CPCWiki - THE Amstrad CPC encyclopedia! - User contributions [en]

Plus

2008-02-20T07:54:36Z

Retro-zone-org:

<center><gallery caption="CPC+/GX4000">

image:6128plus_es.jpg|Spanish Amstrad CPC 6128 Plus
image:6128plus_fr_en_kanga.jpg|Airbrushed CPC 6128 plus
Image:Gx4000.jpg|The Amstrad GX4000
</gallery></center>

== Introduction ==

In 1990 Amstrad introduced the "Plus" series which tweaked the hardware in many ways and added a cartridge slot to all models. Most improvements were to the video display which saw an increase in palette to 4096 colours and gained a capacity for hardware sprites. Splitting the display into two separate windows and pixel scrolling both became full supported hardware features although both were possible on the non-"Plus" hardware using clever programming of the existing Motorola 6845.

An automatic DMA transfer system for feeding the sound chip was also added but the sound chip itself remained unchanged. Additionally, the BASIC command set for disc access was improved.

A cut down CPC+ without the keyboard nor support for non-cartridge media was released simultaneously as the GX4000 video game console.

These models did not do very well in the marketplace, failing to attract any substantial third party support. The 8-bit technology behind the CPC was starting to look a little out of date by 1990 and users resented the substantial price hike for cartridge games compared to their tape and disc counterparts. It's often forgotten that Europe had a large CPC following well supplied by Amstrad it's said the plus machines sold best in France.

''(Taken from Wikipedia.org)''

== The CPC Plus ==

'''CPC Plus''' can use cartridges released for the '''GX4000''''''''', but specific software can be created using the extra features without the need of hardware (contrary as it was claimed by Amstrad in 1991). The extra features are not locked by a hardware mechanism but only by a special 17 bytes-lenght sequence send to the CRTC. So, it's possible for everyone to create his/her own software on the cpc plus, using the extra features available through a 16kb ASIC I/O page(See [[Programming ASIC]].) Except the extra-features, the 464 & 6218 Plus machines are almost fully compatible with the old CPC generation. Some minor differences are noticable in emulated components ([[PPI]], [[CRTC]], [[Gate Array]][[Gate Array]]) and in the interrupt mechanism in vectorised mode.''

== The GX4000 Games Console ==
The GX4000 is a game console based on a CPC 464+ without a floppy controller or keyboard (although it is actually possible to modify one, add a floppy controller and a keyboard and use it as a CPC+). It was delivered with two game paddles (as the ones delivered with the CPC+ models) and Burning Rubber on [[GX4000 cartridge|cartidge]] (without basic).

The GX400 was [[Amstrad]]'s attempt to gain some share in the home game console market, then dominated by the likes of Nintendo and Sega. Like others before it, and like others after it, it failed abysmally in its goal. Despite the fact that the hardware was decent (after all the CPC+ series were some of the very best 8-bit computers ever designed), it was a case of 'too little, too late'. Lack of CPC+ specific software, lack of marketing effort and bad timing meant that Amstrad's adventure in the home market was about to end.

== Specific Software for CPC+/GX4000 ==

===== Graphic utilities =====
* [[Bmp Converter]] ([[Snn]] of [[Futur's]])
* [[Claudia]], a Bmp Converter ([[Eliot]])
* [[GraphOS]] ([[BDC-Iron]])
* [[Kit 4096]] ([[OffseT]])
* [[Sprite Editor]] ([[Blue Impuls]])
* [[SMARTplus]] ([[Radical Software]])
* [[SymPlay]] ([[Prodatron]])
* [[SymSee]] ([[Prodatron]])
To complete...
See [[Applications]] for exact words

==== Music software ====
* [[Soundtracker DMA]] by [[Zik]] of [[Futur's]]

To complete with software able to use dma sound playlist...
See [[Applications]] for exact words

==== Libraries ====
* [[B-ASIC]] ([[Logon System]])

