This article needs some TLC. Read at your own risk.
Fujitsu FM-TOWNS
The Fujitsu FM-TOWNS is a series of computers developed by Fujitsu between 1989 and 1997. It was exclusively released in Japan.
FM stands for “Fujistu Micro”, while the “Towns” was derived from the system's codename “Townes” (referring to Charles Townes, one of the winners of the 1964 Nobel Prize in Physics) used during development. The “e” was dropped to emphasis its pronounciation like “towns” rather than “tow-nes”.
The system was known for being technologically superior to its competitors at the time, the NEC PC-98 and even some 4th generation videogame consoles, however it struggled to gain the same foothold as the PC-98 did. The ports of arcade games released for the FM-7 were usually the definitive version to have at the time, outside of playing the game on the original arcade hardware itself, making them highly sought after.
In 1993, the FM Towns Marty was released, which is a game console compatible with the existing FM Towns games.
Eventually, DOS/V support would be added to the computer system, allowing for the booting of other operating systems such as Microsoft's Windows. Over time, Fujitsu would shift its development focus from software coded specifically for the FM Towns and instead making more universally compatible DOS code.
Emulation of this system is still somewhat experimental and only recommended to advanced users, those who might already be familiar with assigned drive letters manually and working the FM Town's Japanese interface.
This system scrapes metadata for the “fmtowns” group and loads the fmtowns set from the currently selected theme, if available.
Quick reference
- Accepted ROM formats:
.bin,.m3u,.cue,.d88,.d77,.xdf,.iso,.chd,.toc,.nrg,.gdi,.cdr,.mfi,.dfi,.hfe,.mfm,.td0,.imd,.1dd,.cqm,.cqi,.dsk,.zip,.7z - Folder:
/userdata/roms/fmtowns
| Emulators | Accepted ROM formats |
|---|---|
| libretro: mame | .bin, .cue, .d88, .d77, .iso, .chd, .toc, .nrg, .gdi, .cdr, .mfi, .dfi, .hfe, .mfm, .td0, .imd, .1dd, .cqm, .cqi, .dsk, .zip, .7z |
| MAME | .bin, .cue, .d88, .d77, .iso, .chd, .toc, .nrg, .gdi, .cdr, .mfi, .dfi, .hfe, .mfm, .td0, .imd, .1dd, .cqm, .cqi, .dsk, .zip, .7z |
| tsugaru | .bin, .cue, .d88, .d77, .iso |
BIOS
| MD5 checksum | Share file path | Description |
|---|---|---|
8fa4e553f28cfc0c30a0a1e589799942 | bios/fmtowns/FMT_DIC.ROM | |
0585b19930d4a7f4c71bcc8a33746588 | bios/fmtowns/FMT_DOS.ROM | |
ac0c7021e9bf48ca84b51ab651169a88 | bios/fmtowns/FMT_F20.ROM | |
b91300e55b70227ce98b59c5f02fa8dd | bios/fmtowns/FMT_FNT.ROM | |
86fb6f7280689259f0ca839dd3dd6cde | bios/fmtowns/FMT_SYS.ROM | |
6618519b2c104cf9b7e71a48381b44a9 | bios/fmtmarty.zip | |
75a5c7afb4bc8221bab8cf24db417950 | bios/fmtmarty.zip | |
34847786d7de94b5d1133c956ab1d75d | bios/fmtowns.zip | |
0585b19930d4a7f4c71bcc8a33746588 | bios/fmtowns.zip | |
eb44f2093f51eb7159f03e170b13af76 | bios/fmtowns.zip | |
feaf8c5675151e00cfe3ad27673bff29 | bios/fmtowns.zip | |
8fa4e553f28cfc0c30a0a1e589799942 | bios/fmtownsux.zip | |
03c8fac9a5f5f5f35fb5de5a5d0d018f | bios/fmtownsux.zip | |
b91300e55b70227ce98b59c5f02fa8dd | bios/fmtownsux.zip | |
90b5e01d42aaa93e8f4503a5e94e120b | bios/fmtownsux.zip | |
1a15f6c1b58ec7e5f850118610a787a7 | bios/fmtownsux.zip |
In case you don't have BIOS files, a free (albeit less compatible) set can be found at their website as well.
ROMs
Place your Fujitsu FM-TOWNS ROMs in /userdata/roms/fmtowns.
Emulators
Tsugaru
Tsugaru is a relatively new FM Towns emulation project (started in January of 2020) with a high level of compatibility. System requires are particularly demanding and certain components (notably sound chips) are still experimental.
Check out the compatibility list at the bottom of their website.
