My favorite MSX games are Dragon Slayer IV Drasle Family, Sorcerian, The Xak series, Metal Gear 1 and 2, the early games in the Ys series, Marchen Veil, and the Valis series.
Princess Maker 1 and 2. Although I'm not sure they were ever translated. (played with a translation patch in the late 90's on PC). Visual novel / RPG like gameplay. Lots of fun. Can be officially bought on Steam these days.
Translations for the Japanese Portions of the Video: Hey y'all, one of the hardest parts about enjoying the MSX is that a lot of its library is in Japanese. To help out with this im going to translate the Japanese sense in this episode to, perhaps, further entice you into picking up this really interesting computer. 3:55 : 魂斗羅 (Contra) 5:51: 夢大陸アドベンチャー Literal translation: "Dream Continental Adventure" (The Penguin does actually go to different continents in the game) Western Translation: "Penguin Adventure" 9:46: なまえをいれてください（１０もじまで） Literal / Western Translation: Please enter a (your) name (Up to 10 characters) 9:49: あたまとふくをえらんでください Literal Translation: Select a head and some clothes please. Western Translation: Choose a Head and Some clothes. 10:13 どうしますか？ Literal Translation: What would you do? Western Translation: Select an action. 10:15 Undead B が GameSack に ９ の ダメージをあたえた! Literal Translation: Undead B gives damage of 9 to GameSack! Western Translation: Zombie B deals 9 damage points to GameSack! 10:17 GameSack が Undead A に 7 の ダメージをあたえた! Literal Translation: GameSack gives damage of 9 to Undead A! Western Translation: GameSack deals 9 damage points to Zombie A! 10:20 すすめません!! Literal Translation: (You) Don't advance!! (There's a wall there) Western Translation: You cant move forward!! (There's a wall there) 10:26 Grem F が GameSack に 3 の ダメージをあたえた! Literal Translation: Grem F gives damage of 3 to GameSack! Western Translation: Gremlin F deals 9 damage points to GameSack! 10:28 どれをこうげきしますか GameSack? Literal Translation: Which are you going to attack, GameSack? Western Translation: Which enemy do you wish to strike, GameSack? 10:31 GameSack が Grem A をしとめた！ Literal/Western Translation: GameSack killed Gremlin A!
Ah, MSX. It is most nostalgic 80's PC system in Japan and Korea. It was released in Korea as Zemmix, which is only one console version of MSX in the world. My favorite games are Knightmare(魔城伝説), Cabbage Patch Kids, King's Valley(王家の谷), Magical Tree, ZANAC, THEXDER(テグザー), Yokai Yashiki(妖怪屋敷).
Thanks for the info!! I'm Korean-American but I've always wanted to know more about what kinds of computers my cousins used to play with in South Korea during the 80's before MS-DOS/Windows ultimately took over. Now I know what to look for better next time I visit :D
Great video guys, very well covered, especially as you said it was virtually unknown in the US. We were lucky here in Australia as we saw about six MSX 1 models from various companies, including from Spectravideo which was used as the basis of the MSX standard. An important point as they were two Hong Kong based Americans. Spectravideo and Microsoft programmers created the original Spectravideo Basic that became MSX Basic for the standard. There is also a vibrant home brew development scene, with some absolutely amazing titles being published on a regular basis. MSX added hardware vertical scrolling, with horizontal scrolling being done in software, but with a lot more video ram allowing page flipping to do it much better than MSX 1. MSX 2+ added hardware horizontal scrolling as well as more high resolution modes and colours. Space Manbow detects if you have a MSX 2+ and uses the hardware scrolling and runs faster. MSX is the System I released all my original game titles for back in the day, and I still love working on home brew titles for it. I have one of largest MSX collections in the world (not the largest though).
