Editing MSX

{{short description|Family of standardized home computer architectures released between 1983 and 1992}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}

{{infobox computer
| name = MSX
| logo = [[File:MSX-Logo.svg|frameless]]
| photo = [[File:Sony HitBit HB-10P (White Background).jpg|frameless]]
| caption = Sony MSX, Model HitBit 10-P
| developer = [[ASCII Corporation]]
| manufacturer = [[National (brand)|National]], [[Sony]], [[Pioneer Corporation|Pioneer]], [[Panasonic]], [[Samsung]], [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]], [[Philips]], [[Canon Inc.|Canon]], [[Yamaha Corporation|Yamaha]], [[Toshiba]], [[Mitsubishi]], [[Sanyo]], [[JVC]], [[Fujitsu]], [[Spectravideo]], [[GoldStar]], [[Hitachi]], [[Kyocera]], [[Yashica]], [[Daewoo]], [[Dragon MSX]], [[Casio]]
| type = [[Home computer]]
| releasedate = October 21, 1983 (MSX)
| discontinued = 1993 (MSX turboR)
| processor = {{ubl|[[Zilog Z80]] or equivalent (MSX1, MSX2, MSX2+)|[[R800]] (Turbo R)}}
| memory = {{ubl|8–64 KB maximum (MSX1)|64-512 [[Kilobyte|KB]], expandable to up to 4 MB via [[Memory management unit|memory mapper]] cartridge (MSX2 and higher)}}
| graphics = {{ubl|[[TMS9918]] or equivalent (MSX1)|[[Yamaha V9938]] (MSX2)|[[Yamaha V9958]] (MSX2+ and Turbo R)}}
| OS = [[MSX BASIC]], [[MSX-DOS]]
}}

'''MSX''' is a standardized [[home computer]] architecture, announced by [[ASCII Corporation]] on June 16, 1983.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Laing |first=Gordon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=967VdXdc5w4C&q=msx+announced&pg=RA1-PT101 |title=Digital Retro: The Evolution and Design of the Personal Computer |publisher=Ilex Press |year=2004 |isbn=9781904705390 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |year=1983 |title=ASCII Express: 新しいホームパーソナルコンピュータ仕様 MSX |journal=[[ASCII (magazine)|ASCII]] |language=ja |publisher=[[ASCII (company)|ASCII]] |volume=7 |issue=8 |issn=0287-9506}}</ref> It was initially conceived by [[Microsoft]] as a product for the Eastern sector, and jointly marketed by [[Kazuhiko Nishi]], the director at ASCII Corporation.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Wood |first=Robert |year=1983 |title=Japanese Seek to Dominate Home Market |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6C8EAAAAMBAJ&q=history%20vice%20president%20microsoft%20nishi&pg=PA158 |url-status=live |journal=[[InfoWorld]] |volume=5 |issue=49 |pages=158 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407080143/https://books.google.com/books?id=6C8EAAAAMBAJ&q=history%20vice%20president%20microsoft%20nishi&pg=PA158 |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |access-date=2019-09-16 |via=[[Google Books]]}}</ref> Microsoft and Nishi conceived the project as an attempt to create unified standards among various home computing system manufacturers of the period, in the same fashion as the [[VHS]] standard for home [[video tape]] machines.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 27, 2013 |title=MSX: The Japanese Are Coming! the Japanese Are Coming! |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/06/27/feature_30_years_of_msx/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112095711/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/06/27/feature_30_years_of_msx/ |archive-date=January 12, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2018 |work=[[The Register]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kazuhiko Nishi |url=http://www.enotes.com/topic/Kazuhiko_Nishi |website=eNotes.com}}</ref> The first MSX computer sold to the public was a Mitsubishi ML-8000, released on October 21, 1983, thus marking its official release date.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The First MSX |url=https://weekly.ascii.jp/elem/000/002/618/2618888/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221025082442/https://weekly.ascii.jp/elem/000/002/618/2618888/ |archive-date=October 25, 2022 |website=ascii.jp}}</ref>

MSX systems were popular in [[Japan]] and several other countries. There are differing accounts of MSX sales. One source claims 9 million MSX units were sold worldwide, including {{nowrap|7 million}} in Japan alone,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Loguidice |first=Bill |date=14 April 2017 |title=The Bright Life of the MSX, Japan's Underdog PC |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-bright-life-of-the-msx-japans-underdog-pc/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127040134/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-bright-life-of-the-msx-japans-underdog-pc/ |archive-date=November 27, 2021 |access-date=27 November 2021 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |language=en}}</ref> whereas ASCII Corporation founder [[Kazuhiko Nishi]] claims that 3 million were sold in Japan, and 1 million overseas.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-26 |title=【伝説のパソコンMSX】仕掛け人がついに明かす「失敗の本質」 |url=https://diamond.jp/articles/-/253320 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230719105218/https://diamond.jp/articles/-/253320 |archive-date=July 19, 2023 |access-date=2023-05-25 |website=ダイヤモンド・オンライン |language=ja}}</ref> Despite Microsoft's involvement, few MSX-based machines were released in the United States.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Root |first1=Howard |last2=Williams |first2=Brian |date=August 1984 |title=Faceoff: Will MSX Be a Success in the United States |url=http://www.atarimagazines.com/creative/v10n8/198_Faceoff_will_MSX_be_a_su.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207072706/https://www.atarimagazines.com/creative/v10n8/198_Faceoff_will_MSX_be_a_su.php |archive-date=February 7, 2019 |access-date=August 25, 2011 |magazine=Creative Computing |page=198 |volume=10 |number=8}}</ref>

The meaning of the acronym MSX remains a matter of debate. In 2001, Kazuhiko Nishi recalled that many assumed that it was derived from "Microsoft Extended", referring to the built-in Microsoft Extended [[BASIC]] ([[MSX BASIC]]). Others believed that it stood for "Matsushita-Sony". Nishi said that the team's original definition was "Machines with Software eXchangeability",<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T4xvM3Abp4?t=880 |title=MSX Fair Tilburg 2001 – by Totally Chaos |date=21 April 2001 |type=video |time=14:40 |access-date=2019-02-01 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/0T4xvM3Abp4 |archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live |people=[[Kazuhiko Nishi|Nishi, Kazuhiko]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> although in 1985 he said it was named after the [[MX missile]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Watt |first=Peggy |date=4 February 1985 |title=Japan's MSX Poised for the US |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6y4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407080143/https://books.google.com/books?id=6y4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA19 |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |access-date=October 3, 2020 |magazine=[[InfoWorld]] |publisher=InfoWorld Media Group, Inc. |pages=19–20 |via=[[Google Books]] |volume=7 |issue=5}}</ref> According to his book in 2020, he considered the name of the new standard should consist of three letters, like ''VHS''. He felt "MSX" was fit because it means "the next of Microsoft", and it also contains the first letters of Matsushita ([[Panasonic]]) and Sony.<ref name="Nishi_2020">{{Cite web |last=Nishi |first=Kazuhiko |date=2020-12-05 |title=ついに明かされる！ 伝説のパソコン「MSX」誕生の驚くべき"舞台裏" |url=https://diamond.jp/articles/-/253318 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121025854/https://diamond.jp/articles/-/253318 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |access-date=2021-02-22 |website=Diamond Online |language=ja}}</ref>

