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LGR - MSX 2 Computer System Review

🕑 Added 2015-02-25 03:14:27 +0000 UTC

Comments

LGR

If ever get one, I'd love to.

Alyxx the Rat

I live in Norway, so I would probably try and find a European MSX.

Awesome! FM Towns next please :-)

LGR

Man that thing looks amazing.

LGR

Hoping to do so, yes.

RetroSwim

BlueMSX contains everything you need to emulate a system, just BYO games. IIRC, it includes C-BIOS, which is an open-source clone of the official BIOS.

The Disgruntled Cactus

New Task: Find a way to emulate MSX computers legally. Is there any way to dump MSX carts into PC? I'm guessing the emulators need a bios too but hopefully I'm mistaken. That's always a giant pain in the neck to do legitimately.

RetroSwim

I got my MSX2 system in Japan two years ago, for a paltry 3000 yen (about 30 of my plastic funny money Australian dollars at the time). It's a Panasonic FS-A1 Mk2. Unfortunately it doesn't have a floppy drive at all, so I'm looking to build an interface to support one. What drew me to it was the radblasters, totally 80s sci-fi orange+black colour scheme: <a href="http://i.imgur.com/lM9LqF8.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://i.imgur.com/lM9LqF8.jpg</a> Check that out!! As of now, I still only have one game for it, but I think we can agree it's a good-un: <a href="http://i.imgur.com/BxDHe3a.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://i.imgur.com/BxDHe3a.jpg</a> Anyways, this was a GREAT review! Thanks! :-D

CuppaKofe (Brandon)

Yeah, BlueMSX-wii works pretty well.

Zabe

Yeah! Thanks for the awesome review. It was worth the wait.

Leon Staton

Since you showed Fire Hawk in the video, how about reviewing Thexder for DOS, Tandy, and now MSX? I've been eager to hear your opinion since watching the Zeliard and Silpheed videos, same goes for these MSX disk/cart games you have now.

LGR

Ahh, I gotcha. Yeah I don't do these very often anymore that's for sure! Mainly because I'm running out of systems to cover. Really the only ones I have left are the Commodore PET and Amiga 1200, at least that I own. Beyond that I'll only be talking about some computers that I consider to be pretty boring, compared to things like the MSX :P

LGR

MSX Metal Gear is awesome, and the NES one sucks, that's indisputable :) And yeah, while Castlevania and Vampire Killer were being developed at the same time, it was known as Vampire Killer in Japan at first. Or "Akumajō Dracula", officially translated as "Devil's Castle Dracula"

Zabe

I mean PC system/hardware reviews in this format. Basically just repeating what Maximilien Noal said. Sorry.

LGR

Glad to have opened up a whole new world for you then :)

LGR

Last one was about 11 months ago, yeah!

LGR

Any Japanese computer I've seen is rated for a ranged of voltage and hertz. <a href="http://i.imgur.com/qEQSbon.gif" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://i.imgur.com/qEQSbon.gif</a>

LGR

Definitely worth tracking down one of the many models of MSX2! Especially the Japanese ones, if you're in the US/use 60hz displays.

LGR

Ah well, it still applies to those of us who "liberated" our Wii using softmods (and really the machine is so simple I don't know anyone who hasn't, at least in my circle of friends)

LGR

I stopped doing PC reviews? That's news to me! I've reviewed The Sims 1, Cities XXL, Age of Empires, Quiz Quest, CHAMP games, and many more all in the past several weeks, not including things like Oddware and my Besiege video...

Steven Friar

The Metal Gear game on the MSX is supposed to be pretty good since Hideo was involved with the project unlike the NES version. Also thought it was interesting that Konami renamed Castlevania to Vampire Killer. Or did Vampire Killer come out first?

LGR

You've got a rarity right there!

LGR

I'd like to at some point, but I only own the ones I showed in the video.

David Stringfellow

Never heard of the MSX brand before, Great video mate

Nr7

Btw, are you planning on reviewing any MSX games as well?

Nr7

Great review, LGR. I've been waiting for this one for years! :D Too bad you didn't mention the Konami SCC chip that included in several later Konami cartridge games. A separate chip inside a game cartridge that enhances the base sound capabilites of the system is such novel idea IMO.

Great Review!! You increased my knowledge of old computer systems. I had a Commodore PET for my first PC and then I moved on to the Commodore 64.

Sutekh94

I actually have, in storage, one of the few MSX computers that was released over in the US. It's the Yamaha CX5M music system, and it used to belong to my dad. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_CX5M" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_CX5M</a>

Zabe

OH! Wasn't expecting this. You stop doing PC reviews for a while and suddenly this often requested one sneaks up on us. You sly devil. :)

"It doesn't suck." -Official LGR endorsement.

