A Forgotten Pioneer
Let's explore a forgotten Fujitsu console that many may have yet to hear of or know of its existence. This obscure system was the first 5th-gen console released in the era, a gaming innovation that flew under the radar but remains an interesting part of gaming history.
The video gaming industry changed significantly during the fifth generation of gaming consoles. This was a time of rapid technological advancement and changing market dynamics. CDs became more popular than cartridges because they were cheaper and could store more data. Powerful custom processors allowed games to transition from 2D to 3D. Due to poor sales, this era also saw several hardware manufacturers like Atari, NEC, 3DO, and Commodore exiting the market. Sony's PlayStation emerged as a major player, overshadowing Sega and Nintendo.
FM Towns Marty
The FM Towns Marty, launched in 1993 by Fujitsu, was the first 32-bit console and is often considered the first of the fifth generation, predating others like the Atari Jaguar, the Sega Saturn, Amiga CD32 and the 3DO. Although it never achieved widespread success, its role in shaping gaming history and its innovative features make it a fascinating topic for retro enthusiasts.
The FM Towns Marty Gaming Console
The FM Towns Marty was a computer-console hybrid released exclusively in Japan and never reached international markets. It was essentially a stripped-down version of the 8-bit FM Towns personal computer Fujitsu released in 1989, which was considered advanced at the time. What's particularly impressive is that it was the first computer with a CD-ROM drive, a technology ahead of its time. This, along with its powerful graphics and user-friendly interface, made it popular for multimedia applications and well-equipped for gaming with an already impressive library of games.
The FM Town Personal Computer
The name "FM Towns" comes from Fujitsu's "Fujitsu Micro" (FM) series, combined with "Towns," which was inspired by Charles H. Townes, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist. The name aimed to convey a sense of community and innovation in computing.
Technical Specs
As the FM Towns was an excellent gaming PC, it was only natural to create a consolized version.
The FM Towns Marty features a 32-bit AMD 386SX processor running at 16 MHz and can produce up to 1024 sprites. It supports resolutions from 352×232 to 640×480 with a palette of 32,768 colors. The audio capabilities include 6-channel FM and 8-channel PCM sound. It has 2 MB of RAM, a CD-ROM, and a 3.5" floppy drive. Connectivity consists of a PCMCIA slot, controller ports, a keyboard port, and audio jacks. Video output is available through composite and S-Video, including an internal AC 110V power supply.
The Marty was designed to focus on gaming while maintaining compatibility with FM Town computer's existing software library. It provided the console access to a variety of titles right from its launch. The FM Towns Marty didn't have exclusive titles developed specifically for it.
Peripherals included a keyboard, mouse, joystick (ideal for fighting games like Street Fighter 2), and even a microphone, allowing the console to function as a karaoke machine. The Marty was one of the more powerful consoles of its time and was considered more impressive than others in the early 1990s.
The FM Towns Marty was priced at approximately ¥98,000 in Japan, around USD 700, making it an expensive option alongside the 3DO at USD 699. This high price contributed to its commercial failure, limiting accessibility to more affordable consoles like the Atari Jaguar at USD 249 and the CD32 at around USD 400.
Despite its impressive hardware, the Marty struggled with sales due to its high price. Fujitsu aimed to sell 1,000,000 units in the first year. Unfortunately, only a few thousand were sold in the first quarter, making them realize they might not recover their investment.
Many saw it as a toy since it was essentially a console version of the FM Towns personal computer, often used in schools for educational purposes. Ironically, it also featured a selection of adult-themed hentai games (Japanese anime/manga containing adult themes and explicit content) that were certainly not for children.
Seeking ways to boost its return on investment, a division of Fujitsu focused on vehicle radio and localization systems was granted permission to use the FM Towns Marty to develop what would become the first in-car multimedia player. The Car Marty, a multimedia system with advanced car navigation, was announced at the motor show in October 1993.
Car Marty
Fujitsu released the Car Marty MVP-1 in April 1994, priced at ¥120000 (approximately USD 800). It was basically an FM Towns Marty in a smaller form factor and was made portable. However, it wasn't the typical portable handheld gaming device like the Atari Lynx or the Nintendo Game Boy. It was a specially designed unit that could be fitted into the car and had a GPS installed in the system. You had the option to purchase it with or without a screen; it can be hooked up to the car using the car's monitor or taken into the hotel room and used on a TV. Fujitsu had planned for the system to be marketed to airline companies, but unfortunately, it was too bulky for that matter. This system is very rare and hard to find.
The map software requires a PCMCIA card, which is included with the Car Marty, and a CD-ROM for the maps. These components also function on a standard FM Towns Marty, except for the GPS antenna, which cannot be connected to the regular console version. The software also enables saving and exchanging route information using an optional 3.5-inch floppy disk drive, sold separately for ¥30,000 (approximately USD 200).
At the time, in-car GPS systems were very expensive, so Fujitsu never expected to sell many units. The central unit was priced at ¥120,000, with an optional navigation kit (NVK-1A), which included a screen for mounting it in the car, costing an additional ¥90,000. The necessary floppy disk drive for saving information added another ¥30,000, and a home-use kit with an S-video cable was an extra ¥10,000. Altogether, the complete set cost ¥250,000, which is over USD 1600.
The unit was discontinued in 1995, a year after its release, as GPS systems became more common and cheaper to produce.
FM Towns Marty 2
In 1994, a year after the original model, Fujitsu released the FM Towns Marty 2. The only change was a new darker grey shell, replacing the original white, and a reduced price of ¥66,000 (about USD 670). Despite hopes for hardware upgrades, it remained the same as the first Marty, lacking a faster CPU or the anticipated Intel 486 chip, which disappointed potential buyers.
Unfortunately, although FM Town's computer range was quite successful in Japan, the Marty console version was not. Fujitsu reported at the beginning of 1994 that it had sold just under 45000 units in its first year of production. The company hoped that the remodelled Marty 2 would help increase sales, but it eventually did little to help. In 1995, Fujitsu decided to discontinue the console, and most retailers had already dropped the product from their shelves as soon as the Sega Saturn and the Sony PlayStation came along. Despite this, Marty retained a small hardcore user base and received updated software until the end of the decade.
The FM Towns Marty faced several challenges leading to its demise. Its high price made it inaccessible to many consumers, and being exclusive to Japan limited its market reach. Additionally, the lack of exclusive games reduced its appeal compared to other consoles. Combined with strong competition from more established gaming systems, these factors contributed to the Marty's failure in the market.
Where to play?
The only way to enjoy Marty games today is via emulation. Besides looking for and buying the real thing, which would cost an arm and a leg, some emulators allow players to enjoy the games as they were in the days. Although there are no true FM Town emulators, sadly, and most have their issues depending on which one you choose. It is still a cheaper way to play these 30+ year-old games on your PC.
The FM Towns Marty didn't have exclusive games; most titles were also available on the FM Towns computer system. Many games originally released for the FM Towns Marty have been re-released or ported to other platforms over the years. This makes them accessible to a broader audience without needing the original hardware. These ports can often be found on modern gaming consoles, PCs, or through digital distribution services. This trend helps preserve classic games and introduces them to new generations of players.
Emulator Handhelds
In recent years, the release of powerful emulator handhelds has revolutionised portable gaming, allowing players to experience games from various eras. These handhelds provide a convenient way for gamers to carry vast libraries of retro games, catering to the nostalgia of older players and introducing younger generations to the rich history of video games. This accessibility ensures seamless access to timeless classics and plays a crucial role in maintaining the legacy of retro gaming.
Stay Retro!
David - My Retro Game Hub
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