QUASI88

QUASI88 is a powerful and highly compatible PC-8801 emulator, originally created by Shozo Fukunaga. This version is a multi-platform port based on SDL2, providing a modern experience across macOS, Windows, and Linux.

QUASI88 allows you to run software for the classic Japanese 8-bit computer on modern systems. It accurately reproduces the PC-8801mkIISR and later models, with support for various features like sound (including fmgen), graphics, and peripherals.

Features

QUASI88 emulates various components of the PC-8801:

• Z80 CPU: Both main and sub CPUs.
• Memory: PC-8801mkIISR equivalent, extended RAM, dictionary ROM.
• Display: Text VRAM, VRAM, palette, ALU. Supports 640x200 (8 colors) and 640x400 (monochrome) modes.
• Kanji ROM: Level 1 and Level 2 Kanji ROM.
• FDC/FDD: Supports D88 format disk images.
• Input: Keyboard, Mouse, Joystick.
• Sound: YM2203, YM2608, BEEP sound. Utilizes MAME/XMAME sound drivers and fmgen.
• Tape: Load/save functionality (CMT/T88 format).
• Others: Printer, RS232C (output to file), PCG-8100.

Supported Platforms

• macOS: Universal Binary (Apple Silicon & Intel), Standalone .dmg.
• Windows: x64, x86, and ARM64. Portable .zip packages.
• Linux: x86_64 and arm64. AppImage (Standalone), .deb, and .rpm.
• Raspberry Pi: armhf (32-bit) .deb packages.

Getting Started

Installation (Pre-built Releases)

Download the latest version for your platform from the Releases page.

• Windows: Just extract the .zip file and double-click QUASI88.exe. No installation or command line required!
• macOS: Open the .dmg and copy QUASI88.app to your Applications folder.
• Linux:
  • AppImage: Make the .AppImage file executable (chmod +x) and run it.
  • DEB/RPM: Use your package manager (e.g., sudo apt install ./QUASI88.deb).

Building from Source

QUASI88 uses CMake for its build system.

Prerequisites:

• CMake (version 3.10 or later)
• SDL2 development library

Install Dependencies:

• macOS: brew install cmake sdl2
• Linux: sudo apt install cmake libsdl2-dev
• Windows: Use vcpkg install sdl2:x64-windows

Build Commands:

git clone https://github.com/bubio/QUASI88.git
cd QUASI88
cmake -S. -Bbuild -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release
cmake --build build

Usage

ROM Images

QUASI88 requires PC-8801 BIOS ROM images (e.g., N88.ROM, N88SUB.ROM) to function. Place them in the default ROM directory for your platform. Refer to doc/manual.txt for a full list of required files.

Default Directories

Platform	BIOS ROMs (ROM_DIR)	Config Files (G_CFG_DIR)	Disk Images (DISK_DIR)
macOS	~/Library/Application Support/quasi88/rom/	~/Library/Application Support/quasi88/	~/
Linux	~/.local/share/quasi88/rom/	~/.config/quasi88/	~/
Windows	.\ROM\ (relative to EXE)	.\ (relative to EXE)	.\DISK\

Key Operations

• F12: Enter Menu Mode (Settings, Disk management, etc.)
• F11: Toggle toolbar and status display.
• STOP: Pause / ScrollLock
• HOME CLR: Home
• HELP: End

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues, please check the FAQ or the Manual. Common issues include:

• Missing ROMs: Ensure BIOS files are in the correct directory.
• macOS Permissions: Since the app is not signed, you may need to run xattr -cr /Applications/QUASI88.app if macOS prevents it from opening.

License

This project is distributed under the terms of its original license (Revised BSD-style). See the LICENSE file for details. It incorporates code from SDL2 (Zlib), MAME/XMAME, and fmgen.

Acknowledgements

Original creator: Shozo Fukunaga. Special thanks to the contributors of SDL2, MAME, and fmgen.