| 1 | [[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/amstrad_cpc.png]] |
| 2 | ->''"Pan Am takes good care of you; Marks and Spencer loves you; IBM says the customer is king; at Amstrad we want your money."'' |
| 3 | -->-- '''Alan Sugar''' |
| 4 | |
| 5 | Amstrad[[note]]A shortened form of the name "Alan Michael Sugar Trading", named for founder Alan Sugar[[/note]] was a British manufacturer of consumer electronics, and in the early 1980s decided to get into the home computer market, which at that time was dominated by the Platform/Commodore64 and Platform/ZXSpectrum. Amstrad decided to develop a Z80-based system that was similar to the Platform/ZXSpectrum, but technically better. The '''Amstrad CPC'''[='=]s video hardware offered resolutions similar to the Platform/IBMPersonalComputer's Color Graphics Adapter, but with a low-resolution 16-color graphics mode replacing the text modes and an expanded color palette that allowed for more vivid colors than on the [=C64=] or Spectrum (though this often didn't show when Speccy games were cheaply ported to the CPC). Also built into the hardware was a three-channel sound generator, rather than a beeper as on the Spectrum and IBM PC of the time. |
| 6 | |
| 7 | Amstrad also developed its own operating system for it, called AMSDOS, and a custom version of BASIC called Locomotive BASIC. The new computer could also run CP/M, the 1970s standard OS for business software. |
| 8 | |
| 9 | The new computer was released in 1984 as the Amstrad Colour Personal Computer 464. It had 64K of MediaNotes/{{R|andomAccessMemory}}AM, a built-in cassette drive (another thing lacking in the Spectrum), and came with either a [[CyberGreen green phosphor]] or color monitor. With a proprietary monitor, it could avoid the problem of different TV standards in different countries (a huge problem for other computers of that time, as most of them had TV output). It was marketed all over Europe, and was a huge success, selling over 2,000,000 units. Amstrad also succeeded in establishing the CPC as a game computer by releasing many games under the Amsoft label, even though the early Amsoft releases suffered from a notorious lack of quality control. The Spanish company Indescomp developed several Amsoft games as a part of a deal that included the distribution rights for the Spanish version of the [=CPC464=], which was briefly rebranded as the unique [=CPC472=], a plain [=464=] with "8" more Ks of RAM to avoid a local tax for machines with 64KBs or less. [[note]] The extra memory wasn't even electronically connected to the mainboard, just physically attached. The farce stopped when the tax was nullified by the country entering the European Economic Community in 1986. [[/note]] |
| 10 | |
| 11 | Customers loved it, but wanted more memory and a floppy drive. Amstrad chose to build a 3" drive into their computers, which was controversial, as most other computer manufacturers were moving to Creator/{{Sony}}'s 3.5" drive instead. The 3" drive was introduced in 1985 with the [=CPC664=]. This model lasted only a few months before being replaced by the [=CPC6128=], with 128K of RAM. The CPC represented a higher-end alternative to the Spectrum, especially after 1986, when Amstrad bought the rights to produce it from Sinclair Research. |
