NEC PC-FX
Type Console Developer NEC
Release Date 1994-Dec-23 Region(s) Japan
Initial Price $499 USD Games Released 62
DW FACTS
     by Dark Watcher
With Sony and Sega releasing their 32-bit CD consoles on the market, NEC wanted a piece of the action.  The maker of the successful PC Engine teamed up with 3rd party software developer Hudson Soft of Japan to create a 32-bit CD based console capable of the highest quality FMV in any home video game system to date.

The NEC PC-FX strayed from the common console design.  The console resembled a PC desktop tower and even included 3 expansion ports for additional upgrades and peripherals.  NEC decided not to load it up with 3D generating hardware and instead focused on making the PC-FX a killer 2D machine.  Focusing on FMV (Full Motion Video) and 2D capabilities, the PC-FX used a custom chip capable of Run Length JPEG compression technology.  The result was animation and FMV using full screen true color at 30 frames per second.

The PC-FX is the king of systems for Anime and/or Hentai fans. The console could also play audio CDs (with an expansive CD menu control screen), CD+Gs, and Kodak CDs for viewing your home photos.

The NEC PC-FX was released in Japan on December 23, 1994 to a lukewarm reception.  The Sega \ Sony consoles shadowed an otherwise impressive system.  Most software development was done by NEC and Hudson Soft with a total of 62 game releases.  NEC supported the PC-FX till 1998 and never released the console outside of Japan.  A total of about 100,000 units were reported sold.
FACT:  In 1995, NEC took a similar concept as the Creative Labs version of 3DO Blaster.  The PC-FX Game Accelerator (PC-FX GA) was a card that would allow PC-FX games to be played on computers.  The card came in 2 flavors.  The C-Bus interface card was compatible with NEC's Japanese line of PC-98xx computers.  The other has an ISA interface for IBM / AT compatible computers.  The ISA card however requires the DOS/V operating system (DOS/V is a special version of DOS for the Japanese market).  The package contained the card, a PC-FX controller, a driver CD and game development software (basic fighter / RPG game type engines).  The card itself supported S-Video, Composite, multiple audio in/out and requires external power.  It is an interesting device that can be imported or purchased on eBay.
 
HANDS ON REVIEW
     by 98PaceCar
The NEC PC-FX is a very Japanese console.  As the follow up effort to the highly successful (at least in Japan) PC Engine, NEC was looking to hit one out of the park with gamers.  Unfortunately, their efforts were too little too late and the PC-FX ended up being little more than a footnote in the history of video gaming.

The PC-FX was originally developed in 1992 as the Iron Man, but due to the continued success of the PC Engine and the developers disinterest in changing platforms, it was shelved until 1994 when it was released to compete with the 3DO and the upcoming Saturn and PlayStation.  In the face of these new competitors and a rush to get to the market, NEC simply released the now dated PC-FX into the market and found itself under powered to compete.  Most developers simply ignored the system which caused it to end up with a small and uninteresting library of games.  Even NEC itself failed to deliver on the promised upgrades that could have given the system a longer, or at least more memorable, life.

Design wise, the PC-FX is a very unique and aesthetically pleasing console.  It is set up in a vertical, almost PC like configuration as opposed to the more normal horizontal style of other consoles.  This makes it stand out in any collection as a true oddity.  The PC-FX is not much wider than the CD media it uses for its games.  It features three separate expansion bays; one on the front, one on the bottom and one on the rear.  The controller ports are located on the lower third of the front of the console while the CD lid is located at the very top.

The controller design is nearly identical to the controllers from the PC Engine Duo-RX console.  They feature a smooth, eight way pad with six buttons along with a select and run button.  There are also two switches used by some games to change the button mappings.  The controllers themselves feel nice, but are a touch awkward to hold due to the molded backs.  I found that I was adjusting them quite a bit during play to keep my hands comfortable.

When compared to 1992 standards, the hardware itself is very capable.  In the realm of FMV (a staple of the mid 90s consoles), the PC-FX is easily the most powerful of any console released during this time.  It is capable of decoding JPEG images at 30 FPS while playing digital audio.  But when compared against its main competitors, the PC-FX falls short in nearly every other category.  Its graphics are closer to SNES level than those of the 32-bit world.  While it is capable of playing digital audio well, generated sound effects come across as weak and tinny at times.

The biggest shortcoming of the PC-FX has to be its library.  At sixty-two games, there is little to choose from, especially for non Japanese gamers.  Due to the weak hardware, most developers stayed away and NEC was forced to open up development to anybody that was interested.  This led to a large number of Hentai and dating based games being released.  Still other entries in the library are nothing more than digitized Anime episodes.  That said, the PC-FX does have a couple of games that have some appeal to import gamers and are worth playing.

Both Super God Trooper Zeroigar and Kishin Doji Zenki are playable by non Japanese speakers, but both command high prices and are difficult to locate.  Most of the other games in the library either require substantial Japanese language skills or are just not all that fun to play.  There are very few titles that would attract a hard core gamer.


