PC-8801 mkII SR
From NEC Retro
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PC-8801 mkII SR | |||||||||
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The PC-8801 mkII SR (also referred to unofficially as the PC-8801 SR or PC-88SR) is the second revision of the PC-8801 computer by NEC. It was launched at the beginning of 1985.
Hardware
While the PC-8801 mkII was more of a case redesign than a hardware upgrade, the PC-8801 mkII SR offers a number of improvements over the previous two PC-8801 models while maintaining backwards compatibility. The SR introduces new FM sound hardware, two joystick ports and a brand new "V2 mode" for enhanced graphics. These three features combined made the system more suited to video games than its predecessors, and would become the de-facto standard for PC-8801 games in the coming years.
The PC-8801 mkII SR builds on its predecessors, being able to load and run PC-8001 software ("N mode"), original PC-8801 software (N88 "V1-S mode") and a new library of PC-8801 mkII SR software (N88 "V2 mode"). Also added, though not prominently featured on the unit itself, is a "V1-H mode" ("high speed"), identical in capabilities to the standard V1-S mode, but leveraging the new technology to speed up graphics rendering. Like its predecessors, changing modes requires manipulating physical dipswitches on the front of the unit.
The detection of modes needs to be written into software, and as many developers failed to do so, running programs in the wrong mode can lead to undesirable results. Much of N88-BASIC remains the same between the V1 and V2 modes, and so software designed for V1 mode can often run in V2 mode without issue. Compatibility is guaranteed, however, facilitating the need for extra modes; V2 mode can lead to incorrect colours in V1 sofware, and software designed with the precise timing of the stock PC-8801 may not function correctly outside of V1-S mode.
Running software optimised for V2 mode in either of the V1 modes is also sometimes possible, but the success rate is much lower. V2 games often exhibit severe graphical corruption in V1 mode, or will render in monochrome (if the game even boots at all); it is common for games made after 1985 to check which mode was set on startup before running, displaying a "V2 only" message if the mode was required. This could not be applied retroactively to PC-8801 software that pre-dated the mkII SR, meaning the user has to be wary of the current state of the computer before loading a game.
The mkII SR adds a YM2203 chip for FM sound, which became not only a standard for mkII SR games, but newer PC-8801 titles that could tap into the hardware if played on a mkII SR.
Like the mkII, the SR was sold in three configurations; the model 10 (no drives), model 20 (one double-density drive) and model 30 (two double density drives). This machine, and the very similar PC-8801 mkII TR, were the last computers to be produced by NEC that maintained compatibilty for PC-8001; newer revisions would axe this mode to reduce production costs.
Technical specifications
List of games
- A.I.R.
- Acro Jet
- Advanced Fantasian
- Agni no Ishi
- Albatross
- Alfaim
- American Truck
- Angelus: Akuma no Fukuin
- Aoki Ookami to Shiroki Meshika: Genchou Hishi
- Aoki Ookami to Shiroki Meshika: Genghis Khan
- Arcus
- Arcus II: Silent Symphony
- Argo
- Arkanoid
- Ashe
- Babylon
- Back to the Future
- Balloon Fight
- Barbatus no Majo
- Bastard Special
- Battle Gorilla
- Bokosuka Wars
- Bomb Jack
- Bouken Roman
- Burai Joukan
- Burning Point
- Byakuya Monogatari: Winchester ka no Matsuei
- Carbo
- Carmine
- Chou Senshi Zaider
- Choujikuu Yousai Macross Countdown
- Cluju
- The Cockpit
- Comsight
- Craze
- Crimson
- Crimson III: Jashin Fukkatsu
- Cuby Panic
- D.C. Connection
- Daikoukai Jidai
- Daisenryaku 88
- De-Ja
- Deflektor
- Destruction Joukan
- Diablo
- Dig Dug
- Digan no Maseki
- Digital Devil Monogatari Megami Tensei
- Dinosaur
- Dios
- Dragon
- Dragon Buster
- Dragon Knight
- Dragon Knight II
