Difference between revisions of "Amstrad GX4000"
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| − | [[ | + | The '''GX4000''' was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad Amstrad]'s short-lived attempt to enter the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_console games console] market<ref name="GX4000 at Old Computers">[http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=2&c=1082 GX4000 at Old Computers]</ref>. The console was released in Europe in 1990 and was an upgraded design based on the then still-popular [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_CPC CPC] technology. The GX4000 shared hardware architecture with Amstrad's [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amstrad_CPC#The_plus_range CPC Plus] computer line, which were released concurrently, this allowed the system to be compatible with the majority of CPC Plus software. |
| − | + | The GX4000 was both Amstrad's first and only attempt at entering the console market. Although offering enhanced graphics capabilities, it failed to gain popularity in the market, and was quickly discontinued, selling 15,000 units in total. | |
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| − | =A computer turned into a console= | + | == A computer turned into a console == |
| + | The GX4000 is a game console based on a 6128 Plus without a floppy controller or keyboard (although it is actually possible to modify one, add a floppy controller and a keyboard and use it as a Plus). It was delivered with two game paddles (as the ones delivered with the Plus models) and Burnin' Rubber on [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/GX4000_cartridge cartridge] (without BASIC). The GX4000 was [http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Amstrad Amstrad]'s attempt to gain some share in the home game console market, then dominated by the likes of Nintendo and Sega. Like others before it, and like others after it, it failed abysmally in its goal. Despite the fact that the hardware was decent (after all the CPC+ series were some of the very best 8-bit computers ever designed), it was a case of 'too little, too late'. Lack of CPC+ specific software, lack of marketing effort and bad timing meant that Amstrad's adventure in the home market was about to end. | ||
| − | + | == Technical specifications == | |
| − | + | *CPU: 8/16-bit [[Zilog]] Z80A at 4 MHz<ref name="GX4000 at Old Computers"/> | |
| − | + | *ASIC: Support for sprites, soft scrolling, programmable interrupts, DMA Sound<ref name="Arnold V Specifications">[http://www.cpctech.org.uk/docs/arn5new.html Arnold V Specifications]</ref> | |
| − | ==Technical specifications== | ||
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| − | *CPU: 8/16- | ||
| − | *ASIC: Support for sprites, soft scrolling, programmable interrupts, DMA Sound< | ||
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| + | '''Resolution'''<ref name="Arnold V Specifications"/> | ||
*Mode 0: 160x200 pixels with 16 colours | *Mode 0: 160x200 pixels with 16 colours | ||
*Mode 1: 320x200 pixels with 4 colours | *Mode 1: 320x200 pixels with 4 colours | ||
*Mode 2: 640x200 pixels with 2 colours | *Mode 2: 640x200 pixels with 2 colours | ||
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| + | '''Colour'''<ref name="GX4000 at Old Computers"/> | ||
*Depth: 12-bit RGB | *Depth: 12-bit RGB | ||
*Colours available: 4096 | *Colours available: 4096 | ||
*Maximum colours onscreen: 32 (16 for background, 15 for sprites, 1 for border) | *Maximum colours onscreen: 32 (16 for background, 15 for sprites, 1 for border) | ||
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| − | + | Maximum onscreen colour counts can be increased in all Modes through the use of interrupts. | |
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| + | '''Sprites''' <ref name="Arnold V Specifications"/> | ||
*Number: 16 high resolution sprites per line | *Number: 16 high resolution sprites per line | ||
| − | *Sizes: 16x16 | + | *Sizes: 16x16 (each sprite can be magnified 2x or 4x in X and Y) |
| − | *Colours: Each sprite can use up to 15 colours | + | *Colours: Each sprite can use up to 15 colours |
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| + | '''Memory''' <ref name="Arnold V Specifications"/> | ||
*RAM: 64 kB | *RAM: 64 kB | ||
| − | *VRam: 16 kB | + | *VRam: 16 kB |
| − | *[ | + | *[[Read-only memory|ROM]]: 32 kB |
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| + | '''Audio''' | ||
