missing fonts. To install the files, simply extract the packages
into the main folder of XM6 Pro-68k.4
USAGE
On first boot, you’re presented with a screen known to
any X68k user: some Japanese writing and a picture of a
floppy disk. The machine has no OS at this point, but most games
you download (remember, you must have bought your own copy
back in the day) include Human68k in their disk images.
>> Most disk images boot themselves, so try your luck by
opening the main menu and choosing “Floppy Drive #0 > Open”
and selecting your disk image. Floppy Drive #0 is your main
drive, so run your disk images from this drive, and if your game
is spread across multiple disks, open the first disk on Drive 0 and
the second disk on Drive 1.
>> When games don’t load automatically, you’ll probably
be stuck at Human68k’s command prompt. Despite being
Japanese, the OS uses English commands, and is similar to MS-
DOS, except it uses a .X file extension instead of .EXE. If you’ve
never used DOS before, don’t panic.
>> To browse your disk’s contents, enter the command DIR.
The current directory will display, with filenames on the leftand extensions on the right. You want to look for batch
files with the extension .BAT, or executables with the
extension .X—you should try running any batch files
before running an executable. If your batch file has
something like START on the left and BAT on the right,
type START and press Enter. If your executable has
something like GAME on the left and X on the right, type
GAME and press Enter.
>> If you find yourself stuck at a game’s intro screen,
you may need to change the input method. This is found
in the main menu under “Tools > Controller Mode.”
Some games and graphical environments use the
mouse, which can be activated by selecting “Mouse
Mode” or middle-clicking inside the main window.
>> Although most games can use the keyboard, they
almost all use a different set of keys. To avoid a lot of trial
and error, we recommend plugging in a USB joystick,
which can be configured under “Tools > Options.”©^
GA
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SPECIFICATIONS
Sharp X68000 (1987)
CPU: Motorola 68000 @ 10MHz
RAM: 1MB (up to 12MB), 1MB VRAM
Launch price: ¥369,000
Graphics: 65,536 colors @ 512x512,
64 colors @ 1024x1024
Sound: Yamaha YM2151, eight-channel, FM
synthesis, dedicated ADPCM
Storage: 5.25-inch floppy, later hard disk upgrades
OS: Human68kReleased: March 1987
Production: 1987–1993
Worldwide sales: N/AWhile much of the X68000 collection is Japanese
only, thankfully a lot of action titles are in English—
or have at least enough English to make your way.
Unfortunately, the Sharp’s software library isn’t
as extensive as other platforms we’ve covered,
nor does it have the same kind of modern hobbyist
scene. Don’t be dismayed, though—there is plenty
of software on ROM sites (and more than enough
to keep you going), we just can’t legally point you
toward most of it.
Retrostic.com claims to have a collection of
software that is only out of production, and hasn’t
been hit with a big legal hammer yet, so it might be
worth a try. Archive.org has an enormous 16.6GB
software collection, as well as the “Gekkan Dennō
Club Perfect Collection 1997.” There are also user
manuals, system ROMs, and community videos, so
they can deal with any legal headaches!
For any interested users, the author of XM6
Pro-68k runs a software preservation archive,
with a link on the XM6 Pro-68K website. If you have
any disks to contribute, please get in contact.FIND SOFTWARE
>> Collector Gary Pinkett shows us his popular black tower variant,
running the SX-Window desktop.>> YouTuber RetroManCave helping us out with his period-incorrect
LCD pounding the legendary After Burner.maximumpc.com MAY 2020 MAXIMUM PC 55