Changes
Plus
,/* GX4000 differences compared to 464 or 6128 Plus */
<gallery align="right">image:6128plus_es.jpg|Spanish Amstrad CPC 6128 Plusimage:6128plus_fr_en_kanga.jpg|Custom Airbrushed CPC 6128 plusImage:Gx4000.jpg|The Amstrad GX4000Plus</gallery></center>
In 1990 Amstrad introduced the "Plus" range which tweaked the hardware in many ways and added a cartridge slot to all models. The Plus included the 464 Plus, 6128 Plus and the GX4000 video game console (which is a cut down Plus without the keyboard nor support for non-cartridge media). All of the range included a cartridge slot and additional hardware improvements.
The GX4000 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.
=== GX4000 differences compared to 464 or 6128 Plus ===
* The GX400 was [[Amstrad]]'s attempt pause button on the GX4000 is mapped to gain some share in the home game console market, then dominated by P button on the likes of Nintendo and SegaCPC keyboard. Like others before itOther than this the 2 digital joysticks are connected, 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 endother keys are not connected.
* There is a difference in the wiring schematics on the ADC inputs where the ASIC senses the computer configuration.
* When a system cartridge is inserted (this has been verified with a yellow and a green labelled system cartridge), the copyright message and a Ready prompt is displayed. If the fire buttons or directions are pressed on the first digital joystick you see X,Z and the arrows displayed, the same as if you had pressed these buttons on a 464/6128 Plus or CPC. Pressing Pause displays "P". ==Accessing the Plus hardware improvements == Non '''The Plus''' and GX4000 cartridges access the Plus hardware improvements, but specific software can be created using the extra features without the need of cartridge 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-length sequence send to the CRTC. So, it's possible for everyone to create his/her own software on the Plus, using the extra features available through a [[ASIC]] I/O page. Except the extra-features, the 464 and 6128 Plus machines are almost fully compatible with the classic CPC generation. Some minor differences are noticeable in the components ([[8255|PPI]], [[CRTC]], [[Gate Array]]) contained in the ASIC and in the interrupt mechanism in vectorised mode. For details about the Plus/GX4000 hardware features, see [[Arnold V Specs Revised]]. == Software == === System Cartridges === See [[Plus System Cartridge]]. === Pure CPC Plus demos === *[[4096 Preview|4096 Preview]] ([[Kevin Thacker|Kevin Thacker]]) *[[Allergy|Allergy]] by [[Semilanceata|Semilanceata]] *[[ASM Intro 1|ASM Intro 1]] by [[Roudoudou|Roudoudou]] of [[Flower corp|Flower corp]] *[[Basic Demo 3|Basic Demo 3]] by [[Roudoudou|Roudoudou]] of [[Flower corp|Flower corp]] *[[Black Sabbath|Black Sabbath]] by [[BDC-Iron|BDC-Iron]] *[[Blob Demo]] by [[Redbox]]*[[CPC+ Desktop|CPC+ Desktop]] by [[Odiesoft|Odiesoft]] *[[Demo Plus|Demo Plus]] ([[GPA|GPA]]) *[[Diamonds|Diamonds]] ([[ZilogMonkey|ZilogMonkey]]) *[[DMA music demo|DMA music demo]] ([[Cadjo Clan|Cadjo Clan]]) *[[Fantasy|Fantasy]] by [[Semilanceata|Semilanceata]] *[[Hate Beats|Hate Beats]] by [[Ukonx|Ukonx]] *[[It was so nice before the crash of the mir station|It was so nice before the crash of the mir station]] by [[Eliot|Eliot]] *[[Kill Max]] by [[OFE|OFE]]*[[Larsen|Larsen]] by [[OFE|OFE]]*[[Lumiere]] by [[Revival|Revival]] *[[LiquidSnake|LiquidSnake]] by [[Revival|Revival]] *[[Sappy|Sappy]] by [[Semilanceata|Semilanceata]] *[[Schnapps|Schnapps]] by [[Shining|Shining]] *[[Simply The Bests|Simply The Bests]] by [[Eliot|Eliot]] *[[Seminoisin|Seminoisin]] by [[Semilanceata|Semilanceata]] *[[Synergy|Synergy]] by [[Ast]] of [[Impact|Impact]] *[[Tragedy|Tragedy]] by [[Ast]] of [[Impact|Impact]]*[[Walking on a scroll|Walking on a scroll]] by [[BDC-Iron|BDC-Iron]] *[[XMas 2008]] Dentro by [[Ast]] of [[Impact|Impact]] *[[Wulf|Wulf]]/[[Ratz|Ratz]] unreleased part of [[Palatine|Palatine]] *[[Ze Meeting 2000 Demo|Ze Meeting 2000 Demo]] by [[BDC-Iron|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?)* [[NQ!-Music Disc]] by [[Shining]]* [[System Party 97]] by [[Eliot]]* [[Texture Mapping Plus]] by [[Odiesoft]]* [[Ze Meeting 96-97 Compilation]] by [[Condense]] (Contains a CPC+ part)* [[Ae2010 Final Exams]] by [[Impact]] (The last part contains some Cpc+ features !) * 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]]* [[Amiga Graphics Plus]] compiled by [[Simon Green]] === Graphics === * [[Bmp Converter]] ([[Snn]] of [[Futur's]])* [[Claudia]], a Bmp Converter ([[Eliot]])* [[GMSK]] ([[TFM]] of [[FutureSoft]])* [[GraphOS]] ([[BDC-Iron]])* [[Kit 4096]] ([[OffseT]])* [[Sprite Editor]] ([[Blue Impuls]])* [[SMARTplus]] ([[Radical Software]]) (to complete... see [[Applications]]) === Music === * [[Soundtracker DMA]] by [[Zik]] of [[Futur's]] (to complete... see [[Applications]]) === Utilities === * [[B-ASIC]] ([[Logon System]]) === Alternate Operating Systems === * [[FutureOS]] === Cartridge Games === * [[Barbarian 2 ( Cartridge )|Barbarian 2]]* [[Batman The Movie ( Cartridge )|Batman The Movie]]* [[Burnin' Rubber|Burning Rubber]]* [[Chase HQ 2 ( Cartridge )|Chase HQ 2]]* [[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]]* [[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 )|Skeet Shoot]]* [[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]] === Unofficial Cartridge Games === The following cartridge games are unofficial, i.e. in that they were not sold commercially during the Plus/GX4000 lifetime.These cartridges work on Plus and GX4000. * [[Bears!]]* [[Blue Angel 69]]* [[Ghosts 'n' Goblins]]* [[Puzznic]]* [[Stryker and the Crypts of Trogan]] ===Non-cartridge Games === * [[Aigle D'or: Le Retour]]* [[Best Of The Best]] - Championship Panza Gold Edition Karate/Kick Boxing Gold Edition ([[Loriciels]]) (1991)
* [[Burger Party]] ([[Futur's]]) - horizontal shoot'em up
* [[Bumpy's Arcade Fantasy]]
* [[Call &BD10'n'oeuf]] ([[Fenyx Kell]]) - released for the Amstrad Expo 2005 Contest
* [[DDay]]
* [[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
* [[Wildfire]] (Game in development for the CPC plus)
===Games patched for the Plus = Graphic ====* [[SMARTplus]] ([[Radical Software]])To complete
===Vapourwares = Music software ====To complete with software able to use dma sound playlist...See [[Applications]] for exact words
===Bootlegs = Operating Systems ====To complete
==== Demos =Modern Cartridges ===
* [[20, 21,22 February 1999 meeting Demo]] by [[Benediction]]* [[4096 Preview]] ([[Kevin Thacker]])* [[A Step Beyond]] by [[Dirty Minds]]* [[ASM Intro 1]] by [[Roudoudou]] of [[Flower corp.]]* [[Basic Demo 3]] by [[Roudoudou]] of [[Flower corp.]] * [[Demo Plus]] ([[GPA]])* [[DMA music demo]] ([[Cadjo Clan]])* [[Fantasy]] by [[Semilanceata]]* [[Genesis demo]] ([[STS]])* [[Heat Demo]] by [[Odiesoft]]* [[It was so nice before the crash of the mir station]] by [[Eliot]]* [[Iron Demo 3]] by [[Iron]]* [[Fire Engine demo]] (attributed to [[Roo-dolph]])* [[Simply The Bests]] by [[Eliot]]* [[Seminoisin]] by [[Semilanceata]]* [[System Party 97]] by [[Eliot]]* [[Texture Mapping Plus]] by [[Odiesoft]]* [[Wulf]]/[[Ratz]] part of [[Palatine]]* [[Ze Meeting 2000 Demo]] by [[IronModern Cartridges]]
