The PC-FX is a 32-bit home video game console developed together by NEC and Hudson Soft. It was released in December 1994 and uses the NEC V810 CPU and CD-ROM technology. The console was designed to replace the PC Engine, which was also known as the TurboGrafx-16 outside of Japan. However, the PC-FX was only sold in Japan.

The console’s shape and size are similar to a tower computer, allowing for upgrades. The PC-FX did not succeed commercially because it lacked a chip that could display 3D images made of polygons, had a high price, and received little support from game developers. It was discontinued in February 1998, and NEC stopped making home video game consoles after that.

History

In 1987, NEC worked with game publisher Hudson Soft to create the PC Engine, which was sold internationally as the TurboGrafx-16. The PC Engine was very popular in Japan, but the TurboGrafx-16 had difficulty gaining success in other countries.

The success of the PC Engine strengthened the partnership between NEC and Hudson. The companies began planning a new console as early as 1990, instead of using the SuperGrafx, which was a less successful upgrade to the PC Engine released the year before. They designed a prototype called "Tetsujin" ("Iron Man"), a 32-bit console with full-screen video playback, 2 MB of RAM, and a CD-ROM. NEC built the console using its experience with electronics, while Hudson provided the special parts needed for the system. The prototype was announced in 1992 and shown to interested companies. To demonstrate its abilities, Hudson made a version of the game Star Soldier that displayed 3D objects on pre-made backgrounds. After receiving positive feedback, NEC and Hudson decided to continue the project.

The Tetsujin was originally planned for release in 1992, but delays caused by the lack of finished games pushed the launch to early 1993, which was later canceled. Some publications suggested that NEC and Hudson hesitated to release a new system because the PC Engine was still doing well in Japan. Later in 1993, more advanced consoles like the Atari Jaguar and 3DO Interactive Multiplayer were released, making the Tetsujin's technology seem outdated. Publications became unsure about the Tetsujin's chances of success due to its weaker hardware and competition. NEC and Hudson knew the system's technology was not strong enough, but time limits prevented them from creating a completely new design. Instead, they redesigned the system to look like a PC tower with slots for future upgrades. Only minor changes were made to the hardware, including an upgrade to a new 32-bit V-810 RISC CPU. The system was renamed the PC-FX, with "PC" referencing the PC Engine brand. Unlike most fifth-generation consoles, the PC-FX did not include a polygon graphics processor. NEC explained that polygon processors at the time were not powerful enough, leading to blocky images, and that pre-made polygon graphics were better for games.

The PC-FX was announced in late 1993 and shown at the 1994 Tokyo Toy Show in June. Alongside competing systems like the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Neo Geo CD, and Bandai Playdia, the PC-FX's PC tower design was criticized by commentators. Hudson demonstrated FX Fighter, a full-motion video fighting game created to compete with Sega's Virtua Fighter, to highlight the system's capabilities. Its smooth, shaded polygon visuals were praised by publications, leading to high expectations for the console's launch. The PC-FX targeted an audience about five years older than the PC Engine's, hoping to attract older fans. It launched in Japan on December 23, 1994, priced at ¥49,800. A representative from NEC mentioned about a year before the launch that the company believed the system would likely sell poorly outside Japan due to its high cost.

The PC-FX was discontinued in early 1998, having sold only 300,000 units.

Technical specifications

The PC-FX uses CD-ROMs to store games. This was an upgrade from its earlier version, which used HuCard technology. The game controller is very similar to a DUO-RX controller, but the fast buttons have been replaced with mode A/B switches. Peripherals include a PC-FX mouse, which works with strategy games like Farland Story FX and Power DoLLS FX.

The PC-FX uses HuC6270 and HuC6271 graphic chips. It can process 30 JPEG pictures per second while playing digitally recorded audio, which is a type of Motion JPEG. This allows the PC-FX to display high-quality full motion video better than other fifth-generation consoles.

The PC-FX had a computer-like design, which was unusual for consoles at the time. It stood upright like a tower computer, while other consoles from the same era lay flat. It also had three expansion ports. Like the 3DO, it had a built-in power supply.

The PC-FX includes an HU 62 series 32-bit system board, an LSI chip, and a 32-bit V-810 RISC CPU. It can display 16.77 million colors, the same number as the PlayStation.

Unlike other fifth-generation consoles, the PC-FX does not have a polygon graphics processor. NEC decided this because early polygon processors had limited power, making 3D figures look blocky. Instead, games used pre-rendered polygon graphics for better results.

PC-FXGA

NEC introduced the PC-FXGA ("game accelerator") expansion cards for PC-9800 and DOS/V computers, enabling those systems to play PC-FX games. The PC-9800 version requires two cards combined, while the DOS/V version uses a single ISA card. Both cards include an extra 3D chipset (Kubota/Hudson HuC6273) beyond the standard PC-FX components. Unlike most computer graphics accelerators of that time, including the similar Creative Labs 3DO Blaster, the PC-FXGA sends video signals through a separate connection instead of using the computer's main interface. This design made the card harder to use, as games still needed to be started from the DOS prompt, requiring a second monitor or an input switcher. The card's high cost and the limited popularity of the PC-FX itself led to poor sales, even worse than those of the dedicated PC-FX unit. Today, the card is highly valued by collectors because of its rarity.

Library

The library has 62 games. The first games released were Graduation 2: Neo Generation FX, Battle Heat, and Team Innocent on December 23, 1994. The last game released was First Kiss Story on April 24, 1998. The system and all games were only available in Japan. Some demo discs were included with publications, allowing users to play them on a CD-equipped PC Engine or PC-FX.

NEC told Hudson Soft, continuing their partnership with the PC Engine, to create games only based on popular anime series and using pre-made animation. This rule used the hardware’s strengths but prevented Hudson Soft from bringing successful PC Engine games like Bomberman and Bonk to the PC-FX.

Reception

After the PC-FX was released, Famitsu gave it a score of 18 out of 40, which was one point less than the score it gave to the PlayStation. In April 1995, a writer from Ultimate Future Games noted that the PC-FX had strong hardware but its collection of games focused more on animation than actual gameplay, and warned readers to "not expect much just yet." Writers from Game Criticism believed the system had a weak selection of games and that NEC lacked new ideas and creativity, making it a poor and less successful follow-up to the PC Engine.