Testing the Zuiki X68000 Z Mini - 10 Games!

[@BubblegumCrash332]

The most impressive computer out in the west in 86 was the Amiga. If I saw these games in 87 running on a desktop it would have blown my mind. 80s Japan tech was top tier stuff

[@wraithcadmus]

87 was the year the A500 dropped, but that was also $700, not $3,000. The X68000 was a workstation, the A500 a home micro.

[@sulrich70]

Is this impressive, absolutely and blows socks off amiga. However agree huge price differential between this and the a500. Amazing machine regardless of price.

[@lorntrent3308]

Nothing Japanese about the Motorola 68000 though

[@greymatter77]

I loved & respect Sharp X68K for what it was at the time, but have you heard of PC's. They existed at this time in the US. DOS 3.0 came out in 84 and DOS 4.0 came out in 88 with CD support. You didn't have to buy micro computers. You could buy the real thing. Hell! The PCJr came out in 84. As far as micro computers go, there was the Atari ST in 85 for 1/3 the price, followed up by the 1040 and Mega STE models in 86, the TT in 1990 for half the price, the Falcon in 91 and Mk X in 92 and then licensed models like the FireBee and Eagle.

[@maxxdahl6062]

@@greymatter77 Dos PC's sucked in comparison for gaming for most of the 80's.

[@dexocube]

I like the SD cards going in the floppy slots, that's a nice touch

[@williamdrum9899]

I find the 68000 much easier to program than most CPUs. The assembly language is mostly straightforward, it's basically ARM without all the limitations that come with the architecture.

[@madspunky]

68k

[@GOPSlayer]

What language are they written in? C? Java? I know C, VB and Python. I have minimal actual programming experience. I work in medical IT support right now but am looking to renew my security+ and my ceh and then hopefully acquire a higher level tech cert. I digress.

[@ActionGamerAaron]

That's encouraging. I've been considering learning assembly through the 68k some year.

[@Omgtired]

@@GOPSlayer I don't think Java, Python, and VB even existed back then

[@nathancross7617]

@@GOPSlayer Back then it would've been assembly, C, or a mix of the two. Anything higher level than that would've been too slow or memory-hungry for games.

[@JohnRiggs]

Been looking forward to this. Glad you grabbed one!

[@SegaLordX]

It's pretty cool for what it is. Definitely needs some maturity, though.

[@johnellis3383]

I had no idea this even existed, how cool!

[@Tolbat]

Yeah sega lord x failed to let us know .....

[@ConsoleCombat]

I was going to say something flippant about how could you not know about the x68000 but then I saw it’s a whole new mini product that I had no idea existed. It is really cool!

[@cobaingrohlnovo]

Been living under a rock??

[@JaredConnell]

​@@ConsoleCombat i thought the same thing. I was like how'd you not know about the x68000 but then it was a mini console version i had no idea existed and i felt stupid lol

[@silentfanatic]

Same, only just heard about this because of the video.

[@KGRAMR]

8:46 Actually, the version of Cho Ren Sha 68K that you played is a previously unreleased version that (from what i read online) was salvaged by the game's author (Famibe No Yosshin) from almost being lost. The visuals and sound effects you see are completely new.

[@SegaLordX]

That's odd, it looks like the original Cho Ren Sha 68K to me. I don't see anything particularly new. I'll need to go back and play the original again.

[@urokosakanabito6706]

@@SegaLordX the og game does not have backgrounds for example

[@skins4thewin]

@@urokosakanabito6706 The way you said it was a bit misleading. Made it sound like the graphical effects for the shots & explosions & such were new.

[@Helvetica_Scenario]

Is this version of the game available for download anywhere?

[@sikdrumz5752]

Yeah the enemy sprites look like they have different shading and features. Very cool!! Hope they make it available more widely

[@eddylex4921]

Ironic that the controls are giving you a hard time because if you had original hardware that wouldn't be the case at all. The X68000 had a great ease of use as far as the controls went at least. There were a lot of adapters and they were plug and play. Street Fighter II came with the CPS stick adapter and right in the options you could pick arcade stick & CPSoldier and both had six buttons. Plus you could use any SNES or Genesis controllers with these adapters.

