The world of MSX computers

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Addentriamoci nel mondo dei computer MSX, tornando indietro agli anni '80 e '90. We explore the history, technical characteristics and some of the most famous games, together with Fabio G. Massa, known to friends as BioMassa, in an interview recorded at Varese Retrocomputing 2023.

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History of MSX computers

MSX (Machines with Software eXchangeability) was introduced in 1983 as a unified standard for home computers. Designed by Kazuhiko Nishi's ASCII Corporation, with the involvement of Bill Gates' Microsoft for the development of the MSX BASIC e dell'MSX-DOS, gli MSX miravano a creare un'interfaccia standard che permettesse la condivisione di software tra diverse marche di dispositivi. Questo standard ha permesso ai produttori come Philips, Sony, Panasonic e altri di creare computer compatibili tra loro, condividendo lo stesso sistema operativo e le stesse caratteristiche hardware.

The MSX standard has spread mainly in Japan, where it was created, but also in Europe, in particular in the Netherlands (due to the presence of Philips) and in Spain.

MSX computer, game, Knightmare for MSX 1 by Konami, shooter

Technical characteristics of the MSX models

Nell'intervista, Fabio Massa mostra tre modelli di computer MSX: il Philips VG-8020, the Philips NMS 8220 MSX2 and finally the Panasonic FS-A1ST MSX Turbo-R.

The Philips VG-8020, produced in 1984, is an early example of the MSX standard, equipped with a Z80 processor and 64 KB RAM. The Philips NMS 8220, from 1987, represents an advanced version of MSX2, because it is equipped with a more advanced graphics chip. Generally, the MSX2 standard included 128KB of RAM, but this model only had 64KB. Finally, the Panasonic FS-A1ST MSX Turbo-R, produced only in Japan, features a more powerful and faster ASCII R800 processor, offering superior performance compared to its predecessors, but there is also a Z80 processor to ensure compatibility with the precedents.

Computer MSX, computer vintage, MSX Turbo-R FS-A1ST, Panasonic, standard MSX, MSX2, Panasonic FS-A1ST MSX Turbo-R

MSX computer games

During the presentation, Fabio Massa also examines some games for MSX. Konami Soccer, one of the first konami football games, is considered the "grandfather" of Pro Evolution Soccer - Pes.

MSX computer, game, Konami Soccer for MSX, soccer video game

Another game that Fabio showed us is Vampire Killer, the name given in the West for the MSX version of the first chapter of the famous Castlevania saga.

MSX computer, game, Vampire Killer for MSX2 by Konami, Castlevania

MSX BASIC e Standard MSX

L'MSX BASIC, sviluppato da Microsoft, è stato uno degli elementi chiave dello standard MSX. Deriva dal Microsoft BASIC e dal GW-BASIC, e ha permesso agli utenti di poter sfruttare un linguaggio potente e versatile per poter creare programmi e giochi personalizzati, contribuendo alla popolarità degli MSX.

In effetti, in Giappone, i computer MSX erano diffusi nelle scuole anche per questo motivo. Lo standard MSX tentava di rivoluzionare il panorama informatico domestico dell'epoca, fornendo un'interfaccia unificata e facilitando lo sviluppo e la condivisione di software tra diverse marche di computer.

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