- Dragon Slayer: Eiyuu Densetsu II
- Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes
- Duel
- Dynamite Bowl
- Emerald Dragon
- Europa Sensen
- F-15 Strike Eagle
- Final Crisis
- Final Zone
- Fire Hawk: Thexder The Second Contact
- Flight Simulator With Gyorai Kougeki
- Formula
- Fortress
- G Senryaku
- Gai Flame
- Gaia no Monshou
- Galf Streem
- Gamma 5
- Gandhara: Buddha no Seisen
- Gaudi: Barcelona no Kaze
- Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu
- Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu II
- The Goonies
- Gradius
- Grobda
- Gunship
- Gunyuu Souha
- Gyrodine
- Hadou no Hyouteki
- Hang-On
- Harakiri
- Hashire! Skyline
- Herlesh
- Herzog
- Hibernia
- Hideger
- Hotel Wars
- How Many Robot
- Hydlide 3: The Space Memories
- Igo Hyakka II Sakata Keppuuroku
- Impossible Mission
- Inidou Datou Nobunaga
- Ishido: The Way of Stones
- Ishin no Arashi
- Jack Nicklaus' Greatest 18 Holes of Major Championship Golf
- Jehard
- Jesus
- Jesus II
- Jikuu no Hanayome
- Jotunn
- Kabbalah no Himitsu
- King Breeder
- King's Knight Special
- Kobe Renai Monogatari
- Kouu to Ryuuhou
- L'Empereur
- Labyrinth: Maou no Meikyuu
- Lamia 1999
- Last Armageddon
- Legend
- Lightning Vaccuse: The Knight of Iron
- Little Computer People
- Lost Power
- Lot Lot
- Lyrane
- Mahakala
- Majuu Senki Guardian
- Makai Fukkatsu
- Makaimura
- Manhattan Requiem
- Mappy
- Mashou Denki: La Valeur
- Master of Monsters
- Mirai
- Moon Child
- Mr. Bump
- Mr. Pro Yakyuu
- Mugen no Shinzou III
- Mugen Senshi Valis
- Navitune: Dragon Koukaigi
- Necropolis: Maisou Toshi
- Niko²
- Nile no Namida
- Nobunaga no Yabou: Bushou Fuuunroku
- Nobunaga no Yabou: Sengoku Gunyuuden
- Nobunaga no Yabou: Zenkoku Ban
- Nukenin Densetsu
- The Old Village Story
- Onryou Senki
- Operation L
- Orrbit III
- Ouji Bin Bin Monogatari
- Outlanders
- Pac-Man
- Phantasie III
- Pipe Dream
- Popful Mail
- Produce
- Prontis
- Providence
- Psy-O-Blade
- Psychic War: Cosmic Soldier 2
- Replicart
- The Return of Ishtar
- Reviver
- Rogue Alliance
- Romancia
- Royal Blood
- Ruin
- Rune Worth: Kokui no Kikoushi
- Ryuu Kyuu
- Sangokushi
- Sangokushi II
- Satsui no Seppun
- The Scheme
- Schwarzschild
- SeeNa
- Seilane
- Shanghai II
- Shiryou Sensen 2
- Shiryou Sensen: War of the Dead
- Sid Meier's Pirates!
- Silpheed
- Silver Ghost
- Skyfox
- Snatcher
- Sokoban Perfect
- Sorcerian
- Sorcerian Tsuika Scenario Vol. 1
- Sorcerian Tsuika Scenario Vol. 2: Sengoku Sorcerian
- Sorcerian Tsuika Scenario Vol. 3: Pyramid Sorcerian
- Sorcerian Tsuika Shin Scenario: Uchuu Kara no Houmonsha
- Space Harrier
- Star Cruiser
- Star Trader
- Suikoden: Tenmei no Chikai
- Summer Games
- Super Daisenryaku
- Super Pitfall
- T.D.F. Kaijuu Dai Sensou
- Teitoku no Ketsudan
- Ten to Chi to
- Tenchi wo Kurau
- Testament
- Thexder
- Tir-nan-óg: Kindan no Tou
- To-Ky-O
- Tritorn II Road of Darkness
- Tug of War
- Tunnels & Trolls
- Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness
- Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress
- Ultima III: Exodus
- Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar
- Urotsuki Douji
- Vain Dream
- Valis II
- Valna
- Vaxol
- Veigues Tactical Gladiator
- Warning
- What's Michael?
- Wibarm
- Wing Man Special: Saraba Yume Senshi
- Winter Games
- World Golf II
- World Golf III
- Xak II: Rising of the Redmoon
- Xak: Gazzel no Tou
- Xak: The Art of Visual Stage
- Xanadu Scenario II
- XZR II
- XZR: Hakai no Guuzou
- Yaji Uma Pennant Race
- Yaji Uma Pennant Race 1989 Data
- Yaji Uma Pennant Race 2
- Yami no Iyo Densetsu
- Youjuu Kikouhei WerDragon
- Ys II: Ancient Ys Vanished The Final Chapter
- Ys III: Wanderers from Ys
- Ys: Ancient Ys Vanished Omen
- Zan Yasha Enbukyoku
- Zavas
- Zeliard
References
PC-8800 series hardware |
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PC-8801 (1981) | PC-8801 mkII (1983) | PC-8801 mkII SR (TR | FR | MR | FH | MH | FA | MA | FE | MA2 | FE2 | MC) (1985-1989) | PC-88 VA (VA2 | VA3) (1987-1988) |
stuff |
haven't worked it all out yet |