Ian Guebert

Just to make you aware that MSX games are only available on the Virtual Console on Japanese Wiis and WiiUs. I wish Nintendo would expand their games on the virtual console, at least we got the C64 on the Wii, but it's not on the WiiU yet...

Alyxx the Rat

This computer seems amazing... I never used one growing up since I grew up with regular IBM compatibles but if I ever build a computer collection, the MSX2 is one i will be hunting down.

Ezydenias

Well about Japan Computers, well I just recently read an Translation of an Japanese Manga explaining Electricity and it only the eastern Japan it uses 50hz and in the Western 60hz due to the History where the eastern used the german and the western the american system. Well that was long ago but both have the same voltage for some reason. And well here is what I wonder about, those the higher frequenzy absolutely nuthing to the Computers? I ever thought you would need a frequencychanger (or what it is called) to make it work properly. Because those 10hz actually make quite some difference in the AC/DC Power Suply, well theoretically if they don't use elements that can work with big differences. So I wonder.

Maximilien Noal

Holy smokes (I don't know what that means, but it makes me giggle) a computer hardware review ! The last one was a long time ago if I recall correctly ! Freaking sweet ! Also : back to $3K \o/

LGR

Hehe, I actually made a review for a Pong console back in 2009! Just never got around to finishing it.

Kris Asick

Man, you've covered so many old gaming systems and computers now... so... when do you start getting into Pong Consoles? ;D

Rob Caporetto

It's gotten worse after I got back into getting hardware again ;) One day. Only a few other micros I really want for the collection to be honest - the downside is shipping them to Australia), which is the priciest part…

ksen

Goddamit, why do I miss everything lately. Sorry to take your time, next time will always check description first! Huge thanks for replying once again!

LGR

Aw yeah, jack the MSX lust up to dangerous levels

LGR

Haha, I almost named myself sunflower just to mess with it

LGR

The music is listed in the video description! That track came from YouTube's free music library for content creators

ksen

One quick question - what music plays at the start of review? Because I still listening to Macrocosm which was in your Atari 600XL review. I'd be awesome if you could mention other similar music.

Rob Caporetto

Awesome review. I think (like a few other folk), getting one has been one list for a while. Now this is going to bump the lust for one up a bit more ;)

haha "LGR seed is my name" XD

Michael Lamartina

<a href="http://game-oldies.com/play-online/snatcher-sega-cd" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">http://game-oldies.com/play-online/snatcher-sega-cd</a> Not quite the same as having a physical copy to play but it gets the job done.

LGR

Haha, it just seemed to fit them so perfectly, I couldn't imagine what else it'd be for

Lindsay Michelle

A Smarties holder included?????? SOLD. The awesome game selection doesn't hurt either, though, haha.

ksen

Yeah, not owning piece of hardware can be a problem for making a review. If only I was living in Japan I'd sent you it asap. Too bad they don't have japanese computers here in Siberia. We don't have anything interesting here at all. I hope you'll come across one with a good priced deal relatively soon, like in few years.

LGR

I'll need to *own* a PC-9801 before I can review it! If I ever do, you can bet I'll review that a whole lot quicker than I did the MSX2

ksen

Should I start pestering about NEC PC-9801 line of computers then? Few times in year, or so. I'll keep it moderate, haha.

LGR

Shame, I'd love to see the English version of the Sega CD one re-released

LGR

The barrier to entry is a bit high compared to other 8-bit machines, but it's well worth it once you're in :) And yeah, this was my first introduction to the Ys games. I really dig the second one!

I've been looking into getting into the MSX scene so it's nice to see you cover it! Also, The Ys series is fantastic :D

LGR

Ah it's cool, kept me reminded that I needed to settle down and just DO it

LGR

Hehe, thanks, figured I'd try something new.

LGR

Yup, Konami titled Castlevania as Vampire Killer originally :)

ksen

Yes! I'm sorry if I was irritating while pestering you thru the years about this particular review, but I really was looking forward to it! Just finished watching - that was bloody spectacular and worth the wait! Thanks for awesome episode! Keep up your hard work!

Jesse Marcon

Nice use of dialog boxes to display the game info.

LGR

Likewise, it would've been great to have at least SOME domestic options.

LGR

FINALLY

LGR

Heck yeah, the MSX2 is the go-to series of these machines!

LGR

Hundreds of megabytes was so exciting, haha.

Randall Strye

Those games look impressive! ..I had to chuckle at "Vampire Killer" (not to be confused with Castlevania), though!

Michael Lamartina

Ah Snatcher! the game that Konami and Kojima forgot they made.

GarbageNirvana

Sad that we never got any of these machines over here stateside if only because of the game library, Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 in particular. I suppose I would have been too young to fully appreciate it while it was still fresh, but still.