[@cheekyphuzz_thegod8558]

I’m so jelly you got this thing. I’ve been following news on this ever since Mad Little Pixel talked about it earlier this year

[@thecowboy3217]

I remember the Akumajou Dracula game from Castlevania Chronicles for the PS1.

[@sneakyskunk1]

I am fascinated by this. I find it sort of nice that there are communities out there that not only love older technology, but are actively working to see to it that newer iterations of the hardware they love are being produced. I feel compelled to find out more after watching this.

[@mekman4]

Great Stuff, as always!

[@FoxerTails]

Had no idea a mini version was in the works. If those emulation kinks get fixed I would absolutely love to get this when it goes public!

[@kwizzeh]

Get ready to pay an exuberant price for it. It's not being targeted to general consumption, but to the niche, top of the hardcore Japanese PC retro enthusiasts.

[@ActionGamerAaron]

@@kwizzeh It's not like the original hardware is getting any cheaper and has never been 'cheap' since it's release.

[@kwizzeh]

@@ActionGamerAaron Yeah for sure, the original is also difficult to service too. Better spending $275-$300USD for the 68kZ instead of dropping $2000USD for an original that might not even work and doesn't have all it's peripherals.

[@FoxerTails]

@Phantasm I'm pretty certain getting everything for a MISTer would cost even more than getting this assuming the price mentioned before was around $200 - $300. Besides, the whole point of getting this device is not just about the games, but the overall package. You get a sweet and detailed looking outer shell and a keyboard all to accurately depict the original machine. It's a collectors item. Although perhaps pricey, considering it's just a single console emulation box, I think the price is justified especially since this is a very niche console that many may not have heard about or perhaps even have interest in the first place. The makers gotta make a profit somehow with manufacturing this and since there probably won't be a lot of buyers, the higher price is unfortunately the only option unless they decide to go cheap and get crappy or inferior parts to make them.

[@oddojaggins]

Man, imagine having a dad back in the 80s who imported a x68000 and learned Japanese so you both could play its games. I'd feel like the coolest kid in school being able to brag about my dad's pc that had better looking games than consoles

[@paulclinton6414]

There may have been a kid like that, one.

[@wishusknight3009]

My older brother imported an FMTowns early on which I still have. The few games we had were quite impressive for their time anyhow.

[@paullee107]

I completely missed this project - the x68000 is my holy grail hardware desire… one day I’ll buy one from Japan; hoping this project goes further than kickstarter - I’ll start to follow anything I can find.

[@vylevylevyle5052]

Man, if you had one of these in the 90s for real-- you might have ran the whole neighborhood haha. Watching this makes me feels like I'm reading the back of a GAMEFAN magazine, on the way out of Waldenbooks, on the way to the food court. Thanks for posting!

[@Video-Games-Are-Fun]

gamefan was amazing, wow I loved that magazine. I remember waldenbooks too in Brooklyn New York kings plaza mall

[@SNKev411]

I can't wait to buy this when it releases 😁

[@StonyBlazestation]

This is really cool. As a kid I was never even aware of the vast majority of gaming hardware that existed outside of America back in the pre-internet days.

[@jayesun3420]

I like this episode and look forward to more about it , from you, soon

[@Pally356]

This flew way under my radar. I never actually set eyes on a X68000 other than playing Thunder Force II on an emulator, but ive seen some of the capcom arcade ports (Final Fight mainly) played on it. Then seeing yours, MAN the ports of SF2CE and Dragon Spirit are so freakin clear with the picture AND their sound. Like the vocal sounds are so clear with the music that I think it sounds better than the Arcade version, same with Dragon Spirit (though that could be because i played the Namco Museum version on PS1 and PS3). Im curious to see how this one goes later, cause I might be willing to pick it up down the line. Time will tell.

