---
title: NEC PC 88VA
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Professional Computer
origins:
- Japan
years:
- '1987'
cpus:
- PD9002
params:
  name: PC 88VA
  image: /media/museum/photos/nec_pc8801va_1.jpg
  company: /companies/nec
  company_name: NEC
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: PC 88VA
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: NEC
  - label: TYPE
    value: Professional Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Japan
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1987'
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: Full-stroke keyboard with numeric keypad and arrow keys
  - label: CPU
    value: PD9002 (Nec V30 Compatible)
  - label: SPEED
    value: 8 MHz
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: PD780 C (Disk controler)
  - label: RAM
    value: 512 KB
  - label: VRAM
    value: 256 KB
  - label: ROM
    value: 480 KB (+288 KB dictionary)
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 80 columns x 25 lines
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: 640 x 200, 640 x 400, 320 x 200, 320 x 400
  - label: COLORS
    value: 256 to 65535
  - label: SOUND
    value: 3 FM channels + SSG
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: Unknown
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Unknown
  - label: BUILT IN MEDIA
    value: Two 5.25'' disk-drives
  - label: OS
    value: MS DOS
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: Built-in power supply unit
  - label: PERIPHERALS
    value: Unknown
  - label: PRICE
    value: Unknown
  tabs:
  - hardware
  - connectors
  - emulators
  - links
  forum_thread: 399
  hardware:
  - title: DUAL 5.25'' FLOPPY DISCS UNIT
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Dual 5.25" Double-side, double-density 320 KB floppy drive unit.\
      The unit uses the 8255 parallel interface. It can be also used with PC-8001/mkII, PC-8801 Series, PC-9801/E/F/M etc.
    image: /media/museum/hardware/nec_pc8001mk2sr_fdunit-s1.jpg
  connectors:
  - title: COMPOSITE VIDEO DIN PLUG
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      **(1)** VDD 12V\
      **(2)** GND\
      **(3)** Video Out\
      **(4)** NC\
      **(5)** Light pen
    image: /media/museum/connectors/nec_pc8001_compositeplug_1.jpg
  - title: RGB VIDEO DIN PLUG
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      **(1)** VDD 12V\
      **(2)** GND\
      **(3)** Color clock\
      **(4)** H-SYNC\
      **(5)** V-SYNC\
      **(6)** R\
      **(7)** G\
      **(8)** B
    image: /media/museum/connectors/nec_pc8001_rgbplug_1.jpg
  emulators:
  - title: M88 emulator
    url: http://retropc.net/cisc/m88/
    platform: Windows
    text: Japanese emulator
  - title: PC88 Emulator
    url: http://home.highway.ne.jp/soltin/pc88win.html
    platform: Windows
    text: Japanese emulator
  - title: QUASI88
    url: http://www.117.ne.jp/~show/pc8801/pc88emu2.html
    platform: Multiplatform
    text: Multiplatform emulator
  links:
  - title: Web Wiz CAPTCHA
    url: http://www.webwizcaptcha.com
    text: ''
  related:
  - /museum/nec-pc-8001
  - /museum/nec-pc-8001-mk-2
  - /museum/nec-pc-8001-mk-2-sr
  - /museum/nec-pc-8801
  - /museum/nec-pc-8801-fa
  - /museum/nec-pc-8801-fe
  oc_id: 401
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20230608074423/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=401
    date: '2023-06-08'
---

The PC-88VA was compatible with the [PC-8801](/museum/nec-pc-8801/) and also had a V3 mode that operated in 16bit mode and allowed to run MS-DOS like OS.

This machine had sprites for games in character mode. High quality games such as R-TYPE were released using this mode.

Unfortunately this machine had no success and was replaced by the PC-88VA2/VA3 series in 1988.

---

Thanks to **Yoshiki Yasui** for the information

<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>