== Demos ==

=== Pure CPC Plus demos ===

* [[4096 Preview]] ([[Kevin Thacker]])
* [[Allergy]] by [[Semilanceata]]
* [[ASM Intro 1]] by [[Roudoudou]] of [[Flower corp]]
* [[Basic Demo 3]] by [[Roudoudou]] of [[Flower corp]]
* [[Black Sabbath]] by [[BDC-Iron]]
* [[CPC+ Desktop]] by [[Odiesoft]]
* [[Demo Plus]] ([[GPA]])
* [[Diamonds]] ([[ZilogMonkey]])
* [[DMA music demo]] ([[Cadjo Clan]])
* [[Fantasy]] by [[Semilanceata]]
* [[Hate Beats]] by [[Ukonx]]
* [[It was so nice before the crash of the mir station]] by [[Eliot]]
* [[Larsen]] by [[OFE]]
* [[LiquidSnake]] by [[Revival]]
* [[Sappy]] by [[Semilanceata]]
* [[Simply The Bests]] by [[Eliot]]
* [[Seminoisin]] by [[Semilanceata]]
* [[Synergy]] by [[Impact]]
* [[Tragedy]]
* [[Walking on a scroll]] by [[BDC-Iron]]
* [[Wulf]]/[[Ratz]] unreleased part of [[Palatine]]
* [[Ze Meeting 2000 Demo]] by [[BDC-Iron]]

=== Demos with Plus features ===

* [[20, 21,22 February 1999 meeting Demo]] by [[Benediction]]
* [[A Step Beyond]] by [[Dirty Minds]]
* [[Genesis demo]] (unreleased ? - [[STS]])
* [[Heat Demo]] by [[Odiesoft]]
* [[Fire Engine demo]] (attributed to [[Roo-dolph]] but unreleased?)
* [[System Party 97]] by [[Eliot]]
* [[Texture Mapping Plus]] by [[Odiesoft]]

* to complete

==== Slide Shows ====

* [[Fatal Beauties]] by ([[FaTaLiTy]], 2007)
* [[Ghostbuster plus]] (fast-made slide-show by [[Ninxpe]] in 2007)
* [[Models]] by [[Da Boxon Team]]
* [[Sexy Slideshow]] by [[Demoniak]]
* [[Samantha Fox Slideshow]] by [[Demoniak]]
* [[The 7th guest slideshow]] by [[Snn]]

== Games ==

=== Non-cartridge games ===

* [[Burger Party]] ([[Futur's]]) - horizontal shoot'em up
* [[Call &BD10'n'oeuf]] ([[Fenyx Kell]]) - released for the Amstrad Expo 2005 Contest
* [[Fluff]] ([[Radical Software]])
* [[Frogger]] ([[Executioner]])
* [[Jet Set Willy Plus - Manic Miner 3 Plus]] ([[Andy Cadley]]) - remakes of 3 CPC classics for the CPC Plus
* [[Prehistorik 2]] ([[Titus Software]])
* [[Space Gun]] ([[Ocean]])
* [[Stryker and the Crypts of Trogan]] ([[Codemasters]]) - enhanced for Plus

