When was the MSX home computer standard announced?
MSX was announced by ASCII Corporation on the 16th of June, 1983. The first MSX computer sold to the public was a Mitsubishi ML-8000, released on the 21st of October, 1983.
Questions about MSX
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who invented the MSX computer standard?
MSX was conceived by Microsoft and jointly developed by Kazuhiko Nishi, the director of ASCII Corporation. Nishi drew inspiration from the VHS standard and aimed to create a unified architecture for home computers sold in Japan and beyond.
What processor did MSX computers use?
The original MSX, MSX2, and MSX2+ were all built around the Zilog Z80A processor running at 3.58 MHz. The fourth generation MSX TurboR introduced the custom 16-bit R800 processor running at 7.16 MHz.
What games were originally released on MSX?
The first two Metal Gear games were originally released for MSX hardware. Other franchises that originated on MSX include Bomberman, Parodius, and Puyo Puyo. Konami and Hudson Soft were among the major studios that developed for the platform before Nintendo's Family Computer became dominant.
How many MSX computers were sold worldwide?
Sales figures are disputed. One source claims 9 million MSX units were sold worldwide, including 7 million in Japan. ASCII Corporation founder Kazuhiko Nishi put the total lower, at 3 million in Japan and 1 million overseas.
Why did MSX fail in the United States?
Few MSX machines were released in the United States despite Microsoft's involvement. The US home computer market was in the middle of a Commodore-led price war, which the major MSX manufacturers chose to avoid. Only Spectravideo and Yamaha briefly marketed MSX machines in the US, with limited success.