ZUIKI Pauses X68000 Z Super and XVI IndieGoGo Campaign Amid International Fulfillment Challenges

ZUIKI Suspends X68000 Z Super and XVI Crowdfunding Campaign Due to Funding and Fulfillment Issues ZUIKI, a company dedicated to reimagining classic hardware, has officially paused its IndieGoGo crowdfunding campaign for the X68000 Z Super and X68000 Z XVI micro-consoles, citing financial shortfalls and concerns over international shipping logistics.

Both models are modern tributes to the Sharp X68000, an iconic Japanese home computer renowned for its influence on vintage gaming and hobbyist scenes.

ZUIKI’s latest hardware campaign generated significant interest among retro gaming communities in Japan and abroad, promising faithful reproductions of the original setup—complete with a keyboard and mouse. The announcement came in a campaign update posted on July 14, 2025.

ZUIKI stated it made the "difficult decision" to pause the X68000 Z Super and XVI crowdfunding effort because the level of backing so far was "insufficient to cover the full cost of international fulfilment," further complicated by "ongoing uncertainty around import duties." At the time of writing, the campaign had raised £15,158 of its £34,059 target, with 14 days remaining.

However, ZUIKI has suspended new orders for both products, now only accepting voluntary contributions.

In their statement, the company expressed appreciation to Western supporters for their “enthusiasm and support,” apologizing for the disappointing development. The complex nature of IndieGoGo’s rules means campaigns can't be canceled outright once crowdfunding has started.

ZUIKI reassured backers that anyone who has already contributed and been charged for either console should expect refunds after the remaining 14-day period concludes, rather than immediately.

While there is no official word on whether ZUIKI intends to pursue an alternative relaunch, the company noted it will use its official channels to communicate future updates should plans change. Originally, ZUIKI had outlined ambitious plans to make the X68000 Z Super and Z XVI accessible to international buyers.

The X68000 Z Super debuted with a price of £696 ($950 / 136,000 Yen), while the X68000 XVI was available for £753 ($1,020 / 147,000 Yen), with a bundle option combining both machines.

The campaign emphasized authenticity, assuring backers that the kits would closely match the original X68000 desktop’s design and function, offering the full retro computing experience via an HDMI connection. Both consoles offered modern upgrades in addition to their faithful exteriors.

The X68000 Z Super features the same system-on-chip (SoC) and memory as the original X68000 Z but is slightly larger, adds Wi-Fi capability, and expands connectivity options with additional SCSI, MIDI, and D-Sub ports.

Its motherboard design also allows for a Nano-ITX setup enabling Windows dual-boot functionality.

The X68000 Z XVI further upgrades performance with a new SoC and increased memory alongside the enhancements found in the Super variant.

Earlier this year, both models launched on the Japanese crowdfunding platform Kibidango, with the X68000 Z Super starting at 59,800 yen and the XVI offered in multiple configurations. ZUIKI’s commitment to transparency has been evident throughout the process, including the launch of an English-language website to provide updates and allow global fans to register interest.

The response from international retro gaming enthusiasts has been overwhelmingly positive, with over 73% of poll respondents expressing interest in purchasing a X68000 Z system. As the campaign pauses, ZUIKI has reiterated its gratitude to international fans and pledged to update the community should new solutions emerge for bringing the beloved X68000 Z Super and XVI to a worldwide audience.

ZUIKI X68000 Z X68000 Z Super X68000 Z XVI IndieGoGo X68000