MSX is the name of a standard for home computers in the 1980s. MSX was conceived by Kazuhiko Nishi, once an executive of Microsoft Japan (now ASCII Corporation), who was attempting to create a single standard by which any company could build a compatible computer. Inspired by the success of VHS as a standard for video cassette recorders, many Japanese electronic manufacturers along with Goldstar, Philips and Spectravideo built and promoted MSX computers.
MSX spawned four generations: MSX (1983), MSX2 (1985), MSX2+ (1988), and MSX TurboR (1990). The first three were 8-bit computers based on the Z80 microprocessor, while the MSX TurboR was based on a custom 16-bit R800 microprocessor developed by ASCII Corporation.
Any piece of hardware or software with the MSX logo on it was compatible with MSX products of other manufacturers. In particular, the expansion cartridge form and function were part of the standard: any MSX expansion or game cartridge would work in any MSX computer.
The meaning of the acronym MSX is a matter of debate. Many assume that it is derived from "Microsoft Extended", alluding to the built-in Microsoft Extended BASIC (MSX BASIC), while others believe that it stood for "Matsushita-Sony". Kazuhiko Nishi said in 2001 that the team's original definition was "Machines with Software eXchangeability", although in 1985 he said it was named after the MX missile. Also, according to his book in 2020, he considered that the name of the new standard should consist of three letters, like VHS and he felt "MSX" was fit as it means "the next of Microsoft" as well as containing the first letters of Matsushita (Panasonic) and Sony.
Castlevania games available on the system
Related games
External links
- MSX at Wikipedia