FM Towns - The 'Hypermedia Computer' The FM stands for Fujistu Micro rather than anything to do with sound (as I once thought it might). Fujitsu had a tradition of code-naming PC projects after Nobel Prize-winning physicists, so the Towns part refers to Charles Townes. - ThreadSky

sharkabytes.bsky.social • 71 days ago

FM Towns - The 'Hypermedia Computer'

The FM stands for Fujistu Micro rather than anything to do with sound (as I once thought it might). Fujitsu had a tradition of code-naming PC projects after Nobel Prize-winning physicists, so the Towns part refers to Charles Townes.

Comments

ramengamer.bsky.social•20 days ago

If I remember correctly, the "FM" moniker was one they created for their line of 8-bit micro computers. Interesting that they used it even for the Towns, a machine that would eventually surpass what their micros were capable of.

ahmedss22.bsky.social•19 days ago

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iankumohara.bsky.social•71 days ago

and last but not least, Marty:

noah-k.bsky.social•71 days ago

but who is Marty?

ghaleonunlimited.bsky.social•71 days ago

I always wondered WTF does "FM Towns" mean??

Going way back to looking up OSTs for LucasArts games and laughing at Last Crusade for "FM Towns", like what in the hell is that

sharkabytes.bsky.social•70 days ago

xD The FM Towns ports of Lucasarts point 'n' click adventures are pretty nifty. It's the best way to play Zak McKraken and LOOM is nice on it too.

tamarakama.bsky.social•20 days ago

Frequency Modulation Towns 😅

TBH it and the FM Towns Marty were always just some of the obscure platforms that I'd read about in my gaming mags but never actually got to play or see in person.. 😝

tamarakama.bsky.social•20 days ago

The existence of FM Towns implied the existence of an AM Towns.. 😅🤓💜
AMPLITUDE MODULATION TOWNS

jupiterjazzhobbies.bsky.social•20 days ago

Amplitude Modulation Cities

segadude.bsky.social•71 days ago

I only know about this system because of a single review of Saturday Night Slam Masters which was ported to it in a magazine.

professorfessor.bsky.social•71 days ago

Although the FM Towns DOES have excellent sound for it’s time. Marble Madness’s music is actually tolerable there!

https://youtu.be/qMpuZ9BqQ4Y?si=maQw6EAnfXXiNqSE

professorfessor.bsky.social•71 days ago

The same music from the Genesis/Mega Drive for comparison.

Headphone warning!

https://youtu.be/GJhy4pR6ZHo?si=y2xo6e53OREAYpJI

xbob42.bsky.social•70 days ago

Was... was the Genesis music different than the NES music? Neither one of these sound like the Marble Madness tunes I grew up with. Unless my memory's totally shot.

xbob42.bsky.social•70 days ago

Now THIS is what I remember!

classicgames.bsky.social•71 days ago

Interesting with the naming of their products.

davem3393.bsky.social•20 days ago

A lovely Japanese "almost a PC" machine. Had remarkably good graphics hardware for the time, and while it wasn't as powerful as (or compatible with ) the PC98X series, it was still a nice machine to program for. And it looked good. All those "not quite a pc" Japanese machines, looked so good

davem3393.bsky.social•20 days ago

And yes, when Ian and I were working on 'that project' my desk had an X68000, a FM-Townes, a PC-9801, and a standard PC. Honestly the PC looked like the shabbiest thing of the whole lot.😂😂🤣