Before the success of [[Nintendo]]'s [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Family Computer]], the MSX was the platform that major Japanese game studios such as [[Konami]] and [[Hudson Soft]] developed for. The first two games in the [[Metal Gear|''Metal Gear'' series]] were originally released for MSX hardware.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kojima Productions |url=http://www.konami.jp/kojima_pro/english/history.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026010925/http://www.konami.jp/kojima_pro/english/history.html |archive-date=October 26, 2007 |access-date=2011-06-22 |website=Konami.jp}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:SV328.jpg|thumb|The [[SV-328|Spectravideo SV-328]] is the predecessor of the MSX standard. Many MSX programs were unofficially ported to the SV-328 by home programmers.]]
In the early 1980s, most [[home computer]]s manufactured in [[Japan]] such as the [[NEC PC-6001]] and [[PC-8000]] series, [[Fujitsu]]'s [[FM-7]] and [[FM-8]], and [[Hitachi]]'s Basic Master featured a variant of the [[Microsoft BASIC]] interpreter integrated into their on-board [[Read-only memory|ROMs]]. The hardware design of these computers and the various dialects of their BASICs were incompatible.<ref name="dvorakmsx">{{Cite web |last=Dvorak |first=John C. |date=2006-11-28 |title=Whatever Happened to MSX Computers? |url=http://www.dvorak.org/blog/whatever-happened-to-msx-computers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218231900/http://www.dvorak.org/blog/whatever-happened-to-msx-computers/ |archive-date=December 18, 2008 |access-date=2011-06-22 |website=Dvorak Uncensored}}</ref> Other Japanese consumer electronics firms such as [[Panasonic]], [[Canon Inc.|Canon]], [[Casio]], [[Yamaha Corporation|Yamaha]], [[Pioneer Corporation|Pioneer]], and [[Sanyo]] were searching for ways to enter the new home computer market.

Major Japanese electronics companies entered the computer market in the 1960s, and Panasonic (Matsushita Electric Industrial) was also developing [[mainframe computer]]s. The Japanese economy was facing a recession after the [[1964 Summer Olympics]] and Panasonic decided to exit the computer business and focus on home appliances. The decision was a huge success, and Panasonic grew to become one of the largest electronics companies. In the late 1970s, the company investigated other business areas outside of home appliances. Panasonic also saw potential in the recent [[microcomputer revolution]]. One of Panasonic's distributors, Yamagata National, told Panasonic's president, Toshihiko Yamashita: {{blockquote|Recently, [[NEC]]'s personal computers sell well in [[Yamagata Prefecture|Yamagata]] too, and our dealers also request merchandise. However, we must purchase not only personal computers, but also home appliances from NEC. I think Matsushita also need develop personal computers.}} Yamashita ordered the vice president, Shunkichi Kisaka, to develop a personal computer, and Kisaka called on Kazuyasu Maeda of Matsushita [[Research and development|R&D]] Center.<ref name="Sekiguchi_2000">{{Cite book |last=Sekiguchi |first=Waichi |title=パソコン革命の旗手たち |publisher=[[Nihon Keizai Shimbun]] |year=2000 |isbn=4-532-16331-5 |pages=186–190 |language=ja}}</ref>

Maeda requested Nishi to assist with the development. They were already close to each other. When they met at a seminar held by NEC, they noticed both were from [[Kobe]] and had graduated from the same university. They often talked to each other about home computers. At the same time, [[Spectravideo]] contacted Microsoft in order to obtain software for their new home computer. Nishi went to [[Hong Kong]] to meet with Spectravideo, and suggested some improvements to its prototype. Spectravideo's president, Harry Fox, was willing to accept Nishi's proposals. Nishi conceived to create a unified standard based on its machine, and Maeda agreed with his idea.<ref name="Nishi_2020" /> Nishi wanted to involve Panasonic and Sony in the development of home computers. While they were competing for [[Videotape format war|videotape formats]], [[Nobuyuki Idei]] of Sony accepted his proposal. Idei thought Sony should cooperate with Panasonic on its development because the [[Sony SMC-70|SMC-70]], Sony's first personal computer, faced difficulty in the market when Sony started their computer business. Maeda also wanted to invite NEC, but NEC chose to go its own way.<ref name="Sekiguchi_2000" />

Nishi proposed MSX as an attempt to create a single industry-standard for home computers. Inspired by the success of [[VHS]] as a standard for [[video cassette recorder]]s, many Japanese electronics manufacturers (Including [[GoldStar]], [[Philips]] and [[Spectravideo]]) built and promoted MSX computers. Any piece of hardware or software with the MSX logo on it was compatible with MSX products from other manufacturers. In particular, the expansion cartridge format was part of the standard; any MSX expansion or game cartridge would work in any MSX computer.

Nishi's standard was built around the Spectravideo [[SV-328]] computer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The History of Spectravideo |url=http://www.samdal.com/svhistory.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122165649/http://www.samdal.com/svhistory.htm |archive-date=January 22, 2013 |access-date=December 20, 2012 |website=Samdal.com}}</ref> The standard consisted primarily of several [[Commercial off-the-shelf|off-the-shelf]] parts; the main CPU was a 3.58&nbsp;MHz [[Zilog Z80]],<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Dvorak |first=John C. |date=7–14 January 1985 |title=MSX: The Pong of the 1980s |journal=[[InfoWorld]] |publisher=InfoWorld Media Group |volume=7 |issue=1–2 |page=88 |issn=0199-6649}}</ref> the [[Texas Instruments TMS9918]] [[Video display controller|graphics chip]] with 16 [[Kilobyte|KB]] of dedicated [[Dual-ported video RAM|VRAM]], sound and partial I/O support was provided by the [[General Instrument AY-3-8910|AY-3-8910]] chip manufactured by [[General Instrument]] (GI), and an [[Intel 8255]] Programmable Peripheral Interface (PPI) chip was used for parallel I/O such as the keyboard. The choice of these components was shared by many other home computers and games consoles of the period, such as the [[ColecoVision]] and [[Sega SG-1000]] video game systems. To reduce overall system cost, many MSX models used a custom [[integrated circuit|IC]] known as "[[MSX-Engine]]", which integrated [[glue logic]], 8255 PPI, YM2149 compatible [[sound chip]] and more, sometimes even the Z80 CPU. However, almost all MSX systems used a professional keyboard instead of a [[chiclet keyboard]], driving up the price compared to the original SV-328. Consequently, these components alongside Microsoft's [[MSX BASIC]] made the MSX a competitive, though somewhat expensive, home computer package.

===Debut===
[[File:YAMAYAMA.JPG|thumb|Yamaha YIS503II MSX Personal Computer designed for Soviet schools—the abbreviature "КУВТ" means "Class of Teaching Computing Equipment)"]]
[[File:Canon V-20 MSX computer.jpg|thumb|The [[Canon V-20]] has 64&nbsp;KB of [[Random-access memory|RAM]] and the [[Canon V-10|V-10]] has 16&nbsp;KB.]]

On June 27, 1983,<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2010 |title=The Toshiba MSX (HX-10) 64K |url=http://retrovideogamesystems.com/the-toshiba-hx-10-64k-msx/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909063157/http://retrovideogamesystems.com/the-toshiba-hx-10-64k-msx/ |archive-date=September 9, 2011 |access-date=August 25, 2011 |website=RetroVideoGameSystems.com}}</ref> the MSX was formally announced during a press conference, and a slew of big Japanese firms declared their plans to introduce the machines. The Japanese companies avoided the intensely competitive U.S. home computer market, which was in the throes of a [[Commodore International|Commodore]]-led [[price war]]. Only Spectravideo and Yamaha briefly marketed MSX machines in the U.S. Spectravideo's MSX enjoyed very little success, and Yamaha's [[Yamaha CX5M|CX5M]] model, built to interface with various types of [[MIDI]] equipment, was billed more as a digital music tool than a standard personal computer.

