Aiwa CSD-GMRetailing for 45,000, this ghetto blaster with integrated Mega Drive ran cartridges, Mega- and Audio-CDs as well as CD-G discs and was sold as a Karaoke machine in Japan only. 32X 1994 This hardware add-on topped the Mega Drive with two Hitachi SH2 RISC processors, 2 Mbit of main- and video memory respectively, as well as new sound and graphics chips. Sold for 16,800 yen it multiplied the Mega Drives power, yet only 40 cartridges and CDs supported it. Nomad 1995 Console, joypad and LCD combined. The only true handheld version of the Mega Drive was sold in the US and box-moved just shortly after release. Today, its a collectors item. Genesis The last Mega Drive was marketed by American distributor Majesco as a very compact cartridge console including the 6-button Varianten und Nachfolger: joypad. Neo Geo Neo Geo CD Neo Geo CDZ Hyper Neo Geo 1997 Das Ur-Modell wird mit einem Joyboard ausgeliefert und war in Japan kurzzeitig auch mit roten Feuerknpfen erhltlich. Die verbilligte Hardware-Variante ohne Modulschacht (und Pad statt Joyboard) gibts sowohl als Front-, als auch als Top-Lader. Technisch nicht verbesserte Gehuse-Variante mit Top-Lader-CD-Laufwerk. Vllig berarbeiteter 64-Bit-RISC-Nachfolger des Neo Geo/MVS, mit dem 16-Bit-Systemen nicht kompatibel und nicht als Heimkonsole verffentlicht. Fr das technisch starke, aber erfolglose Arcade-System erscheinen sieben Spiele, darunter 3D- und Polygon-Updates zu Samurai Spirits und Fatal Fury.

The Multimega was a portable combination of Mega Drive and CD available only in the western market.