1. What Was the FM Towns Marty?

The FM Towns Marty, released in 1993 by Fujitsu, was the world’s first 32-bit CD-ROM-based home video game console. It was based on Fujitsu’s FM Towns personal computer line and was designed to bring high-end multimedia gaming into the living room with arcade-quality graphics, full-motion video, and CD audio.

Although it never saw release outside Japan and struggled commercially, the Marty is remembered as one of the most forward-thinking consoles of its time.

2. Key Features of the FM Towns Marty

• 32-bit Intel 386 CPU: ran at 16 MHz, offering strong performance for the era.
• CD-ROM drive: supported multimedia-rich games with high-quality sound and video.
• Full FM Towns compatibility: could run many games and applications from the FM Towns PC line.
• Advanced graphics: capable of displaying 16.7 million colors with support for hardware scrolling and sprite effects.
• Built-in floppy drive: allowed users to boot from disk and save game data directly.

3. Game Library and Multimedia

• Strong arcade ports: games like Splatterhouse, Bubble Bobble, and After Burner II showcased its power.
• Visual novels and FMV: featured anime-style storytelling with rich audio and imagery.
• Japanese-only releases: the console was exclusive to Japan, limiting Western exposure.

4. Legacy and Collector Appeal

The FM Towns Marty is a true hidden gem of console history. Despite its niche status, it remains highly respected by collectors and historians for its pioneering technology and impressive multimedia capabilities.

• Rare hardware: original consoles and games are difficult to find and highly collectible.
• Forward-thinking design: helped inspire future CD-based consoles like the PlayStation and Saturn.
• Preserved in emulation: supported by modern emulators like UNZ for retro gaming enthusiasts.