Pasocom Mini PC-8801 mkII SR: Japan-Exclusive Retro Console Releases July 2025 With Yuzo Koshiro as Ambassador
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Published on: March 20, 2025
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Pasocom Mini PC-8801 mkII SR: Japan-Exclusive Retro Console Releases July 2025 With Yuzo Koshiro as Ambassador
The Japanese retro gaming community is preparing for the highly anticipated release of the Pasocom Mini PC-8801 mkII SR, the micro console adaptation of NEC’s influential PC-8801 mkII SR personal computer.
Set to launch in Japan this July, the miniaturized system commemorates one of the most significant pieces of Japanese computing history, originally introduced in 1985.
The Pasocom Mini PC-8801 mkII SR recreates the experience of the classic platform, famed for its contributions to the origins of Japanese PC gaming and music.
NEC’s PC-8801 series marked a pivotal chapter in home computing, widely popular in 1980s Japan for both productivity and entertainment.
Now, thanks to Dempa Shimbun, the brand is being revived in the compact 'mini' format that has become a favorite among retro enthusiasts.
The Pasocom Mini PC-8801 mkII SR is priced at 30,000 yen (approximately $200 before tax) and will be available for purchase in July 2025 after a brief production delay.
A fitting nod to the platform’s legacy, legendary composer and game creator Yuzo Koshiro is partnering with Dempa Shimbun to promote the launch.
Koshiro, who began his career programming and composing music on the NEC PC-8801, is spearheading efforts to recreate an iconic advertisement from the 1980s, and he will serve as the official ambassador for the new micro console.
He is celebrated for his work on titles such as Xanadu Scenario II, Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished, and The Scheme—all of which debuted on the PC-8801, showcasing Koshiro’s groundbreaking music and sound design.
To celebrate the upcoming release, a special promotional flyer featuring the recreated vintage advertisement and Koshiro’s involvement will be handed out at RETRO GAME SUMMIT Lv.4.
This major event will take place at Tokyo’s Ota Ward Industrial Plaza on March 22, 2025, drawing collectors, industry figures, and fans of Japanese game history.
Yuzo Koshiro remains a prominent figure in the industry.
Currently, he is developing Earthion, a new shoot ‘em up for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, which is also slated for release on modern platforms.
His return to hardware like the PC-8801 underscores the enduring impact of early Japanese computer music and game development on the global industry.
The Pasocom Mini PC-8801 mkII SR is more than a collector’s item—it's a testament to the innovation that shaped an era.
Its arrival offers both longtime fans and new enthusiasts a tangible connection to Japan's vibrant computer gaming past, and with Koshiro’s authentic involvement, the system aims to inspire a new wave of appreciation for classic game development on platforms like the Nintendo Switch and beyond.
