Matsushita JR series

The National JR series (including some models also sold as the Panasonic JR) was a line of 8-bit personal computers developed by Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd., a division of Matsushita Electric Industrial (now Panasonic). Based on the success of the Sharp MZ and NEC PC-8000 series, these computers aimed primarily at the home computer and educational markets during the early 1980s.

The JR series included four computer models: the JR-100, the JR-200, the JR-300 and the JR-800. All four were sold under Matsushita's 'National' brand; the JR-100 and JR-200U were also sold elsewhere as 'Panasonic' (another Matsushita brand).

The JR series found a strong foothold in Japanese schools, particularly the JR-200, which became a standard machine for teaching programming in BASIC.

JR-100

The National JR-100 (sold in some markets as the Panasonic JR-100) was released on November 21, 1981, with a price of 54,800 yen. It was the cheapest domestically produced personal computer at the time of its release.

Like the Hitachi Basic Master and Sharp MZ-80, it was a low-performance, low-priced personal computer offering basic semi-graphic character based graphics, a monochrome display, and minimal sound ability. The CPU was an 8-bit Panasonic MN1800A NMOS microprocessor (compatible with the Motorola MC6802, a slightly improved version of the Motorola MC6800) running at a slow 0.89 MHz, and it came with 16 KB of RAM (expandable to 32 KB). Compared to the cheaper imported Sinclair ZX81 (38,700 yen), the larger RAM on the JR100 made it possible to create better programs.

The computer case is angular and cream-colored, measuring 296mm wide x 154mm deep x 45mm high, being extremely compact. The green keyboard was made of rubber due to its low price, and was mockingly called the "eraser keyboard". It had a shortcut key function, allowing users to enter commands in one go. There was no space bar at the bottom, and the right shift key was replaced with a space bar.

Specifications:

JR-200

The National JR-200 (also sold as the Panasonic JR-200U variant in some countries) was released at the end of 1982 with a price of 79,800 yen. It was a higher-end model than the JR-100, but not compatible with this machine.

The JR-200 is made of silver grey plastic, and has a black matte area around the chiclet keyboard area. It used the same MN1800A CPU as the previous model, but added a second processor, the 4-bit MN1544CJR, which is used for I/O and contains 128 bytes of RAM plus four kilobytes of ROM.

The computer received favorable reviews on its launch. Creative Computing wrote "The Panasonic JR-200 is one of the nicest new computers to make the scene in some time."

Specifications

  • CPU: MN1800A + MN1544
  • Clock speed: 890 kHz
  • RAM: 36 KB
  • ROM: 16 KB
  • Graphics: 8 colors (black, blue, red, magenta, green, cyan, yellow, white); 256 × 192; 32 × 24 text characters; 64 × 48 semi-graphic characters with 8 × 8 pixel matrix
  • Sound: 3 voices, 5 octaves, square wave. Generated by the MN1271 sound, I/O and timer chip.
  • Connections: Composite and RF video, expansion, tape (600/2400 baud), printer port, floppy drive, joystick
  • OS: JR-BASIC 5.0

International Variants

Versions of the JR-200 were developed for the North American and European markets and announced in January 1983:

  • JR-200U: Designed for North American and European markets, with modified power supply and video output standards;
  • JR-200UP: Included a built-in printer interface to meet business and educational needs.

JR-300

The National JR-300, released in 1984 with a price of 159,000 yen, was completely redesigned in comparison with the earlier JR-100 and JR-200 models. The JR-300 was a hybrid 8/16-bit machine, having a Zilog Z80A CPU as well as a second MN1800A CPU to allow backwards compatibility with the JR-200.

It was advertised as "PC & TV 300" and came standard with a genlock function. A dedicated display (TH15-M300) was available for this. The size and design are similar to the Matsushita MSX machines with separate keyboard.

The JR-300 was primarily delivered to schools as an educational computer, and only a very limited number of machines were released to the general public.

Specifications

  • CPU: MN1800A + Z80A
  • Clock speed: 4 MHz
  • RAM: 82 KB
  • ROM: 40 KB
  • Graphics: 8 colors; 320 × 200, 640 × 200, 640 × 400
  • Sound: Yamaha 8910 (3 voices, 5 octaves)
  • Connections: RGB, Composite and RF video, sound out, expansion, tape (600/2400 baud), printer port, floppy drive, joystick
  • OS: JR-BASIC 5.0, Extended Basic

JR-800

A handheld model called the National JR-800 was launched in 1983 with a price of 128,000 yen, but it was not compatible with the previous JR computers. It was based around a Hitachi HD63A01V CPU (MC6801 compatible) running at 4.9152 MHz, with 16 KB of RAM, and featured a 192 × 64 pixel LCD screen.