| 12 | |
| 13 | The lineup (464 and 6128) remained unchanged until 1990, when Amstrad decided to improve them to a standard closer to the Platform/{{Amiga}} and Platform/AtariST. The new models were the 464plus, the 6128plus, and the Platform/GX4000 game console. ("CPC" was not officially part of these model names.) They had a new GPU with a 4,096-color palette and hardware sprites; a less processor-intensive sound system; and support for analog joysticks and cartridges up to four megabits. They were also completely backwards compatible. But they were still based on an 8-bit CPU, so they were obsolete in an industry of 16- and 32-bit computers, and failed in the marketplace. Amstrad apparently wanted games using the extra Plus features to be released on cartridges only, with only a few Plus games being released on disks starting in 1992; cartridges were more expensive but were the only format supported by the failed [=GX4000=]. The CPC was also more complex than the Spectrum, so it didn't have the second life in eastern Europe that the Spectrum had. |
| 14 | |
| 15 | As for Amstrad itself, it eventually began to focus more on communications devices than consumer electronics -- with the notable exception of receiving boxes and dishes for the British satellite TV service Creator/{{Sky}}, having been the first to manufacture them in 1989 when the service launched, and the two companies grew increasingly close over the years, culminating in Sky's purchase of Amstrad in 2007; the name and all non-Sky products have since been retired, though Sky's approval was needed for Spectrum and CPC replicas released in recent years. |
| 16 | ---- |
| 17 | !!Specifications: |
| 18 | |
| 19 | [[AC:Processors]] |
| 20 | * [[UsefulNotes/CentralProcessingUnit CPU]]: Zilog Z80, 4 [=Mhz=]. |
| 21 | * [[MediaNotes/GraphicsProcessingUnit GPU]]: Combination of a Motorola 6845 and a custom gate array. |
| 22 | * Sound: General Instrument AY-3-8912. |
| 23 | |
| 24 | [[AC:Memory]] |
| 25 | * 464, 664, 464plus, [=GX4000=]: 64K RAM. (The 472 theoretically had 72K, but the extra 8K RAM chip was not even hooked up.) |
| 26 | * 6128, 6128plus: 128K RAM. |
| 27 | |
| 28 | [[AC:Display]] |
| 29 | * 160*200, 320*200, or 640*200 resolution. Different resolutions could be used for the top and bottom parts of the screen; this was done in such games as ''After the War'', ''Sorcery'' and ''VideoGame/ViajeAlCentroDeLaTierra''. |
| 30 | * Original models: 27 colors. (The palette was built on a ternary GRB system, from 000[-3-] to 222[-3-]: 0 was black, 1 was dark blue, 2 was light blue, 3 (010[-3-]) was dark red, etc. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_8-bit_computer_hardware_palettes#CPC_series More info.]]) |
| 31 | * Plus models, [=GX4000=]: 4,096 colors. |