The MSX was a fantastic system and I'm really happy I grew up with its amazing library of games back in the 80s. Maze of Galious is probably my favorite MSX game it was basically our Zelda: great action adventure gameplay, tons of worlds, items and secrets. And Vampire Killer MSX > Castlevania NES ha! Just saying :) Some of my other favs: Usas, Kings Valley 2, the 2 Metal Gears, King Kong 2, F1-Spirit, Knightmare, Nemesis 2, Penguin Adventure, Pippols, Androgenius, Feud, Jack the Nipper 2, Scooter, Auf Wiedersehen Monty, Dragon Slayer IV... aww too many awesome MSX games :) And don't forget the cartridge combo! For example if you insert Nemesis 2 and Penguin Adventure you can play Nemesis 2 as Pentaro the penguin, how awesome is that!? Lastly without the MSX there would be no La Mulana! Just imagine a world without Elder Xelpud, Catball and Surprise Fish... :( The thought alone makes my stomach hurt! ;)
strafefox! I love your stuff :) Maze of Galious is by far the best MSX 1 game, a true masterpiece and still very playable. I'm coding a game for MSX right now :)
Many people like me grew up with the MSX in the 8-bit era instead of the NES. It's a country-related thing I guess. Excellent episode as always and thanks for the positive take in this important platform.
It seems to be the case. It's best to hear about gaming from other countries since the NES was such a big deal here. Sega and NEC had great consoles and there were great home computers to play on. My next collecting goal is to get into Master System and 80s computers. The MSX looks like it has amazing games.
Growing up in Eastern Europe we had those Famicom bootleg clones with 35000 games in one. At the time I didn't know this, but it seems a lot of the games on it were from MSX. The penguin one and the guy throwing grenades were definitely on it. However Contra was the NES version, and of course Super Mario Bros, Duck Hunt, Spy Hunter, Soccer, and other NES staples were there too.
@@nickmoranis2865 I don't know, back in the day I think arcades brought people together & was an activity a group of friends could enjoy, while nowadays video game parties can break out at the home, or online depending on connection or personal bent. Also, I feel shows such as Game Sack also have a sense of community.
@@spetcnaz83 Companies like Taito and Konami were making games for both the MSX and NES. Sometimes versions for different systems looked and played very similar, like Antarctic Adventure and Front Line, which were both on the MSX and NES, and sometimes they were completely different like Contra and Castlevania (Vampyre Killer).
I am glad that MSX was populair in the Netherlands in the 80s and i got to know all those great Konami games that were not in this video. Like Knightmare, Maze of Galious (best MSX-1 game), F1-Spirit, Kings Valley II, Usas, Salamander, etc.
Was the Sega Master System big in the Netherlands as well? I've heard it had a good run in PAL regions and that the NES wasn't as popular. Mind you, in the US, the NES ran pretty much undefeated until the Mega Drive/Genesis even though we had some other good systems.
Grew up with an MSX2 in the Netherlands and still love the system! I have a small collection of originals including my favourite: Penguin Adventure. Konami was king in this era.
There are so many great msx games. You guys need to play: Firehawk, Undealine, Psycho World, Hinotori, Quarth, Columns, Puyo Puyo, Dragon Slayer series, Xak series, Fray, and so many others... Thanks the episode was simply amazing!
...the penguin game looks legit. inviting character, different, creative, slight addictive alluring factor, light RPGish items giving depth. thats a classic formula if i ever heard one. I want more games with penguins. I don't care how. good ones. with penguins.
First the penguin would buy things from Inuit merchants in Dream Continental Adventure, then he himself would become a merchant assuming the name "Maho" in Frogger's Journey: The Forgotten Relic.
I love the MSX. It's my favorite home computer of all time. Where I'm from, Dubai, the MSX was really popular. It was named "Sakhr" ("Boulder" in Arabic) and was marketed as an educational computer, with some games too. There were numerous edutainment games on it, like, (I'm translating these titles), "Who?", "Avicenna", and "Journey to Mecca". There was even a Quran on the MSX! My mother told me she had an AX170 MSX when she was younger which my gramps bought her so that she can learn to read the Quran using the Quran program. Also, I heard that it was the very first Quran to be on a home computer. I didn't live during the time of the MSX, (I'm 15), but I do have a fondness for how my parents lived in the 80s. I have a fondness for old computers in general.
14:50 It's because the MSX 2 added vertical scrolling and tile offset capabilities. (Tile offset had to be used for horizontal scrolling, causing the strange lines at the edges of the screen) Horizontal scrolling was added in the 2+
I have a Sony MSX HibBit Mezzo, red like a ferrari, it looks like a cyberdeck from a William Gibson novel. It's just an MSX 1 with 16kb ram, but it's the sexiest computer you'll ever see. I love it to death. The best game on MSX 1 is by far Maze of Galious, it's a "metroidvania" and kicks Metroid 1 and Zelda 2 ass. Knightmare, the previous game in the series, is fantastic as well, a vertical shooter with fantastic music. Then there's King's Valley, a very fun puzzle platformer. Think Solomon's Key on NES, but even better. For MSX 2 you missed Shalom, that is the third game in the Knightmare series and The Treasure of Usas, give them a try!