=== Evolution & the downfall of the MSX system ===
{{redirect|MSX2|the protein|Msh homeobox 2}}
MSX spawned four generations. The first three, MSX (1983), MSX2 (1985),<ref>{{Cite web |title=MSX2 |url=http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=288 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904092056/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=288 |archive-date=September 4, 2014 |access-date=September 2, 2014 |website=Old-Computers.com : The Museum}}</ref> and MSX2+ (1988), were all 8-bit computers based on the [[Zilog Z80|Z80]] microprocessor. The MSX2+ was exclusively released in Japan.

A new MSX3 was originally scheduled to be released in 1990, but delays in the development of its Yamaha-designed VDP caused it to miss its [[time to market]] deadline.<ref>''MSX-FAN'' Magazine (February 1995 issue, p.&nbsp;90)</ref> In its place, the MSX TurboR was released, which used the new custom 16-bit [[R800]] microprocessor developed by [[ASCII Corporation]] intended for the MSX3, but features such as DMA and 24-bit addressing were disabled.

But also the problems with ASCII and the break-up with Microsoft early in 1986 were causing some more troubles. Nishi and Gates fell out, and Microsoft in 1986 disclosed the end of the partnership. Stating that Nishi owed the company more than $500,000, Microsoft set up its own Japanese subsidiary.<ref name="forbes19860210">{{Cite magazine |last=Forbes |first=Jim |date=1986-02-10 |title=Microsoft Files With SEC for Spring Stock Offering |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oi8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320015940/https://books.google.com/books?id=oi8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA6 |archive-date=2022-03-20 |access-date=2021-10-29 |magazine=[[InfoWorld]] |page=6 |volume=8 |issue=6}}</ref> But ASCII Corporation continued to thrive.

Mr. Nishi was also inclined to make important decisions on impulse and to spend without restraint, which led Microsoft to break with Ascii in 1986. One of the drops that broke the camel’s back was when Mr. Nishi spent $1 million to get a huge mechanical dinosaur to build in Tokyo as an advertising device. The break between Mr. Gates and Mr. Nishi was bitter, though the two now speak periodically.<ref name="auto">{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/24/business/computer-pioneer-s-moment-of-truth.html | title=Computer Pioneer's Moment of Truth | work=The New York Times | date=August 24, 1992 | last1=Pollack | first1=Andrew }}</ref>

In 1991, the other two co-founders of Ascii, Akio Gunji, president, and Keiichiro Tsukamoto, vice president, resigned abruptly, ostensibly in protest against rapid expansion. “They couldn’t keep up with me because I was accelerating too much,” Nishi said at a press conference at the time.<ref name="auto"/>

Like the MSX2+, the MSX TurboR was exclusively released in Japan. By the time the MSX TurboR standard was announced in 1990, only Panasonic was manufacturing MSX computers. Its initial model FS-A1ST met with moderate success, but the upgraded model FS-A1GT introduced in 1991 sold poorly due to its high retail cost of 99800 yen (about 740 USD at the time). Production of the TurboR ended in 1993 when Panasonic decided to focus on the release of [[3DO Interactive Multiplayer|3DO]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}} The VDP was eventually delivered in 1992, two years after its planned deadline, by which time the market had moved on. In an attempt to reduce its financial loss, Yamaha stripped nearly all V9958 compatibility and marketed the resulting V9990 E-VDP III as a video-chipset for PC VGA graphic cards, with moderate success.

===Impact===
[[File:Sharp HotBit MSX computer.jpg|thumb|The [[Hotbit]], developed by [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]]'s Epcom [[home computer]] division, was a hit in [[Brazil]].]]
[[File:Talent MSX (restore).jpg|thumb|Talent TPC-310 MSX2 computer, made in Argentina by Telematica (1988), based on a Daewoo design.]]
[[File:Dynadata DPC 200 76.jpg|thumb|Dynadata DPC 200 MSX computer with a Dynadata DPF-550 disk drive, manufactured in Korea for Daewoo and sold in Spain by Dynadata Informática]]
[[File:Yamaha msx ax120 1.jpg|thumb|MSX Sakhr AX150 ({{lang|ar|صخر}}), made in Japan by Yamaha for the Kuwaiti company Al Alamiah, sold in Egypt and the [[Gulf Cooperation Council]] states]]

In Japan, South Korea, Argentina, and Brazil, the MSX was the preeminent home computer system of the 1980s. It was also fairly popular in [[continental Europe]], especially in the Netherlands and Spain. Classrooms full of networked Yamaha MSX computers were used for teaching [[informatics]] in schools in some Arab countries, the [[Soviet Union]], and [[Cuba]], where they were widely used in schools.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 July 2012 |title=Distance education in the Cuban context |url=http://www.centrorisorse.org/distance-education-in-the-cuban-context.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://www.archive.today/20120722112716/http://www.centrorisorse.org/distance-education-in-the-cuban-context.html |archive-date=22 July 2012}}</ref> In total, 9 million MSX computers were sold in Japan, making it relatively popular. However, the MSX did not become the worldwide standard envisioned because of limited adoption in other markets. Before the MSX's lack of success in these markets became apparent, US manufacturer [[Commodore Business Machines]] overhauled its product line in the early 1980s and introduced models such as the [[Commodore Plus/4|Plus/4]] and [[Commodore 16]], that were intended to better compete with the features of MSX computers.

In comparison with rival 8-bit computers, the [[Commodore 64]] is estimated to have sold 12.5–17 million units worldwide,<ref name="PageTable">{{Cite web |last=Steil |first=Michael |date=February 1, 2011 |title=How many Commodore 64 computers were really sold? |url=http://www.pagetable.com/?p=547 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306232450/http://www.pagetable.com/?p=547 |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |access-date=March 18, 2017 |website=Pagetable.com}}</ref><ref name="Reimer1">{{Cite web |last=Reimer |first=Jeremy |title=Personal Computer Market Share: 1975–2004 |url=http://www.jeremyreimer.com/total_share.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606052317/http://www.jeremyreimer.com/postman/node/329 |archive-date=June 6, 2012 |access-date=July 17, 2009}}</ref> the [[Apple II]] sold 6 million units,<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 5, 2007 |title=5 to 6 million Apple IIs sold |url=http://www.macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/happy_30th_birthday_apple_ii/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070607172256/http://www.macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/happy_30th_birthday_apple_ii/ |archive-date=June 7, 2007 |access-date=2011-06-22 |website=Mac Daily News}}</ref> the [[ZX Spectrum]] over 5 million units, the [[Atari 8-bit computers]] sold at least 4 million units, the [[Amstrad CPC]] sold 3 million units, and the Tandy [[TRS-80]] Model 1 sold 250,000 units.{{Citation needed|date=November 2009}}

A Sony MSX2 machine was launched into space to the Russian [[Mir]] space station.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MSX IN SPAAAACCCEE |url=http://msx.gnu-linux.net/msx-in-space/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804124642/http://msx.gnu-linux.net/msx-in-space/ |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |access-date=August 25, 2011 |website=msx.gnu-linux.net}}</ref>

==Similar systems==
The system MSX most closely resembled was the Spectravideo [[SV-328]] home computer (Spectravideo even claimed to be "MSX compatible" in advertisements before the actual launch of MSX systems, but it was not completely compatible with it). This led to a new and short-lived kind of [[software cracking]]: ''converting''. Since the MSX games were unplayable on the SV-328 computer, SV-328 crackers developed a method of modifying the (MSX) games to make them work on the SV-328. In most cases, this included downloading the MSX [[BIOS]] to the SV-328 from tape or floppy disk. Spectravideo later launched the [[SVI-728]] which completely adhered to the MSX standard.

The [[Sega SG-1000]], the [[Memotech MTX]], the [[Tatung Einstein]], and the [[ColecoVision]] all have many similarities with the MSX1 standard, but none are fully compatible with it. Porting games between those systems is somewhat easy. It was also very common to port games from the [[ZX Spectrum]] to the MSX, since both have the same CPU, the Spectrum 128 had the same soundchip, and the ZX Spectrum's graphic mode could be easily emulated on the MSX's screen-2 mode.