| 32 | * Sprites (Plus models, [=GX4000=] only): 16*16 resolution; 16 per scanline; 16 colors. |
| 33 | |
| 34 | [[AC:Sound]] |
| 35 | * General Instrument AY-3-8912 PSG, providing three channels of square waves and/or white noise. |
| 36 | |
| 37 | !!Games: |
| 38 | [[AC:Exclusive titles and MultiPlatform games that started here:]] |
| 39 | [[index]] |
| 40 | * ''[=750cc=] Grand Prix'' |
| 41 | * ''Airwolf'' |
| 42 | * ''Aliens: The Computer Game'' |
| 43 | * ''Alien Highway'' |
| 44 | * ''Amaurote'' |
| 45 | * ''Arachnophobia'' |
| 46 | * ''The Armageddon Man'' aka ''Global Commander'' |
| 47 | * ''Arnhem'' |
| 48 | * ''Asterix and the Magic Cauldron'' |
| 49 | * ''VideoGame/AstroMarineCorps'' |
| 50 | * ''Attack of the Killer Tomatoes'' |
| 51 | * ''VideoGame/BarbarianTheUltimateWarrior'' |
| 52 | * ''Battle of the Planets'' |
| 53 | * ''Beyond the Ice Palace'' |
| 54 | * ''Bobby Bearing'' |
| 55 | * ''The Boggit'' |
| 56 | * ''Bored of the Rings'' |
| 57 | * ''Bridge-It'' |
| 58 | * ''Bumpy'' |
| 59 | * ''Cauldron'' |
| 60 | * ''Crafton & Xunk'' aka ''Get Dexter'' |
| 61 | * ''The Curse of Sherwood'' |
| 62 | * ''Cybernoid: The Fighting Machine'' |
| 63 | ** ''Cybernoid II: The Revenge'' |
| 64 | * The ''VideoGame/{{Dizzy}}'' series |
| 65 | * ''Dun Darach'' |
| 66 | * ''VideoGame/EdenBlues'' |
| 67 | * ''Empire'' |
| 68 | * ''Equinox'' |
| 69 | * ''Everyone's a Wally'' |
| 70 | * ''Exolon'' |
| 71 | * ''Fairlight'' |
| 72 | * ''Finders Keepers'' |
| 73 | * ''Firelord'' |
| 74 | * ''Flunky'' |
| 75 | * ''Football Manager'' |
| 76 | * ''Frankenstein'' |
| 77 | * ''Fruity Frank'' |
| 78 | * ''Future Knight'' |
| 79 | * ''Game Over'' |
| 80 | ** ''Game Over II'' |
| 81 | * ''Gazza's Superstar Soccer'' |
| 82 | ** ''Gazza II'' |
| 83 | * ''VideoGame/GhostHunters'' |
| 84 | * ''Ghouls'' |
| 85 | * ''Glider Rider'' |
| 86 | * ''Grand Prix Circuit'' |
| 87 | * ''Grand Prix Simulator'' |
| 88 | * ''Grange Hill'' |
| 89 | * ''Harrier Attack'' |
| 90 | * ''Heartland'' |
| 91 | * ''Heavy on the Magick'' |
| 92 | * ''The Heroes of Karn'' |
| 93 | * ''Highway Encounter'' |
| 94 | * ''Hollywood or Bust'' |
| 95 | * ''Hoppin' Mad'' |
| 96 | * ''VideoGame/HumanKillingMachine'' |
| 97 | * ''VideoGame/{{Hurlements}}'' |
| 98 | * ''Hydrofool'' |
| 99 | * ''VideoGame/HyperDyneSideArms'' |
| 100 | * ''I, Ball'' |
| 101 | * ''International Karate +'' |
| 102 | * ''Inside Outing'' |
| 103 | * ''Ivan "Ironman" Stewart's VideoGame/SuperOffRoad'' |
| 104 | * ''Jack the Nipper'' |
| 105 | ** ''Jack the Nipper II: In Coconut Capers'' |
| 106 | * ''Jack the Ripper'' |
| 107 | * ''Joe Blade 3'' |
| 108 | * ''Kentilla'' |
| 109 | * ''Knight Force'' |
| 110 | * ''Knight Tyme'' |
| 111 | * ''Knightmare'' |
| 112 | * ''Kokotoni Wilf'' |
| 113 | * ''Kwik Snax'' |
| 114 | * ''La Abadía del Crimen'' |
| 115 | * ''[[VideoGame/LastDuelInterPlanetWar2012 Last Duel]]'' |
| 116 | * ''The Last Mission'' |
| 117 | * ''Les Pyramides d'Atlantys'' |
| 118 | * ''Liverpool'' |
| 119 | * ''VideoGame/MacadamBumper'' |