=== Cartridges released for the GX4000 ===

* [[Barbarian 2 ( Cartridge )|Barbarian 2]]
* [[Batman The Movie ( Cartridge )|Batman The Movie]]
* [[Burnin' Rubber|Burning Rubber]]
* [[Chase HQ 2 ( Cartridge )]]
* [[Copter 271 ( Cartridge )|Copter 271]]
* [[Crazy Cars 2 ( Cartridge )|Crazy Cars 2]]
* [[Dick Tracy ( Cartridge )|Dick Tracy]]
* [[Enforcer (With Phazer) ( Cartridge )|Enforcer (With Phazer)]]
* [[Fire and Forget 2 ( Cartridge )|Fire and Forget 2]]
* [[Gazza II ( Cartridge )]]
* [[Klax ( Cartridge )|Klax]]
* [[Mystical ( Cartridge )|Mystical]]
* [[Navy Seals ( Cartridge )|Navy Seals]]
* [[No Exit ( Cartridge )|No Exit]]
* [[Operation Thunderbolt ( Cartridge )|Operation Thunderbolt]]
* [[Pang ( Cartridge )|Pang]]
* [[Panza kickboxing ( Cartridge )|Panza Kick Boxing]]
* [[Plotting ( Cartridge )|Plotting]]
* [[Pro Tennis Tour ( Cartridge )|Pro Tennis Tour]]
* [[Robocop 2 ( Cartridge )|Robocop 2]]
* [[Skeet Shoot (With Phazer) ( Cartridge )]]
* [[Super Pinball Magic ( Cartridge )|Super Pinball Magic]]
* [[Switchblade ( Cartridge )|Switchblade]]
* [[Tennis Cup 2 ( Cartridge )|Tennis Cup 2]]
* [[Tintin On the Moon ( Cartridge )|Tintin on the Moon]]
* [[Wild Streets ( Cartridge )|Wild Streets]]
* [[World Of Sports ( Cartridge )|World Of Sports]]

=== Games patched for the Amstrad CPC Plus ===

The following Amstrad CPC games have been patched for the Amstrad CPC Plus to take advantage of its extended colour palette:

* [[Cybernoid II Plus]]
* [[FIFA World Cup 2006]] (based on ''World Cup Soccer: Italia '90'')
* [[Solomon's Key Plus]]
* [[Rick Dangerous Plus]]
* [[Operation Wolf Plus]]

=== Bootlegs ===
Lately (as of May 2007) several instances of bootleg cartridges have appeared. These are not original releases and, although they could run without any problems, caution should be exercised when buying. What is more, their collectible/historical value is doubtful. For more details, see [http://www.pcwking.netfirms.com/cartridge.html here]

== System Cartridges ==

* [[English ROM with Burning Rubber]]
* [[French ROM with Burning Rubber]]
* [[Spanish ROM with Burning Rubber]]

== Included in Delivery ==

=== 464plus ===
* The computer itself, incl. built-in Datacorder
* System Cartridge with AMSDOS(the Plus series were actyakky the first Amstrad machines to have the OS on a removable medium, as opposed to on-chop built-in OSes; nevertheless, this was not that bad as cartidge loading is instantaneous), Locomotive BASIC 1.1 and the game Burnin' Rubber
* 1 Paddle
* CPC464plus/CPC6128plus manual
* Game manual
* Either an [[Amstrad MM12 Monochrome Monitor]] or an [[Amstrad CM14 Colour Monitor]]

=== 6128plus ===
* The computer itself, incl. built-in 3" disk drive
* System Cartridge with AMSDOS (the Plus series were actually the first Amstrad machines to have the OS on a removable medium, as opposed to on-chop built-in OSes; nevertheless, this was not that bad as cartidge loading is instantaneous, Locomotive BASIC 1.1 and the game Burnin' Rubber
* [[System Disk]] with CP/M Plus and utilities, identical disk for all countries
* 1 Paddle
* 464plus/6128plus manual
* Game manual
* Either an [[Amstrad MM12 Monochrome Monitor]] or an [[Amstrad CM14 Colour Monitor]]

=== GX4000 ===
* The console itself
* [[Burnin' Rubber|Burning Rubber]]
* 2 Paddles
* Console manual
* Game manual
* Power supply
* Optional: [[Amstrad MM12 Monochrome Monitor]] or [[Amstrad CM14 Colour Monitor]]

== Emulators for CPC Plus ==

* [[Arnold]]
* [[WinApe]]

== Weblinks ==

*http://www.cpcmania.com/ ( on the games section : GX4000/CPC+ GAMES )
*[http://www.pcwking.netfirms.com/cartridge.html Listing and pictures of Amstrad GX4000 games]
*[http://www.kjthacker.f2s.com/docs/carts.htm Complete list of GX 4000 games]

[[Category:Hardware]] [[Category:CPC Plus]]

Plus

2008-02-20T07:53:36Z

Retro-zone-org: Spelling and grammer mistakes corrected.