The choppy scrolling is not much of an issue once you get up to an MSX2+ or a Turbo R. The scrolling is fairly smooth on those machines. Plus, if you get a Sony Hit Bit MSX2+ the FM sound capabilities are pretty much built in. So most games sound amazing. especially Konami games.
MSX was pretty popular here in Brazil after 86 (two suppliers, Sharp and Gradiente). I had one back in the day, and the hot thing was to get it upgraded to a MSX2 via an expansion board, as well as a Megaram cartridge to enable loading megarom games from disk. Those were the days! Notable omissions: Knightmare, Maze of Galious, Hinotori and USAS. Nemesis Series. All Konami. Should have mentioned in the computer intro that the hw is closely related to SEGA Mark I and Coleco, there are some ports or conversions from those systems. Master System is also related, but with a much better graphics chip. MSX2 fixed that, although still suffers for scrolling in some games.
Always cool to hear about retro gaming in other countries. Here in the US, the NES ran supreme until the Mega Drive/Genesis came along even though we had Master System and Turbografx16/PC Engine and some computers like the C64. It's a shame to see some of these great machines not get their due here.
Awesome video as always guys! You two fine gentlemen have introduced me to so many consoles I've never seen and/or heard of and not to mention, a ton of great retro games I didn't know were out there either. Every Game Sack episode is like an awesome online class on retro collecting, thanks for lessons again!
I think the MSX is something most gamers know about but have never seen in person. Heck, I'm sure few people will have seen gameplay from the system before watching this. I'm glad to see the MSX episode come together and it's impressive knowing just how long you've been working on it. I look forward to finishing it in the morning.
not really, the MSX has a fantastic homebrew scene, tons of games coming out, and there are some classics that are a lot better than their NES version, Maze of Galious for example is a masterpiece, while the NES port is incredibly annoying. There are a lot of retrogamers that still play with much more limited system like the ZX Spectrum, even the MSX 1 is a powerhouse compared to that, so yeah, you just are not one of them
I can understand that many people in USA and other countries where MSX wasn't popular hadn't the opportunity of seeing a MSX in live action but here in Spain MSX was quite popular and even nowadays there are a lot of people involved in software (annual MSXDev for example) and hardware development for that system (MSXVR from a spanish team is on its way to see the light soon). It was a charming and lovely system and almost everyone who owned a MSX in the 80's still love it today.
One game to definitely check out on on the MSX2 is "Treasure of Usas". It's really sad Konami never ported it any other system since I had only discovered it through emulation. "Fray in Magical Adventure" is another good one I tried through emulation. I only tried it on the Turbo R, but a MSX2 version was done as well.
Hey ! The MSX was my very first computer/console in 1986 ! My dad brought it to me from a trip in Saudi Arabia.. so I had an arabic version with the arabic keyboard !! 😆 And he brought with it 20 games !!!! but most of them were educative games in arabic ! 😅 I remember I had Road fighter, Yie ar kung fu, Circus Charlie, Knightmare, Athletic land, Comic Bakery and King's valley ! and mostly it was since this moment that video games became an important part of my life ! So this machine was very meaninfull for me ! 😊
Great episode since MSX is rarely talked about on youtube. MSX was the first console in our house back in the late 80s. It was popular in Kuwait since there is a Kuwaiti company named Sakhr Computers that has the license to produce Arabic computers in the middle east using the msx technology. 2 games you guys should play: The Castle which is a puzzle platform & also try Rambo.
That's really cool! Those sound like neat games so I'll have to check them out. At the time, were Nintendo and Sega pretty well known in Kuwait? I know Sega's Master System did really well in places like PAL territories.
@@grawman67 Arab here. I wasn't alive at the time (I'm 15, but have an interest in retrocomputing/retrogaming), but from what I've seen, there were Famiclones produced by a company called Rinco, and Sega had an official presence here as far as I know, but I think there were also clones of the Mega Drive.
It's probably worth mentioning that the MSX was very popular in Europe as well. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it actually sold better in Europe than it did in Japan considering how mini computers were all the rage in Europe in the 80's. It's my understanding that the MSX was even more popular than the NES in Europe! The NES actually didn't do very well in European regions as the Sega Master System was the one that actually dominated over there. Cool huh?
