GX-4000

GX-4000 is a video Game console 8 bits of Amstrad put on sale in 1990. It is built on a basis of Amstrad CPC Plus and thus shares the same characteristics as this one.

History

In 1989, the CPC are found completely exceeded by the new machines 16 bits. Result, the sales drop and a reaction is essential. Roland Perry, originator of the machines of the mark, puts at listening principal developers CPC. It results 3 new machines from them: 2 computers and 1 console.

Always structured around the Z-80 of Zilog, the pallet is extended to 4096, the number of displayable colors simultaneously passes to 32 and the RAM to 64 KB. The resolutions remain identical, 160x200, 320x200 or 640x200. Color 0 (transparency) is now managed, like 16 sprites, of the scrolling S materials, and a possible division of the screen in several portions (4 at the most). For the sound, the coprocessor now supports the sound in stereophony, always on 3 ways and with an direct access with the memory (DMA) what allows the use of sample.

Presented to the press at the time of the summer 1990, the machine profits from the support from the largest European editors and particularly French (the Amstrad machines being particularly well sold in France). Unfortunately, the level of the first programs is, as a whole, identical so that one observes on the CPC old generation, the plays really exploiting the console being planned only for the following months. Launching takes place in September 1990, with an advertizing budget of 200 franc million (approximately 30,5 million euros). Between 150  000 and 200  000 sales of machines are planned for the end of 1990.

March 1991: After 6 months of presence, less than 13.000 GX-4000 are really sold. In spite of significant price drops (690F - approximately 105€) and some additional titles, the lifespan of the console does not exceed a year. Not more 150  000 specimens will be sold, of which 40  000 in France according to Amstrad. Less than one about thirty titles will leave for the console.

To note that the cartridges of the console also function in computer CPC+ of the mark.

Specifications technique

List plays

At least 25 plays left on GX-4000:

The existence of this one remains to be proven:

  • Special Criminal Investigation (Hunting HQ II)

And some however announced were however cancelled:

  • Escape from the Planet off the Robot Monsters
  • Gazza II
  • Kick Off 2
  • Out Run
  • Shadow Warriors
  • Spider-Man
  • Toki

External bonds

  • File on the GX-4000 on Grospixels
  • detailed List of plays GX-4000

Simple: GX4000

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