=== Cartridges released for the GX4000 464 Plus ===
* The computer itself, including built-in Datacorder* [[Barbarian 2Plus System Cartridge]]* with Operating System (v4), [[Batman The MovieLocomotive BASIC]]* v1.1, [[AMSDOS]] and the game [[Burnin' Rubber]]* [[Chase HQ 2]]1 Paddle* [[Copter 271]]464 Plus/6128 Plus manual* Game manual* Either an [[Crazy Cars#Crazy Cars II|Crazy Cars IIAmstrad MM12 Monochrome Monitor]]* or an [[Dick TracyAmstrad CM14 Colour Monitor]] === 6128 Plus === * The computer itself, including built-in 3" disk drive* [[Enforcer Plus System Cartridge]] with Operating System (With Phazerv4), [[Locomotive BASIC]]* v1.1, [[Fire and Forget 2AMSDOS]]* and the game [[Gazza IIBurnin' Rubber]]* [[KlaxSystem Disk]]with CP/M Plus and utilities, identical disk for all countries* 1 Paddle* 464 Plus/6128 Plus manual* Game manual* Either an [[MysticalAmstrad MM12 Monochrome Monitor]]* or an [[Navy SealsAmstrad CM14 Colour Monitor]] === GX4000 === * The console itself which included SCART and RF outputs for connection to a TV* [[No ExitBurnin' Rubber]]cartridge* 2 Paddles* Console manual* Game manual* Power supply 11v 500mA - -(o- + <gallery caption="Amstrad GX4000">Image:GX4000 01.jpgImage:GX4000 02.jpgImage:GX4000 03.jpgImage:GX4000 04.jpgImage:GX4000 05.jpgImage:GX4000 06.jpgImage:GX4000 07.jpgImage:GX4000 08.jpgImage:GX4000 09.jpgImage:GX4000 10.jpgImage:GX4000 11.jpgImage:GX4000 12.jpgImage:GX4000_Top.jpg|GX4000 TopImage:GX4000_Bottom.jpg|GX4000 BottomImage:GX4000_PCB_Top.jpg|GX4000 Motherboard TopImage:GX4000_PCB_Bottom.jpg|GX4000 Motherboard Bottom</gallery> == Amstrad CSD == The Amstrad CSD was a system containing a 464PLUS motherboad and an additionnal Mainboard enabling to switch beteween 12 different game (or whatever) Cartridges. The System was supplied with some sort of JukeBox OS Cartridge. It was used as a demonstration system at retailers and shops were the Amstrad PLUS range was sold. [[Operation ThunderboltAmstrad CSD| Check the Amstrad CSD page for more details.]] == Videos == Showing the GX4000 in action {{#ev:youtube|HLE7vi1J6Jc|300}} Review of the GX4000 by Retro Zone {{#ev:youtube|T6oG7DRdBgI|300}} 25th Anniversary Special By Novabug with Guru Larry {{#ev:youtube|iWB6NRkjTmE|300}} Unboxing & Playtest by Novabug {{#ev:youtube|q8quohU5awY|300}} == Emulators for the Plus == * [[PangArnold]]* [[Panza kickboxingWinApe]]* [[PlottingMAME]]* [[Pro Tennis TourNO$CPC]]* [[Robocop 2MTMW]]* [[Skeet Shoot ACE_(With PhazerEmulator)|ACE CPC Emulator]]* [[Super Pinball MagicACE-DL]]* [[SwitchbladeCaprice Forever]]* [[Tennis Cup 2]]* [[Tintin On the MoonCPCEC]]* [[Wild StreetsRetro Virtual Machine]]* [[World Of SportsSugarBox]]
== Weblinks ==
*http://www.gx4000.co.uk/ Xyphoe's GX4000 site - Reviews, roms, manuals, screen shots, vidoes, rarity/price guide for carts and more!
*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]
*http://www.thepixelempire.net/amstrad-gx4000-reviews.html - Reviews of the GX4000 titles
*http://www.thepixelempire.net/pixel-memories-amstrad-gx4000.html - A retrospective look at the console.
[[Category:Hardware| ]] [[Category:CPC Plus| ]][[Category:Video contents]][[Category:CPC Internal Components| ]][[Category:CPC History|* ]][[Category:Non CPC Computers| ]][[Category:Amstrad Products| ]]