| 120 | * ''Marsport'' |
| 121 | * ''VideoGame/{{Masque}}'' |
| 122 | * ''Mission Omega'' |
| 123 | * ''Monopoly'' |
| 124 | * ''VideoGame/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus'' |
| 125 | * ''VideoGame/{{Moonmist}}'' |
| 126 | * ''M.O.V.I.E.'' |
| 127 | * ''Nodes of Yesod'' |
| 128 | * ''Nonterraqueous'' |
| 129 | * ''Obsidian'' |
| 130 | * ''Oh Mummy'' |
| 131 | * ''La Plaga Galáctica'' |
| 132 | * ''Phantom Club'' |
| 133 | * ''The Plot'' |
| 134 | * ''Postman Pat'' |
| 135 | * ''Predator'' |
| 136 | * ''VideoGame/{{Prehistorik}}'' |
| 137 | ** ''Prehistorik 2'' |
| 138 | * ''Professional Ski Simulator'' |
| 139 | * ''Pyjamarama'' |
| 140 | * ''VideoGame/{{Revolution 1986}}'' |
| 141 | * ''Rex'' |
| 142 | * ''VideoGame/RickDangerous'' |
| 143 | ** ''Rick Dangerous II'' |
| 144 | * ''Rigel's Revenge'' |
| 145 | * ''Saboteur'' |
| 146 | * ''VideoGame/TheSacredArmourOfAntiriad'' |
| 147 | * ''Savage'' |
| 148 | * ''VideoGame/{{Scapeghost}}'' |
| 149 | * ''Scooby-Doo'' |
| 150 | * ''Seabase Delta'' |
| 151 | * ''Sir Lancelot'' |
| 152 | * ''Skweek'' |
| 153 | * ''Soul of a Robot'' |
| 154 | * ''Spellbound'' |
| 155 | * ''Spindizzy'' |
| 156 | * ''Stormlord'' |
| 157 | ** ''Deliverance: Stormlord II'' |
| 158 | * ''Subsunk'' |
| 159 | * ''Survivor'' |
| 160 | * ''Sweevo's World'' |
| 161 | * ''Target: Renegade'' |
| 162 | * ''Technician Ted'' |
| 163 | * ''VideoGame/TestDrive'' |
| 164 | * ''Three Weeks in Paradise'' |
| 165 | * ''Tornado Low Level'' |
| 166 | * ''Trantor the Last Stormtrooper'' |
| 167 | * ''The Trap Door'' |
| 168 | * ''Turbo the Tortoise'' |
| 169 | * ''Tir Na Nog'' |
| 170 | * ''VideoGame/ViajeAlCentroDeLaTierra'' |
| 171 | * ''Werewolves of London'' |
| 172 | * ''Wizball'' |
| 173 | * ''Wolfman'' |
| 174 | * ''World Cup Carnival'' |
| 175 | * ''VideoGame/{{Zombi}}'' |
| 176 | * ''Zub'' |
| 177 | * ''Zynaps'' |
| 178 | |
| 179 | [[AC:Ports]] |
| 180 | * ''[[VideoGame/NineteenFortyTwo 1942]]'' |
| 181 | * ''[[VideoGame/NineteenFortyTwo 1943: The Battle of Midway]]'' |
| 182 | * ''VideoGame/AdventureAPlanetOfDeath'' |
| 183 | * ''VideoGame/AdventureBIncaCurse'' |
| 184 | * ''VideoGame/AdventureCShipOfDoom'' |
| 185 | * ''VideoGame/AfterBurner'' |
| 186 | * ''VideoGame/AlienStorm'' |
| 187 | * ''VideoGame/AlienSyndrome'' |
| 188 | * ''VideoGame/AlteredBeast1988'' |
| 189 | * ''VideoGame/TheAncientArtOfWar'' |
| 190 | * ''VideoGame/{{Archon}}'' |
| 191 | * ''VideoGame/{{Arkanoid}}'' |
| 192 | ** ''Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh'' |
| 193 | * ''VideoGame/BadDudes vs. Dragon Ninja'' |
| 194 | * ''VideoGame/BionicCommando1987'' |
| 195 | * ''Bloodwych'' |
| 196 | * ''VideoGame/BombJack'' |
| 197 | * ''VideoGame/BonanzaBros'' |
| 198 | * ''VideoGame/BoulderDash'' |
| 199 | * ''[[VideoGame/{{Miner 2049er}} Bounty Bob Strikes Back]]'' |
| 200 | * ''VideoGame/BubbleBobble'' |
| 201 | * ''VideoGame/{{Cabal}}'' |
| 202 | * ''Chase HQ'' |
| 203 | * ''VideoGame/ChipsChallenge'' |
| 204 | * ''VideoGame/ChuckieEgg'' |
| 205 | * ''VideoGame/CommandoCapcom'' |
