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====== Sharp MZ-2500 ======
The [[wp>MZ-2500|Sharp MZ-2500]], nicknamed the **"Super MZ"**, is a home computer manufactured by [[wp>Sharp_Corporation|Sharp]], released on 1 October 1985 in Japan. It is the final and most powerful model in the entire 8-bit [[wp>Sharp_MZ|MZ series]], pushing the Z80 architecture to its practical limits.

The MZ-2500 features a [[wp>Zilog_Z80|Z80B]] CPU running at 6 MHz (among the fastest Z80 variants in home computers), 256 KB RAM, 128 KB VRAM, and a [[wp>Yamaha_YM2203|Yamaha YM2203]] (OPN) sound chip providing 3 FM channels + 3 SSG channels + noise. Graphics capabilities rival many 16-bit machines of the era: 320x200 at 256 simultaneous colors from a 4,096-color palette, or 640x200 at 16 colors. The system includes hardware scrolling, Kanji text VRAM, a built-in data recorder (CMT), and at least one 3.5-inch internal floppy disk drive.

Like all MZ series computers, the MZ-2500 follows the **"clean computer" philosophy** — no BASIC or OS in ROM, only a minimal monitor program. Languages and operating systems are loaded from tape or disk at boot time.

The MZ-2500 features three backwards-compatible boot modes:
  * **MZ-80B Mode** — runs [[systems:mz2000|MZ-80B]] software via BASIC SB-5510
  * **MZ-2000 Mode** — runs [[systems:mz2000|MZ-2000]] software via BASIC MZ-1Z001
  * **MZ-2500 Mode** — native mode, boots FENICS or BASIC M25 from floppy

Model variants include the **MZ-2511** (base model with full compatibility), **MZ-2520** (without CMT and compatibility modes), and **MZ-2521** (enhanced with additional VRAM and dictionary ROM). Approximately 126 games were released across the combined MZ-80B/2000/2500 platform.

This system scrapes metadata for the "mz2500" group(s) and loads the ''mz2500'' set from the currently selected theme, if available.
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==== Quick reference ====
  * **Emulator:** [[#mame|MAME]], [[#retroarch|RetroArch]]
  * **Core:** [[#mame|MAME]], [[#libretro:_mame|libretro: MAME]]
  * **Folder:** ''/userdata/roms/mz2500''
  * **Accepted ROM formats:** ''.d88'', ''.dsk'', ''.mfi'', ''.dfi'', ''.hfe'', ''.mfm'', ''.td0'', ''.imd'', ''.d77'', ''.1dd'', ''.cqm'', ''.cqi'', ''.zip'', ''.7z''

===== BIOS =====
^ MD5 checksum ^ Share file path ^ Description ^
| | ''bios/mz2500.zip → ipl.rom'' | Initial Program Loader ROM |
| | ''bios/mz2500.zip → cg.rom'' | Character Generator ROM |
| | ''bios/mz2500.zip → kanji.rom'' | Kanji character set ROM (JIS Level 1) |
| | ''bios/mz2500.zip → kanji2.rom'' | Kanji character set ROM (JIS Level 2) |
| | ''bios/mz2500.zip → dict.rom'' | Dictionary ROM |
| | ''bios/mz2500.zip → phone.rom'' | Phone directory ROM |

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The ''mz2500.zip'' BIOS file must match the version of MAME used in your version of Batocera. You can verify your BIOS files from the Batocera menu: **GAME SETTINGS > MISSING BIOS CHECK**.
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===== ROMs =====
Place your Sharp MZ-2500 ROMs in ''/userdata/roms/mz2500''.

Software was distributed on 3.5-inch floppy disks. The most common ROM format is ''.d88'' (disk image). Using MAME's software list mode is recommended for best compatibility.

===== Emulators =====
==== MAME ====
[[https://www.mamedev.org/|MAME]] (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) is the primary emulator for the MZ-2500 in Batocera.

==== RetroArch ====
[[https://docs.libretro.com/|RetroArch]] (formerly SSNES), is a ubiquitous frontend that can run multiple "cores", which are essentially the emulators themselves. The most common cores use the [[https://www.libretro.com/|libretro]] API, so that's why cores run in RetroArch in Batocera are referred to as "libretro: (core name)". RetroArch aims to unify the feature set of all libretro cores and offer a universal, familiar interface independent of platform.

=== RetroArch configuration ===
RetroArch offers a **Quick Menu** accessed by pressing ''[HOTKEY]'' + {{:wiki:south.png?nolink&20|South button (B SNES)}} which can be used to alter various things like [[:advanced_retroarch_settings|RetroArch and core options]], and [[:remapping_controls_per_emulator|controller mapping]]. Most RetroArch related settings can be altered from Batocera's EmulationStation.

=== libretro: MAME ===
The libretro version of MAME can be used to emulate the MZ-2500. It uses the same BIOS and ROM sets as the standalone version.

===== Controls =====
The Sharp MZ-2500 is a computer system that uses a **keyboard** for input. A physical USB keyboard is strongly recommended.

===== See also =====
  * [[systems:mz80k|Sharp MZ-80K]] — the original MZ series computer (1978)
  * [[systems:mz700|Sharp MZ-700]] — MZ-80K successor with color graphics (1982)
  * [[systems:mz800|Sharp MZ-800]] — adds 640x200 graphics and SN76489 sound (1983)
  * [[systems:mz2000|Sharp MZ-2000]] — predecessor in the business MZ line (1982)
  * [[systems:x1|Sharp X1]] — Sharp's competing computer line from the television division

===== Troubleshooting =====
==== Black screen on boot ====
Make sure the BIOS file (''mz2500.zip'') is in ''/userdata/bios/'' and matches the MAME version. The zip must contain all six ROMs (ipl.rom, cg.rom, kanji.rom, kanji2.rom, dict.rom, phone.rom). Use **GAME SETTINGS > MISSING BIOS CHECK** to verify.

==== Software from MZ-80B or MZ-2000 won't run ====
The MZ-2500 has three boot modes. Software for older MZ models may require the correct compatibility mode. Check the MAME machine selection — you may need to switch between ''mz2500'', ''mz80b'' mode, or ''mz2000'' mode.

==== Further troubleshooting ====
For further troubleshooting, refer to the [[:support|generic support pages]].