<center><gallery caption="CPC+/GX4000">

image:6128plus_es.jpg|Spanish Amstrad CPC 6128 Plus
image:6128plus_fr_en_kanga.jpg|Airbrushed CPC 6128 plus
Image:Gx4000.jpg|The Amstrad GX4000
</gallery></center>

== Introduction ==

In 1990 Amstrad introduced the "Plus" series which tweaked the hardware in many ways and added a cartridge slot to all models. Most improvements were to the video display which saw an increase in palette to 4096 colours and gained a capacity for hardware sprites. Splitting the display into two separate windows and pixel scrolling both became full supported hardware features although both were possible on the non-"Plus" hardware using clever programming of the existing Motorola 6845.

An automatic DMA transfer system for feeding the sound chip was also added but the sound chip itself remained unchanged. Additionally, the BASIC command set for disc access was improved.

A cut down CPC+ without the keyboard nor support for non-cartridge media was released simultaneously as the GX4000 video game console.

These models did not do very well in the marketplace, failing to attract any substantial third party support. The 8-bit technology behind the CPC was starting to look a little out of date by 1990 and users resented the substantial price hike for cartridge games compared to their tape and disc counterparts. It's often forgotten that Europe had a large CPC following well supplied by Amstrad it's said the plus machines sold best in France.

''(Taken from Wikipedia.org)''

== The CPC Plus ==

'''CPC Plus''' can use cartridges released for the '''GX4000''''''''', but specific software can be created using the extra features without the need of hardware (contrary as it was claimed by Amstrad in 1991). The extra features are not locked by a hardware mechanism but only by a special 17 bytes-lenght sequence send to the CRTC. So, it's possible for everyone to create his/her own software on the cpc plus, using the extra features available through a 16kb ASIC I/O page(See [[Programming ASIC]][[Programming ASIC|Programming ASIC]].) Except the extra-features, the 464 & 6218 Plus machines are almost fully compatible with the old CPC generation. Some minor differences are noticable in emulated components ([[PPI]], [[CRTC]], [[Gate Array]][[Gate Array|Gate Array]]) and in the interrupt mechanism in vectorised mode.

== The GX4000 Games Console ==
The GX4000 is a game console based on a CPC 464+ without a floppy controller or keyboard (although it is actually possible to modify one, add a floppy controller and a keyboard and use it as a CPC+). It was delivered with two game paddles (as the ones delivered with the CPC+ models) and Burning Rubber on [[GX4000 cartridge|cartidge]] (without basic).

The GX400 was [[Amstrad]]'s attempt to gain some share in the home game console market, then dominated by the likes of Nintendo and Sega. Like others before it, and like others after it, it failed abysmally in its goal. Despite the fact that the hardware was decent (after all the CPC+ series were some of the very best 8-bit computers ever designed), it was a case of 'too little, too late'. Lack of CPC+ specific software, lack of marketing effort and bad timing meant that Amstrad's adventure in the home market was about to end.

== Specific Software for CPC+/GX4000 ==

===== Graphic utilities =====
* [[Bmp Converter]] ([[Snn]] of [[Futur's]])
* [[Claudia]], a Bmp Converter ([[Eliot]])
* [[GraphOS]] ([[BDC-Iron]])
* [[Kit 4096]] ([[OffseT]])
* [[Sprite Editor]] ([[Blue Impuls]])
* [[SMARTplus]] ([[Radical Software]])
* [[SymPlay]] ([[Prodatron]])
* [[SymSee]] ([[Prodatron]])
To complete...
See [[Applications]] for exact words

==== Music software ====
* [[Soundtracker DMA]] by [[Zik]] of [[Futur's]]

To complete with software able to use dma sound playlist...
See [[Applications]] for exact words

==== Libraries ====
* [[B-ASIC]] ([[Logon System]])

