MSX

MSX is a standardized home computer architecture that was announced in 1983 by Microsoft and ASCII Corporation. It was designed to create a common hardware and software platform across multiple manufacturers, enabling software to run on different makers’ machines with a high degree of compatibility. The standard helped foster a broad ecosystem of devices and titles, and it found particular popularity in Japan and Europe, with a substantial following later in Brazil.

Hardware and software are defined by the MSX specification. Baseline MSX machines used a Zilog Z80A CPU around 3.58 MHz, with memory configurations ranging from 8 KB to 64 KB RAM. Graphics and sound were provided by standardized video and audio chips, including early graphics capabilities based on the TMS9918 and its successors, and a built-in PSG for audio. Storage options commonly included cassette tapes and ROM cartridges, with floppy disk drives introduced on many models. The MSX BASIC interpreter was supplied in ROM, and MSX-DOS emerged as the common disk operating system on later machines.

Versions and evolution followed a progression from MSX1 (the original standard, 1983) to MSX2 (1985), which added more RAM and improved graphics, and subsequently MSX2+ and MSX TurboR in later years. The platform’s cross-compatibility remained a core goal, allowing software developed for one MSX to run on other conforming machines, provided hardware requirements were met.

Software and impact: The MSX served as a launchpad for many game developers, with notable titles such as Konami’s Metal Gear (1987) and Gradius appearing on MSX hardware, alongside a broad library of educational and productivity software. The standard contributed to regional computer cultures, particularly in Japan, Europe, and Brazil, and it left a lasting impression on early home computing and game development communities.