| − | *3-channel stereo; | + | *3-channel stereo; [[General Instrument AY-3-8910|AY-3-8912 chip]]<ref name="GX4000 at Old Computers"/> |
| − | * | + | *DMA |
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| − | < | + | '''IO'''<ref name="GX4000 at Old Computers"/> |
| − | + | Audio output, 2x Digital controller connectors, Analog controller port (IBM standard), Lightgun connector (RJ11), Audio and RGB Video output (8-pin DIN), Power supply socket from external PSU, Power supply socket from monitor. | |
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| + | == Cartridge Games == | ||
*[http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Barbarian_2_(_Cartridge_) Barbarian 2] | *[http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Barbarian_2_(_Cartridge_) Barbarian 2] | ||
*[http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Batman_The_Movie_(_Cartridge_) Batman The Movie] | *[http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Batman_The_Movie_(_Cartridge_) Batman The Movie] | ||
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*[http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Wild_Streets_(_Cartridge_) Wild Streets] | *[http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/Wild_Streets_(_Cartridge_) Wild Streets] | ||
*[http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/World_Of_Sports_(_Cartridge_) World Of Sports] | *[http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/World_Of_Sports_(_Cartridge_) World Of Sports] | ||
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| + | == References == | ||
| + | <references /> | ||
Revision as of 22:29, 21 November 2013
The GX4000 was Amstrad's short-lived attempt to enter the games console market[1]. The console was released in Europe in 1990 and was an upgraded design based on the then still-popular CPC technology. The GX4000 shared hardware architecture with Amstrad's CPC Plus computer line, which were released concurrently, this allowed the system to be compatible with the majority of CPC Plus software.
The GX4000 was both Amstrad's first and only attempt at entering the console market. Although offering enhanced graphics capabilities, it failed to gain popularity in the market, and was quickly discontinued, selling 15,000 units in total.
Contents
A computer turned into a console
The GX4000 is a game console based on a 6128 Plus without a floppy controller or keyboard (although it is actually possible to modify one, add a floppy controller and a keyboard and use it as a Plus). It was delivered with two game paddles (as the ones delivered with the Plus models) and Burnin' Rubber on cartridge (without BASIC). The GX4000 was Amstrad's attempt to gain some share in the home game console market, then dominated by the likes of Nintendo and Sega. Like others before it, and like others after it, it failed abysmally in its goal. Despite the fact that the hardware was decent (after all the CPC+ series were some of the very best 8-bit computers ever designed), it was a case of 'too little, too late'. Lack of CPC+ specific software, lack of marketing effort and bad timing meant that Amstrad's adventure in the home market was about to end.
Technical specifications
- CPU: 8/16-bit Zilog Z80A at 4 MHz[1]
- ASIC: Support for sprites, soft scrolling, programmable interrupts, DMA Sound[2]
Resolution[2]
- Mode 0: 160x200 pixels with 16 colours
- Mode 1: 320x200 pixels with 4 colours
- Mode 2: 640x200 pixels with 2 colours
Colour[1]
- Depth: 12-bit RGB
- Colours available: 4096
- Maximum colours onscreen: 32 (16 for background, 15 for sprites, 1 for border)
Maximum onscreen colour counts can be increased in all Modes through the use of interrupts.
Sprites [2]
- Number: 16 high resolution sprites per line
- Sizes: 16x16 (each sprite can be magnified 2x or 4x in X and Y)
- Colours: Each sprite can use up to 15 colours
Memory [2]
- RAM: 64 kB
- VRam: 16 kB
- ROM: 32 kB
Audio
- 3-channel stereo; AY-3-8912 chip[1]
- DMA
IO[1]
Audio output, 2x Digital controller connectors, Analog controller port (IBM standard), Lightgun connector (RJ11), Audio and RGB Video output (8-pin DIN), Power supply socket from external PSU, Power supply socket from monitor.
Cartridge Games
- Barbarian 2
- Batman The Movie
- Burning Rubber
- Chase HQ 2
- Copter 271
- Crazy Cars 2
- Dick Tracy
- Enforcer (With Phazer)
- Fire and Forget 2
- Klax
- Mystical
- Navy Seals
- No Exit
- Operation Thunderbolt
- Pang
- Panza Kick Boxing
- Plotting
- Pro Tennis Tour
- Robocop 2
- Skeet Shoot
- Super Pinball Magic
- Switchblade
- Tennis Cup 2
- Tintin on the Moon
- Wild Streets
- World Of Sports