Many Roland S-series audio/music digital sampler/synthesizer keyboards and rack module units are based on the MSX operating system. This includes the earlier 12-bit sample resolution models S-50, S-330, S-550, W-30, and later 16-bit sample resolution models S-770, S-750, SP-700, and S-760. Most of these models included (or could be expanded with) color video outputs to display monitors, as well as MSX-compatible mouse ports.

==Localization==
By default, MSX machines have a [[hardcoded]] [[character set]] and keyboard scan code handling [[algorithm]]. While MSX has full application software compatibility at the [[firmware]] (BIOS) level, due to minor hardware differences, replacement of the BIOS with another from a different computer may return incorrect scan code translations and result in incorrect behaviour of the keyboard subsystem for the application software.

In 2011, AGE Labs introduced Language Pack firmware, aiming to make each model support several localizations.  In [[#2011_Revival|AGE Labs' GR8BIT kit]], the Language Pack is installed by default in place of the [[Kanji]]-ROM.  It allows changing the character set and keyboard layout of the machine at startup between Japanese, Russian, International and Portuguese locales. It also gives the ability to change locales during machine operation using the newly introduced <code>LANG</code> command in BASIC.<ref name="language-pack">{{Cite book |last=Brychkov |first=Eugeny |url=http://www.gr8bit.ru/GR8BIT-Knowledge-Base/GR8BIT-KB0004-Using-GR8BIT-Language-Pack-and-PS2-Keyboard.pdf |title=KB0004: Using GR8BIT Language Pack and PS2 Keyboard |publisher=AGE Labs |year=2012 |access-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921054359/http://www.gr8bit.ru/GR8BIT-Knowledge-Base/GR8BIT-KB0004-Using-GR8BIT-Language-Pack-and-PS2-Keyboard.pdf |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> The selected locale setting is stored into the unused [[Real-time clock|RTC]] [[Non-volatile random-access memory|NVRAM]] memory space.

==Games==
Several popular [[List of video game franchises|video game franchises]] were established on the MSX:
* ''[[Antarctic Adventure]]'' and ''[[Penguin Adventure]]''
* ''[[Aleste]]'' and ''[[Zanac]]'' (the latter developed and released alongside the original [[Family Computer Disk System|FDS]] version)
* ''[[Bomberman]]''
* ''[[Eggerland]]''
* ''[[Metal Gear]]''
* ''[[Parodius]]''
* ''[[Puyo Puyo]]'' (released alongside the FDS version)

Others received various installments on the MSX, including several titles unique to the system or largely reworked versions of games on other formats:
* ''[[Castlevania (1986 video game)|Castlevania]]'' (as ''[[Vampire Killer]] in Europe)''
* ''[[Contra (video game)|Contra]]''
* ''[[Dragon Quest (video game)|Dragon Quest]]''
* ''[[Dragon Slayer (series)|Dragon Slayer]]''
* ''[[Final Fantasy (video game)|Final Fantasy]]''
* ''[[Gradius]]'' (''Nemesis'')
* ''[[R-Type]]''
* ''[[Wizardry (video game series)|Wizardry]]''
* ''[[Xak: The Art of Visual Stage|Xak]]''
* ''[[Xevious: Fardraut Saga]]''
* ''[[Ys (series)|Ys]]''

==Manufacturers==
[[File:Yashica YC-64 Tietokonemuseo.JPG|thumb|The [[Yashica|Yashica YC-64]] computer at the Computer and Video Game Console Museum of [[Helsinki]] in 2012]]
;MSX: [[Spectravideo]], [[Philips]], Al Alamiah, [[Sony]], [[Sanyo]], [[Mitsubishi]], [[Toshiba]], [[Hitachi]], [[National (brand)|National]]/[[Panasonic]], [[Canon Inc.|Canon]], [[Casio]], [[Pioneer Corporation|Pioneer]], [[Fujitsu|Fujitsu General]], [[Yamaha Corporation|Yamaha]], [[JVC]], Yashica-[[Kyocera]], [[GoldStar]], [[Samsung]]/Fenner, [[Daewoo|Daewoo/Yeno]], [[Gradiente Expert|Gradiente]], [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]]/Epcom, Talent.
;MSX2: [[Philips]], [[Sony]], [[Sanyo]], [[Mitsubishi]], [[Victor Entertainment|Victor]] (a.k.a. [[JVC]]), [[Toshiba]], [[National (brand)|National]]/[[Panasonic]], [[Canon Inc.|Canon]], [[Yamaha Corporation|Yamaha]], ACVS/CIEL*, DDX*, [[Daewoo|Daewoo/Yeno]], [[Nippon Telegraph and Telephone|NTT]], Talent, [[GR8BIT|AGE Labs]].
;MSX2+: [[Sony]], [[Sanyo]], [[Panasonic]], ACVS/CIEL*, DDX*.
;MSX TurboR: [[Panasonic]].

<nowiki/>* Clones or unlicensed equipment.

==Legacy==

===2001===
[[File:1chipMSX (White background).jpg|thumb|[[1chipMSX]]]]
In 2001, Kazuhiko Nishi initiated a MSX revival around an official MSX [[emulator]] called MSXPLAYer. This is the only official MSX emulator as all MSX [[copyright]]s are maintained by the MSX Association. In 2004, a Dutch company Bazix announced they had become the representatives of MSX Association in [[Europe]], being the English contact for any questions regarding the MSX trademarks, copyrights, and licensing. On October 17, 2006, Bazix launched WOOMB.Net, a website selling MSX games in English and other languages, with a selection of 14&nbsp;games. In Japan, game sales began earlier, through Project EGG. ''WOOMB.Net'' was the English counterpart of this and other Japanese services offered by [[D4 Enterprise]], which also announced in August 2006 the launch of a new MSX2 compatible system called the "[[1chipMSX|one chip-MSX]]", a system based on an [[Altera]] Cyclone EP1C12Q240C8 [[FPGA]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=MSX Resource Center |title=One Chip MSX MKII |url=http://www.msx.org/news/msx-revival/en/one-chip-msx-mkii |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415132339/http://www.msx.org/news/msx-revival/en/one-chip-msx-mkii |archive-date=April 15, 2012 |access-date=2011-06-22 |publisher=Msx.org}}</ref> The one chip-MSX" is similar in concept to the [[C-One]], a [[Commodore 64]] clone also built on the basis of a single FPGA chip. The new MSX system is housed in a box made out of transparent blue plastic, and can be used with a standard monitor (or TV) and a PC keyboard. It has two MSX cartridge slots and supports the audio extensions [[Yamaha YM2413|MSX-MUSIC]] and SCC+. A [[memory card|SD/MMC-flashcard]] can be used as an external storage medium, emulating a [[Disk storage|disk drive]] and can be used to boot [[MSX-DOS]]. Due to its [[VHDL]] programmable hardware, it is possible to give the device new hardware extensions simply by running a reconfiguration program under MSX-DOS. The "one chip-MSX" also has two [[USB]] connectors that can be used after adding some supporting VHDL code.

===2011===
[[File:GR8BIT assembled, out of the ATX chassis.jpg|thumb|Assembled GR8BIT kit]]
In 2011, AGE Labs announced<ref>{{Cite news |date=2012-01-18 |title=The birth of a GR8BIT – The do it yourself MSX 2 |url=http://www.msx.org/news/hardware/en/birth-gr8bit-do-it-yourself-msx-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719171235/http://www.msx.org/news/hardware/en/birth-gr8bit-do-it-yourself-msx-2 |archive-date=July 19, 2013 |access-date=2013-04-13 |work=MSX Resource Center}}</ref> GR8BIT, a do-it-yourself kit for building an MSX  computer. The kit, licensed by the MSX Licensing Corporation, is targeted to those wanting to learn about computer hardware.  It includes all the necessary components to assemble a working MSX2-compatible computer except for an ATX chassis, power supply, floppy drive, hard disk, [[PS/2 port|PS/2]] keyboard, and monitor.

