Retro mini PC compatible CRT monitor showcased, featuring a 60 Hz LCD enclosed within a curved acrylic casing for an authentic CRT ambiance on a compact 8-inch screen.
In the world of retro gaming, the desire for authentic experiences remains strong. Mizuki Co., a Japanese company known for its miniature reprint PCs, has answered this call with the X68000 Z2 dedicated monitor. This new device aims to bring the essence of 90s CRT monitors into the modern era.
The X68000 Z2 monitor has already raised more than a third of its crowdfunding goal on the Japanese platform Kibidango, demonstrating strong interest from retro enthusiasts. The monitor is expected to be distributed worldwide via Indiegogo after its successful crowdfunding in Japan.
The X68000 Z2 monitor is a 4:3 LCD curved acrylic structure designed to replicate the atmosphere of a classic CRT. It features a 60 Hz refresh rate and an 8-inch 1024 x 768 pixels LCD panel. Mizuki designed this monitor specifically for their X68000 Z SUPER/Z XVI systems, as the previous mini monitor did not properly match their scale.
The monitor connects to the mini PC via HDMI and has built-in stereo speakers, a 3.5mm earphone jack, and physical controls for volume, brightness, and contrast. However, the monitor's high price suggests that the majority of the cost is for its 'look and feel' rather than performance or quality in monitor terms.
To authentically mimic CRT qualities such as low input lag, no motion blur, scanlines, phosphor glow, and CRT dithering, the X68000 Z2 monitor uses a combination of hardware design and software/image processing techniques. This includes a low-lag LCD panel, a curved acrylic overlay, software scanline and dithering shaders, glow and bloom effects, minimal buffering, and direct video processing.
While perfectly replicating all CRT qualities remains difficult on LCD, these design and processing choices provide a highly convincing vintage CRT experience suited for retro gaming and video applications in 2025.
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As the X68000 Z2 dedicated monitor's crowdfunding journey continues for 18 more days, it remains to be seen if it will fully meet the expectations of retro enthusiasts. Japan-sourced reviews will be needed to confirm its worthiness as an investment. Nonetheless, the success of the X68000 Z2 dedicated monitor so far suggests that it might be a worthwhile venture for those seeking a taste of the 90s in their gaming setup.
[1] "X68000 Z2 Dedicated Monitor Crowdfunding Journey Starts on Kibidango." Mizuki Co., 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.mizukico.com/x68000-z2-dedicated-monitor-crowdfunding-journey-starts-on-kibidango
[2] "X68000 Z2 Dedicated Monitor Promotional Video." Mizuki Co., 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ
[3] "Creating a Late 90s Era-Appropriate CRT-Like LCD Monitor in 2025." Tom's Hardware, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.tomshardware.com/news/creating-a-late-90s-era-appropriate-crt-like-lcd-monitor-in-2025
[4] "Real-World Attempts and Considerations for CRT-Like LCD Monitors in 2025." Retro Gaming Magazine, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.retrogamingmagazine.com/real-world-attempts-and-considerations-for-crt-like-lcd-monitors-in-2025
The X68000 Z2 monitor, a product of Mizuki Co., is not just a gadget but also a testament to the combination of technology and data-and-cloud-computing, as it uses a variety of hardware design and software/image processing techniques to authentically mimic CRT qualities. This dedication to authenticity, despite using modern LCD panels, provides an immersive experience for retro enthusiasts seeking a taste of the 90s in their gaming setup.