== Demos ==

=== Pure CPC Plus demos ===

* [[4096 Preview]] ([[Kevin Thacker]])
* [[Allergy]] by [[Semilanceata]]
* [[ASM Intro 1]] by [[Roudoudou]] of [[Flower corp]]
* [[Basic Demo 3]] by [[Roudoudou]] of [[Flower corp]]
* [[Black Sabbath]] by [[BDC-Iron]]
* [[CPC+ Desktop]] by [[Odiesoft]]
* [[Demo Plus]] ([[GPA]])
* [[Diamonds]] ([[ZilogMonkey]])
* [[DMA music demo]] ([[Cadjo Clan]])
* [[Fantasy]] by [[Semilanceata]]
* [[Hate Beats]] by [[Ukonx]]
* [[It was so nice before the crash of the mir station]] by [[Eliot]]
* [[Larsen]] by [[OFE]]
* [[LiquidSnake]] by [[Revival]]
* [[Sappy]] by [[Semilanceata]]
* [[Simply The Bests]] by [[Eliot]]
* [[Seminoisin]] by [[Semilanceata]]
* [[Synergy]] by [[Impact]]
* [[Tragedy]]
* [[Walking on a scroll]] by [[BDC-Iron]]
* [[Wulf]]/[[Ratz]] unreleased part of [[Palatine]]
* [[Ze Meeting 2000 Demo]] by [[BDC-Iron]]

=== Demos with Plus features ===

* [[20, 21,22 February 1999 meeting Demo]] by [[Benediction]]
* [[A Step Beyond]] by [[Dirty Minds]]
* [[Genesis demo]] (unreleased ? - [[STS]])
* [[Heat Demo]] by [[Odiesoft]]
* [[Fire Engine demo]] (attributed to [[Roo-dolph]] but unreleased?)
* [[System Party 97]] by [[Eliot]]
* [[Texture Mapping Plus]] by [[Odiesoft]]

* to complete

==== Slide Shows ====

* [[Fatal Beauties]] by ([[FaTaLiTy]], 2007)
* [[Ghostbuster plus]] (fast-made slide-show by [[Ninxpe]] in 2007)
* [[Models]] by [[Da Boxon Team]]
* [[Sexy Slideshow]] by [[Demoniak]]
* [[Samantha Fox Slideshow]] by [[Demoniak]]
* [[The 7th guest slideshow]] by [[Snn]]

== Games ==

=== Non-cartridge games ===

* [[Burger Party]] ([[Futur's]]) - horizontal shoot'em up
* [[Call &BD10'n'oeuf]] ([[Fenyx Kell]]) - released for the Amstrad Expo 2005 Contest
* [[Fluff]] ([[Radical Software]])
* [[Frogger]] ([[Executioner]])
* [[Jet Set Willy Plus - Manic Miner 3 Plus]] ([[Andy Cadley]]) - remakes of 3 CPC classics for the CPC Plus
* [[Prehistorik 2]] ([[Titus Software]])
* [[Space Gun]] ([[Ocean]])
* [[Stryker and the Crypts of Trogan]] ([[Codemasters]]) - enhanced for Plus

