MSX is a standardized home computer architecture. It was popular in Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Netherlands, France, Spain, Finland, Arabian Gulf countries and former Soviet Union during the 1980s. Like the PC of today, the MSX computers were manufactured by many different companies.
History
The MSX home computer architecture standard was conceived by Microsoft Japan executive Kazuhiko Nishi. Inspired by the success of VHS as a standard for video cassette recorders he had proposed the MSX standard as a single industry standard for home computers. Trying to create something the PC later became.
The MSX standard was first formally announced in 1983 and was followed by three other standards: MSX2 (1986), MSX2 (1988) and MSX turbo R (1990).
Over a hundred different companies have manufactured MSX computers. The list of companies includes: Sony, Panasonic, Sanyo, JVC, Spectravideo, Toshiba, Canon, Casio, Dragon, Dyndata, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Hotbit (Sharp), Pioneer, Mitsubishi, NEC, Philips, Radiola, Schneider, Talent, Telematica, Yamaha, Yashica, Aster International, General, Samsung, Hyosung, Limco, Oric, Radofin.
Although being a Microsoft-led initiative, the MSX-based machines were seldom seen in the United States. Most of the Japanese companies decided to avoided the intensely competitive U.S. market, only Spectravideo and Yamaha decided otherwise. The MSX computers became popular in Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Netherlands, France, Spain, Finland and former Soviet Union. A total of 5 million MSX-based units were sold world-wide.
Standard definition
MSX
- Processor: Zilog Z80A 3,579 MHz (8-bit)
- ROM: 32 KB
- RAM: 8 KB minimum (Most machines provided 64K.)
- Video Display Processor: Texas Instruments TMS-9918/TMS-9928/TMS-9929
- Video RAM: 16 KB (Maximum resolution: 256×192 pixels with 16 colors)
- Sound chip: General Instrument AY-3-8910 (PSG)
- Connector for tape/data recorder.
- A Centronics interface (interface for connecting printers and other parallel devices)
- At least one joystick/mouse/paddle/trackball/graphic tablet connector. (Most computers have two.)
- At least one expansion port.
- A keyboard with At least 70 keys (including five function keys with ten programmable functions and four arrow keys).
MSX2 (only changed to MSX listed)
- ROM: 48 KB
- RAM: 64 KB minimum
- Video Display Processor: Yamaha V9938
- Video RAM: At least 64kB (usually 128kB)
- Sound chip: Yamaha YM2149 (PSG)
- Clock chip: Ricoh RP5C01 (or compatible)
- A 3.5" Floppy disk drive was common
MSX2 (Only released in Japan)
- Processor: Zilog Z80 compatible running at 3.58 MHz or more (5.37 MHz versions were available)
- ROM: 64 KB
- RAM: At least 64 KB
- Video Display Processor: Yamaha V9958
- Sound chip: Yamaha YM2149 (PSG)
- Optional sound chip: Yamaha YM2413 (OPLL) (MSX-Music)
- Clock chip: RP5C01
- 3.5" Floppy disk drive was very common
MSX turbo R (Only two machines were made and they were only released in Japan)
- Processor: R800 (7.16 MHz) and Zilog Z80A compatible
- ROM: 96 KB
- RAM: 256 KB (FS-A1ST) or 512 KB (FS-A1GT)
- Video Display Processor: Yamaha V9958
- Sound chip: Yamaha YM2413 (OPLL) (MSX-Music)
- Sound chip: PCM synthesizer 8-bit (sample rate 16kHz)
- Sound chip: MIDI in/out (FS-A1GT only)
- 3.5" double sided double density (720kB) disk drive
MSX games
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General Information
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| Platform Name: | MSX |
| Release Date: | Nov. 24, 1983 |
| Online Support: | False |
| Install Base: | 5,000,000 |
| Original Price: | $0 |
| Producing Company: | Microsoft Game Studios |
| Total Games: | games |
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Castle first in | 8 |
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Japan first in | 7 |
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Game Over first in | 27 |
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Boss Fight first in DND | 21 |
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Death first in | 20 |