===2014===
[[File:SymbOS-MSX-OS4.gif|right|thumb|[[SymbOS]], an alternative operating system]]
[[File:Muziekmodule.jpg|alt=Phillips Music Module|left|thumb|Phillips Music Module]]
Some of the Korean forum members who made Zemmix Neo created a new MSX-compatible called Mini IQ3000 Cutie, which has similar features to Daewoo Electronics' Korean-made MSX2 model, the IQ-2000. It is based on 1ChipMSX but has some special features like 'Scan Line Generator', which improves the quality of the video display, and 'Multi Language Support' that allows it to support two languages. By default, the machine operates using the Korean version of MSX displaying the Korean font, but if the 'del' key is pressed during booting it will operate in Japanese mode. Even though the default mode is Korean, the default font allocation table is Japanese, and will show Japanese characters when executing Japanese version software programs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Center |first=MSX Resource |title=Mini IQ3000 (Temporarily name for small project) – MSX Resource Center (페이지 1/9) |url=http://www.msx.org/ko/node/45117. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804141455/https://www.msx.org/ko/node/45117. |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |access-date=December 21, 2016 |website=www.msx.org}}</ref>

===2019===
[[File:MSX Philips VG8020.jpg|alt=MSX Philips VG8020|thumb|MSX Philips VG8020]]
In 2019, a group of fans developed the MSX Mini Replica.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=The MSX Mini Replica ya disponible, Crónicas de Lars XXVIII {{!}} Retroinvaders |url=https://retroinvaders.com/es/108477/the-msx-mini-replica-ya-disponible |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121154550/https://retroinvaders.com/es/108477/the-msx-mini-replica-ya-disponible |archive-date=2021-01-21 |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=retroinvaders.com}}</ref> It is a 1:2 scale reproduction of the Philips VG-8020 computer compatible with the software of the MSX, MSX2, MSX2+, and TurboR generations. It incorporates 2 [[USB]] ports, an [[HDMI]] video output and internally uses the same hardware as the [[Commodore 64#THEC64 and THEC64 Mini|C64 Mini]]. Connecting an additional peripheral called MSX Player allows it to run original games on ROM cartridges.

===2020===
The MSXVR<ref>{{Cite web |title=Juega aprende y programa |url=https://msxvr.com/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=MSXVR |language=es}}</ref> is a computer released in 2020 and compatible with the MSX family of computers. Like the latest [[Zemmix]] game consoles, it is also based on a [[Raspberry Pi]] card with additional circuitry to connect the original MSX peripherals.

===2023===
In 2022, Nishi announced an official revival of the MSX computer standard dubbed the MSX3, to be implemented in multiple configurations, including an upgrade cartridge to existing MSX computers. Later, in 2023 following a successful [[crowdfunding]] campaign, an IoT device resembling a [[Game Boy]] with a keyboard, the MSX0, was revealed, intended for IoT uses, alongside the base MSX3 unit. Plans also call for a supercomputer, the MSX Turbo X 128, based around the concept of clusters.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 30, 2023 |title=MSX Co-Creator Kazuhiko Nishi Reveals "Every MSX Can Be An MSX3" |url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2023/01/msx-co-creator-kazuhiko-nishi-reveals-every-msx-can-be-an-msx3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924023953/https://www.timeextension.com/news/2023/01/msx-co-creator-kazuhiko-nishi-reveals-every-msx-can-be-an-msx3 |archive-date=September 24, 2023 |access-date=September 11, 2023 |website=www.timeextension.com}}</ref> But due to the bankruptcy of Mr. Nishi,<ref>{{Cite web |last=@nishikazuhiko |date=2025-04-23 |title=西和彦破産手続き終了のご報告。 |url=https://x.com/nishikazuhiko/status/1914997003958022553 |website=X (formerly Twitter)}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.timeextension.com/news/2025/04/msx-co-creator-aims-to-devote-life-to-education-following-end-of-bankruptcy-proceedings | title=MSX Co-Creator Aims to Devote Life to Education, Following End of Bankruptcy Proceedings | date=April 25, 2025 }}</ref> which was previously the result of the bankruptcy of ASCII in the 90's and his previous flamboyant lifestyle (as described in the article from The New York Times in 1992),<ref name="auto"/> there is little to come of these beautiful plans for an MSX3 system. Nishi is seeking for money, but cannot spend it because of his bankruptcy. As previously noted by the author of the article in question from The New York Times (Andrew Pollack), Nishi is more of a sales manager and entrepreneur than an engineer.<ref name="auto"/>