| 206 | ** ''Mercs'' |
| 207 | * ''VideoGame/CrackDown1989'' |
| 208 | * ''Crazy Cars'' I and II (the latter known as ''F-40 Pursuit Simulator'' in the States) |
| 209 | * ''VideoGame/{{Crystal Castles|1983}}'' |
| 210 | * ''VideoGame/DefenderOfTheCrown'' |
| 211 | * ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong'' |
| 212 | * ''VideoGame/DoubleDragon'' |
| 213 | ** ''VideoGame/{{Double Dragon 1}}'' |
| 214 | ** ''VideoGame/DoubleDragonII: The Revenge'' |
| 215 | ** ''Double Dragon 3: The Rosetta Stone'' |
| 216 | * ''VideoGame/DragonBreed'' |
| 217 | * ''VideoGame/DragonsLair'' |
| 218 | * ''VideoGame/DynamiteDux'' |
| 219 | * ''VideoGame/{{Elite}}'' |
| 220 | * ''VideoGame/FinalFight'' |
| 221 | * ''VideoGame/ForgottenWorlds'' |
| 222 | * ''Videogame/FridayThe13thTheComputerGame'' |
| 223 | * ''VideoGame/{{Gauntlet}}'' |
| 224 | ** ''Gauntlet II'' |
| 225 | * ''VideoGame/{{Ghostbusters|1984}}'' |
| 226 | * ''VideoGame/GhostsNGoblins'' |
| 227 | ** ''Ghouls 'n' Ghosts'' |
| 228 | * ''VideoGame/GoldenAxe'' |
| 229 | * ''VideoGame/GrandPrixCircuit'' |
| 230 | * ''VideoGame/TheGreatGianaSisters'' |
| 231 | * ''[[VideoGame/{{Gladiator}} Great Gurianos]]'' |
| 232 | * ''[[VideoGame/RushNAttack Green Beret]]'' |
| 233 | * ''[[VideoGame/{{Contra}} Gryzor]]'' |
| 234 | * ''VideoGame/HeadOverHeels'' |
| 235 | * ''VideoGame/HelterSkelter'' |
| 236 | * ''VideoGame/HeroesOfTheLance'' |
| 237 | * ''[[VideoGame/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy1984 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]]'' |
| 238 | * ''VideoGame/HollywoodHijinx'' |
| 239 | * ''[[VideoGame/TrackAndField Hyper Sports]]'' |
| 240 | * ''VideoGame/IkariWarriors'' |
| 241 | ** ''Victory Road'' |
| 242 | * ''VideoGame/ImpossibleMission'' |
| 243 | ** ''Impossible Mission II'' |
| 244 | * ''VideoGame/IndianaJonesAndTheFateOfAtlantis'' |
| 245 | * ''VideoGame/{{Jackal}}'' |
| 246 | * ''VideoGame/JetSetWilly'' |
| 247 | * ''VideoGame/{{Karateka}}'' |
| 248 | * ''VideoGame/{{Klax}}'' |
| 249 | * ''VideoGame/KungFuMaster'' |
| 250 | * ''VideoGame/LeatherGoddessesOfPhobos'' |
| 251 | * ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfKage'' |
| 252 | * ''VideoGame/{{Lemmings}}'' |
| 253 | * ''VideoGame/LodeRunner'' |
| 254 | * ''VideoGame/TheLordsOfMidnight'' |
| 255 | * ''VideoGame/TheLurkingHorror'' |
| 256 | * ''VideoGame/MagicalDrop'' (unofficial port) |
| 257 | * ''VideoGame/ManicMiner'' |
| 258 | * ''VideoGame/MarbleMadness'' |
| 259 | * ''VideoGame/MarioBros'' |
| 260 | * ''[[VideoGame/MontyMole Monty on the Run]]'' |
| 261 | ** ''Auf Wiedersehen Monty'' |
| 262 | ** ''Impossamole'' |
| 263 | * ''{{VideoGame/Motos}}'' |
| 264 | * ''VideoGame/{{Narc}}'' |
| 265 | * ''VideoGame/{{Nebulus}}'' |
| 266 | * ''[[VideoGame/{{Gradius}} Nemesis]]'' |
| 267 | ** ''Salamander'' |
| 268 | * ''VideoGame/NetherEarth'' |
| 269 | * ''VideoGame/TheNewZealandStory'' |
| 270 | * ''VideoGame/{{The Ninja Warriors|1987}}'' |
| 271 | * ''VideoGame/OperationWolf'' |
| 272 | ** ''Operation Thunderbolt'' |