It was a B5 sized handheld computer, powered by four AA batteries or an AC adapter. A dedicated portable printer, the JR-P20, was also released.

Specifications

  • CPU: HD63A01V
  • Clock speed: 4.9152 MHz
  • RAM: 16 KB
  • ROM: 16 KB
  • Graphics: monochrome LCD, 32 × 8 characters; 192 × 64 pixels
  • Connections: tape, RS-232, printer, sound
  • OS: BASIC

Character set

The table below shows the semigraphics character set available on the Matsushita JR series, as shown on the operations manual. Characters are rendered using modern equivalents, the exact hardware font it not simulated.

2 3 4 5 8 9 E F
0 0 @ P ┌ ◯ ┘
1 ! 1 A Q ♠ ▁ ▗ ▏
2 “ 2 B R ♥ ▂ ▞ ▎
3 # 3 C S ♦ ▃ ▙ ▖
4 $ 4 D T ♣ ▄ ▛ ▌
5 % 5 E U ⬣ ▅ ▎ ▊
6 & 6 F V ← ▆ ▜ ▟
7 ' 7 G W ↓ ▇ ▚ ▟
8 ( 8 H X ↑ ├ ▐ ▘
9 ) 9 I Y → ┤ ┼ ▊
A * : J Z 🛉 │ ▒ ▝
B + ; K [ ☺ ─ ┬ ◟
C , < L ¥ ▓ ◣ ┴ ●
D - = M ] ┐ ◝ ░ ◞
E . > N ^ █ ╳ ▀ ◜
F / ? O _ ◢ ╱ └ ╲

Software


There are 72 games on this list.