I got a little drunk after coming home from work on St. Paddy's Day, and this video helped cool my jets after I saw the second episode of "The Alienist." Thanks, Game Sack! I'm sure no one's ever thanked you guys in this way before!
It was also a fun game to play.. way batter then the original snatcher. My friends wanted to make a snes game version of this but they didn't get the permission from Konami Japan because of an eartquake there at that moment. There is a snes demo made for Konami.
I think the Vampire Killer ROM you have there is bugged. Because the one I have here doesn't have any issues to destroy the candles. So try a different version of the ROM. SD-Snatcher was not just "Snatcher cutified", it was Konami's answer to the success of YS2 and Dragon Slayer 6. :) Some bonus tips: - On MG2, you can also save you game on floppy disks or on Game Master 2 SRAM (like a memory card), provided that you have those - On Space Manbow, you can hold the bomb as long as you don't shoot - On both Aleste games, the timer of the secondary weapon only decreases if you use it. So use the 1st and 2nd buttons of the joystick wisely. (It's mapped on the SHIFT and Z keys of the keyboard, BTW) - On Aleste-2, you can pause the game by pressing STOP. Then you can select your ship speed with RIGHT/LEFT. I personally prefer to set it to 7. If you press SELECT while stopped, there's a little easter egg that will animate the sprites while the game is paused. - In Penguin Adventure, there's one bell item that rings to tell you where the secret passages are. You don't have to fall on each crack on the floor obsessively as you did. :) - Buy yourself a Flash cartridge, and the "lots of disks" factor won't be an issue anymore. :) - There are patches to allow turbo support for many games. In fact, there are plenty of patches for MSX games. Always look for them, as they'll provide you a better experience.
@@hitkid2456 That wasn’t its key or its only reason. The main reason was wide compatibility amongst a sea of different standards, each and every one of those inferior to the NEC PC standards.
Thank you so much for this review. I owned an MSX (and MSX2) back in the day and your review really brought back some great childhood memories. It lifted my spirit.
Not really, retro consoles are quite different from each other, saying what you said is just being petty. If you want to judge retro games without "nostalgia glasses" evaluate them on their own merit and don't use something like the msx as a proxy
I grew up with this system. We didn't have most of these games on their original cartridges, but we could still play them from diskettes. Don't forget this was not just a game system either. Normally, it would boot in MSX-BASIC, a very simple programming language. 8-year old me learned to program on it quite easily. Games you've missed are some of the later homebrew games, like the Pumpkin Adventure franchise (technically just PA2 and PA3, part 1 was never seriously meant to be released, but following the success of part 2 and 3, it was eventually released for free anyway). Of course these are no longer officially available, but there are... alternatives. There was (still is?) also a demoscene, with classic demos like the Jean Michel Jarre demo, Jarre's Docklands concert replicated in a demo, fireworks and all. Also, I loved Payload, which is basically Japan Truck Simulator, complete with fuel and fatigue system and speeding tickets, as well as drunk driving. Unfortunately it could only save the gamestate to cassette, so back in the day I never finished it, but I did years later using emulators.
The NTSC amiga was pretty terrible and had a much smaller selection of games. Because of its poor US sales, no one bothered to port many of the European titles. But if they do a PAL machine, that will be the tits.
It was good. I fucking lost it at the "Zanzibar/Maybe fatso Snake accepted the mission cuz he thought that was some sort of candy bar?" bit. So good. Also liked the "sad Sylvester Stallone mixed with Emilio Estevez" bit
The coding of Master System Aleste version is done on MSX2 by hardware tool. In realty the MSX2 version is the first release, but for commercial strategy, is releases a lot before the Master System version.