In my research for this review, I did have a good time with Power Dolls and having played Beyond Zork in English, I got a good laugh out of the re-dubbed voices.  Like the rest of the consoles from the 90's, the PC-FX is able to play CD+G and Kodak Picture Disks, but this adds little to its appeal.

Having been a big fan of the TurboGrafx 16 (PC Engine released in the US), I was very interested to see what NEC had done as a follow up.  While there is nothing really wrong with the console, there's not really anything right with it either.  I hesitate to recommend to to anybody other than either a fan of the quirky Japanese styled Anime games or someone that is a huge fan of the PC Engine.  Most gamers will find little to hold their interest.  For the collector, its an interesting piece as the design is very unique.  The console itself is not terribly expensive, but games will add to the bottom line quickly.  A nice bundle with a few games will likely run around $200, unless it includes one of the big two (Zeroigar and Zenki).  Its frequently easier to find the system for sale from Japanese sellers, but its also possible to find it domestically if you are patient.

 
MODELS
     Officially licensed releases
NEC PC-FX & Accessories
NEC PC-FX console NEC PC-FX Packaging NEC PC-FX console
NEC PC-FX Controller NEC PC-FX console NEC PC-FX Memory Pack

NEC PC-FX GA
NEC PC-FX GA NEC PC-FX GA NEC PC-FX GA
NEC PC-FX GA NEC PC-FX GA
 
 
CLONES
     Non-licensed hardware releases
No clones were released for this system.
 
FORMAT, PACKAGING & GENERAL INFO
     Interesting facts on software for this system
Software for the NEC PC-FX was distributed in the CD format.  Games were packaged in both standard jewel cases as well as in huge, book-style boxes.  This larger version is very similar to the housing for Neo Geo AES titles, though not quite as big.

For games released in the smaller CD cases, a spine overlay was included which was separate from the actual contents of the software.  These tend to get misplaced very easily since it is an independent accompaniment.  The big boxes are pretty durable but do have a tendency for the plastic to crack along the corners of the spine and edges.

The two prized titles for this system are Kishin Douji Zenki FX: Vajra Fight and Choujin Heiki Zeroigar.  These two will run you around $300 USD a piece for a complete version.  Most other titles for the system are considerably less.

applemctom's Games that Defined Compiliation

NEC PC-FX Game Boxes


 
SCREENSHOTS
     Captured in-game images
Akazukin Chacha
Akazukin Chacha Screenshot
Angelique
Angelique Screenshot
Angelique Special 2
Angelique Special 2 Screenshot
Anime Freak
Anime Freak Screenshot
Battle Heat
Battle Heat Screenshot
Can Can Bunny
Can Can Bunny Screenshot
Chip Chan Kick!
Chip Chan Kick! Screenshot
Cutey Honey FX
Cutey Honey FX Screenshot
Doukyuusei
Doukyuusei Screenshot
Dragon Knight IV
Dragon Knight IV Screenshot
Kishin Douji Zenki
Kishin Douji Zenki Screenshot
Konpeki no Kantai
Konpeki no Kantai Screenshot
Last Imperial Prince
Last Imperial Prince Screenshot
Oh! My Goddess!
Oh! My Goddess! Screenshot
Oujousama Sousamou
Oujousama Sousamou Screenshot
Pia Carrot
Pia Carrot Screenshot
Power Dolls FX
Power Dolls FX Screenshot
Return to Zork
Return to Zork Screenshot
Super God Troopers Zeroigar
Super God Troopers Zeroigar Screenshot
Tenchi Muyo
Tenchi Muyo Screenshot
 
 
EMULATION
     First and third party system emulators
Mednafen

Multi-system, command-line driven emulator for Windows, Linux or Mac that supports the PC-FX library
 
SPECS & MANUALS
     For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.
Processor Type  Processor Speed  Other Processor Information RAM \ Video RAM
NEC 32-bit V810 RISC 21.5 MHz None 2 MB \ 1.25 MB
Screen Resolution Color Palette Polygons \ Sprites Audio
256x240 to 341x240 16.7 million 2 Sprite Layers, 6 Background Layers 16 Bit Stereo, 2 ADPCM Channels,
6 5 Bit sample Channels
Media Format Media Capacity Games Released Other Supported Formats
CD-ROM (2x) 650 MB 62 Audio CD, CD+G, Kodak CD
Internal Storage External \ Removable Storage Game Controllers Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
32 KB None 8 Way D-pad \ 6 Buttons Mouse, Extra Storage, SCSI Adaptor
Controller Ports Network Ports Other Ports Audio \ Video
Two (2) None SCSI IO Expansion Slot (1), FX-BMP Card Slot (1), 3D VPU Expansion Slot (1) Composite, S-Video
Power Supply - Internal Other Outputs  Other Details \ Notes
AC 100V, 50\60Hz, 16W None None
Manuals
NEC PC-FX Owners Manual (PDF) (Japanese) - 17.5 MB

DISCUSS
     Visitor insights and feedback
Please be respectful and abide by our Terms of Use & Policies prior to posting.  Basically be nice, keep it clean and don't spam or be a troll.  Thanks!

comments powered by Disqus