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====== Sharp MZ-800 ======
The [[wp>Sharp_MZ|Sharp MZ-800]] is a home computer manufactured by [[wp>Sharp_Corporation|Sharp]], released in 1984. It was primarily marketed in Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom, with a particularly strong following in Central Europe (especially Czechoslovakia). It is the successor to the [[systems:mz700|MZ-700]] and represents a significant upgrade in graphics and sound capabilities.

The MZ-800 features a [[wp>Zilog_Z80|Z80A]] CPU at 3.55 MHz, 64 KB RAM, 16 KB VRAM (expandable), and a [[wp>SN76489|Texas Instruments SN76489]]-compatible sound chip providing 3 tone channels + 1 noise channel. Graphics modes include 320x200 at 4 colors and 640x200 monochrome with standard VRAM, or up to 320x200 at 16 colors / 640x200 at 4 colors with expanded VRAM. Text modes support 40x25 and 80x25 characters. The system includes two ATARI-compatible joystick ports.

Like all MZ series computers, the MZ-800 follows the **"clean computer" philosophy** — only a minimal monitor program in ROM. BASIC and other languages must be loaded from cassette or disk. The machine also runs **P-CP/M** (Sharp's customized CP/M 2.2).

Model variants:
  * **MZ-811** — base unit, no tape drive
  * **MZ-821** — with built-in 1200-baud cassette tape drive
  * **MZ-831** — with tape drive and built-in 4-color printer/plotter

European models could substitute the tape drive for a **2.8-inch Quick Disk drive**. The MZ-800 is **backwards compatible with the [[systems:mz700|MZ-700]]** via a hardware/software compatibility switch, giving access to the entire MZ-700 software library.

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The **MZ-1500** (1984, Japan only) is a related but distinctly different machine — it has two SN76489 sound chips, 320x200 graphics only, and built-in Quick Disk. It is NOT a Japanese version of the MZ-800.
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This system scrapes metadata for the "mz800" group(s) and loads the ''mz800'' 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/mz800''
  * **Accepted ROM formats:** ''.mzf'', ''.mzt'', ''.m12'', ''.wav'', ''.zip'', ''.7z''

===== BIOS =====
^ MD5 checksum ^ Share file path ^ Description ^
| | ''bios/mz800.zip → mz800.rom'' | MZ-800 system ROM |

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The ''mz800.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-800 ROMs in ''/userdata/roms/mz800''.

Software was distributed on cassette tapes and floppy disks. The most common ROM formats are ''.mzf'' and ''.mzt'' (MZ tape images). 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-800 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-800. It uses the same BIOS and ROM sets as the standalone version.

===== Controls =====
The Sharp MZ-800 is a computer system that uses a **keyboard** for input. It also has two **ATARI-compatible joystick ports**. 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]] — predecessor, backwards compatible (1982)
  * [[systems:mz2000|Sharp MZ-2000]] — business-oriented MZ (1982)
  * [[systems:mz2500|Sharp MZ-2500]] — the most powerful 8-bit MZ, "Super MZ" (1985)

===== Troubleshooting =====
==== Black screen on boot ====
Make sure the BIOS file (''mz800.zip'') is in ''/userdata/bios/'' and matches the MAME version. Use **GAME SETTINGS > MISSING BIOS CHECK** to verify.

==== MZ-700 software won't run ====
The MZ-800 has a compatibility mode for MZ-700 software. Make sure the correct mode is selected in MAME's machine options.

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