Been looking forward to this, since I'm a pretty avid MSX collector. Pretty nice info overall, but there were definitely some notable omissions... which I will, of course, detail for you now! ;) Psycho World is one of the most technically impressive games on the system, featuring totally smooth scrolling in all four directions with really detailed graphics and great FM music -- and unlike the SMS and GG versions, it has 8 full stages, each with branching paths, and a whole lot of neat manga panel-style cutscenes. It's easily one of the best games on the system, and a real showpiece for what the MSX2 is capable of in the right hands. The MSX2 also has the best version of Fire Hawk: Thexder the Second Contact (IMHO), which remains my number one favorite MSX game -- it's insanely long, really well-designed, super-fun, and has an absolutely wonderful FM soundtrack that I like WAY better than the DOS version's (which Sierra messed with a little too much for my tastes). The MSX version also has a proper intro and ending, which Sierra apparently couldn't be bothered even porting over to DOS. For unique shmups, Konami's "Hinotori" is pretty notable -- it's an MSX2 exclusive, and a really fun and unique game. It's a vertically scrolling shooter where you control a dude, like Aleste Gaiden, but the levels all loop if you just keep on scrolling up. Instead, you have to exit off the sides of the screen, where there are always two other levels looping in parallel with your current one, and you need to kind of weave your way back and forth through all three areas, looking for keys to unlock doors that will allow you to access other parts of the level and -- eventually -- the exit to the boss room and the next level. Except... you also need to find special keys throughout the game that unlock the FINAL boss room, which means you'll need to backtrack to earlier levels after getting specific keys to unlock specific doors in them, and... well, it's complicated! But it's really cool. It's like they jammed a shmup together with the dungeon stages from Zelda 1. Very, very highly recommended. There's also a Konami platformer that's unique to the MSX2 called "Usas" (or "Treasure of Usas" in Europe), which has two dudes named Wit and Kles exploring ancient ruins all around the world. You choose which of them to take into each level, and they each play very differently... plus, you can change their emotional states by collecting power-ups, which affect everything from their attacks to their jump mechanics. The boss door of each level is locked, too, and you need to be in a certain emotional state in order to open it (not sure how that works, but it's a video game, so let's run with it!). I like this game a lot conceptually, but I find the gameplay kind of frustrating due to some rather player-hostile level designs. Still, it's considered an MSX classic, and is definitely one that's at least worth checking out! Oh, and speaking of classic Konami games, I'm really shocked you guys left out The Maze of Galious! That's one of the system's defining games. Basically, it's like the MSX's true answer to Zelda, but side-scrolling instead of overhead. Also, it was the inspiration for modern indie games like La-Mulana, Unepic, and Hydra Castle Labyrinth. ...I could probably go on listing games all day (I have a pretty sizable collection at this point), but I think the last thing I'll mention is the homebrew scene. The MSX homebrew scene is AMAZING -- I think there are more homebrew games available for the MSX than for any other system I've ever seen, even including the NES. And most of them are really damn good, often doing things with the hardware that I didn't even know was possible! Fans have even created add-ons for the MSX to increase its capabilities, like the "Moonsound" cartridge that adds sample-based OPL4 audio (allowing you to compose music that seriously sounds like it's coming out of a SNES), as well as the V9990 cartridge that essentially gives the system 16-bit graphics processing capabilities. If you ever decide to check out any homebrew titles, my highest recommendations of where to start would probably be The Cure (an MSX1 Castlevania game, basically, and a DAMN GOOD ONE), The Sword of IANNA (think Prince of Persia but with a Conan the Barbarian aesthetic), Ghost (basically sci-fi Maze of Galious), Kyokugen (the best shmup on the system, by far), and Pumpkin Adventure 3 (a mid-'90s turn-based RPG developed in Europe that's got the humor stylings of like, Beavis and Butthead, yet manages to be one of the deepest and most involving RPGs on a system that's known -- in Japan, at least -- for its deep and involving RPGs). Hope to see another MSX episode from you guys sometime, and if so, feel free to hit me up for more suggestions -- I could literally give you dozens of them, and possibly even supply the games if you promised reeeeeeal nicely that you'd send them back afterward! ;)
Yeah we knew we couldn't cover even half of the good games in this episode and it's already long as it is. MSX games will definitely show up again on the show. Thanks for the suggestions!
Hello, Since I did not read your comment I wrote something similar. I disagree on only one thing, the best version of Thexder 2 is not msx but pc-8801 with a much better sound (Soundboard 2 with more channel!!)
