The Neo Kobe Emulator Pack Lite

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0. Disclaimer
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This pack is unofficial and unauthorized, and is not affiliated with any of the emulators included herein. All copyrights belong to the respective computer manufacturers and emulator authors.

This pack is intended as a beginner's resource for non-Japanese speakers. After you become familiar with the basic operation of these emulators, you are strongly recommended to follow the links in this readme and obtain the latest emulator releases from their official sources.

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1. Introduction
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This is a collection of emulators for eight major Japanese computer systems from the 1980s and 1990s. The emulators are preconfigured with optimized settings and necessary BIOS/system ROMs.

The following computer families are emulated:
- NEC PC-8001 (1979-1985)
- NEC PC-6001 (1981-1984)
- NEC PC-8801 (1981-1990)
- NEC PC-9801 (1982-2000)
- Fujitsu FM-7 (1982-1988)
- Sharp X1 (1982-1988)
- Sharp X68000 (1987-1995)
- Fujitsu FM Towns (1989-1997)

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2. Recommended Emulators
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The following emulators are recommended for general use. If you're unsure of where to start, use these.

[NEC PC-8001]
	j80 (..\NEC PC-8001\j80.bat)
[NEC PC-6001]
	PC6001VW3 (..\NEC PC-6001\PC6001VW3\PC6001VW3.exe)
[NEC PC-8801]
	M88kai+ (..\NEC PC-8801\M88\M88kai+.exe)
[NEC PC-9801]
	np2fmgen PC-9801RS (..\NEC PC-9801\(1989) PC-9801RS (np2fmgen)\np2sxnt.exe)
[Fujitsu FM-7]
	XM7dash V3 (..\Fujitsu FM-7\XM7 V3 (FM77AV40EX)\XM7dash.exe)
[Sharp X1]
	eX1turbo (..\Sharp X1\Common Source Code Project\x1turbo.exe)
[Sharp X68000]
	XM6 Pro-68k (..\Sharp X68000\XM6 Pro-68k\XM6.exe)
[Fujitsu FM Towns]
	Unz (..\Fujitsu FM Towns\Unz\Unz.exe)

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3. Setup
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All emulators are pre-configured as much as possible, but some things need to be done manually.

=== 32-bit (x86) versions ===
By default, the 64-bit versions of the emulators are configured, but 32-bit files for certain emulators can be found in the "32-bit(x86)" subfolders. Simply copy the 32-bit files into the main emulator folder.

=== NEC PC-8001 ===
[j80]
	The j80 emulator requires a working Java path (something like C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\). The easiest thing to do is install the Java JRE ( http://java.com/en/download ).

	You can also add a "set javabin=" line to the individual .bat files (see the rem lines for samples), or modify your computer's PATH environment variable. More information: http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/essential/environment/paths.html

=== NEC PC-9801 ===
[T98-Next]
	You need to specify a CD-ROM drive letter. Go to Device tab (3rd from left) and double-click SCSI4CDN.NHW.

=== Fujitsu FM Towns ===
[Unz]
	You need to specify a CD-ROM drive letter on the CD-ROM1 tab.

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4. Emulator List and Notes
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=== Various ===
[Common Source Code Project] http://homepage3.nifty.com/takeda-toshiya/
	A multi-system project by Toshiya Takeda and several contributors. Still under active development. Common Source Code emulators are grouped separately in each system folder.

=== NEC PC-8001 ===
[j80] http://www.geocities.jp/upd780c1/pc-8001/
	Great PC-8001 emulator, and fast becoming one of the best PC-8801 emulators, particularly for older software. Requires Java.

	Launch with j80.bat, and select a system model. Options 1-3 emulate PC-8001 models, while options 4-9 emulate PC-8801 models.

=== NEC PC-6001 ===
[iP6 Plus] http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~windy/pc6001/ip6plus/ip6.html
	Last updated in 2004. Successfully emulates a few titles that PC6001VW3 fails at.

[PC6001V] http://www.papicom.net/p6v/
	Still under active development, PC6001V now supports the entire PC-6000 series and is a good all-round emulator.

[PC6001VW3] http://p6ers.net/bernie/
	The most feature-rich PC-6001 emulator.

=== NEC PC-8801 ===
[M88] http://retropc.net/cisc/m88/howto.html
	Excellent emulation of later PC-8801 software, but tape support is limited. For early tape software, j80 or Quasi88 is recommended.

[M88kai+] http://jbbs.shitaraba.net/computer/43774/
	Unofficial version of M88 by the author of np2fmgen for the PC-9801. Provides some extra features and great sound quality.