[@Lostcontroller]

Capcom used the X68000 to program CPS1 games.

[@maniacsatwork]

Great video, can't wait to get this on its eventual general release.

[@tony_bologna]

Hopefully the X68000 core on MiSTer comes to maturity in the near future. All the issues you mentioned (i.e. loading a large library, proper controller support, etc) would be eliminated by the very nature of the MiSTer platform.

[@jonniefast]

havent heard anything major for mister last time i tried the core was a mess

[@fordxbgtfalcon]

I was a backer and the one shipped out to me was lost. I was literally sick to my stomach when I was informed that it was unaccounted for. Well fast forward to today, 6/14/23 and FedEx showed up at my doorstep with two units, the “lost” one and the replacement unit. I’ve spent the better part of the day trying to figure it out with the help of Google translate. It’s definitely not your average Mini console for sure, but it’s an mini version of the actual computer. It’s certainly for purists like myself who has several original X68000’s. I’m still ecstatic that I own 2 mini units! 👍

[@SegaLordX]

I'd keep one sealed.

[@fordxbgtfalcon]

@@SegaLordXI am. 👍

[@bardock7837]

This computer is really cool, like an arcade machine in home at 90´s

[@figment1988]

What's interesting is that most of the arcade games that would be ported to this computer were made with this exact PC.

[@thomaselers7416]

Haven't heard of this one at all, but I'm sure interested in it for that vertical shooter alone, looks (and sounds) amazing.

[@GamerGee]

5:50 vocals in this game are better than the arcade. Plus full death cry. That aaaahhaaa after uuuaaioh is amazing

[@lostxj]

I have never been more excited for a mini. I am enough of a retro collector to already own and operate easily most of the originals that the console minis are based off of. But between how rare and hard to get ahold of this computer is. And the passion they had for recreating the original experience this is the one to get. Though I am scared to ask how much....

[@Graterstuuf]

Some damn nice design on the system.

[@fazares]

i m now capable of running multiple disks games on my black x68k z..a really fine machine indeed.. i love it..thanks for your videos ^^

[@POPN]

The X68000 is a supreme computer!😊

[@johnknight9150]

Gotta do Final Fight, dude. Amazing port and one of the few beat-em-ups I actually enjoy.

[@SegaLordX]

I'll add it to the test list for episode 2.

[@neat3468]

Yeah when I saw this video, I immediately thought where's Final Fight lol

[@Video-Games-Are-Fun]

I really really wish double dragon was ported onto this sucker. the one from 1987 that lit up the arcades that summer. that game was on fire and everyone wanted it on their console!

[@matthewnikitas8905]

@@Video-Games-Are-FunIt had already been out for some time before the X68000 was released and there were relevant games that came out later I think most people would’ve rather played

[@blacksunshine7485]

Most underrated platform ever. Great action games. Great graphics. Really really great soundtracks. The way this console outputs its audio and the soundtracks to games like Cho Ren Sha 68k.. (chefs kiss) rockin'.

[@loki.odinson]

What a cool little gem of retro goodness. A few years ago I had no idea this system even existed. I wonder if the Konami code works for that Gradius game. Thanks for sharing this! 😊

[@funstuffonthenet5573]

68000 AKA Motorola 68K is the CPU the Genesis and other devices at the time used. We learned how to code assembly for it's instruction set in university in 2008. It was fun to go home after class and rom hack sonic a bit. Cool learnings from that class

[@poisonouslead85]

It's still heavily used in fire alarm equipment and other real time applications.

[@funstuffonthenet5573]

@@poisonouslead85 it's a decent chip with lots of capabilities. No need to be on later hardware if something is sufficient. Interesting though, as this means it is probably still being manufactured

[@poisonouslead85]

@@funstuffonthenet5573 Oh ya, it's still being made in large quantities. The plague caused a shortage of 68000's that resulted in a lot of building projects being bogged down because fire alarm installers couldn't get control boards for their fire alarm and sprinkler panels. Edwards Signalling is one manufacturer who comes to mind as being a heavy consumer of 68000's.

