MSX
Kazuhiko Nishi stood at a seminar held by NEC in the early 1980s when he noticed both he and Kazuyasu Maeda were from Kobe. They had graduated from the same university and often talked about home computers. This shared background led to a collaboration that would change the Japanese computer market forever. Microsoft initially conceived MSX as a product for Japan, but Nishi wanted to create a unified standard among various manufacturers. He drew inspiration from the VHS video tape format which had successfully standardized home video recording. The goal was to ensure any piece of hardware or software with the MSX logo worked across different brands. Electronics firms like Panasonic, Sony, Canon, Casio, Yamaha, Pioneer, and Sanyo all joined this effort. Spectravideo contacted Microsoft seeking software for their new home computer prototype. Nishi traveled to Hong Kong to meet Harry Fox, the president of Spectravideo. He suggested improvements to the machine and convinced Fox to accept his proposals. Nobuyuki Idei of Sony accepted Nishi's proposal despite competition between Sony and Panasonic over videotape formats. Idei believed cooperation was necessary because Sony's first personal computer faced difficulties in the market. The first MSX computer sold to the public was a Mitsubishi ML-8000 released on the 21st of October 1983. This marked the official release date after the formal announcement on the 27th of June 1983 during a press conference.
The original Zilog Z80 microprocessor ran at 3.58 MHz inside every early MSX system. Texas Instruments provided the TMS9918 graphics chip with 16 KB of dedicated VRAM. General Instrument manufactured the AY-3-8910 sound chip that handled audio output alongside partial I/O support. Intel supplied the 8255 Programmable Peripheral Interface chip used for parallel operations like keyboard input. Many models integrated these components into a custom IC known as the MSX-Engine to reduce overall costs. Some systems even embedded the Z80 CPU within this single chip package. Professional keyboards replaced chiclet designs found on cheaper competitors, driving up prices compared to the Spectravideo SV-328 predecessor. Four generations emerged from 1983 through 1993 including MSX, MSX2, MSX2+, and TurboR. The first three remained 8-bit computers based on the Z80 architecture. MSX2 arrived in 1985 with increased video RAM reaching 128 KB or sometimes 64 KB depending on region. New text modes supported 80 columns while resolutions jumped to 256x212 pixels with improved color capabilities. MSX2+ launched exclusively in Japan during 1988 featuring further memory expansion options. A planned MSX3 scheduled for 1990 faced delays due to Yamaha's VDP development issues. Instead ASCII Corporation released the MSX TurboR using their new R800 microprocessor running at 7.16 MHz. This 16-bit processor offered performance equivalent to roughly 28.6 MHz when comparing instruction cycles. Production of the TurboR ended in 1993 when Panasonic decided to focus on releasing the 3DO console. The final model FS-A1GT sold poorly due to its high retail cost of 99800 yen which equated to about 740 USD at that time.
Nine million MSX units were sold worldwide according to one source claiming nine million total including five million in Japan alone. Kazuhiko Nishi claimed three million were sold in Japan and one million overseas despite Microsoft involvement. Few MSX-based machines appeared in the United States market where Commodore Business Machines dominated sales figures. Spectravideo and Yamaha briefly marketed MSX machines in America but enjoyed very little success overall. The system became preeminent home computer across Japan, South Korea, Argentina, and Brazil throughout the 1980s. Continental Europe showed particular interest especially within the Netherlands and Spain regions. Classrooms full of networked Yamaha computers taught informatics in schools across Arab countries, the Soviet Union, and Cuba. A Sony MSX2 machine launched into space aboard the Russian Mir station demonstrating global reach beyond Earth. Commodore introduced models like Plus/4 and Commodore 16 intended to better compete with MSX features during early 1980s. Estimates placed Commodore 64 sales between twelve point five and seventeen million units globally while Apple II reached six million copies. ZX Spectrum exceeded five million units sold whereas Atari 8-bit computers achieved at least four million copies. Amstrad CPC managed three million units and Tandy TRS-80 Model One sold only two hundred fifty thousand units. Before these limitations became apparent US manufacturers had already established strong footholds through aggressive pricing strategies. Only Spectravideo and Yamaha attempted American distribution without achieving significant commercial traction compared to Asian markets.
Major Japanese game studios developed titles for MSX before Nintendo's Family Computer gained dominance. The first two games in the Metal Gear series originally released for MSX hardware defined stealth gameplay mechanics. Konami conceived the SCC chip in February 1986 splitting development teams between MSX Famicom and arcade projects. Sound creator Kazuhiko Uehara utilized the cartridge slot as an additional sound source due to lack of audio ports. Company President Kagemasa Kozuki approved development following collaboration with Toshiba engineers. Five additional channels added toggle capability controlled by on-off bits alongside existing PSG outputs. Nemesis 2 became the first video game to use the chip despite original plans favoring F-1 Spirit. Fifteen releases utilized the SCC chip between 1987 and 1989 including Salamander Parodius King's Valley II Contra and Space Manbow. Metal Gear 2 Solid Snake appeared among these titles expanding the franchise legacy significantly. Other popular franchises included Antarctic Adventure Penguin Adventure Bomberman Eggerland Gradius R-Type Dragon Quest Wizardry Xak Xevious Fardraut Saga Castlevania known as Vampire Killer in Europe Final Fantasy Dragon Slayer Puyo Puyo Aleste Zanac Quarth. Many received various installments unique to the system or largely reworked versions from other formats.
Common questions
Who created the MSX computer standard and when was it announced?
Kazuhiko Nishi conceived the MSX standard after collaborating with Kazuyasu Maeda during a seminar in the early 1980s. The formal announcement occurred on the 27th of June 1983 during a press conference.
What hardware components powered the original MSX systems released in 1983?
The original Zilog Z80 microprocessor ran at 3.58 MHz inside every early MSX system. Texas Instruments provided the TMS9918 graphics chip with 16 KB of dedicated VRAM while General Instrument manufactured the AY-3-8910 sound chip for audio output.
Which countries adopted the MSX computer most extensively during the 1980s?
Nine million MSX units were sold worldwide with five million units sold exclusively in Japan alone. The system became preeminent across South Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and the Netherlands throughout the decade.
When did Microsoft release the first MSX computer to the public?
The first MSX computer sold to the public was a Mitsubishi ML-8000 released on the 21st of October 1983. This marked the official release date following the formal announcement on the 27th of June 1983.
How many generations of MSX computers existed between 1983 and 1993?
Four generations emerged from 1983 through 1993 including MSX, MSX2, MSX2+, and TurboR. Production of the final model FS-A1GT ended in 1993 when Panasonic decided to focus on releasing the 3DO console.