Title Japanese title Product code Publisher Year Model
2001: A Space Odyssey 2001年宇宙の旅 JR-T23 (National; release unconfirmed) Technosoft
National (Matsushita)		 1982 JR-100
2001: A Space Odyssey, Part II 2001年宇宙の旅パートII JR-T24 (National) National (Matsushita)
Technosoft		 1982 JR-100
4D Warp 4Dワープ CE-1 Central Soft JR-200
Aldebaran #1 アルデバラン #1 JR-T19 National (Matsushita) JR-100
Aldebaran Part 1 アルデバラン JR-TB01 National (Matsushita) 1982 JR-200
Bingo Game (JR-100) ビンゴゲーム (JR-100) JR-T14 National (Matsushita) JR-100
Bingo Game (JR-200) ビンゴゲーム (JR-200) JR-TB03 National (Matsushita) 1982 JR-200
Blackjack (JR-200) ブラックジャック (JR-200) JR-TB06 National (Matsushita) 1982 JR-200
Block Kuzushi (National) ブロックくずし (National) JR-T15 National (Matsushita) 1982 JR-100
Block Kuzushi (SYPAC Soft) ブロックくずし (SYPAC Soft) S-101 SYPAC Soft (Cypress) JR-200
Bomber Robo ボンバーロボ CE-5 Central Soft JR-200
Bombing Game バクゲキゲーム S-108 SYPAC Soft (Cypress) JR-200
Breakdown ブレークダウン JR-TB10 National (Matsushita) JR-200
Bridge ブリッジ S-104 SYPAC Soft (Cypress) JR-200
Car Race (JR-100) カーレース (JR-100) JR-T11 National (Matsushita) JR-100
Car Race (JR-200) カーレース (JR-200) JR-TB02 National (Matsushita) JR-200
Car Racer カーレーサー J-1006 Hudson Soft 1982 JR-100
Computer BUG9000 コンピュータBUG9000 JR-T27 National (Matsushita) JR-100
Cosmic Patrol JR-TU77 Instant Software 1983 JR-200U
Crazy Mazey (Compac) クレイジーメイジー (Compac) Compac JR-200
Crazy Mazey (Datamost) Datamost 1983 JR-200U
Cross Country クロスカントリー CE-6 Central Soft JR-200
Dog Walk ドッグウォーク JR-T26 National (Matsushita) 1982 JR-100
Four-Dimensional Fever 4次元フィーバー JR-TB07 National (Matsushita) JR-200
Galactic Chase JR-TU82 TMQ Software 1983 JR-200U
Games to Play with the Computer 1 / Games and Puzzles to Watch コンピュータと遊ぶゲーム1／見て楽しむゲームとパズル JR-T02 National (Matsushita) JR-100
Games to Play with the Computer 2 コンピュータと遊ぶゲーム (2) JR-T03 National (Matsushita) 1981 JR-100
Games to Play with the Computer 3 コンピュータと遊ぶゲーム3 JR-T04 National (Matsushita) JR-100
German Air Force Operation ドイツ空軍大作戦 JR-TB30 National (Matsushita) JR-200
Golf ゴルフ JR-TB22 National (Matsushita) JR-200
Heli Bomber ヘリボンバー S-102 SYPAC Soft (Cypress) JR-200
ICBM Interception Operation (JR-100) ICBM迎撃作戦 (JR-100) JR-T20 National (Matsushita) 1982 JR-100
ICBM Interception Operation (JR-200) ICBM迎撃作戦 (JR-200) JR-TB04 National (Matsushita) JR-200
Invader インベーダー J-1007 (Hudson Soft)
JR-T12 (National)		 Hudson Soft
National (Matsushita)		 1982 JR-100
Joe Junk Man JR-TU74 TMQ Software 1983 JR-200U
Jumping Crash ジャンピングクラッシュ JR-T10 National (Matsushita) JR-100
Lejack レジャック S-105 SYPAC Soft (Cypress) JR-200
Mahjong 麻雀 JR-TB23 National (Matsushita) JR-200
Mars Cars JR-TU67 Datamost 1983 JR-200U
Medieval Quest JR-TU65 Instant Software 1983 JR-200U
Monkey Up モンキーアップ JR-TB08 National (Matsushita) JR-200
Nihon tai JR 日本対JR Dempa Shimbunsha JR-100
Othello オセロ CE-3 Central Soft JR-200
Pearl Harbor Operation パールハーバー大作戦 JR-TB26 National (Matsushita) JR-200
Phaser Command JR-TU64 Instant Software 1983 JR-200U
Pig Pen JR-TU73 TMQ Software 1983 JR-200U
Planet Wars プラネットウォーズ JR-T25 (National)
J-1020 (Tecno Hudson)		 National (Matsushita)
Tecno Hudson		 1982 JR-100
Poker (JR-100) ポーカー (JR-100) JR-T21 National (Matsushita) 1982 JR-100
Poker (JR-200) ポーカー (JR-200) JR-TB05 National (Matsushita) JR-200
Ramrom Patrol JR-TU79 Instant Software 1983 JR-200U
Rat Patrol JR-TU61 TMQ Software 1983 JR-200U
Santa Paravia and Fiumaccio JR-TU63 Instant Software 1983 JR-200U
School on Fire スクールファイアー S-103 SYPAC Soft (Cypress) JR-200
Sea of Japan Operation 日本海大作戦 National (Matsushita) JR-200
Sea Snake シースネーク CE-4 Central Soft JR-200
Shinsengumi: Ikedaya Operation 新撰組 池田屋大作戦 JR-TB27 National (Matsushita) JR-200
Solitaire Datamost 1983 JR-200U
Space Game スペースゲーム S-106 SYPAC Soft (Cypress) JR-200
Star Fighter スターファイター S-107 SYPAC Soft (Cypress) JR-200
Star Trek スタートレック JR-TB09 National (Matsushita) JR-200
Star Wars II スターウォーズⅡ JR-T34 National (Matsushita) 1982 JR-100
Super Dice スーパーダイス CE-2 Central Soft JR-200
Swashbuckler (Compac) スワッシュバックラー (Compac) Compac JR-200
Swashbuckler (Datamost) JR-TU78 Datamost 1983 JR-200U
Thief Panasonic JR-200U
Three-Ball Drop 三ツ玉おとし JR-T16 National (Matsushita) JR-100
Trapit JR-TU76 TMQ Software 1983 JR-200U
Tsume Shogi 詰め将棋 JR-TB21 National (Matsushita) JR-200
Vortex (Compac) ボルテックス (Compac) Compac JR-200
Vortex (Datamost) Datamost 1983 JR-200U
Word Race Datamost JR-200U
Wordwatch JR-TU20 Instant Software 1983 JR-200U