	Also supports external FM synth modules. Specify with fmgendll= in the .ini file.

[X88000] http://www.cug.net/~manuke/x88000.html
	Another good emulator that can handle most PC-8801 software.

[x88x] no website, posted on 2ch boards (PC-80/88エミュ総合)
	Unofficial version of X88000 by Rednow.

	Supports Kega Fusion rpi filters, but only in 1280x800 windowed mode. The filter must support 640x200 resolution and x2 scaling. Put rpi files in the \plugins\ directory and specify a filter with rpi= in the .ini.

	Also supports external FM synth modules. Specify with fmgendll= in the .ini.

[Quasi88] http://www.eonet.ne.jp/~showtime/quasi88/
	Good for older tape software. Includes the following executables:
		QUASI88: Japanese SDL menus
		QUASI88(old-snd): Uses old sound driver. Runs faster.
		QUASI88mon: Starts emulator with machine monitor functions.
		QUASI88win32: English Win32API drop-down menus. Some functions limited.

[q88x] no website, posted on 2ch boards (PC-80/88エミュ総合, PCエミュレーター統合スレッド)
	Unofficial version of Quasi88 by Rednow.

[j80] http://www.geocities.jp/upd780c1/pc-8001/
	Although originally a PC-8001 emulator, j80 also offers superb emulation of the PC-8801 too. Launch with j80.bat and select from options 4-9.

[XM8] http://retropc.net/pi/#download
	A multi-platform fork of ePC-8801MA from the Common Source Code Project, mostly geared for touchscreen devices.

=== NEC PC-9801 ===
[Anex86] website closed (http://web.archive.org/web/20101231232247/http://motor.geocities.jp/aqua_marine_blue_556/Anex86/homepage2/ans/ax/axdown.htm)
Files are still being hosted here: http://www.geocities.co.jp/SiliconValley-SanJose/1942/
	Older PC-9801 emulator that is no longer being maintained. Runs well on low-end computers, but does not support the real PC-9801 BIOS or the ADPCM and rhythm functions of the YM2608 (OPNA) sound chip.

[T98-Next] http://www.geocities.jp/t98next/
	A PC-9821 emulator last updated in 2010. Runs fast with good accuracy overall.

[Neko Project II] http://www.yui.ne.jp/np2/
	Offers more accurate CPU emulation. Includes several executables:
		np2/np2nt: emulates a PC-9801
		np21/np21nt: emulates a PC-9821
	The non-NT versions are for running the emulator on Windows 95/98. In most cases, you should use np2nt.exe or np21nt.exe.

	To access the BIOS menu and dipswitches, reset while holding down the End key. Some additional emulator options can be accessed by left-clicking the cat in the upper-left corner, or right-clicking anywhere on the title bar.

[np2fmgen] http://jbbs.livedoor.jp/computer/43774/
	Unofficial extensive rewrite of Neko Project II with emphasis on sound quality. Higher system requirements. There are three variants:
		np2/np2nt: emulates a PC-9801
		np2sx/np2sxnt: emulates a PC-9801 with a 386SX CPU core
		np21/np21nt: emulates a PC-9821

	The non-NT versions are for running the emulator on Windows 95/98. In most cases, you should use np2sxnt.exe or np21nt.exe.

	To access the BIOS menu and dipswitches, reset while holding down the End key. Some additional emulator options can be accessed by left-clicking the cat in the upper-left corner, or right-clicking anywhere on the title bar.

	Also supports external FM synth modules. Specify with fmgendll= in the .ini file.

	The PC-9801VM, PC-9801RS, and PC-9821As folders contain preconfigured setups based on the latest np2fmgen. Choose one according to the software you want to run. For example, use the VM setup for early games released before 1987 or so, and use the As for games from the mid-1990s. The majority of games will run fine on the PC-9801RS setup.

	The VM, RS, and As setups are configured for the best possible FM synth quality, but CDDA and PCM may sound worse as a result (Policenauts, for example). To fix this, turn off QFM and set the sample rate to 44kHz under Emulate->Configure.

	MIDI is set to Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth for compatibility, but changing settings is strongly recommended if you have a better MIDI setup.

[np2x] no website, posted on 2ch boards (PC98エミュ総合, PC-98エミュを語ろう)
	Another unofficial Neko Project II version by Rednow. Supports many different file formats.

	To access the BIOS menu and dipswitches, reset while holding down the End key. Some additional emulator options can be accessed by left-clicking the cat in the upper-left corner, or right-clicking anywhere on the title bar.

