Namco System 21
Encyclopedia
The Namco System 21 "Polygonizer" is an arcade system board
unveiled by Namco
in 1988 with the game Winning Run. It was the first arcade board specifically designed for polygon
processing. The hardware went through significant evolution throughout its lifespan until the last game, Cyber Sled, was released in 1993.
housed in a metal crate.
Arcade system board
An arcade system board is a dedicated computer system created for the purpose of running video arcade games. Arcade system boards typically consist of a main system board with any number of supporting boards...
unveiled by Namco
Namco
is a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
in 1988 with the game Winning Run. It was the first arcade board specifically designed for polygon
Polygon
In geometry a polygon is a flat shape consisting of straight lines that are joined to form a closed chain orcircuit.A polygon is traditionally a plane figure that is bounded by a closed path, composed of a finite sequence of straight line segments...
processing. The hardware went through significant evolution throughout its lifespan until the last game, Cyber Sled, was released in 1993.
System 21 Specifications
The System 21 consists of four PCBsPrinted circuit board
A printed circuit board, or PCB, is used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components using conductive pathways, tracks or signal traces etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate. It is also referred to as printed wiring board or etched wiring...
housed in a metal crate.
- Main CPUCentral processing unitThe central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in...
: 2x MotorolaMotorolaMotorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
68000 @ 12.288 MHz - DSPDigital signal processorA digital signal processor is a specialized microprocessor with an architecture optimized for the fast operational needs of digital signal processing.-Typical characteristics:...
(used for performing 3DDimensionIn physics and mathematics, the dimension of a space or object is informally defined as the minimum number of coordinates needed to specify any point within it. Thus a line has a dimension of one because only one coordinate is needed to specify a point on it...
math): 4x Texas InstrumentsTexas InstrumentsTexas Instruments Inc. , widely known as TI, is an American company based in Dallas, Texas, United States, which develops and commercializes semiconductor and computer technology...
TMS320C25 @ 24.576 MHz (Star BladeStar Bladeis a 3D space shoot 'em up arcade game that was released by Namco in 1991. It was later ported to the Mega-CD and 3DO in 1994. It was also released on the PlayStation as StarBlade Alpha in 1996.-Arcade:...
uses 5xTMS320C20 instead) - Sound CPU: MotorolaMotorolaMotorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
6809Motorola 6809The Motorola 6809 is an 8-bit microprocessor CPU from Motorola, designed by Terry Ritter and Joel Boney and introduced 1978...
@ 3.072 MHz - Sound Chip: Yamaha YM2151 @ 3.58 MHz
- MCUMCU-Universities:* Manila Central University, Philippines* Marine Corps University, United States Marine Corps graduate school offering courses in military education*Ming Chuan University,Taiwan-Other organizations:...
HitachiHitachi, Ltd.is a Japanese multinational conglomerate headquartered in Marunouchi 1-chome, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The company is the parent of the Hitachi Group as part of the larger DKB Group companies...
HD63705 @ 2.048 MHz - + NamcoNamcois a Japanese corporation best known as a former video game developer and publisher. Following a merger with Bandai in September 2005, the two companies' game production assets were spun off into Namco Bandai Games on March 31, 2006. Namco Ltd. was re-established to continue domestic operation of...
custom chips
List of System 21 Games
- Air CombatAir CombatAir Combat, released in Japan as Ace Combat, is a semi-realistic flight-sim/action game developed and released by Namco in 1995 for the PlayStation. It is part of the Ace Combat series. All subsequent games retained the original Ace Combat name.Air Combat is also an arcade game from Namco in 1992...
(1992) - Cyber SledCyber SledCyber Sled is an early two-player 3D third-person shooter vehicle combat arcade video game released by Namco in 1993.-Game play:Game play involves maneuvering a hovercraft style tank through a futuristic arena and fighting to eliminate an opponent...
(1993) - Driver's EyesDriver's EyesNamco Driver's Eyes is a first-person Formula One simulator on the namco system 21 hardware released in 1990. The game has a pseudo-panoramic view using three C.R.T. screens; the player would sit in a then realistic formula one car cockpit with L.C.D. instruments...
(1990) - Galaxian 3Galaxian 3Galaxian 3 is an arcade game released by Namco in 1994. It is a walk-in style arcade game run on a hybrid of laserdisc and traditional arcade hardware and it uses two synchronized laserdisc players to create the pre-rendered backgrounds of the game...
(1990) and Attack of the ZolgearAttack of the ZolgearAttack Of The Zolgear is a video game implemented as a conversion kit for Namco's "Theater 6" system, which was used for the 1994 arcade version of Galaxian 3...
(1994) - ShimDrive (1992)
- SolvalouSolvalouis a shoot 'em up arcade game that was released by Namco in 1991. It is the 3rd title in the Xevious series.Solvalou is the name of the ship that the player controls in all five games, including the later Xevious 3D/G and Xevious Arrangement...
(1991) - 3-D sequel to XeviousXeviousis a vertical scrolling shooter arcade game by Namco, released in 1982. It was designed by Masanobu Endō. In the U.S., the game was manufactured and distributed by Atari. Xevious runs on Namco Galaga hardware. In Brazil the arcade cabinet was printed with the name 'COLUMBIA' for the game, while the... - StarBlade (1991)
- Winning RunWinning RunWinning Run is a video game, released by Namco in 1988. It was the first game to use the Namco System 21 hardware. The music was composed by Hiroyuki Kawada.It was housed in a movable cabinet...
(1988) - Winning Run 91 (1991)
- Winning Run Suzuka Grand Prix (1989)