My exposure to the PC-88 has been ENTIRELY through the visual novels, text adventures, and porn games you skipped. These days, it seems like that's where its legacy largely lies, and even then it's overshadowed by its successor, the PC-98. So it's really interesting to get a look at how more action-oriented genres fared on the system. Thanks! I can see why people mostly remember the other stuff.
I'm a bit surprised that you didn't mention that 1x1 pixels were stretched to 1x2 on the PC88, instead of the 2x1 that many Western machines used. (Such as the C64)
Yeah I think that's right, it's really hard to find good info about the workings of the PC88. I think it may have used some sort of planar format too in certain graphics modes.
The platform did have multiple video modes you could interleave per scanline (region), however, plus ample room for DMA interrupts. (Planar format options as OP mentioned.) Thexder wouldn't be possible otherwise. Any and all techniques related to these small advantages got used as much as possible, even if it meant a torturous time for coders vs. sprite-based platforms like the MSX2.
They should have used a 80386+80387+ Plantronics Graphics Adapter+Adlib sound card+64 Megs of RAM, I wonder if the Z80A had be replaced with a FPGA programmed to operate as a Z80A running at 400MHZ might have made for smoother games.
YAY! PC-88! Lovely home computer, but the side-scrolling isn't the best on this system and unfortunately it introduced a certain kind of adult games but it also made gaming companies like Enix and Nihon Falcom (one of my fav gaming developers) popular.
@Ben DC4L Okay, true, there are some with rather good side-scrolling like Bosconian and Choplifter, but I can't help but feel like many PC-88 games don't have a smooth scrolling (horizontal or vertical). Well, maybe I need to play scrolling games for the PC-88...
Yes, you could be right. From what I read the PC88 was the biggest selling home computer in the early 80's but the MSX might have outsold it later. It's hard to find good info about this kind of thing.
@@Sharopolis From what I've read, the PC-8001 sold most through the early, early '80s, after which came PC-88. The Fujitsu FM-7 actually outsold the PC-88 for a while until the mkIISR model debuted along with Thexder as a killer app.
It’s an utterly shame that both supermariobros special and vempire killer/castlevania does not have any scrolling,because they could,ve done it trough software,just insane.
How did they program the PC-88? Did they use basic or assembler? Also, were sprite and sound editors, etc made for it to make game graphics and sound easier for the Westerner programmer?
Any game trying to push graphics like Thexder was coded in Z80 assembly. Many BASIC games exist for the platform, most of which are slower and often text-based. Since basically no Western developers made software for the PC-88, all the pseudo-spriting and composition tools (ex. MML) remained in Japanese.
Interesting, I don't know much about the PC-88. I do have to say Japanese names may be difficult but your Shigeru Miyamoto was more butchered then that Super Mario port.
"being forgettable would be an improvement" - pretty good line.
Awesome stuff - thank you! 😊
My pleasure!
My exposure to the PC-88 has been ENTIRELY through the visual novels, text adventures, and porn games you skipped. These days, it seems like that's where its legacy largely lies, and even then it's overshadowed by its successor, the PC-98. So it's really interesting to get a look at how more action-oriented genres fared on the system. Thanks! I can see why people mostly remember the other stuff.
the most interesting mini doc' on the pc88 ive seen so far!
Hey I really wanted to say, this analysis was fantastic. Thanks for creating it!
Thank you for watching!
I'm a bit surprised that you didn't mention that 1x1 pixels were stretched to 1x2 on the PC88, instead of the 2x1 that many Western machines used. (Such as the C64)
Ah man, I grew up with this and the 98. When I finally used an ibm, it was a doddle!
Oh yeah i do love to know s bit more about the adult games in the pc88 platform
I think i did read somewhere that this system only use bitmaps for the graphics, no tiles whatsoever. so all the scrolling is just pure Z80 torture.
Yeah I think that's right, it's really hard to find good info about the workings of the PC88. I think it may have used some sort of planar format too in certain graphics modes.
@@Sharopolis thanks heavens for the Z80 block copy instructions
The platform did have multiple video modes you could interleave per scanline (region), however, plus ample room for DMA interrupts. (Planar format options as OP mentioned.) Thexder wouldn't be possible otherwise. Any and all techniques related to these small advantages got used as much as possible, even if it meant a torturous time for coders vs. sprite-based platforms like the MSX2.
i loved Wibarm explanation :D
Thanks!
This is awesome, thank you.
They should have used a 80386+80387+ Plantronics Graphics Adapter+Adlib sound card+64 Megs of RAM, I wonder if the Z80A had be replaced with a FPGA programmed to operate as a Z80A running at 400MHZ might have made for smoother games.
YAY! PC-88! Lovely home computer, but the side-scrolling isn't the best on this system and unfortunately it introduced a certain kind of adult games but it also made gaming companies like Enix and Nihon Falcom (one of my fav gaming developers) popular.
@Ben DC4L Okay, true, there are some with rather good side-scrolling like Bosconian and Choplifter, but I can't help but feel like many PC-88 games don't have a smooth scrolling (horizontal or vertical). Well, maybe I need to play scrolling games for the PC-88...
@@Highretrogamelord It's no doubt on your list already, but Glodia's Testament is some kind of wizardry for a 1987 PC-88 scrolling action game.
Only C64 and Amiga, nice scroll and colors. '80 years. ✌️💪
The head in Silpheed spoke just like some of the characters in Killer 7!
many tears were harvested. Didn't know Super mario bros was even on this.
I guess Zeliard was also on the PC88? Probably most of GameArts catalog, which was ported to the IBM PC by Sierra...
Never heard of this system before! surprised me - the high resolution for the time would of lent itself far better to games like sim city!
wasn't the most sold 8bit home computer in japan the msx?
Yes, you could be right. From what I read the PC88 was the biggest selling home computer in the early 80's but the MSX might have outsold it later. It's hard to find good info about this kind of thing.
@@Sharopolis From what I've read, the PC-8001 sold most through the early, early '80s, after which came PC-88. The Fujitsu FM-7 actually outsold the PC-88 for a while until the mkIISR model debuted along with Thexder as a killer app.
It’s an utterly shame that both supermariobros special and vempire killer/castlevania does not have any scrolling,because they could,ve done it trough software,just insane.
Thexter looks interesting. Can't say the sequel looks faster and smoother though! If anything it looks rougher and choppier than the first one to me!
The PC-88 had a pretty crusty lineup now thinkin’ about it. What an odd piece of history.
Firehawk looks like a very good game
The Scheme reminds me of the classic versions of the Ys series, mostly Ys 3.
How did they program the PC-88? Did they use basic or assembler? Also, were sprite and sound editors, etc made for it to make game graphics and sound easier for the Westerner programmer?
Any game trying to push graphics like Thexder was coded in Z80 assembly. Many BASIC games exist for the platform, most of which are slower and often text-based. Since basically no Western developers made software for the PC-88, all the pseudo-spriting and composition tools (ex. MML) remained in Japanese.
sounds like zx spectrum border port buzza?
Will you do PC98 next? OwO
PC98 is too legendary to pass.
Yes I'm working on more PC98 stuff, I love the system!
@@Sharopolis uwu
Shiggy shiggy shiggaroo
The Scheme looks rather good.
Did you know Nintendo made sure the ports of NES games on rivel systems bad on purpose to make Thier hardware look good!
Interesting, I don't know much about the PC-88.
I do have to say Japanese names may be difficult but your Shigeru Miyamoto was more butchered then that Super Mario port.
I can barely same my own name sometimes, Japanese is a bit too much for me, sorry!