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The Sharp X1 is one of Japan's forgotten home computers. It launched in 1982 and ran alongside the more famous PC-88 and MSX. It never left Japan in any real way, so most Western players have never touched it. That makes its library a genuine treasure hunt. Emulation on a handheld is light, since the X1 is a 1980s 8-bit machine, so almost any device can run it. Many of these games are early versions of series that later got famous elsewhere.
A quick note on this list. The X1 leans on a Japanese keyboard for a lot of its software, so gaming often works best with a device that lets you map keys or attach a controller. We call out the highlights that play well on a handheld.
We frame all of this around games you already own and want to preserve.
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The Essentials
Hydlide (X1) — An early action RPG from T&E Soft that predates much of the genre. Simple by today's standards, but historically huge. The X1 version is a fine way to see where action RPGs began.
Thexder (X1) — A fast action game where you transform between a robot and a jet. A Game Arts classic that spread to many systems. Slick and fun.
Tiny Xevious (X1) — A home-computer take on the arcade shooter Xevious. A solid port of a legendary game, playable with a controller.
Ys: Ancient Ys Vanished (X1) — Falcom's landmark action RPG came to the X1 in 1987, after its PC-88 debut. Smooth bump combat and a gorgeous soundtrack. One of the most important games on the system.
Shooters and Action
Star Force (X1) — A port of the beloved vertical arcade shooter. Fast and clean, and it plays great with a D-pad.
Bosconian (X1) — A multidirectional arcade shooter brought home. A tense, open-space blaster.
The Tower of Druaga (X1) — A maze action classic with hidden treasures on every floor. A cornerstone of Japanese game history.
Dig Dug (X1) — The arcade digging classic in a tidy home port. Simple, timeless, and controller friendly.
RPGs and Adventures
Dragon Slayer (X1) — Falcom's genre-defining action RPG, first seen on the PC-88 in 1984 and ported to the X1. The seed of a whole dynasty. Historically vital and still interesting to explore.
The Black Onyx (X1) — A 1984 party-based RPG by Henk Rogers that helped popularize the genre in Japan. It sold huge numbers and paved the way for Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. A fascinating piece of history.
Deep Cuts Worth Finding
Xanadu (X1) — Falcom's ambitious action RPG sequel to Dragon Slayer. Deep, tough, and influential. A must for RPG history buffs.
Door Door (X1) — Yuji Horii's puzzle-action game before he made Dragon Quest. Charming and clever, and easy to pick up.
Best Handhelds for Sharp X1 Games
The X1 is an 8-bit machine, so emulation is very light and almost any modern handheld can run it. What matters is the ability to map keys and use a comfortable D-pad, since many games expect a keyboard.
The X1 is a niche platform to emulate, so a device that runs standalone Japanese-computer emulators and makes key-mapping easy is the smart choice. For the smoothest key-mapping, on-screen keyboards, and menu control, an Android handheld like the
is the easiest path. A budget device like the has more than enough power for these 8-bit games and a great D-pad for the action titles.Related Guides
- Best PC-88 Games for Handhelds — the X1's more famous rival
- Best PC-98 Games for Handhelds — the next generation of Japanese PC gaming
- Best MSX Games for Handhelds — another Japanese 8-bit staple
- Best X68000 Games for Handhelds — Sharp's later arcade-grade machine
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