Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best-selling in Video Game Consoles
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on Video Game Consoles
This is where the GX4000 had no problems. It had a very good internal set-up, and had advanced graphics, scrolling and an impressive colour pallette of 4096. This was technically better to many of it's 8-bit rivals, including the newly released 16-bit Sega Megadrive, but more on that later. It's cartridge based loading time was instantaneous, quicker than the NES and it very rarely crashed once loaded. Retro Gamer magazine said that the GX4000 was more on par with the Super Nintendo (which was released in 1991) than any machine at the time. It was also exceedingly easy to connect to various TV and monitors, and had a vast array of peripheral sockets to chose from. One of the first things I noticed when I got my first machine was that it had a built in full SCART socket on the back. No other console had this at the time, and although I never used the port, preferring to use coaxial at the time, it was very forward thinking of Amstrad to include this. There were so many sockets in fact, I often forgot which one did what, having four different controller inputs, two power inputs, two visual outputs and an external audio jack! Wow! It is also the first system to transmit a 'blank' signal to the TV whilst it from switched off, thus making sure you knew it was connected and ready to go. The basic control system was via a specailly modelled joy-pad style controller, that used the classic 9-pin configuration that was designed to match the look of the console. This was the time that these began to replace the old joystick controller, and the GX4000's is clearly based of the Nintendo and Sega counterparts of the era. I must admit, is wasn't the best built controller, and there was sometimes some dubious responsiveness going on. The MS controller was arguably the best, but provided enough function for the games it would operate. One rather odd, and always annoying thing about the control system design was that the 'Pause' button is actually mounted on the console and not the controller, this not only meant you had to get up to pause the game, but also you may accidentally jog the cartridge in the machine possibly causing it to crash. That said, the controllers were quite robust, could take a bit of punishment and overly were reliable. Talking about reliability, the GX4000 could be a bit of a delicate beast. I have got through three machines in 20 years. That might sound good, and the first one got used a lot indeed, but the second one lasted only a year or so before suffering an electronic failure. The third hardly ever gets used, being consigned to my retro collection and is now treated with kid-gloves. I have replaced the other parts as well over the years, having three additional controllers but only one replacement AC adaptor. For a 20 years old system, I don't think this is bad, considering that I got though three PS2's over the space of only nine years. Specification: CPU - 8/16-bit Zilog Z80A Speed - 4 MHz Random Access Memory - 64 KB RAM, 16 KB VRAM Read Only Memory - 32 KB ROM Graphic modes - 160x200 to 640x200 Colors - 32 colors on screen (from 4096 colour palette) Sound - 3 channel stereo (AY-3-8912 chip) Media format - Cartridge Controllers - 2 x 9-pin joypad, 1 x Light gun, 1 x AnalogueRead full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Almost a strange (but fun) thing to open and use a Brand New from 1990 Amstrad GX4000. It fired straight up and the room spun, and I went from 2016 to 1990 all over again. Good fun and all shiny and new certainly is a rare thing to find in the retro gaming scene. Love it.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This game console is beyond it's time. Thanks to scart output you can still use it with modern TV's without any converter. It's starts fast. Console shape is beautiful. Controllers are also nice. All buttons are responsive. Only issue is power adapter. You should careful about this. Always plug console first then to wall. if you don't do this you could burn your console. Have a nice time with your GX 4000.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
its exactly as it is described packaged very well, here on time, works perfectly very happy :)
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Underrated sadly at the time when released, this console is actually a great 8bit gaming machine and quite rare being a UK home console too...
Verified purchase: No