See also

References

  1. ↑ "MATSUSHITA National JR 100". OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum. Archived from the original on 2023-04-30.
  2. 1 2 "MATSUSHITA National JR 200". OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum. Archived from the original on 2023-04-17.
  3. 1 2 Service Manual Personal Computer JR-200U (PDF). Panasonic.
  4. 1 2 3 "MATSUSHITA National JR 300". OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum. Archived from the original on 2023-05-10.
  5. 1 2 Hawkings, William (November 1983). "Low-cost computers". Popular Science. p. 150.
  6. ↑ "National JR-100". Hobby PC Catalog. p. 82. [Image shows 'National'-badged JR-100]
  7. 1 2 "National JR-200". Hobby PC Catalog. pp. 84, 85. [Images show 'National'-badged JR-200]
  8. 1 2 "National JR-300 (catalogues)". National catalogues (1983-10, 1984-3). Archived from the original on 2 September 2025.
  9. 1 2 "[JR-800-related article]". Technopolis. June 1983. [Image showing National-badged JR-800
  10. 1 2 "[Image of Panasonic-branded JR-100]". Archived from the original on 2 September 2025.
  11. 1 2 "Panasonic JR-100 advertisement". Archived from the original on 2 September 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
  12. 1 2 "[Image of Panasonic-branded JR-200U and box indicating name]". Archived from the original on 2 September 2025.
  13. ↑ マイコン1982年2月号
  14. 1 2 "JR-100". 計算機室. May 28, 2017.
  15. ↑ PANASONIC INDL/ELEK {IC} 72. Panasonic. p. 270.
  16. ↑ Operating Instructions - Personal Computer JR-100U. Panasonic.
  17. 1 2 3 Reunanen, Markku. "Discovering the Panasonic JR-200U". .Markku Reunanen.
  18. ↑ Ahl, David (May 1983). "Panasonic JR-200". Creative Computing Magazine. Vol. 9, no. 5. p. 16.
  19. ↑ PANASONIC INDL/ELEK {IC} 72. Panasonic. p. 524.
  20. ↑ "PANASONIC JR-200U". OLD-COMPUTERS.COM : The Museum. Archived from the original on 2022-11-28. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  21. ↑ "JR-800(ポケコン・ポケットコンピュータ)のことなら「自分でドットコム」(DIY)". www.jibunde.com.
  22. ↑ "National JR-800 Documentation". PockEmul - A vintage Pocket Computers and Calculators emulator. August 2020.
  23. ↑ "The National JR-800 computer". The pocket computer museum.
  24. ↑ Operating Instructions Personal Computer JR-100U. Panasonic. pp. 8, 54.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 佐々木潤 (2019-04-02). ""いちきゅっぱ!!"なソフトを多数発売した「セントラルソフト」と、ヨット業界に名が知られた「ライブハウスアロー」". AKIBA PC Hotline! (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-10-07.
  26. ↑ "ブラックジャック". Game Preservation Society (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-10-07.
  27. ↑ "ブロックくずし". Game Preservation Society (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-10-07.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 佐々木潤 (2020-08-13). "キャラグラフィックが特徴的だった「ベーシックシステム」と、日立PC向けに力を入れていた「サイパックソフト」". AKIBA PC Hotline! (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-10-07.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Panasonic JR-series game packaging (Cassette packaging, photographed by BEEP). Panasonic.
  30. ↑ "ドッグウォーク". Game Preservation Society (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-10-07.
  31. ↑ "コンピュータと遊ぶゲーム (2)". Game Preservation Society (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-10-07.
  32. ↑ "ICBM迎撃作戦". Game Preservation Society (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-10-07.
  33. ↑ "【宅配買取】ナショナルのJr-100、ゲームテープなどをまとめて大阪府大阪市よりお譲りいただきました". BEEP (in Japanese). 2020-05-09. Retrieved 2026-10-07.
  34. ↑ 佐々木潤 (2020-06-16). ""電波クオリティ"でナムコゲームを移植した「マイコンソフト」と、夢幻の心臓以外でも変化球タイトルが豊富だった「クリスタルソフト」". AKIBA PC Hotline! (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-10-07.
  35. ↑ "プラネットウォーズ". Game Preservation Society (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-10-07.
  36. ↑ "ポーカー". Game Preservation Society (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-10-07.
  37. ↑ "スターウォーズⅡ". Game Preservation Society (in Japanese). Retrieved 2026-10-07.