=== Cartridges released for the GX4000 ===

* [[Barbarian 2 ( Cartridge )|Barbarian 2]]
* [[Batman The Movie ( Cartridge )|Batman The Movie]]
* [[Burnin' Rubber|Burning Rubber]]
* [[Chase HQ 2 ( Cartridge )]]
* [[Copter 271 ( Cartridge )|Copter 271]]
* [[Crazy Cars 2 ( Cartridge )|Crazy Cars 2]]
* [[Dick Tracy ( Cartridge )|Dick Tracy]]
* [[Enforcer (With Phazer) ( Cartridge )|Enforcer (With Phazer)]]
* [[Fire and Forget 2 ( Cartridge )|Fire and Forget 2]]
* [[Gazza II ( Cartridge )]]
* [[Klax ( Cartridge )|Klax]]
* [[Mystical ( Cartridge )|Mystical]]
* [[Navy Seals ( Cartridge )|Navy Seals]]
* [[No Exit ( Cartridge )|No Exit]]
* [[Operation Thunderbolt ( Cartridge )|Operation Thunderbolt]]
* [[Pang ( Cartridge )|Pang]]
* [[Panza kickboxing ( Cartridge )|Panza Kick Boxing]]
* [[Plotting ( Cartridge )|Plotting]]
* [[Pro Tennis Tour ( Cartridge )|Pro Tennis Tour]]
* [[Robocop 2 ( Cartridge )|Robocop 2]]
* [[Skeet Shoot (With Phazer) ( Cartridge )]]
* [[Super Pinball Magic ( Cartridge )|Super Pinball Magic]]
* [[Switchblade ( Cartridge )|Switchblade]]
* [[Tennis Cup 2 ( Cartridge )|Tennis Cup 2]]
* [[Tintin On the Moon ( Cartridge )|Tintin on the Moon]]
* [[Wild Streets ( Cartridge )|Wild Streets]]
* [[World Of Sports ( Cartridge )|World Of Sports]]

=== Games patched for the Amstrad CPC Plus ===

The following Amstrad CPC games have been patched for the Amstrad CPC Plus to take advantage of its extended colour palette:

* [[Cybernoid II Plus]]
* [[FIFA World Cup 2006]] (based on ''World Cup Soccer: Italia '90'')
* [[Solomon's Key Plus]]
* [[Rick Dangerous Plus]]
* [[Operation Wolf Plus]]

=== Bootlegs ===
Lately (as of May 2007) several instances of bootleg cartridges have appeared. These are not original releases and, although they could run without any problems, caution should be exercised when buying. What is more, their collectible/historical value is doubtful. For more details, see [http://www.pcwking.netfirms.com/cartridge.html here]

== System Cartridges ==

* [[English ROM with Burning Rubber]]
* [[French ROM with Burning Rubber]]
* [[Spanish ROM with Burning Rubber]]

== Included in Delivery ==

=== 464plus ===
* The computer itself, incl. built-in Datacorder
* System Cartridge with AMSDOS(the Plus series were actyakky the first Amstrad machines to have the OS on a removable medium, as opposed to on-chop built-in OSes; nevertheless, this was not that bad as cartidge loading is instantaneous), Locomotive BASIC 1.1 and the game Burnin' Rubber
* 1 Paddle
* CPC464plus/CPC6128plus manual
* Game manual
* Either an [[Amstrad MM12 Monochrome Monitor]] or an [[Amstrad CM14 Colour Monitor]]

=== 6128plus ===
* The computer itself, incl. built-in 3" disk drive
* System Cartridge with AMSDOS (the Plus series were actually the first Amstrad machines to have the OS on a removable medium, as opposed to on-chop built-in OSes; nevertheless, this was not that bad as cartidge loading is instantaneous, Locomotive BASIC 1.1 and the game Burnin' Rubber
* [[System Disk]] with CP/M Plus and utilities, identical disk for all countries
* 1 Paddle
* 464plus/6128plus manual
* Game manual
* Either an [[Amstrad MM12 Monochrome Monitor]] or an [[Amstrad CM14 Colour Monitor]]

=== GX4000 ===
* The console itself
* [[Burnin' Rubber|Burning Rubber]]
* 2 Paddles
* Console manual
* Game manual
* Power supply
* Optional: [[Amstrad MM12 Monochrome Monitor]] or [[Amstrad CM14 Colour Monitor]]

== Emulators for CPC Plus ==

* [[Arnold]]
* [[WinApe]]

== Weblinks ==

*http://www.cpcmania.com/ ( on the games section : GX4000/CPC+ GAMES )
*[http://www.pcwking.netfirms.com/cartridge.html Listing and pictures of Amstrad GX4000 games]
*[http://www.kjthacker.f2s.com/docs/carts.htm Complete list of GX 4000 games]

[[Category:Hardware]] [[Category:CPC Plus]]