MSX

The MSX was an an early attempt to establish a single standard in home computing. It was designed by a company called ASCII in Co-operation with Microsoft who provided a firmware extended version of Microsoft BASIC. Popular in Asian, South America and some parts of Europe. It could be expanded with many hardware devices which are common today such as colour printers, hard-disk controllers, modems, sound cartridges, MIDI interfaces, video capturers, scanners, light-pens, pads, track-balls and RS232 interfaces. It also had good graphical compatibilities and sound which made it an ideal games platform.

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MSX 1 - 1983

MSX 1
Sony HB-10P MSX 1
The first versions of the msx was built by around 35 different companies including Sony, Sony, Panasonic, Sanyo, JVC (Victor), Spectravideo, Toshiba, Canon, Casio,Fujitsu, Hitachi, Pioneer, Mitsubishi, NEC, Philips, Oric and Radofin. Software came on disks, tapes, soft cards and cartridges.

Specs

CPU Zilog Z80A 3,579 MHz (8-bit)
OS Microsoft extended BASIC version 1.0
Memory 16kB RAM
Display
  • Resolution: 256×192
  • 32 Sprites
Sound
  • 3 sound channels

MSX 2 - 1985

MSX 2
Sony HB-F1 MSX 2
At the time the MSX 2 had some of the best features for any Home-computer. With a new Video Display Processor the Yamaha V9938 and a resolution of 512x424 it had some great graphics and found use as both a games machine and a decent graphics station.

Specs

CPU Zilog Z80A 3,579 MHz (8-bit)
OS MSX BASIC version 2.0/2.1
Memory 64kB - 128kB RAM
Display
  • Resolution: 512x212
  • Backward compatible
  • Yamaha V9938 Video Display Processor
Sound
  • 3 sound channels
Notes Most MSX2 machines had built in disk drive

MSX 2+ - 1988

MSX 2+
MSX-2+ Panasonic A1-WX
After 1986, Microsoft stopped supporting the MSX standard. Interest in Europe and other parts of the world was decreasing so the MSX2+ was never manufactured and sold outside Japan. Using all available MSX slots, you could have up to 48Mb RAM.

Specs

CPU Zilog Z80A 3,579 MHz (8-bit)
OS MSX BASIC version 3.0
Display
  • Resolution: 256x212
  • Yamaha V9958 Video Display Processor
Sound
  • 9 channel FM synthesizer (8-bit). Not defined in the standard.
Notes Most MSX2 machines had built in disk drive

MSX Turbo R - 1990

MSX Turbo R
MSX Standard Turbo-R
The MSX Turbo R is the last official MSX version produced. Featured two CPUs the Z80(8 bits) and the R800 (16 bits). Several models were released by Panasonic who then dumped the standard for another failed one the 3DO. Software developers deserted to Nintendo Famicom systems.

Specs

CPU MSX-DOS2 internally on ROM.
OS MSX BASIC version 3.0
Display
  • Resolution: 256x212
  • Yamaha V9958 Video Display Processor
Sound
  • Yamaha YM-2413 OPLL
  • 12 channels sound processor, an auxiliary sound processor.
Notes No tape recorder port

Games

Metal Gear Solid 1
The MSX was quote a popular games machine with many games such as Metal Gear Solid 1 making there first appearance on the machine. Games came on a variety of formats including tape, disk, carts and even laser disk.
MSX GunFright
MSX Gunfright
Ultimate Play the Game

The classic Spectrum Western Gun slinger with pantomime horses
Ultima
Panasonic MSX Cart game Pairs. Box shown.