==System specifications==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!
!MSX<ref>{{Cite web |title=Portar MSX Tech Doc |url=http://problemkaputt.de/portar.htm#top |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102211047/http://problemkaputt.de/portar.htm#top |archive-date=January 2, 2015 |access-date=January 2, 2015 |website=problemkaputt.de}}</ref>
!MSX2
!MSX2+
!MSX TurboR
|-
|Release 
|Worldwide (1983)
|Worldwide (1985)
|Only officially in Japan (1988)<br>(available in Europe and Brazil via upgrades)
|Only Japan (1990)
|-
|Processor
|[[Zilog Z80]]A running at 3.58&nbsp;MHz
|Zilog Z80A running at 3.58&nbsp;MHz<br>(the HC-90 and HC-95 models from JVC have a 6.144&nbsp;MHz [[HD64180]] CPU, but this is not part of the standard)
|Zilog Z80-compatible running at 3.58&nbsp;MHz<br>(the MSX2+ models from Panasonic can be set to run on 5.37&nbsp;MHz by software, but this is not part of the standard)
|
* R800 running at 7.16&nbsp;MHz (instructions use about 4× less clock ticks than the Z80, so often quoted as 28.6&nbsp;MHz when comparing with the Z80)
* Zilog Z80A-compatible (embedded in the T9769C [[MSX-Engine]]) running at 3.58&nbsp;MHz for backward compatibility
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Read-only memory|ROM]]
|32 KB
|48 KB
|64 KB
|96 KB
|-
|
* [[BIOS]] (16&nbsp;KB)
* [[MSX BASIC]] V1.0 (16&nbsp;KB)
|
* BIOS + Extended BIOS (32&nbsp;KB)
* MSX BASIC V2.0 or V2.1 (16&nbsp;KB)
* DiskROM (16&nbsp;KB) (optional, common)
* MSX-Audio BIOS (32&nbsp;KB) (optional, no machines are known with this BIOS built in)
|
* BIOS + extended BIOS (32&nbsp;KB)
* MSX BASIC V3.0 (16&nbsp;KB)
* DiskROM (16&nbsp;KB) (optional, very common)
* Kun-BASIC (16&nbsp;KB) (optional)
* Kanji ROM (optional)
|
* BIOS + Extended BIOS (48&nbsp;KB)
* [[MSX BASIC]] V4.0 (16&nbsp;KB)
* DiskROM (16&nbsp;KB)
* Kun-BASIC (16&nbsp;KB)
* Kanji ROM (256&nbsp;KB)
* Firmware (4&nbsp;MB)
|-
|[[Random-access memory|RAM]]
|8&nbsp;KB minimum, most machines provided either 32 or 64&nbsp;KB; machines with 128&nbsp;KB exist
|64&nbsp;KB minimum, commonly 128&nbsp;KB in Europe, 64&nbsp;KB on Japanese computers, machines with up to 512&nbsp;KB were made. Normally memory mapped (4&nbsp;[[Megabyte|MB]] per slot maximum, 48&nbsp;MB max total)
|Commonly 64&nbsp;KB (on Japanese computers), normally memory mapped (4&nbsp;MB per slot maximum, 48&nbsp;MB max total)
|256&nbsp;KB (FS-A1ST) or 512&nbsp;KB (FS-A1GT)
* Memory-mapped (4&nbsp;MB/slot max, 44&nbsp;MB max total)
* Additionally 16&nbsp;KB (FS-A1ST) or 32&nbsp;KB (FS-A1GT) of [[Static random-access memory|SRAM]] (battery-powered)
|-
|[[Video display controller|Video display processor]]
|[[Texas Instruments TMS9918]] family
* Video RAM: 16&nbsp;KB
* Text modes: 40×24 and 32×24
* Resolution: 256×192 or 64x48 (16 colours). In reality, there are just 15 colour tints available, because, just like the [[ZX Spectrum]] there are two codes for black. Unlike the Spectrum, however, one of the blacks is actually "[[Compositing|transparent]]", so the MSX video picture could be [[Hardware overlay|overlaid]] on another video signal, for example one from a [[video disk]].
* Sprites: 32 sprites with 8x8 or 16x16 resolution, 1 colour, max 4 per horizontal line
|[[Yamaha V9938]] (a.k.a. MSX-Video) Supports all MSX video modes
* Increased video RAM: 128&nbsp;KB (sometimes 64&nbsp;KB)
* New text mode: 80×24 or 80x26.5
* New bitmapped video modes without the [[attribute clash]] of MSX1, with modes for 4, 16 or 256 simultaneous colors
* New resolutions: 256x212p, 512x212p, 256x424i and 512x424i
* Increased number of, and more advanced sprites: 32 sprites with 8x8 or 16x16 resolution, max 8 per horizontal line. Each sprite line can have 1 or 3 different colors.
* [[Hardware acceleration]] for copy, line, fill, etc.
* [[Interlaced video|Interlacing]] to double vertical resolution
* A full-screen vertical scroll register
* Vertical and horizontal display offset register
|[[Yamaha V9958]]
* The minimal video RAM is now 128&nbsp;KB. Up to 192&nbsp;KB is supported.
* a new 256×212p or 256x424i YJK video mode with 19268 simultaneous colors
* a new 256×212p or 256x424i mixed-YJK/RGB video mode with 12499 simultaneous colors
* horizontal scroll register with either full-screen or dual-page support
|[[Yamaha V9958]] (aka MSX-Video), so the same capabilities as MSX2+
|-
|Sound chip
|[[General Instrument AY-3-8910]] (PSG)
|
* [[General Instrument AY-3-8910|Yamaha YM2149]] (PSG)
* Optional: [[Yamaha Y8950|Yamaha Y8950 (OPL1)]] (MSX-Audio)
|
* Yamaha YM2149 (PSG)
* Optional: [[Yamaha Y8950|Yamaha Y8950 (OPL1)]] (MSX-Audio)
* Optional: [[Yamaha YM2413|Yamaha YM2413 (OPLL)]] (MSX-Music)
|
* Yamaha YM2149 (PSG)
* [[Yamaha YM2413|Yamaha YM2413 (OPLL)]] (MSX-Music)
* Optional: [[Yamaha Y8950|Yamaha Y8950 (OPL1)]] (MSX-Audio)
* [[Pulse-code modulation|PCM]]
** 8-bit single channel (no DMA), 16&nbsp;kHz max using BIOS routines
** Microphone built-in
* (FS-A1GT only): MIDI in/out 
|-
|Clock chip
| (Not installed.)
| colspan="3" |Ricoh RP5C01 (or compatible)
|-
|Interfaces
|
* 1 cartridge slot (usually 2, up to 16)
* 1 or 2 General Purpose ports (aka joystick ports)
* Optional: [[parallel port|Parallel Printer port]]
| colspan="3" |
* 1 cartridge slot (usually 2, up to 16)
* 2 General Purpose ports (aka joystick ports)
* Parallel Printer port
* Optional: [[Light pen]] interface
* Optional: Video superimposer
* Optional: Video Digitizer
|-
|Media
| colspan="4" |
* Standard
** [[ROM cartridge|Cartridge]]
** [[Cassette tape]] (1200bps or 2400bps)
** [[Floppy disk]] (diskless models require a floppy controller cartridge)
** [[Mass storage]] (originally [[Hard Disk|hard disk]], later extended to [[flash drive]]s, requires a controller cartridge)
* Proprietary
** [[Bee Card (game cartridge)|Bee Card]] (requires an adapter cartridge)
** [[Quick Disk]] (requires a controller cartridge)
** [[Laserdisc]] (requires a controller cartridge and superimposer)
|}

==Peripherals==
[[File:MSX Computer Color Limit.gif|thumb|The effect of [[attribute clash]] when using the 256×192 high-resolution mode on MSX-1. To avoid it, the [[TMS9918]] provides up to 32 sprites that can be superimposed over the main graphic screen.]]
[[File:Panasonic FS-A1WSX 20060731.jpg|thumb|MSX2+ computer: a [[Panasonic]] FS-A1WSX]]

===Keyboard===
The keyboard is a functionally separate unit which could be connected by non-multiplexed and [[Multiplexing|multiplexed]] interfaces. Multiplexed keyboard units feature additional data direction line, allowing sending scan line number to the keyboard using same data lines used for return scan code, decreasing overall number of wires between keyboard and machine. Non-multiplexed interface is usually used for internal keyboards (and some external keyboards, like Panasonic CF-3300); multiplexed interface is used for external keyboards (e.g. in Yamaha YIS805 model).

The keyboard is organized as a [[Keyboard matrix circuit|matrix]] with maximum 11 input lines and 8 output lines, accounting for maximum 88 keys (including all control, numerical and alphanumerical keys). Each scan line is regularly queried to identify the state of the keys on the line; query speed is identified by the system interrupt frequency. Such organization allows system to sense state of each key, not exhibiting notorious problem with 8042 [[microcontroller]]-based keyboards when pressing several keys simultaneously (usually more than 3) generates wrong input characters, or renders inability to sense the press of more keys.

Due to the keyboard scan being controlled by the system interrupts, one of the troubleshooting hints when an MSX machine does not display any image (assuming power is present) is to press the CAPS key to see if the respective LED toggles. If it does not toggle, the system is likely suffering a more serious problem than just lack of image on the screen (i.e. the problem with video cable or video display interface in overall).

In 2009, Kamil Karimov designed the adapter board<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karimov |first=Kamil |date=2010-02-14 |title=Контроллер PS/2 клавиатуры для MSX (Russian) |url=http://www.msx.org/node/35495?page=2#comment-187005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222153606/https://www.msx.org/node/35495?page=2#comment-187005 |archive-date=December 22, 2016 |access-date=2013-09-20 |publisher=MSX Resource Center}}</ref> to connect a PS/2 keyboard to the multiplexed MSX keyboard interface. The firmware embedded into its [[Atmel AVR|ATTiny]] chip was tailored for Daewoo CPC machines.

In 2011, AGE Labs embedded a PS/2 keyboard controller unit, based on [[Microchip]] microcontroller, into its [[GR8BIT]] do-it-yourself machine. Its firmware is developed to directly convert PS/2 scan codes to the MSX keyboard scan codes. Thus it is fully transparent to the applications, allowing use of the controller unit with different MSX-compatible machines and for different localization setups.<ref name="language-pack" />

===Cartridges===
MSX standard requires at least 1 cartridge slot, most MSX models have 2. These slots<ref>{{Cite web |title=2 standard MSX cartridge slots |url=http://www.auroramsx.nl/gallery/Yamaha/02.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426051655/http://www.auroramsx.nl/gallery/Yamaha/02.jpg |archive-date=2012-04-26}}</ref> are interchangeable, so in most cases it makes no difference in which slot a cartridge is inserted. The physical connector is a 50 pin (2 × 25 contacts), standard 2.54&nbsp;mm (0.1 inch) pitch [[edge connector]]. Using these cartridge slots, a wide variety of peripherals could be connected.