[@funstuffonthenet5573]

@@poisonouslead85 Damn, that plague really shut things down. Sad to see society freak out and come to a hault. World needs it's chips!

[@possumgrits825]

Crazy man! Just crazy. Can't believe you're even doing this. Thanks.

[@SegaLordX]

Yup. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ValentinesEve1996]

There was a recent announcement for an official mini console for the NEC PC-8801mkIISR called the Pasocom Mini PC-8801mkIISR. It was officially announced recently in August 2024. It is going to be made by Dempa Micomsoft (the same company that made the Cyber Stick for the Sega Genesis Mini 2).

[@trzarector]

Reminds me of the Fujitsu FM Towns. Those machines promised top tier conversions. I remember reading magazines and seeing screenshots back in the day. This I slept on though. I think I need to add one to my growing mini collection!

[@N1C0YA]

Nice! Very great timea and brings back memories!

[@Frapskillar]

Gradius 2 on the x68000 was always a treat, especially it's FM soundtrack sounds great

[@cliffchampion5501]

Great episode

[@SegaLordX]

Thank you!

[@tiwanx]

Its amazing all these 80's systems that and computers that ran off the moto 6800 were awesome in power and graphics and sound, then we have the sega Genesis/mega drive... Lol still love my genesis

[@Riz2336]

I never never got into the mini consoles but I do think it's cool that you can just put roms on an SD card to play games

[@manoftherainshorts9075]

I guess creators of this device don't care about Sharp shutting them down.

[@matt8264]

I don’t understand the point of the system if you cannot use alternative controllers to play games. I’m better off just sticking with my emulation software than buying a piece of hardware that just looks cool.

[@bradallen8909]

Roms? Wasn't all the software for the X68000 supplied on floppy disks?

[@isamuominae]

@@manoftherainshorts9075 What you mean with that? Obviously is a Sharp licensed product.

[@isamuominae]

@@bradallen8909 All original software is in 5 1/2 inch floppy disks, such drive don't exists anymore and pretty much all original software became rare.

[@erikmartin2302]

Wow, you’re rich, Sega Lord!

[@SegaLordX]

Not at all, but this one is a bit expensive.

[@erikmartin2302]

Thanks, brother. Keep up the awesome content!

[@dire51]

I've been wondering about this for a while. I'm also curious if Nemesis '90 Kai runs on it yet.

[@urokosakanabito6706]

why not?

[@BixbySnyder209]

❤

[@n0isyturtle]

The X68000 is probably currently my most wanted piece of hardware for the last decade. I had a chance to import one for free years back, but didn't want to pay the $70 in shipping the guy was asking. Massive regret still to this day, but the games are so obscenely priced and hard to source now it's basically an impossible dream anyway.

[@paulclinton6414]

95% of its games are available on MAME and run and look slightly better on it. The only game I would care about is the Castlevania game.

[@n0isyturtle]

@@paulclinton6414 ROMS are just not the same. Either I'm paying $500+ for a 6800 game to play on og hardware or it is fake bullshit. I'm a masochist.

[@AndrewAmbrose]

I'm so glad the X68000 has an official mini

[@Slightly_Sadistic]

I've been thinking about getting one myself.

[@BigJuffer]

Cho Ren Sha 68k is my legit fave game ever, beautiful

[@chaospoet]

Never even heard this was a thing. Awesome to see something like this getting this kind of love. Hopefully they can fix all the bugs. See if there are any homebrew games worth checking out and if they run on it or not? If so, it would be interesting to see what games the X68000 community has created over the years.

[@Johnlmooring]

I never got to play this machine, but as a kid I always preferred Amiga / PC versions of games when compared to consoles. Game’s always looked more colorful and ran at a better frame rate. That street fighter demo looked and sounded exactly like the arcade.

