New Member - Getting First X68000!

[x68000]

Hi All,

I'm very happy to find this sub-forum - Documentation is so scarce for this system!

I have been buying X68000 games for around 10 years now (i'm a massive Konami and Capcom games fan) and  have accumulated most of the mainstream titles. I've also just bought a Mitsubishi XC-2930C broadcast monitor in readyness of getting my system.

This leads me to my two main questions - Any help would be hugely appreciated:

What is the best system to go for? I've always intended to go for one with the standard 5 1/4" floppy drives, until i started reading up here about the compact models and the possibility of being able to use a 3 mode 3 1/2" external and copy direct via a windows pc. That way i could preseve my originals, especially the expensive ones such as Dracula X and Nemesis '90 Kai, but I have also heard that the Compact models are harder to operate.

Does anyone have any thoughts to help me make the right decision?

[NFG]

In my long experience with computers, it seems that 5.25" media is less likely to die on you.  In fact, I don't even remember the last time I had one die, where I can point to hundreds of instances where 3.5" disks have frustrated me.    I do not worry about my X68000 disks going bad.  I'd suggest copying software if you really want to back up your floppies.

The 5.25" DRIVES though can be flaky. 

For convenience, piracy and preservation, yeah, you might be better off with 3.5" disks and an XVI Compact, but...  Well, the Compact machines aren't very attractive, are they?  The tower X68000 units, especially the XVI, look awesome. 

My main machine is an XVI.  I have a compact as well (and I've owned all of 'em, bar the 030s, at one time or another).  It's a real workhorse, but with enough RAM you'd be fine with any of the X68 models.  The PRO is probably the most durable, it's a monster.  The original X68000 is possibly a bad choice, and harder to get replacement parts for.

[x68000]

There seems to have been quite a few excellent shoot em ups released by the homebrew community. Would there be an easy way to actually get these running on  a convential X68000, or would a compact be easier to get these playing?

I Have to agree that the Compact looks nowhere near as good as the full sized XVI for instance - is the extra clock speed (16Mhz) useful for anything?

I hopefully have a source in Japan to source me what i need, What would you see as a fair price for a Pro Model, XVI and a XVI Compact? Don't need a monitor, just the system, PSU, Keyboard, Mouse and a MIDI interface. Have around 30 games ready to play - 1st game to be played has to be either A-Jax or Thunder Force II  

[NFG]

Only one or two games make use of the extra speed, and one - Mahou Daisakusen - is basically a choppy mess even with the extra speed.  So no, really there's no point beyond bragging rights.  Perhaps one or two others might make use of it, but IMO you're better off with 4MB RAM and a HDD (and the HDD is an extra world of annoyance).

And, I'm very sorry, AJax and TF2 kinda suck.  =/

[x68000]

What would you expect to pay for one of the said systems?

Shame you don't like Thunder Force II, It is a fantastic game - Got the Megadrive Version back in '89 and can't wait to play the original  

A-Jax was very good in the arcades, so hope it's a decent port

Mahou Daisakusen was very nice on the Saturn, so i'm covered on that one 

[NFG]

Oh, I like TF2 alright.  I just prefer 3, 4 and 5.  TF2 just doesn't entertain like it used to.  The crystal-clear sound in the X68 version is far better than the MD mess tho. 

AJax really suffers from the missing 3rd button.  =/

[x68000]

I like the look of the XVI, so am going to persue that one - With 4Mb Ram (is it easy to obtain later??)

What price do you think they are going for now? both the standard and compact versions?

EDIT: Saw one on Yahoo auctions for Y43000 (XVI with MIDI interface, fully reconditioned) how does that sound price wise?

[Midori]

Mahou Daisakusen was very nice on the Saturn, so i'm covered on that one  

Actually, only the sequel, Shippu Mahou Daisakusen is available on the Saturn. Mahou Daisakusen is the first game in a series of three and only had ports to X68000 and FM-Towns. Although, as Lawerence said, the the X68 port leaves a bit to be desired...

[x68000]

Ah, of course, I 'm thinking Of Kingdom GP

Do you have any thoughts on my other questions? - Would be appreciated!

[x68000]

@Lawrence

Are you still able to source systems?

If so, I've decided upon a XVI, 4Mb, MIDI Interface, Keyboard and Mouse. Preferably in Very Good Condition. I Live in the UK.

Would appreciate if you could maybe help out on this one!

[NFG]

Alas, I don't plan to be back in Japan until June/July, so I can't really be of any assistance to you, even if I had a source.  Normally I just get my stuff off Yahoo.

[x68000]

What do you think of the prices on Yahoo Auctions Lawrence?

I looked at a Reconditioned XVI - Y43000

[NFG]

I'm kinda stunned at the prices lately, when I was last buying X68 hardware I was paying a LOT less.  Demand has really driven up the prices...  And me, like an idiot, sold them all when prices were low.  =(

I'm not, therefore, in any position to say whether that's a good price or not.  Anyone else following the market lately?

[papa_november]

The market has gone through the roof since you last looked. I've seen machines in perfect condition go for as much as $800(on eBay), and finding one with the keyboard and mouse is getting to be more and more of a chore.

You will not see an XVI go too far below $500 (on YAJ or eBay) unless it's missing the peripherals, has a blown power supply, or both.

There's the occasional bargain, but like anything else this expensive these days, don't ever count on it.

[x68000]

Does anyone know of any sources other than yahoo.co.jp which are worth checking?

Or know of any systems for sale?

Just want a near mint/very good condition XVI, Possible RAM upgrade to 4mb (not essential) MIDI interface is important, mouse, keyboard (pref mint)

I know it's a big ask to find this, but any help would be highly appreciated.

[Magic Knight]

.

[x68000]

Just mint for it's age. I don't expect it to be perfect, but i've had lots of Japanese systems which are not that far away from looking new.

I guess then that 42000 Yen sounds about right for a compact XVI. Just a shame the exchange rate is terrible.