Bandai RX-78 explained

Bandai RX-78
Manufacturer:Bandai
Type:Home computer
Price:¥59,800 (Japan) [1]
Processor:SHARP LH0080A (Z80A)
Media:Cartridges, Compact Cassette
Graphics:,
Sound:SN76489
Connectivity:, 1× RF, 1× RCA,
Os:BS-BASIC
Predecessor:Bandai Arcadia
Successor:Playdia
Memory:30KB RAM; 8KB ROM
Cpuspeed:4.1 MHz
Power:10W

The Bandai RX-78 is a Japanese 8-bit microcomputer manufactured by Bandai.[2] [3] [4] [5] Its name comes from the RX-78-2 Gundam. It was released in July 1983,[6] [1] [7] and employed a SHARP LH0080A (Zilog Z80A clone) CPU. It ran at a clock speed of 4.1 MHz,[8] [9] and shipped with 30 KB of RAM and 8KB of ROM.[10] It had two joystick ports in a proprietary format[11] using 8-pin DIN connectors.

The computer can generate 27 colors, created from 3 levels of intensity of each RGB channel, arranged into VRAM video planes,[12] with a maximum resolution of 192×184 pixels, and is capable of displaying 30 x 23 text characters using a 6x8 pixel font. Sound was generated by the Texas Instruments SN76489 chip, providing 3 voices in four octaves and noise generator.[13] Software was available on cartridges[14] or cassettes.

The RX-78 had a release cost of 59,800 yen, and was sold with a dozen of games and software, including a BASIC interpreter cartridge featuring a cassette tape interface .

Software

The Bandai RX-78 was primarily a gaming machine, with two joysticks included. Software was released on ROM cartridges ("Sen'you Soft Cartridge")[15] and compact cassettes ("Sen'you Tape Cassette").

Games

About 20 games for the Bandai RX-78 were released:[16]

Educational (Education Series)

A smaller number of non-gaming titles were released:

Applications (Culture Series)

A smaller number of non-gaming titles were released:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bandai RX-78 Gundam Computer Games Preserved! – Gaming Alexandria. www.gamingalexandria.com.
  2. Web site: Bandai RX-78 Gundam Computer - Manual and Warranty Card Scans (600DPI) : Bandai : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. July 1983 .
  3. Web site: 『パソコン博物館』:２．『高速３次元グラフィック』がキーワードの『ガンダムという名のパソコン』 ： ＲＸ－７８－ＧＵＮＤＡＭ （バンダイ：１９８３） . 2023-07-05 . blog.livedoor.jp.
  4. Web site: 株式会社インプレス . 2019-10-29 . 「ガンダム」の名を冠したパーソナルコンピュータ「RX-78 GUNDAM」 . 2023-07-05 . AKIBA PC Hotline! . ja.
  5. Web site: レトロゲーム専門ニュースサイト . ファミコンのネタ!! . ガンダムがトラウマになった日、克服した日 【1/3】 . 2023-07-05 . famicoms.net . ja.
  6. Web site: Bandai RX-78 Gundam - Computer - Computing History . 15 May 2022 . www.computinghistory.org.uk.
  7. Web site: RX-78 GUNDAM henly Museum MUUSEO 487002 . 2023-07-05 . ミューゼオ(MUUSEO) . ja.
  8. Web site: RX-78 Gundam Bandai Electronics (Japan) . 1000 BiT.
  9. Web site: Bandai RX-78 Gundam Computer - Manual and Warranty Card Scans (600DPI) : Bandai : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive. July 1983 .
  10. Web site: Gundam RX-78 . 24 January 2021 . OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum.
  11. Web site: Bandai RX-78 Gundam Personal Computer Joystick Pinout. Jonn. Blanchard. October 15, 2018.
  12. Web site: eRX-78 謎WIPページ. takeda-toshiya.my.coocan.jp.
  13. Web site: Platform Bandai RX 78 · z88dk/z88dk Wiki. GitHub. 14 December 2022 .
  14. Web site: RX-78 Cartridge Information. Jonn. Blanchard. March 7, 2019.
  15. Web site: Bandai Rx 78 Games . Ocean of Games.
  16. Web site: 2012-03-03 . rx78 . 2023-07-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120303141724/http://www.game-nostalgia.net/rx78/rx78.html . 2012-03-03 .
  17. Web site: Champion Racer [0201005] (Bandai RX-78 Gundam) Box, Manual, Cart Scans (1200DPI)]. September 10, 1983. Internet Archive.
  18. Web site: Excite Baseball [0201007] (Bandai RX-78 Gundam) Box, Manual, Cart Scans (1200DPI)]. September 10, 1983. Internet Archive.
  19. Web site: Hamburger Shop [0201011] (Bandai RX-78 Gundam) Box, Manual, Cart Scans (1200DPI)]. September 10, 1983. Internet Archive.
  20. Web site: Mobile Suit Gundam - Luna Two No Tatakai [0201004] (Bandai RX-78 Gundam) Box, Manual, Cart Scans (1200DPI)]. September 10, 1983. Internet Archive.
  21. Web site: Perfect Mah-Jongg [0201008] (Bandai RX-78 Gundam) Box, Manual, Cart Scans (1200DPI)]. September 10, 1983. Internet Archive.
  22. Web site: The Pro Wrestling [0201013] (Bandai RX-78 Gundam) Box, Manual, Cart Scans (1200DPI)]. September 10, 1983. Internet Archive.
  23. Web site: Sekigahara [0201027] (Bandai RX-78 Gundam) Box, Manual, Cart Scans (1200DPI)]. September 10, 1983. Internet Archive.
  24. Web site: Space Enemy [0201019] (Bandai RX-78 Gundam) Manual, Cart Scans (1200DPI)]. September 10, 1983. Internet Archive.
  25. Web site: Super Motocross [0201024] (Bandai RX-78 Gundam) Box, Manual, Cart Scans (1200DPI)]. September 10, 1983. Internet Archive.
  26. Web site: Tatakae! Ultraman [0201012] (Bandai RX-78 Gundam) Box, Manual, Cart Scans (1200DPI)]. September 10, 1983. Internet Archive.
  27. Web site: Graphic Sugaku [0201035] (Bandai RX-78 Gundam) Box, Manual, Cart Scans (1200DPI)]. September 10, 1983. Internet Archive.

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