[@DoubleAAmazin]

This thing looks amazing

[@bradystardust7708]

never heard of this but if SLX is talking, I'm listening

[@dustyshoopman845]

This is so awesome and I wanted one so bad when they announced it. All that changed when the announced the price. Would love to own one but not at the price. Too rich for my blood...lol

[@SegaLordX]

Yeah, this isn't gonna be mass produced and is a hobbyist endeavor. This price will stay high because the manufacturer knows it isn't gonna sell a ton.

[@videogamepolak0]

im literally trembling now thinking about the price, $399?

[@Nordlicht05]

Detailed little recreation 👍

[@blumiu2426]

It's great to see retro games return with official preservation and even the return of some consoles from bygone years.

[@worsethanhitlerpt.2539]

I thought this was gonna be a Genesis type thing but it looks way too powerful. Except Atomic Runner looked lame compared to Genesis

[@julien2983]

Will definitely be buying this if I get the chance!

[@LordLOC]

Holy shit, I had no idea they were doing an X68000 mini thingy. Sweet!

[@EsotericAxeman]

Glad you did this I was wondering what happened with this project, so glad the X68000 is getting a mini I remember when I discovered it and found there was a system with basically arcade perfect games it was great to know versions of games like this would be circulating. Do you have any idea what it will cost when released? I have heard its expensive. On another note speaking of minis I hope a PC engine 2 comes out or a way to add roms to the original, I had heard shortly after it's release it had been figured out but I have not seen anything on the internet.

[@SegaLordX]

It was just under $400 if you backed it. Second hand, you'll pay twice that.

[@wishusknight3009]

@@SegaLordX Premium pricing just like the original was... It certainly was boutique back in its day and you did get what you paid for.

[@EsotericAxeman]

@@SegaLordX Do you know if when they work everything out with it, if they are planning a larger official release?

[@lap456]

That Saert Fighter 2 issue sound like playing the N64 version of Mortal Kombat 4 with the NES gamepad.

[@starlightwitch12]

It's funny to put the famed doujin shooter Cho Ren Sha 68K on this X68K Z haha. I've played that game so many times and I love the Loser Kashiwagi soundtrack.

[@unorthdoxcleric6953]

True arcade in the home back then was like stepping into heaven.

[@l1uchill]

This looks awesome! 😮

[@XanYT]

So awesome that you got this! I've been following this since the beginning and really want one. How much did you have to pay for this early version? Hopefully you can keep us updated on new X68000 Z news and major software updates.

[@esperago]

Yes, hopefully he responds to both your and my comment. Why didn't he address this in the video? Zuiki ran a Japan only crowd fund. How on earth did SLX get one? eBay? If so he must have paid through the nose. Maybe he knows someone in Japan who got one on his behalf. Is like to know because this is on my short list of must own consoles. Zuiki has been absolutely brutal about communicating with fans. They will not respond to English questions on social platforms, not will they say whether an international release is planned. I need answers!

[@hardstyleeric]

You are so awesome SLX

[@HoroJoga]

It is the first time I hear about this mini console, amazing how most gaming news website just don't care about stories about videogames that aren't the newest AAA titles.

[@Skellotronix]

Wow the quality of this thing!

[@SpeccyHorace]

I never knew about this product. Looks pretty cool.

[@noneed4me2n7]

I’ve got an emulator for this on my modded OG Xbox’s. Those things emulate a lot of older systems pretty well. Got an X arcade tank stick with trackball which pairs well with them.

[@colinellett]

Looks great, but that price! I paid less for both my real systems! Pity you can't use that beautiful keyboard and mouse on a real X68000. Great video and review

[@goldenfreddy-gj5wy]

My favorite version of Cotton is on this PC, its so nice.

[@adventuretaco7140]

Love this core on my MISTER!

[@arthurrock4979]

Thunder force 2oon the Genesis totally blew me away in K-Mart that day, the first day I saw an actual game on the brand new 16 bit system. But from what I've seen, the X68000 version blows that on away!