Tsugaru configuration
Standardized features available to all cores of this emulator: fmtowns.videomode, fmtowns.padtokeyboard, fmtowns.videomode, fmtowns.bezel, fmtowns.bezel_stretch, fmtowns.hud, fmtowns.hud_corner, fmtowns.bezel.tattoo, fmtowns.bezel.tattoo_corner, fmtowns.bezel.tattoo_file, fmtowns.bezel.resize_tattoo
ES setting name batocera.conf_key | Description ⇒ ES option key_value |
|---|---|
| Settings that apply to all cores of this emulator | |
CD-ROM SPEED fmtowns.cdrom_speed | ⇒ AUTO (DEFAULT) auto, 1X 1, 2X 2, 4X 4, 8X 8. |
FORCE 386DX CPU fmtowns.386dx | Required by some games. ⇒ NO (DEFAULT) 0, YES 1. |
RetroArch
RetroArch has its own page.
libretro: mame
libretro: mame configuration
Standardized features for this core: fmtowns.autosave, fmtowns.netplay
ES setting name batocera.conf_key | Description ⇒ ES option key_value |
|---|---|
| Settings that apply to all systems this core supports | |
OVERCLOCK (UNSTABLE) global.mame_cpu_overclock | Enhancement. Reduces system slowdown. Causes issues in some games. ⇒ default default, 30 30, 35 35, 40 40, 45 45, 50 50, 55 55, 60 60, 65 65, 70 70, 75 75, 80 80, 85 85, 90 90, 95 95, 100 100, 105 105, 110 110, 115 115, 120 120, 125 125, 130 130, 135 135, 140 140, 145 145, 150 150. |
RENDERING RESOLUTION global.mame_altres | Enhancement. Increase the rendering resolution. Makes 3D objects clearer. ⇒ 640×480 640×480, 800×600 800×600, 960×720 960×720, 1024×768 1024×768, 1280×720 1280×720, 1600×800 1600×800, 1920×1080 1920×1080, 2560×1440 2560×1440, 3840×2160 3840×2160. |
SPECIAL CONTROL LAYOUTS global.altlayout | Controls for 5/6 button games and other unique controls ⇒ Default Only default, SNES Style snes, Genesis/Megadrive Style megadrive, Modern Fightstick Style fightstick, Neo Geo Mini Pad neomini, Neo Geo CD Pad neocd, Twin Stick with Triggers twinstick, Rotated 4-Way Stick (Q*Bert) qbert. |
HIGH SCORE PLUGIN global.hiscoreplugin | Emable or disable high score saving ⇒ Enabled (Default) 1, Disabled 0. |
COIN SOUND PLUGIN global.coindropplugin | Play a coin drop sound effect when an insert coin button is pressed ⇒ Enabled 1, Disabled (Default) 0. |
SHARE MAME ARTWORK global.sharemameart | Use the same art paths as standalone MAME - not recommended if using decorations or shaders. ⇒ On (Default) 1, Off 0. |
CROP ARTWORK global.artworkcrop | Crop MAME artwork to maximize the game screen and only fill unused space. ⇒ On (Default) 1, Off 0. |
CUSTOM MAME CONFIG global.customcfg | Set system-wide controls via MAME menu ⇒ On 1, Off 0. |
OFF-SCREEN RELOAD BUTTON global.offscreenreload | Set gun button 2 to reload. ⇒ On 1, Off (Default) 0. |
| Settings specific to fmtowns | |
FM TOWNS MODEL fmtowns.altmodel | Select model to emulate ⇒ FM Towns Marty (Default) fmtmarty, FM Towns (Model 1/2) fmtowns, FM Towns II UX fmtownsux. |
ADD USER DISK fmtowns.addblankdisk | Insert a disk into the floppy drive, a blank will be used if one doesn't exist ⇒ Off (Default) 0, On 1. |
SOFTWARE LIST fmtowns.softList | Use MAME software lists to identify ROM ⇒ Don't Use (Default) none, Fujitsu FM Towns CD-ROMs fmtowns_cd, Fujitsu FM Towns cracked floppy disk images fmtowns_flop_cracked, Fujitsu FM Towns miscellaneous floppy disk images fmtowns_flop_misc, Fujitsu FM Towns original floppy disk images fmtowns_flop_orig. |
MEDIA TYPE fmtowns.altromtype | Type of ROM file to load. ⇒ Floppy Disk (Drive 1) flop1, Floppy Disk (Drive 2 - Model 1/2 & II UX) flop2, CD-ROM cdrm, Hard Drive (II UX) hard1. |
UI KEYS fmtowns.enableui | Toggle with hotkey + D-pad up or Scroll Lock in-game. ⇒ Off at Start 0, On at Start 1. |
CUSTOM CONFIG fmtowns.pergamecfg | Enable per-game custom configuration via MAME menu. ⇒ On 1, Off 0. |
MAME
MAME, the Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator, is a multi-purpose emulation framework which facilitates the emulation of vintage hardware and software. Originally targeting vintage arcade machines, MAME has since absorbed the sister-project MESS (Multi Emulator Super System) to support a wide variety of vintage computers, video game consoles and calculators as well. MAME doesn't use an individual “core” for each system like RetroArch does, instead the ROM itself usually contains the necessary information to accurately emulate it, thus making it specific to the version of MAME it was made for. Overall it's a very complicated subject, we have a guide specific to arcade just for it.
