MSX


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MSX

MSX is a standardized home computer architecture developed by Microsoft and ASCII Corporation in the early 1980s, designed to create hardware and software compatibility among different manufacturers. MSX computers feature a Z80 microprocessor and a ROM cartridge slot, enabling the use of interchangeable software and peripherals.

What does MSX mean?

MSX (MicroSoft eXtended) is a home computer standard developed by Microsoft and ASCII Corporation in 1983. It was initially designed to compete with the Commodore 64 and other popular home computers of the time. MSX systems were characterized by their modular design, which allowed for the easy addition of peripherals and hardware upgrades. This flexibility made them popular for a wide range of applications, including gaming, education, and business.

MSX systems typically featured an 8-bit Z80 processor, 64 KB of RAM, and a built-in BASIC interpreter. They also had a number of expansion slots that allowed for the addition of peripherals such as joysticks, modems, and disk drives. The MSX standard was supported by a wide range of software and peripherals, including games, educational software, and Productivity tools. The MSX standard was eventually phased out in the early 1990s, but it remains a popular platform for retro gaming and computing enthusiasts.

Applications

MSX systems were used for a wide range of applications, including:

  • Gaming: MSX systems were popular for gaming, and a number of classic games were released for the platform, including Metal Gear, Castlevania, and Gradius.
  • Education: MSX systems were also used for educational purposes, and a number of educational software titles were released for the platform.
  • Business: MSX systems were also used for business applications, and a number of productivity tools were released for the platform, including word processors, spreadsheets, and databases.

MSX systems were also popular for use in developing countries, where they were often used for educational and business purposes.

History

The MSX standard was developed by Microsoft and ASCII Corporation in 1983. The First MSX system was the Sony HB-101, which was released in Japan in 1983. MSX systems quickly became popular in Japan, and they were also released in Europe and South America. The MSX standard was eventually phased out in the early 1990s, but it remains a popular platform for retro gaming and computing enthusiasts.

The MSX standard has undergone several revisions over the years, with the latest revision being MSX Turbo R, which was released in 1990. MSX Turbo R systems featured a more powerful Z80 processor, more RAM, and a number of other improvements.

The MSX standard has been influential in the development of other home computer standards, including the NEC PC-9800 and the Sharp X68000. MSX systems are also popular among retro gaming and computing enthusiasts, and a number of classic games have been ported to the platform.