Sharp X68000 (1987)

Dubbed “The God Computer” by the Japanese, the X68000 (or X68k for short) is perhaps the ultimate in 16-bit gaming. While console makers such as Sega and Nintendo often boasted “arcade-like” graphics, the X68k was the first home machine to provide genuine arcade graphics. The X68000 might not be famous in the West (it was only sold in Japan), but those in the know can expect near-perfect arcade ports.

However, X68k ownership is an eye-wateringly expensive proposition, with any half-decent disks costing several hundred dollars, let alone the cost of the hardware itself. For most of us, emulation is the only option. Nevertheless, it can be tricky to know where to start, and that’s not even