[@figment1988]

And the X68000 version includes extra voice clips including an expletive when you lose your last life

[@Monhamd1000]

This should sold by millions!!

[@moverofobjects]

Very cool!

[@datamanmachine]

Ah yes. The only "mini" Product i realy want. Cant wait to dive unto this thing.

[@purplehaze2342]

I love obscure systems that never saw the light of day in Europe

[@gracekim1998]

Not sure how I wasn’t notified but I’m watching this before part 2😊 15.6.23

[@stevans6942]

I never saw or heard about this one, but I know Zuiki is quality.

[@spacemoai]

X68kZ deserves more recognition!

[@VirajKathwadia]

Yeah had you got the Astro City mini pad, it would work on this device for street fighter.

[@MimosaSector]

Thanks 👍!

[@JimmyCall]

Would have loved this machine in the day.

[@legendsflashback]

First, great system basically Genesis + 1990 system 😆

[@DiacloneFx]

In 6:52 I can see there is an artefact in Dragon Spirit. There is like a black underscore character stuck in the middle right portion of the screen. It's not present in the previous level though.

[@voxtek]

Those graphics are really damn good

[@VirajKathwadia]

I wonder if my Cyberstick for my Mega Drive Mini 2 will work on the AfterBurner on this device...

[@legendsflashback]

Bro 68000 mini coming so relax

[@bogganalseryd2324]

Programming the 68000 was a great manual

[@AdamAdamHDL]

It's beautiful bit if kit.

[@ozmond]

Omg this is the coolest looking thing

[@tziirkq]

The Chelnov chapter is titled Chill Knob.

[@rigues]

What about a "Sega Special" on the 68K? I know games like Out Run, Space Harrier, Galaxy Force, Alien Syndrome and Fantasy Zone, to name a few, had ports to it.

[@SegaLordX]

Already did that one some years back.

[@IL_SIGNORE_TOMBALE]

This home computer was powerful and awesome

[@nathanjedrej792]

In the uk computer chaps at acorn and sinclair still thought they were for boring grown up stuff. The archimedes was amazing. Risc processing.

[@legendsflashback]

As long as you had punch punch and hard kick that's all 2 buttons you need imo in sf2

[@andimarks7187]

Thanks for covering this. Always wanted a Sharp X68000 but the cost is so prohibitive. I got an FM Towns Marty over the last 6 months and even that turned out to be a time vortex and money pit! I do want a Mini Z but not at $700-800 as it is on the grey market right now. Maybe at $300 but even that's pushing it. In your comments, you mentioned the Hacker Ed. is coming next. I thought that came out already before the Early Access Kit. Wouldn't the final product, the Black Ed., be next?

[@Trusteft]

One punch and one kick with a two button controller? I admit I haven't played SF2 in decades, so I might be remembering it wrong, but back then I used to play the game on the Atari ST and Amiga with 1 button joysticks which was the norm, and I remember having no such limitation. I don't remember the controls (30 years and all), but are you sure there are no press combinations that allow you to use more attacks? Good video. What can I say, I am jealous and I wish I could afford one. Thanks for sharing.

[@robertlawrence9000]

Pretty nifty!

[@darktetsuya]

I've played CRS68K's PC port, definitely worth checking out either there or on the X68000 itself! after burner - I wonder if it supports the cyber stick?! thunder force 2 definitely sounds like an emulation issue sprite layering not working correctly. but hopefully they can do firmware updates to fix those issues and some others (like six-button support for SF2) seems like really cool unit, though!

[@treefroggy]

9 out of 10 people who will want this device haven't seen it or don't even know it exists. I'm disappointed in how little coverage there has been of the X68000Z on the english speaking web! It's going to be the only mini console I buy, and I'm gonna use that keyboard for all retro keyboard gaming! It's so damn cool. Please keep spreading awareness! If people make videos and fill this gap, there will inevitably be more demand, and make it more likely to be available for import to the US!!!!

[@fabrizio-6172]

That's I am hunting it and it's very expensive now