| 273 | * ''VideoGame/OutRun'' |
| 274 | ** ''Turbo Out Run'' |
| 275 | ** ''Out Run Europa'' |
| 276 | * ''VideoGame/PacMania'' |
| 277 | * ''VideoGame/{{Pang}}'' |
| 278 | * ''VideoGame/{{Paperboy}}'' |
| 279 | * ''VideoGame/PipeMania'' |
| 280 | * ''VideoGame/PitFighter'' |
| 281 | * ''VideoGame/{{Planetfall}}'' |
| 282 | * ''Film/{{Platoon}}'' |
| 283 | * ''VideoGame/PlunderedHearts'' |
| 284 | * ''VideoGame/{{Prince of Persia|1}}'' |
| 285 | * ''VideoGame/PsychoSoldier'' |
| 286 | * ''VideoGame/RainbowIslands'' |
| 287 | * ''VideoGame/{{Rampage}}'' |
| 288 | * ''Renegade'' |
| 289 | * ''VideoGame/RescueOnFractalus'' |
| 290 | * ''VideoGame/RobinsonCrusoe'' |
| 291 | * ''VideoGame/RockStarAteMyHamster'' |
| 292 | * ''VideoGame/RodLand'' |
| 293 | * ''VideoGame/{{Rogue}}'' |
| 294 | * ''VideoGame/RollingThunder'' |
| 295 | * ''VideoGame/RType'' |
| 296 | * ''VideoGame/{{Rygar}}'' |
| 297 | * ''VideoGame/SabreWulf'' |
| 298 | * ''VideoGame/SamuraiWarriorTheBattlesOfUsagiYojimbo'' |
| 299 | * ''VideoGame/{{Shanghai}}'' |
| 300 | * ''VideoGame/ShufflepuckCafe'' |
| 301 | * ''VideoGame/SidMeiersPirates'' |
| 302 | * ''VideoGame/ShadowOfTheBeast'' |
| 303 | * ''[[VideoGame/NinjaGaidenArcade Shadow Warriors]]'' |
| 304 | * ''VideoGame/Shinobi1987'' |
| 305 | ** ''VideoGame/ShadowDancer'' |
| 306 | * ''VideoGame/SimCity'' |
| 307 | * ''VideoGame/TheSimpsonsBartVsTheSpaceMutants'' |
| 308 | * ''VideoGame/SlySpy'' |
| 309 | * ''VideoGame/SmashTV'' |
| 310 | * ''VideoGame/SolomonsKey'' |
| 311 | * ''VideoGame/SpaceHarrier'' |
| 312 | ** ''Space Harrier II'' |
| 313 | * ''VideoGame/{{Spindizzy}}'' |
| 314 | * ''VideoGame/SpyHunter1983'' |
| 315 | * ''VideoGame/StarControl'' |
| 316 | * ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheArcadeGame'' |
| 317 | * ''VideoGame/StreetFighterI'' |
| 318 | * ''VideoGame/{{Strider}}'' |
| 319 | ** ''[[VideoGame/StriderArcade Strider (Arcade Game)]]'' |
| 320 | ** ''[[VideoGame/StriderReturns Strider II]]'' |
| 321 | * ''Super VideoGame/SpaceInvaders'' |
| 322 | * ''VideoGame/SwordOfTheSamurai'' |
| 323 | * ''VideoGame/{{Tapper}}'' |
| 324 | * ''[[VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1989 Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles]]'' |
| 325 | * ''[[VideoGame/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesTheArcadeGame Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles: The Coin-Op]]'' |
| 326 | * ''VideoGame/{{Tempest}}'' |
| 327 | * ''VideoGame/{{Terramex}}'' |
| 328 | * ''VideoGame/{{Tetris}}'' |
| 329 | * ''VideoGame/TigerRoad'' |
| 330 | * ''VideoGame/TitusTheFox'' |
| 331 | * ''VideoGame/{{Turrican}}'' |
| 332 | ** ''Turrican II'' |
| 333 | * ''VideoGame/{{Vigilante}}'' |
| 334 | * ''VideoGame/WonderBoy1'' |
| 335 | * ''VideoGame/WonderBoyInMonsterLand'' |
| 336 | * ''VideoGame/{{Xevious}}'' |
| 337 | * ''VideoGame/YesPrimeMinister'' |
| 338 | * ''VideoGame/YieArKungFu'' |
| 339 | * ''VideoGame/{{Zork}}'' 1-3 |
| 340 | [[/index]] |
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