>> However, the PC-98’s reign was ultimately brought to an
end by Windows 95. Although NEC supported the system, IBM-
Compatibles now had proper Japanese support and provided the
same essential functionality for a lower price, with much better
backward compatibility.
>> By 1997, the “PC-98” line had devolved into straight IBM-
Compatibles, which is where we’ll call the PC-98’s end. The final
machine with a PC-98 badge was released in 2000 with a 433MHz
Celeron CPU before the name was discontinued in 2003. By the
end of its reign, the PC-98 series had sold over 18 million units.4
EMULATION
There are a couple of choices of emulator, but the Neko
Project is the most used. Linux users can try old packages
of the native port “XNP2”, but the main Windows version is more
up to date and runs well through Wine.
>> To download the Neko Project, go to the project homepage
at nenecchi.kirara.st. The website is in Japanese but simply click
on the link “np2fmgen.7z” under the PC-98 heading, which will
download the emulator.
>> Extract the package and open the new folder. There will be a
collection of executable files: they all basically work and function
the same, but emulate different machines—anything with an “sx”
in the filename will emulate a machine with an SX processor. We
recommend starting with np21nt.exe, but if something doesn’t
load under one program, try another.5
LOADING PROGRAMS
To load a floppy image, the most common format,
from the main menu, choose FDD1 > Open, then
select your floppy image and click Open.
>> Many floppy images are in .fdd format, which Neko’s
file browser won’t recognize. When browsing, change
your file type from “All Supported Files” to “All Files”.
>> Once your floppy image has been chosen, reset the
emulator by clicking Emulate > Reset. Most software
should automatically boot.
>> If your program needs mouse input, middle-click to
toggle the capture of mouse input. Alt + Enter will toggle
full-screen mode.
>> There is a chance your games will require ‘disk
swapping’, so remember, there are two floppy menus,
FDD1 and FDD2, and an Eject button under each menu.
>> If you want to try hard disk images, you may have
to learn your way around DOS. The “Harddisk” menu is
divided into IDE and SCSI menus. IDE hard drive images
can be in .hdi, .thd, or .nhd formats. SCSI hard disk
images must be in Virtual98 .hdd format.
>> Remember to reset the emulator once your hard
disk image is selected.6
FIXING FONTS
When you first load Neko Project, the Japanese
text will be garbled nonsense. To experience this
computer properly, you need a Japanese font.
>> Head to https://46okumen.com/pc-98-emulation,
to find English patches plus an excellent tutorial for
taking Neko Project further.
>> Download the font file, called FONT.ROM, then from
the main menu, click Emulate > Font, and open the font
file. When you click Emulate > Reset, any Japanese text
should now display properly.© WIKIPEDIA
>> During the 1980s and 90s, if a Japanese person said ‘PC’,
they usually meant one of these, not an IBM-Compatible.SPECIFICATIONS
NEC PC-9800 SERIES (1982)
CPU: Intel 8086 @ 5MHz
VRAM : 12KB & 256 KB
RAM: 128KB, upgradeable to 640KB
Launch price: ¥298,000 (approx. $1,200)
Graphics: 2 x NEC μPD7220 graphical controllers,
8 colors @ 640x400
Sound: PC speaker
Storage: 8-inch, 1.232MB external floppy drives
OS: N88-BASIC(86), CP/M-86, MS-DOS, OS/2, PC-UX,
Microsoft Windows up to Windows 2000Released: October 1982
Production: 1982-1997, 2003
Worldwide sales: 18.3 millionTo avoid spending valuable gaming time using Google
Translate, some cool internet folks are making English
patches for PC-98 games. Two teams are particularly
active: 46 OkuMen at 46.okumen.com and Nebulous
Translations at nebulous.group.
They have an impressive list of titles, including Brandish
2 (1995); cult JRPG favorite, E.V.O: The Theory of Evolution
(1990); Castlevania clone Rusty (1993); and strategy mech
game, CRW: Metal Jacket (1994). The two biggest games are
Dead of the Brain (1992), a zombie-apocalypse adventure
title; and Konami’s cyberpunk thriller, Policenauts (1994).ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS
>> Policenauts (1994) was a stunning technical achievement,
showcasing its moody settings and excellent soundtracks.JUN 2022 MAXIMU MPC 63