The PC-8800 series (Japanese: PC-8800シリーズ, Hepburn: Pī Shī Hassen Happyaku Shirīzu), often called PC-88, is a line of 8-bit home computers made by NEC. These computers use the Zilog Z80 processor and were first released in Japan in 1981.

The PC-8800 series was very popular and became one of the four major home computers in Japan during the 1980s. The other three were the Fujitsu FM-7, Sharp X1, and MSX computers. Later, NEC introduced the 16-bit PC-9800 series, which replaced the PC-8800. However, the PC-8800 continued to sell well until the early 1990s.

NEC’s American company, NEC Home Electronics (USA), sold different versions of the PC-8800 in the United States and Canada.

History

In September 1979, Nippon Electric's Microcomputer Sales Section of the Electronic Device Sales Division introduced the PC-8001. By 1981, this computer made up 40% of the Japanese personal computer market. In April 1981, Nippon Electric expanded its personal computer lines into three groups: New Nippon Electric, Information Processing Group, and Electronic Devices Group. Each group focused on specific computer series. In June 1980, the Microcomputer Sales Section was renamed the Microcomputer and Application Division. In April 1981, it became the Personal Computer Division. At that time, most Japanese personal computers were used by hobbyists. In November 1981, the division launched the PC-8801, aiming to grow the personal computer market in business settings.

The PC-8801 could display Kanji characters with an optional Kanji ROM board. Companies released Japanese word processor software for the machine, including My Letter ( マイレター ), Writing ( 文筆 , Bunpitsu ), and Yūkara ( ユーカラ ). NEC released Japanese Word Processor ( 日本語ワードプロセッサ ), a rebranded version of Yūkara, but it was not successful. In addition to office software, companies like Enix and Koei created many popular games for the system, making the PC-8801 a strong gaming platform. By November 1983, 170,000 units of the PC-8801 had been sold. The PC-8801mkII, its direct successor, included a JIS level 1 kanji font ROM, a smaller case and keyboard, and, in models 20 and 30, one or two internal 5 1⁄4-inch 2D floppy disk drives. The PC-8800 series sold more units than the PC-9800 series at that time.

By December 1983, NEC had multiple personal computer lines from different divisions. NEC's Information Processing Group produced the PC-9800 series, and NEC Home Electronics made the PC-6000 series. To avoid competition between its divisions, NEC combined its personal computer business into two groups: NEC Home Electronics handled the 8-bit home computer line, and the Information Processing Group managed the 16-bit personal computer line. The Electronic Device Sales Division transferred its personal computer business to NEC Home Electronics.

In March 1985, NEC Home Electronics launched the PC-8801mkIISR, which had better graphics and sound features. A cheaper version, the PC-8801mkIIFR, sold 60,000 units in six months. Although the PC-9801VM sold more units, the PC-8800 series remained popular as a Japanese PC game platform until the early 1990s.

Hardware

The PC-8800 computer had four different graphics modes during its lifetime. These modes are listed below:

• N mode: A graphics mode compatible with the PC-8000 series.
• V1 mode: A screen size of 640 pixels wide by 200 pixels tall with 8 colors, or 640 pixels wide by 400 pixels tall with 2 colors.
• V2 mode: A screen size of 640 pixels wide by 200 pixels tall with 8 colors out of a total of 512 colors, or 640 pixels wide by 400 pixels tall with 2 colors out of 512 colors.
• V3 mode: A screen size of 640 pixels wide by 200 pixels tall with 65,536 colors, or 640 pixels wide by 400 pixels tall with 256 colors out of 65,536 colors, or 320 pixels wide by 200 pixels tall with 65,536 colors, or 320 pixels wide by 400 pixels tall with 64 colors out of 65,536 colors.

No computer in the PC-8800 series could display all four graphics modes.

Early models of the PC-8800 used a simple internal speaker, like those found in the Apple II, PC-8000, and IBM PC, which could make basic sounds such as beeps and clicks. Later models included FM-synthesis chips, which allowed for more detailed and complex audio.

Software

Companies that created special software for the NEC PC-8801 included Enix, Square, Sega, Taito, Nihon Falcom, Bandai, HAL Laboratory, ASCII, Namco, Pony Canyon, Technology and Entertainment Software, Wolf Team, Capcom, Dempa, Champion Soft, Starcraft, Micro Cabin, PSK, and Bothtec. Some games made for the PC-8801 were also released on the MSX, such as those created by Game Arts, ELF Corporation, and Konami. Many well-known game series first appeared on the NEC PC-8801, including Snatcher, Thexder, Dragon Slayer, RPG Maker, Sokoban, and Ys. There were also versions of famous games from other systems, such as Might and Magic: Book One The Secret of the Inner Sanctum.

Nintendo allowed Hudson Soft to bring some of Nintendo's Family Computer games to the PC-8801, including Excitebike, Balloon Fight, Tennis, Golf, and Ice Climber. New versions of Mario Bros. called Mario Bros. Special and Punch Ball Mario Bros. were also released, along with a game called Donkey Kong 3: Dai Gyakushū, which is a follow-up to Donkey Kong 3.

The computer had its own version of BASIC, called N88-BASIC.