X68000

X68000
X68000ACE-HD
DeveloperSharp Corporation
ManufacturerSharp Corporation
TypeHome computer[1]
Release date1987[1]
Lifespan1987-1996
Discontinued1996
MediaFloppy disk
Operating systemHuman68k, NetBSD, OS-9
CPUMotorola 68000 family
Memory1 to 12 MB of RAM
Display14" CRT
256×256 to 1024×1024 pixels
16 bits
GraphicsVINAS 1 + 2, VSOP, CYNTHIA / Jr, RESERVE
SoundYamaha YM2151
OKI MSM6258
Controller inputD-pad, Keyboard, Mouse
Power100V AC 50/60 Hz
PredecessorX1
Main processor board of original 1987 CZ-600C model
Video board of original 1987 CZ-600C model
Cynthia sprite chip in the original 1987 CZ-600C model
VSOP Video processing chip in the original 1987 CZ-600C model
Sharp X68000 XVI front and back
Sharp X68030 and X68000 Expert

The X68000 (Japanese: エックス ろくまんはっせん, Hepburn: Ekkusu Rokuman Hassen) is a home computer created by Sharp Corporation. It was first released in 1987 and sold only in Japan.

The initial model has a 10 MHz Motorola 68000 CPU, 1 MB of RAM, and lacks a hard drive. The final model was released in 1993 with a 25 MHz Motorola 68030 CPU, 4 MB of RAM, and optional 80 MB SCSI hard drive. RAM in these systems is expandable to 12 MB, though most games and applications do not require more than 2 MB.

The X68000 has graphics hardware similar to arcade video games of the late-1980s, with custom coprocessors supporting scrolling, tiled backgrounds, and large numbers of sprites. Sound is supplied through multiple sound chips supporting 8 channels of FM synthesis and one channel of adaptive differential pulse-code modulation audio, which are mixed down to 2 analog stereo channels via a DAC chip. As such, video gaming was a major use of the X68000.

  1. ^ a b Szczepaniak, John; McFerran, Damien (4 January 2023). "Best Sharp X68000 Games: 20 Titles We Want On The X68000 Z Mini". Time Extension. Hookshot Media. Retrieved 29 July 2024.