Regular game cartridges are about the size of an [[cassette tape|audio cassette]] (so-called "Konami size"). Despite their higher cost, this was a popular format due to its reliability and ease of use.

Around 1985, [[Hudson Soft]] released the credit card-sized [[Bee Card (game cartridge)|Bee Card]], which was meant as a cheaper and more convenient alternative to ROM cartridges. But it was a commercial failure, and very few titles were released on the format.

Source files<ref>{{Cite web |title=MSX breadboard schematic, board and library |url=http://www.gr8bit.ru/downloads/msx-breadboards.zip |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131201000000/http://www.gr8bit.ru/downloads/msx-breadboards.zip |archive-date=1 December 2013 |access-date=23 June 2013 |website=AGE Labs}}</ref> for development of the MSX cartridges are available from AGE Labs for [[EAGLE (program)|EAGLE]].

===Floppy disk drives===
Early MSX models did not have a built-in disk drive, so software were initially published on cartridge and cassette tape.<ref name="dvorakmsx" />

Mitsumi [[QuickDisk]]s were originally launched as a proprietary extension for the MSX in early 1984,<ref>[https://www.msx.org/wiki/Category:QuickDisk_BASIC Category:QuickDisk BASIC - MSX Wiki] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223234854/https://www.msx.org/wiki/Category:QuickDisk_BASIC|date=February 23, 2023}} Mitsumi QuickDisk BASIC Copyright screen</ref> but they never really caught on, as they were quickly surpassed by the standard floppy disk interface released a few months later. Only a handful of titles were released in this format.

Sony also created a battery backed RAM cartridge the [[HBI-55]] "data cartridge" in 1984 for some computers in their "Hit-Bit" line of MSX systems, that could be used to store programs or data as an alternative to cassette tapes.<ref>[http://www.clive.nl/retro-computer-hardware/data-cartridge-hbi-55-sony-hit-bit-4k-bytes picture of HBI-55 data cartridge] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029062026/http://www.clive.nl/retro-computer-hardware/data-cartridge-hbi-55-sony-hit-bit-4k-bytes |date=2013-10-29 }}</ref> Many Yamaha Music software are also compatible with this cartridge.

Traditional [[floppy disk]] drives were made available for MSX in 1984, either built-in or in the form of a cartridge containing the disk interface electronics and a BIOS extension ROM (the floppy disk drive interface), connected to an external case with the drive. In South America, many of these systems used a {{convert|5.25|in|mm|abbr=on}} floppy disk drive, but in Europe, {{convert|3.5|in|mm|abbr=on}} drives were more popular. In Japan, some MSX1 systems included a built-in 3.5-inch disk drive, like the Panasonic (previously named National) CF-3300. In Europe, a range of Philips MSX2 systems NMS 8230, 8235, 8245, 8250 and above featured either 360 or 720&nbsp;KB 3.5-inch floppy drives.

In 1985, the MSX2 was released, and these systems often (but not always) also included a built-in 3.5-inch disk drive. Consequently, the popular media for games and other software shifted to floppy disks.

The [[MSX-DOS]] [[disk operating system]] had [[binary code compatibility|binary compatibility]] with [[CP/M]], but used the same [[file allocation table|FAT]] [[file system]] as [[MS-DOS]]. Its user commands were also similar to early MS-DOS versions. In this way, Microsoft could promote MSX for home use while promoting [[MS-DOS]] based [[personal computer]]s in office environments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/MSXTechnicalDataBook|title=MSX Technical Data Book|date=May 12, 1984|via=Internet Archive}}</ref>

The MSX 3.5-inch floppy disks are directly compatible with MS-DOS (although some details like [[Undeletion|file undeletion]] and [[boot sector]] code were different). Like MS-DOS&nbsp;1, MSX disks (formatted) under MSX-DOS&nbsp;1 have no support for [[subdirectories]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=MSX-DOS 2 section |url=http://www.faq.msxnet.org/dos2.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812050348/http://www.faq.msxnet.org/dos2.html |archive-date=August 12, 2019 |access-date=2011-06-22 |website=The Ultimate MSX FAQ |publisher=Faq.msxnet.org}}</ref>

In September 2012, AGE Labs extended the standard by including support for 1.44Mb 3.5-inch format. The 1.44Mb diskette size goes in two configurations: Standard (1 sector per cluster, 9 FAT sectors), and Compatible (4 sectors per cluster, 3 FAT sectors).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Storage subsystem v.3.0 Manual |url=http://www.gr8bit.ru/GR8BIT-Knowledge-Base/GR8BIT-DN0003-Storage-subsystem-v-3-0-Manual.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109214406/http://www.gr8bit.ru/GR8BIT-Knowledge-Base/GR8BIT-DN0003-Storage-subsystem-v-3-0-Manual.pdf |archive-date=November 9, 2013 |access-date=23 June 2013 |website=AGE Labs}}</ref>

===MSX-Audio===
* [[Yamaha Y8950]], commercially released as:
** Panasonic: MSX-Audio FS-CA1 (32&nbsp;KB of SampleRAM, 32&nbsp;KB of AudioROM)
** Philips: [[Philips NMS-1205|Music Module NMS-1205]] (32&nbsp;KB of SampleRAM, no MSX-Audio BIOS)
** Toshiba: MSX FM-synthesizer Unit HX-MU900 (no sample RAM, no MSX-Audio BIOS)
* 9 channels [[Frequency modulation synthesis|FM]] or 6 channels FM + 5 drums. YM3526 compatible.
* [[ADPCM]] record and play, with [[Hardware acceleration]]
* Can be upgraded to 256&nbsp;KB of SampleRAM

===MSX-Music===
* [[Yamaha YM2413|Yamaha YM2413 (OPLL)]], also known as:
** MSX-Music (standard name)
** [[Panasonic]]: FM-PAC
** [[Zemina]]: Music Box
** Checkmark: FM-Stereo-Pak
** DDX: FMX
** Tecnobytes: FM Sound Stereo (contains the compatible U3567 chip)
* 9 channels [[Frequency modulation synthesis|FM]] or 6 channels FM + 5 drums
* 15 pre-set instruments, 1 custom
* Built-in on most MSX2+ and as standard on MSX TurboR computers

==Emulation==
{{Main|List of MSX emulators}}

MSX computers are [[emulators|emulated]] on many platforms today. Early MSX emulators were often based on the code of the pioneer '''[[fMSX]]''', a portable MSX emulator by Marat Fayzullin. Many emulators removed Fayzullin's Z80 emulation code entirely in later versions to avoid legal problems, as at the time fMSX was not [[free software]]. Somewhat later fMSX [[source code]] became free for non-profit use; however a license was still required for commercial use. On December 31, 2013, the Windows version of fMSX 3.7 was released, free for anyone to use.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-12-31 |title=fMSX: Portable MSX Emulator |url=http://fms.komkon.org/fMSX/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301230902/http://fms.komkon.org/fMSX/ |archive-date=March 1, 2012 |access-date=2014-03-31 |publisher=Fms.komkon.org}}</ref>

The official MSX emulator MSXPLAYer {{in lang|ja}} is produced by the MSX Association, of which the inventor of the MSX standard, [[Kazuhiko Nishi]], is the president.

