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Electronic Gaming Monthly
Unknown Date - Unknown Issue
Sources in Japan have indicated that the 32-Bit FX CD-ROM system may come to America, although TTi has not confirmed nor denied this.
Positioned as an 'upscale model from the Duo,' the CD-ROM only system will employ NEC'S V810 RISC processor as the CPU. Its high speed processing of digital movie data enables full-color and full-screen animations at 30 frames per second. Although it will not be fitted with a special polygon graphics processor like Sega's Saturn or Sony's PlayStation, NEC claims FX's ample 36-Bit memory will will enable it to provide graphic processing performance on par with its next generation competitors.
FX will also be fitted with an expansion slot for adding such optional accessories as a modem interface. Besides game CD-ROMs, FX should also accept music CDs and photo CDs.
For a taste of what the FX can do, NEC released several shots of amazing computer graphics featuring impressive textured polygons and translucency techniques. The attention to detail in the graphics is spectacular and the look is just plain phenomenal.
Unknown Date - Unknown Issue
From International News Section
Hudson Enters Hard - Pushes New Tech A Bit
While I'm writing this column, Hudson has sent word that they will re-enter the next-generation video game hardware sweepstakes with their new 32-Bit mega-machine that was shown in preliminary form several issues back. According to my sources, Hudson will be breaking the news next week (October 26) at a special press conference in Sapparo.
Sources inside the company have said that a major amount of attention will be placed on the new hardware as an upgrade to the company's existing PC Engine line (which is now over five years old). Although the CD-ROM unit and subsequent software enhancements have kept interest in the PC Engine high on these shores, the company wants to make the move to 32-Bit as opposed to introducing a 4.0 Super System card.
Unknown Date - Unknown Issue
At the Tokyo Toy Show, we finally got a hands-on tryout of NEC Home Electronics' 32-Bit FX, the upmarket model to the PC Engine, and we came away impressed. Like its next generation competitors, 3DO and Saturn, this 32-Bit machine is priced in the neighborhood of 50,000 Yen. Its release date is November this year in Japan, when Sony's PlayStation and Sega Saturn are set to be released.
FX is capable of displaying over 16 million colors using the entire TV screen for astounding full-motion video at a smooth 30 frames per second. The games currently in development take full advantage of these graphic display abilities. One such game is Battle Heat, a wild FMV fighting game using cool animations in the Fist of the North Star mold. Although only two fighters have been programmed in so far, NEC HE claimed that game will feature six to eight characters when it is completed. Also under development is Team Innocent, a 3-D adventure game mixing polygon graphics with animated sprites. These games will be ready for the machine's launch. Two to three other games should also be available for launching the system. NEC HE stated that the software prices will also probably be somewhat higher than those for PC Engine software, so it seems likely that the games will cost approximately 8,000 Yen - 10,00 Yen retail.
Besides these games in development, NEC HE also demonstrated FX Fighter, an experimental fighting game featuring extremely life-like polygon figures. Although FX does not have special processors for handling polygons like Playstation or Sega Saturn, NEC HE claimed that the system's superb graphics processing capabilities makes such hardware unnecessary, especially given the present level of polygon technologies. NEC HE claimed that it would be possible to provide optional expansion kits in the future for adding polygon processing and other performance enhancements.
Although the system is designed primarily as a game machine, NEC HE intends to launch optional devices such as an interface to enable FX's use as a CD-ROM drive for NEC PC-9800 series computers. A modem is also being planned that will enable FX to eceive and display faxes on TV. An add-on board version of the FX for installation in PC-9800 computers is also in the midst of preparation.
It is extremely unfortunate but NEC HE has no plans of releasing FX outside Japan at present, claiming that the high price tag could make it a hard sell. In Japan, NEC HE hopes to sell 500,000 units in the first year of its launch.
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