The Video Game Console Library

	Amstrad GX4000
	HANDS ON REVIEW by Marriott_Guy DW FACTS by Dark Watcher
	Page content, development and design by Marriott_Guy

Developer	Manufacturer	Release Date	Country(s)	Initial Price	Model Number	Game Releases	Overall Rating
Amstrad	Amstrad	Feb-90	UK	$169 USD	GX4000	27	3.5
Ratings	Reviews	Pictures\Media	Specs\Manuals	Games\Emulation	Models	Clones	Links

Ratings
Consoles are rated based upon the available technology at the time of its release. Ratings based upon a 10 point scale (10 being excellent\very rare).
Console Design (appearance, functionality)	06
Console Durability (sturdy or frail and fragile)	04
Controllers (design, response, feel, use)	02
Graphics (graphical capability and presentation)	04
Audio (sound, music, speech, effects)	04
Media (game media format, design, durability)	03
Packaging (appeal, durability of packaging)	04
Game Library (quality, quantity of game library)	01
Innovations (technological industrial strides)	01
Gamer Value (good investment for the gamer?)	02
Collector Value (good collector investment?)	06
Games Rarity (general availability of games)	06
Console Rarity (general availability of a system)	04

Reviews

Amstrad GX4000

DW FACTS
- by Dark Watcher

Amstrad's GX4000 was the second UK-developed console to be released on the market. The console retailed came with a main adapter, TV lead, two paddle control units and a game called "Burnin' Rubber". It featured a unique case design that looked like a space ship. It was even demonstrated as such on the packaging. Does this mean it was Space Age? Well, no, not really.

Amstrad, seeing the ever increasing money to be made in console video game market, followed in the same footsteps as many other computer companies had. The GX4000 was actually a modified CPC6128+ computer. This allowed The GX4000 to be compatible with a majority of CPC+ computer line software.

Unfortunately the Amstrad GX4000 did not fare well in this growing market. In a matter of weeks the system could be bought at discounted prices. Popular UK videogame magazines marked the system as "the worst system of the month" as voted by most readers.

Amstrad GX4000 screenshot

The system was distributed in a few European countries. After this console's failure, Amstrad stopped all activity in the computer and videogame field. Around 20+ games were released for the GX4000. The games were made by UK based companies Ocean (became Infogrames UK) and US Gold (became Eidos)

Timing may have been the thing that killed this system. The 8-bit Amstrad GX4000 was released shortly after the newer generation 16-bit Sega MegaDrive.

Amstrad logo

HANDS ON REVIEW
- by Marriott_Guy (04-May-08)

The GX4000, released in the UK in 1990 by Amstrad, is definitely one of the most unique looking video game consoles ever released. Amstrad, a popular computer manufacturer, looked to cash in on the lucrative video game console market like many of its peers had attempted to do, some more successful than others. Sporting a very sleek design that resembles the snow speeder in Star Wars, looking underneath the hood of this console reveals anything but space-age technology at the time of its release.

The GX4000 is basically a modified CPC6128+ computer. This enabled the console to be compatible with many existing CPC computer games and applications. The system came packaged with the two controllers (NES style), AV cables and a racing game entitled Burnin' Rubber. Released for commercial sale for $99 (British Pound), this console was moderately priced at its time. With a substantial amount of readily available ports from the CPC, the GX4000 would not have to entirely rely upon new game development but could be subsidized by its sister system(s) for game content/programming. Even with all of these positive measures, the GX4000 was doomed from the beginning.

The GX4000 was powered by an 8 bit Zilog Z80A processor, which could display a color palette of 4096 (impressive at the time for an 8 bit system) and enhanced sound. The drawback - 16 bit processing technology was released by Sega (and shortly thereafter Nintendo) just after the GX4000 hit the store shelves - this sealed this consoles fate. Porting of the inferior CPC games to the GX4000 did not prove to be financially sound and was quickly abandoned. Around 25 games were released for this console and could be found in the bargain bins throughout the UK along with the GX4000 system within months of its initial release.

The GX4000 is an interesting system, but only recommended as a purchase for collectors. Readily available in the UK and abroad through eBay and like services, a CIB (complete in box) system can run you around $50-$100 USD, much less in the UK, but keep in mind that shipping costs can be pricey (around $70 USD from the UK to the USA).

Pictures & Media

Various picture\video media for this console. Click pictures to enlarge.