As of version 0.146.u, [[MESS]] currently supports 90% of all MSX versions.

===Virtual Console===
In February 2007, [[Nintendo|Nintendo of Japan]] announced that MSX games will be available for the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] emulator. It was confirmed that the games would cost 700 [[Wii Points]] and will become available from the middle of 2007. It also became available for the [[Wii U]] on December 25, 2013. Ultimately 13 games, mainly Konami titles, for the Wii, plus one for the Wii U, were released for the service in Japan only.

===List of MSX emulators===
{{sort-under}}
{| class="wikitable sortable sort-under" style="width:100%"
|-
! Name
! Current version
! Date
! System
! Platform
! License
! Website
|-
| blueMSX
| 2.8.2
| August 14, 2009
| MSX, MSX2, MSX2+, MSX TurboR, SpectraVideo SVI318/328, ColecoVision, Sega SG-1000
| [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
| [[GNU GPL|GPL]]
| <ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=blueMSX World Wide Website |url=http://www.bluemsx.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060312201608/http://www.bluemsx.com/ |archive-date=2006-03-12 |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=www.bluemsx.com}}</ref>
|-
| [[openMSX]]
| 20.0
| September 22, 2024
| MSX, MSX2, MSX2+, MSX TurboR, SpectraVideo SVI318/328, ColecoVision, Sega SG-1000
| [[Multiplatform]]
| [[GNU GPL|GPL]]
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=openMSX » Home |url=https://openmsx.org/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=openmsx.org}}</ref>
|-
| Clock Signal
| 2022-11-25
| November 11, 2022
| Diverse computers and consoles; MSX 1 only.
| [[macOS]]
| [[Open source]]
| <ref>{{Citation |last=Harte |first=Thomas |title=TomHarte/CLK |date=2025-05-12 |url=https://github.com/TomHarte/CLK |access-date=2025-05-12}}</ref>
|-
| CocoaMSX
| 3.5.41
| October 23, 2013
| MSX, MSX2, MSX2+, MSX TurboR
| [[macOS]]
| [[GNU GPL|GPL]]
| <ref>{{Citation |title=CocoaMSX/CocoaMSX |date=2024-08-04 |url=https://github.com/CocoaMSX/CocoaMSX |access-date=2025-05-12 |publisher=CocoaMSX}}</ref>
|-
| [[fMSX]]
| 6.0
| February 24, 2021
| MSX, MSX2, MSX2+
| [[Multiplatform]]
| Commercial
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=fMSX: Portable MSX Emulator |url=http://fms.komkon.org/fMSX/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=fms.komkon.org}}</ref>
|-
| fMSX PSP
| 3.5.41
| March 17, 2010
| MSX, MSX2, MSX2+
| [[PlayStation Portable|Sony PSP]]
| [[Open source]]
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=fMSX PSP |url=http://psp.akop.org/fmsx.htm |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=psp.akop.org}}</ref>
|-
| jsMSX
| 0.9.2
| April 19, 2013
| MSX
| [[JavaScript]]
| [[GNU GPL|GPL]]
| <ref>{{Citation |last=Marty |first=Guillaume C. |title=gmarty/jsMSX |date=2020-09-15 |url=https://github.com/gmarty/jsMSX |access-date=2025-05-12}}</ref>
|-
| [[MAME]]
| 0.251
| December 31, 2022
| Diverse computers and consoles
| [[Multiplatform]]
| GPL
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=MAMEdev.org {{!}} Home of The MAME Project |url=https://www.mamedev.org/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=www.mamedev.org}}</ref>
|-
| meisei
| 1.3.1
| February 9, 2010
| MSX
| [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
| [[Open source]]
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=meisei - Microsoft - MSX Emulators - Zophar's Domain |url=https://www.zophar.net/msx/meisei.html |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=www.zophar.net}}</ref>
|-
| MSKISS
| 0.2.4
| March 13, 2000
| MSX, MSX2, MSX2+
| [[DOS]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
| [[Freeware]]
| <ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Isaac Santaolalla MSX Page (English) |url=http://users.salleurl.edu/~is05562/msx_ing.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901005337/http://users.salleurl.edu/~is05562/msx_ing.html |archive-date=2015-09-01 |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=users.salleurl.edu}}</ref>
|-
| MSX Emulator
| 0.10b
| October 26, 2006
| MSX
| [[Atari ST]]
| [[Freeware]]
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=MSX emulation in GFA-BASIC |url=https://vanheusden.com/emulation/MSX/gfa-basic/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=vanheusden.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.vanheusden.com/atari_st/ |title=Atari ST software MSX Emulator |access-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111211146/https://www.vanheusden.com/atari_st/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| MSX Emulator
| 1.8
| August 16, 2010
| MSX, MSX2
| [[UNIX]]
| [[GNU GPL|GPL]]
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=MSX emulation in C |url=https://vanheusden.com/emulation/MSX/c/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=vanheusden.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.vanheusden.com/msx-emul/ |title=MSX emulator |access-date=December 11, 2022 |archive-date=October 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023071544/https://www.vanheusden.com/msx-emul/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| msxDS
| 0.93
| January 1, 2012
| MSX, MSX2, MSX2+
| [[Nintendo DS]]
| [[Freeware]]
| <ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=msxDS Homepage |url=http://www.alternate-fmsxds.webs.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100101161555/http://www.alternate-fmsxds.webs.com/ |archive-date=2010-01-01 |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=www.alternate-fmsxds.webs.com}}</ref>
|-
| NLMSX
| 0.48
| June 12, 2003
| MSX, MSX2, MSX2+, MSX TurboR
| [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
| [[Freeware]]
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=NLMSX - MSX Emulator |url=http://nlmsx.generation-msx.nl/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=nlmsx.generation-msx.nl}}</ref>
|-
| NO$MSX
| 1.5
| May 1, 2003
| MSX, MSX2
| [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[DOS]]
| [[Shareware]]
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=NO$MSX |url=https://problemkaputt.de/msx.htm |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=problemkaputt.de}}</ref>
|-
| paraMSX
| 0.50b
| October 8, 2009
| MSX, MSX2, MSX2+, MSX TurboR
| [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
| [[Freeware]]
|
|-
| RuMSX
| 0.41
| July 2, 2008
| MSX, MSX2, MSX2+, MSX TurboR
| [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
| [[Freeware]]
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=RuMSX page |url=https://www.lexlechz.at/en/software/RuMSX.html |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=www.lexlechz.at}}</ref>
|-
| WebMSX
| 6.0.3
| June 2, 2020
| MSX, MSX2, MSX2+, MSX turbo R
| [[JavaScript]]
| {{dunno}}<br/>Source<br/>on [https://github.com/ppeccin/WebMSX GitHub]
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=WebMSX - The online MSX emulator |url=http://webmsx.org/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=webmsx.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=ppeccin |title=ppeccin/WebMSX |date=2025-05-12 |url=https://github.com/ppeccin/WebMSX |access-date=2025-05-12}}</ref>
|}

==See also==
* [[MSX character set]]s
* [[List of MSX games]]
* [[List of MSX computers]]
* [[History of computing hardware]]
* [[Moonsound]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* The [http://www.msx.org MSX Resource Center]
* [http://msx.icongames.com.br The MSX Files] 	
* [http://scroll.vg/issues/12 SCROLL Issue 12: Introducing MSX]
* [https://msxtodaysummary.tumblr.com MsxToday] – Community dedicated to MSX standard computers.
* [https://basic.msxall.com/ MSX.bas] – Website dedicated to preserve and make available software written in MSX BASIC.

[[Category:MSX| ]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1983]]
[[Category:Home computers]]<!-- Leave this, otherwise navigation is impossible for those who don't know what a Z80 is -->
[[Category:Z80-based home computers]]