MAME configuration
MAME offers a Menu in-game ([HOTKEY] + 
or [Tab] on the keyboard). This can be used to manually adjust inputs or game settings. If you're having issues with a specific game, check the MAMEdev FAQ for that game here. For MESS systems specifically, you might find more information on MESS's wiki. All options can also be edited by opening the mame.ini file.
Standardized features available to all versions of this emulator: fmtowns.videomode, fmtowns.padtokeyboard, fmtowns.videomode, fmtowns.bezel, fmtowns.bezel_stretch, fmtowns.hud, fmtowns.hud_corner, fmtowns.bezel.tattoo, fmtowns.bezel.tattoo_corner, fmtowns.bezel.tattoo_file, fmtowns.bezel.resize_tattoo
ES setting name batocera.conf_key | Description ⇒ ES option key_value |
|---|---|
| Settings that apply to all versions of this emulator | |
VIDEO MODE fmtowns.video | BGFX for post-processing, accel/opengl for raw image. ⇒ BGFX bgfx, Accel accel, OpenGL opengl. |
VSYNC fmtowns.vsync | Fix screen tearing, but may drop frames. ⇒ Off (Default) 0, On 1. |
BGFX GRAPHICS API fmtowns.bgfxbackend | Depends on video mode being set to BGFX. Vulkan is better, when supported. ⇒ MAME Detect automatic, OpenGL opengl, OpenGL ES gles, Vulkan vulkan. |
BGFX VIDEO FILTER fmtowns.bgfxshaders | Apply a post-processing effect. ⇒ Off None, Bilinear default, CRT Geom crt-geom, CRT Geom Deluxe crt-geom-deluxe, CRT Geom Deluxe (RGB) crt-geom-deluxe-rgb, CRT Geom Deluxe (Composite) crt-geom-deluxe-composite, Super Eagle eagle, HLSL hlsl, HQ2X hq2x, HQ3X hq3x, HQ4X hq4x. |
CRT SWITCHRES fmtowns.switchres | Allows the use of switchres profiles if present. ⇒ Off 0, On 1. |
VERTICAL ROTATION (TATE) fmtowns.rotation | Rotates screen by 90 degrees. Intended for rotating displays. ⇒ Off None, Rotate 90 autoror, Rotate 270 autorol. |
ARTWORK CROP fmtowns.artworkcrop | Crop artwork to only unused space, keeping the game as large as possible. ⇒ Off (Default) 0, On 1. |
CUSTOM MAME CONFIG fmtowns.customcfg | Set system-wide controls via MAME menu ⇒ On 1, Off 0. |
DATA PLUGIN fmtowns.dataplugin | Make game history, setup instructions, and special moves viewable in the menu ⇒ Enabled 1, Disabled (Default) 0. |
OFF-SCREEN RELOAD BUTTON fmtowns.offscreenreload | Set gun button 2 to reload. ⇒ On 1, Off (Default) 0. |
Settings specific to fmtowns |
|
FM TOWNS MODEL fmtowns.altmodel | Select model to emulate ⇒ FM Towns Marty (Default) fmtmarty, FM Towns (Model 1/2) fmtowns, FM Towns II UX fmtownsux. |
ADD USER DISK fmtowns.addblankdisk | Insert a disk into the floppy drive, a blank will be used if one doesn't exist ⇒ Off (Default) 0, On 1. |
SOFTWARE LIST fmtowns.softList | Use MAME software lists to identify ROM ⇒ Don't Use (Default) none, Fujitsu FM Towns CD-ROMs fmtowns_cd, Fujitsu FM Towns cracked floppy disk images fmtowns_flop_cracked, Fujitsu FM Towns miscellaneous floppy disk images fmtowns_flop_misc, Fujitsu FM Towns original floppy disk images fmtowns_flop_orig. |
MEDIA TYPE fmtowns.altromtype | Type of ROM file to load. ⇒ Floppy Disk (Drive 1) flop1, Floppy Disk (Drive 2 - Model 1/2 & II UX) flop2, CD-ROM cdrm, Hard Drive (II UX) hard1. |
UI KEYS fmtowns.enableui | Toggle with hotkey + D-pad up or Scroll Lock in-game. ⇒ Off at Start 0, On at Start 1. |
CUSTOM CONFIG fmtowns.pergamecfg | Enable per-game custom configuration via MAME menu. ⇒ On 1, Off 0. |
Controls
Here are the default Fujitsu FM-TOWNS's controls shown on a Batocera RetroPad:
Troubleshooting
Further troubleshooting
For further troubleshooting, refer to the generic support pages.
- systems/fmtowns.txt
- Last modified: 20 months ago
- by atari