Fujitsu FM Towns

Antiriad · 01 March 2004, 22:11

Anyone know anything about this Japanese console? Its specs? Console library?

Enverex · 01 March 2004, 22:59

There is some info on "The Boss"s' site, looks like a decent machine.

fisken uno · 02 March 2004, 01:28

Quote:

Originally posted by Antiriad
Anyone know anything about this Japanese console? Its specs? Console library?

No. But I DO know that the SOTB port for FM Towns rocks, and so do the versions of most of the LucasArts releases. Well, I guess you all do know about the 256 color version of Zak McKracken by now - thanks to the ScummVM team.

FromWithin · 02 March 2004, 01:38

Ah the Towns. Quite a beast for its time, actually. It was basically a PC with a built-in CD-ROM and "proper" graphics. We did Microcosm and Scavenger IV on it. Beast 2 came out on it as well. Can't remember what else. I've still got my original of Microcosm for it. I've got a vague recollection of it having some graphical O/S that ran on top of DOS, but it was all in Japanese so none of us could understand it. We had loads of the things because Fujitsu was paying us a ton of cash to develop for it. They all got binned when we moved buildings.

A bit later, a smaller console version was released called the Marty. It looked very similar to the CD32, except white.

There's some info on the net if you search, and emulators are available.

Amiga1992 · 02 March 2004, 07:57

Yup, a 486 based thingy. I want one so badly, the computer version, n ot the console one (which is called FM-Towns Marty)

Still, mostly a Hentai games platform. Not much else oln it.

Fred the Fop · 02 March 2004, 08:44

Quote:

Originally posted by Akira
Yup, a 486 based thingy. I want one so badly, the computer version, n ot the console one (which is called FM-Towns Marty)

Still, mostly a Hentai games platform. Not much else oln it.

Hentai?
Yuck. *scratches FM Towns off list*

NEC PC 88 and 98 is also choked with henati stuff.

FromWithin · 02 March 2004, 09:26

Quote:

Originally posted by Akira
Still, mostly a Hentai games platform. Not much else oln it.

That's grossly unfair. Read it on a website did you? The Towns was good. It's at least worth trying to see if you can get one if the emulators working. The "not much else" is worth seeing.

TheBoss · 02 March 2004, 10:44

Its a great little thing that deserves to be remembered

I have original version of Monkey Island 2, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Loom, Shadow of the Beast, Zak McKracken, all for Fm Towns and most are enhanced versions from their amiga/pc counterparts

I think I must have the only amiga site featuring a little section for this machine:hoo

Enverex · 02 March 2004, 10:51

Quote:

Originally posted by TheBoss
I think I must have the only amiga site featuring a little section for this machine:hoo

Probably because is isn't actually related to the Amiga at all

TheBoss · 02 March 2004, 11:02

Quote:

Originally posted by Enverex
Probably because is isn't actually related to the Amiga at all

But...but it has some amiga games on it

Enverex · 02 March 2004, 11:04

Quote:

Originally posted by TheBoss
But...but it has some amiga games on it

So does PC, Gameboy Advance, PocketPC, but that doesn't mean they are related to the Amiga...

TheBoss · 02 March 2004, 11:06

Quote:

Originally posted by Enverex
So does PC, Gameboy Advance, PocketPC, but that doesn't mean they are related to the Amiga...

No fair *runs away*

derSammler · 02 March 2004, 12:36

Full specifications: (original FM-Towns and Marty 1)

CPU: 32bit 386SX (DX for Marty 1) processor (runs at 16MHz)

Graphics:
VRAM: 512KB
Sprite RAM: 128KB

Sprites:
Up to 1024 sprites (16x16, 16 or 32768 colours)

Resolution:
Various
(256x240, 256x256, 320x240, 640x400, 640x480 etc.)

Colours:
4096 colour palette - 16 onscreen
16777216 colour palette - 256 onscreen
32768 colours onscreen(no palette)

Up to 2 layers supported depending on the resolution and the colour mode

Sound:
6 channel FM (YM2612)
8 channel PCM (RF5C68)

RAM: 2 MB fixed

Data Medium:
CD-ROM, Single-speed (1x)
Internal 3.5" HD floppy drive

Controllers:
digital, 2 fire buttons, select, run, and zoom
2 standard controller ports
keyboard port

Misc:
IC memorycard slot
S-VHS port
AV port
MIC socket
Headphone socket

This is one of my most favorite systems. So if you have questions...

CPC464 · 02 March 2004, 13:20

As pointed out in the above this link will show what is known about this machine......Looks ok.

http://www.old-computers.com/museum/...asp?st=1&c=968

Hope this is usefull

7-Zark-7 · 02 March 2004, 14:20

Quote:

Originally posted by FromWithin
Ah the Towns. Quite a beast for its time, actually. It was basically a PC with a built-in CD-ROM and "proper" graphics. We did Microcosm and Scavenger IV on it. Beast 2 came out on it as well. Can't remember what else. I've still got my original of Microcosm for it. I've got a vague recollection of it having some graphical O/S that ran on top of DOS, but it was all in Japanese so none of us could understand it. We had loads of the things because Fujitsu was paying us a ton of cash to develop for it. They all got binned when we moved buildings.

A bit later, a smaller console version was released called the Marty. It looked very similar to the CD32, except white.

There's some info on the net if you search, and emulators are available.

Would it be fair to say that it was Psygnosis's R&D into the FMTowns/CD-Rom games development area that did more to first attract Sony's interest in ultimately buying the company? It presumably would've had more awareness there than Commodore's aborted efforts with the CDTV must've had?