Amstrad GX4000 - Front

Amstrad GX4000 - General

Amstrad GX4000 - Back

The following pictures are courtesy of Charles Lee.

Specs & Manuals

For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.

Processor Type	Processor Speed	Other Processor Information	RAM \ Video RAM
8-bit Zilog Z80A	4.0 MHz	None	64 KB
Screen Resolution	Color Palette	Polygons \ Sprites	Audio
160 x 200 to 640 x 200	4,096 (32 on screen)	16 Sprites	3 channel Mono (AY-3-8910 Chip)
Media Format	Media Capacity	Games Released	Other Supported Formats
Cartridge	128-512 KB	27	None
Internal Storage	External\Removable Storage	Game Controllers	Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
32 KB ROM	None	2 Button control pad w/D-Pad	Light Gun (third party)
Controller Ports	Network Ports	Other Ports	Audio \ Video
Two (2)	None	Light Gun (RJ11), Analog Controller Port (IBM)	Audio & RGB video output (8 pin DIN), SCART
Power Supply - External	Other Outputs	Other Details \ Notes
Input: 240V, 50 Hz Output: 11V, 500mA	None	None
Manuals
Amstrad GX4000 Owners Manual (PDF) - 3.70 MB

Games & Emulation

Games, media format, emulators and screen shots for titles released on this system.

Amstrad GX4000 - Burnin' Rubber cartridge Software for the Amstrad GX4000 was distributed on ROM cartridges. The small, light gray shell featured a very basic game identification sticker. These carts are as bland as they come.

Titles were packaged in charcoal colored plastic shell casings that were surprisingly durable. Like early SMS and Genesis games, many of these also had a plastic tab on the top to allow for easy retail display. Cover art mimicked more of the same, boring graphics as those utilized with the game cartridge. If anything, the overall packaging of Amstrad GX4000 games is extremely consistent.

Due to limited availability and the extremely short shelf life of the system, GX4000 games tend to be rather expensive. Unfortunately, the titles themselves do not necessitate the inflated price tags that are routinely placed on them. Loose games are easy enough to score, but boxed, complete versions are infrequently available.

One of the most sought after titles is Chase HQ II: Special Criminal Investigation. Excluding protos, Chase HQ II is definitely the Holy Grail when it comes to GX4000 collecting. Expect to shell out over $1K USD for this treasure.

Amstrad GX4000 Game Boxes

Atari Jaguar CD Game Screenshots
Pictures courtesy GX4000.CO.UK

Barbarian 2

Barbarian 2 Screenshot

Batman: The Movie

Batman: The Movie Screenshot

Burnin' Rubber

Burnin' Rubber Screenshot

Chase HQ 2

Chase HQ 2 Screenshot

Copter 271

Copter 271 Screenshot

Crazy Cars 2

Crazy Cars 2 Screenshot

Dick Tracey

Dick Tracey Screenshot

Enforcer

Enforcer Screenshot

Fire and Forget

Fire and Forget Screenshot

Gazza 2

Gazza 2 Screenshot

Klax

Mystical

Mystical Screenshot

No Exit

No Exit Screenshot

Operation Thunderbolt

Operation Thunderbolt Screenshot

Pang

Panza Kick Boxing

Panza Kick Boxing Screenshot

Plotting

Plotting Screenshot

Pro Tennis Tour

Pro Tennis Tour Screenshot

Robocop 2

Robocop 2 Screenshot

Skeet Shoot

Navy Seals

Super Pinball Magic

Switchblade

Switchblade Screenshot

Tennis Cup 2

Tennis Cup 2 Screenshot

Tintin on the Moon

Tintin on the Moon Screenshot

Wild Streets

Wild Streets Screenshot

World Sports

World Sports Screenshot

Third Party Emulators
Program	Website	Description
WinAPE	http://www.winape.net/	Windows based Amstrad Plus Emulator. It emulates the CPC 464/664, 6128, the CPC 464+ and 6128+ line of computers. As mentioned the Amstrad GX4000 is a modified 6128+ so you will be able to still enjoy the same games.

Models

Additional authorized releases for this console.

No additional models were released for this system.

Clones

Non-licensed releases (clones).

No clones were released for this system.

Links

Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system.

Name	Website	Description
GX4000.CO.UK	http://gx4000.co.uk/splash.html	Excellent site for the GX4000 system and games

visitors since 01-Apr-2008
Page last updated 31-Dec-2011

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