	Supports Kega Fusion rpi filters, but only in 1280x800 windowed mode. The filter must support 640x200 resolution and x2 scaling. Put rpi files in the \plugins\ directory and specify a filter with rpi_name= in the .ini. From the emulator menu, select Screen->Window->GDI, and then check Screen->Filter.

	Also supports external FM synth modules. Specify with fmgendll= in the .ini.

=== Fujitsu FM-7 ===
[XM7] http://retropc.net/ryu/xm7/xm7.shtml
	XM7 is split into the following families:
		V1.0: emulates FM-7 only. Deprecated, and not included in this pack.
		V1.1: emulates FM-7, FM-77L4, FM-8 (does not emulate AV models)
		V2: emulates FM-7, FM77AV (does not emulate FM-8 or AV40 models)
		V3: emulates FM-7, FM77AV, FM77AV40EX/SX (does not emulate FM-8)
	There is also a joke "V2 Tsuki" version of V2, which simply adds a big green TV channel code in the upper-right corner.

[XM7dash] http://tomatoma.s54.xrea.com/xm7/index.shtml
	XM7dash is a derivative of XM7 with numerous enhancements, fully endorsed by the original author of XM7.

	XM7dash supports external FM synth modules. In the .ini file, set UseFMDll=1, and then specify the dll modules to use in the DllList entries underneath.

	XM7dash also supports external screen filters. In the .ini file, set UseFilterDll=1, and then specify the dll modules to use in the DllList entries underneath. If 2xRPI+.dll or D3D2xRpi+.dll is set, you can use a Kega Fusion rpi filter. The filter must support 640x200 resolution and x2 scaling. Put rpi files in the \plugins\ directory and specify a filter with filter=plugins\<filter name> in 2xRPI+.ini or D3D2xRpi+.ini.

=== Sharp X1 ===
[WinX1] website closed
	An older emulator from 2000. WinX1_ika is an unofficial version that adds save states. Japanese menus.

[Xmillenium] http://www.turboz.to/
	An older emulator that has spawned many variants. Last updated at the end of 2015.

[Xmillenium T-tune + ikaTune] http://retropc.net/ryu/ika/xmil_ika.shtml
	An unofficial enhancement of Xmillenium and its T-tune derivative, with new features such as save states. The best overall version is "X millennium v0.26 T-tune STEP 1.43 + ikaTune release 5" (Xmil026tt143_ika5.exe).

	Xmil-STC2.exe is a custom build of T-Tune specifically for Star Cruiser that enables a 256-color hack.

	Xmil106R is another version based on T-tune 1.43, released in 2009. Corrects a few timing issues, and adds some minor features.

	XmilMK2.exe is a previous version from 2007.

=== Sharp X68000 ===
[WinX68k] http://www.geocities.jp/winx68khighspeed/
	An older emulator last updated in 2004. Kousoku has Japanese menus, HighSpeed has English menus.

[WinX68k S.E./C.E.] http://www.dcn.ne.jp/~plastic/X68000/WinX68k.htm
	An improved derivative of WinX68k. SE is the Standard Edition, and CE is the Creators Edition.

[XM6 Pro-68k] http://mijet.eludevisibility.org/XM6%20Pro-68k/XM6%20Pro-68k.html
	An updated version of the XM6 emulator with a rich set of hacking and debugging functions.

[XM6 TypeG] http://www.geocities.jp/kugimoto0715/uploads/index.html
	Another fork of XM6 with many improvements. Unfortunately, the author is currently angry with the foreign emulation community over issues of code theft and unauthorized distribution, and has removed English language support. Hopefully the situation will improve, because TypeG is an excellent emulator.

[XM6i] http://xm6i.org/
	Another fork of XM6 with an official goal of running NetBSD/x68k. Includes three different executables:
		Mame: Uses a modified version of the Musashi 680x0 core found in MAME.
		Zero: Uses a new MPU core developed by the author of XM6 TypeG. About 1.5x faster than the MAME core.
		Star: Uses a modified Starscream MPU core originally used in XM6 TypeG. About 2x faster than the MAME core.

=== Fujitsu FM Towns ===
[Unz] http://townsemu.world.coocan.jp/
	Last updated in 2010. Unz is capable of running most FM Towns software without major issues, and can also emulate the Marty. Does not support installing Windows on FM Towns.

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5. Thanks
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Sincere thanks to all Neo Kobe members, Tokugawa regulars, 2ch trolls m9(^_^), the emulator authors, and all the anonymous dumpers and uploaders who keep the scene alive.