Amiga1992 · 02 March 2004, 18:29

Quote:

Originally posted by FromWithin
That's grossly unfair. Read it on a website did you? The Towns was good. It's at least worth trying to see if you can get one if the emulators working. The "not much else" is worth seeing.

No I didn't. As you notice above I said I WANT an FM Towns, I didn't say it wasn't good, I just said is a platform that has an 80% of hentai releases, and then therest. Never said the rest is nothing to check out, I meant the hentai stuff outnumbered the other stuff...

FromWithin · 02 March 2004, 20:14

Quote:

Originally posted by Akira
No I didn't. As you notice above I said I WANT an FM Towns, I didn't say it wasn't good, I just said is a platform that has an 80% of hentai releases, and then therest. Never said the rest is nothing to check out, I meant the hentai stuff outnumbered the other stuff...

Good point. That fact slipped me by.

Quote:

7-Zark-7
Would it be fair to say that it was Psygnosis's R&D into the FMTowns/CD-Rom games development area that did more to first attract Sony's interest in ultimately buying the company?

Absolutely, as pointed out in the Cliffhanger thread.

Amiga1992 · 02 March 2004, 21:34

FromWithin, probably what I also wanted to say is hat you have to be nuts (like me

) to spend the cash an FMTowns cost for just a 20% of non hentai games

. Since I am crazy I don't mind at bloody all!

BTW, no free FMTowns lying around your whereabouts, are there?

*sneaks into former Psyggy R&D dept*

Antiriad · 04 March 2004, 13:28

Thanks for the information everyone, I have to say that like the Sharp X68000, the FM Towns looks like a marvelous machine. Id really love to see some screenshots of more (especially Psygnosis) games on it.

Id be interested to know how Fujitsu got in touch with Psygnosis FromWithin.

FromWithin · 04 March 2004, 14:43

Quote:

Originally posted by Antiriad
Id be interested to know how Fujitsu got in touch with Psygnosis FromWithin.

No idea. The Towns' were there before I started working there.

01 March 2004, 22:11	#1
Antiriad The Sacred Armour Of Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sussex, UK Age: 44 Posts: 1,141	Fujitsu FM Towns Anyone know anything about this Japanese console? Its specs? Console library?

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01 March 2004, 22:59	#2
Enverex Fantasy Man! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: UK Posts: 1,353	There is some info on "The Boss"s' site, looks like a decent machine.

02 March 2004, 01:38	#4
FromWithin Music lord Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Liverpool, UK Age: 50 Posts: 630	Ah the Towns. Quite a beast for its time, actually. It was basically a PC with a built-in CD-ROM and "proper" graphics. We did Microcosm and Scavenger IV on it. Beast 2 came out on it as well. Can't remember what else. I've still got my original of Microcosm for it. I've got a vague recollection of it having some graphical O/S that ran on top of DOS, but it was all in Japanese so none of us could understand it. We had loads of the things because Fujitsu was paying us a ton of cash to develop for it. They all got binned when we moved buildings. A bit later, a smaller console version was released called the Marty. It looked very similar to the CD32, except white. There's some info on the net if you search, and emulators are available.

02 March 2004, 07:57	#5
Amiga1992 Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: ? Posts: 19,645	Yup, a 486 based thingy. I want one so badly, the computer version, n ot the console one (which is called FM-Towns Marty) Still, mostly a Hentai games platform. Not much else oln it.

02 March 2004, 10:44	#8
TheBoss Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Denmark Posts: 840	Its a great little thing that deserves to be remembered I have original version of Monkey Island 2, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Loom, Shadow of the Beast, Zak McKracken, all for Fm Towns and most are enhanced versions from their amiga/pc counterparts I think I must have the only amiga site featuring a little section for this machine:hoo

02 March 2004, 12:36	#13
derSammler Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Germany Posts: 1,645	Full specifications: (original FM-Towns and Marty 1) CPU: 32bit 386SX (DX for Marty 1) processor (runs at 16MHz) Graphics: VRAM: 512KB Sprite RAM: 128KB Sprites: Up to 1024 sprites (16x16, 16 or 32768 colours) Resolution: Various (256x240, 256x256, 320x240, 640x400, 640x480 etc.) Colours: 4096 colour palette - 16 onscreen 16777216 colour palette - 256 onscreen 32768 colours onscreen(no palette) Up to 2 layers supported depending on the resolution and the colour mode Sound: 6 channel FM (YM2612) 8 channel PCM (RF5C68) RAM: 2 MB fixed Data Medium: CD-ROM, Single-speed (1x) Internal 3.5" HD floppy drive Controllers: digital, 2 fire buttons, select, run, and zoom 2 standard controller ports keyboard port Misc: IC memorycard slot S-VHS port AV port MIC socket Headphone socket This is one of my most favorite systems. So if you have questions...

02 March 2004, 13:20	#14
CPC464 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: York Age: 54 Posts: 393	As pointed out in the above this link will show what is known about this machine......Looks ok. http://www.old-computers.com/museum/...asp?st=1&c=968 Hope this is usefull

02 March 2004, 21:34	#18
Amiga1992 Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: ? Posts: 19,645	FromWithin, probably what I also wanted to say is hat you have to be nuts (like me ) to spend the cash an FMTowns cost for just a 20% of non hentai games . Since I am crazy I don't mind at bloody all! BTW, no free FMTowns lying around your whereabouts, are there? sneaks into former Psyggy R&D dept

04 March 2004, 13:28	#19
Antiriad The Sacred Armour Of Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sussex, UK Age: 44 Posts: 1,141	Thanks for the information everyone, I have to say that like the Sharp X68000, the FM Towns looks like a marvelous machine. Id really love to see some screenshots of more (especially Psygnosis) games on it. Id be interested to know how Fujitsu got in touch with Psygnosis FromWithin.

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