In his latest video, Xiphod introduces a new companion to the Commander X16: the OtterX!
For those unfamiliar with the X16 ecosystem, the X16 DevBoard is the officially licensed Commander X16 system. Designed for expansion and versatility, it boasts multiple expansion slots, onboard support for 2MB of RAM, compatibility with up to four SNES gamepads, dual VIA support, and an active community ready to help users get the most out of their hardware.
However, for hardware enthusiasts looking for a more compact alternative, the OtterX is a fantastic option. This small but mighty ITX-form factor kit offers a single expansion slot and onboard 512KB RAM. Despite these limitations, it retains key features such as the IEC port and full VERA support, meaning users can enjoy VGA, Composite, and S-Video output, along with an onboard SD card reader. Created by longtime X16 contributor Joe Burk, also known as Wavicle, the OtterX is the product of an experienced hand in the X16 scene, particularly as one of the X16 SMC firmware developers.
In the video, Xiphod showcases a selection of casual gaming sessions on the X16 DevBoard while putting the OtterX through its paces. While listening to ZSM-formatted audio, he demonstrates the board’s performance, with all video and audio output coming directly from the OtterX hardware. The white speakers in the video relay the authentic sound of the system—though not captured with studio perfection, it provides an unfiltered experience of what the OtterX can produce. And for those wondering about those occasional “clicks and clacks” in the audio, those are just the sounds of the SNES controller in action!
Featured games in the video include:
- Rally Speedway by Johan Kårlin
- Scumbotron by EyeballKid
- Petaxian by borgar
- Quarx by 8BitGuy
- PETSCII Side-Scrolling Platformer by Jimbo
- Melodius by MooingLemur
There’s a rich variety of games available on the X16, but this selection was specifically chosen to highlight titles that make excellent use of SNES gamepad support.