My opinion on that is definitely an unpopular one, but I just absolutely love the sound of the OPLL synth on the MSX -- I find its particular instrumentation to be much more charming than that of the PC-88 under most circumstances. Technically, the PC-88 version is definitely better due to its extra channels, but I just personally like the sound and the arrangements featured in the MSX version a lot more. Additionally, I like the dynamic transitions to the boss music in each stage, which I don't believe the PC-88 version had -- in the MSX version, there's no fade-out or switch-over, but rather, as you approach the boss, the music just suddenly... BECOMES the boss theme at the next viable transition point in the stage song. It's minor, but it's a cool effect that impressed me when I first heard it. ;) Really, though, the PC-88 version of Fire Hawk is great too -- the game is just a masterpiece no matter where you play it. I'm still amazed that it's not more talked about, being a game from 1989 with a badass female protagonist rescuing a dude in distress, dynamic music transitions, an optional tutorial mode, an actually GOOD STORY that's partially told through your environment, and... really, so many other things that feel shockingly ahead of their time. It's a wonderful game.
I'm very thankful that you uploaded the video of you editing this episode Joe, as this episode, as well as a few before this, did not appear in my sub box at all. This is arguably my favorite show on YT of all time, so I'm glad I can finally get caught up
I use to own an MSX 2 system the MSX 370 and that is when i first played Metal Gear Solid, Nemesis, Salamander, King's Valley, Antarctic Adventure 1,2 and my first racing game that i loved F-1 spirit!
I think Joe does. Yeah it really does set them apart! The MSX transistion in this video was also a nice addition, gave a very polished feel. The editing is all-around pretty great in their vids. Looks professional
I was pleasantly surprised here... The graphics for the first system vary wildly, from stuff that looks like it belongs on Intellivision, to stuff that looks as good as Famicom. I guess it comes down to whoever was programming. Wonder how different the history of gaming would be if this had come to the US before the NES, or had better marketing so we knew it even existed.
It also comes down to what you're programming for. Remember the minimum spec for MSX1 was just 8k of RAM. You can make an MSX1 game look pretty, but with every improvement your target audience gets a bit smaller.
Atari was the first big game console, not a PC, however i'm not hating, as a neutral gamer (PC, Console, Handheld) i'd like to know more about Pre-Windows PC Gaming. i know there's the C64, Apple II, Amiga and now the MSX, am i missing anymore good ones or am i set?
It depends on far back you wish to go and how deep. You could add the british computers to that, the Sinclair, Amstrad and Acorn BBC Micro. Many famous games had their origin on these platforms but they are very low spec as far as computers go. If you look for gaming computers who did have unique and still playable titles then Commodore 64 and Amiga (two main variants to consider, the Amiga 500 and the 1200 with AGA chipset) is a good start and definitely something that belongs in a retro-game archive. The Atari had primarily lesser ports of games that appeared on Commodore. This were true in the first Atari computers and also on Atari ST, STE and Falcon. I have never found a title where I felt that you have to play it on an Atari. The Apple II or earlier Macintoshes had unique games to them, but they were rarely any good. Usually just desktop games like the ones you find in early Windows. All the major titles have been ported to PC or ports from PC. Have a browse on the website "Macintosh Garden" if anything catches an eye. Then you have the japanese computers, like MSX, MSX2, Sharp 68000 and maybe NEC, but the issue there is that they are often japanese and difficult to navigate without specifically knowing what you look for. Finally when it comes to PC I do think you can divide the platform into four distinct eras of DOS-gaming, each with their unique style, feel and play. CGA: Early stages of PC gaming for IBM PC or Tandy 1000 with magenta/cyan graphics and often no sound or just noises, often with games that had to boot directly from disk. Includes games such as Alley Cat and King's Quest. EGA: A short lived era in the second half of the 80ies with improved graphics and early soundcards. Includes games like Commander Keen. VGA: The golden era of DOS gaming with full 256-color graphics, soundcards and CD-rom games. Includes classics like Monkey Island, Wolfenstein and Jazz Jackrabbit. SVGA: The end of the DOS era just before Windows took over completely in the late 90'ies with higher resolution graphics and early 3d. Contains games like Command & Conquerer and Quake.
goddamn! for PC being supposedly elite, they had more variations than tiger handhelds! ok well aside from the MSX i think i want to stay american, then focus on DOS and Windows. would that be sufficient to play every unique game on PC?
The Gaming Paladin: Some of the very earliest PC games from the early 80ies booted directly from disk, but up to 1995 you can run pretty much all games in DOS (or emulated in dosbox). Earlier Windows up to and including Windows 95 could be installed under DOS too, so for early windows games you start dos, then windows, then the game. Games released in the very end of the 90ies and early 2k sometimes needs Windows 98 but most can be ran under the modern Windows 10 with some tweaking.
iwonderifthisislegal That was one of the worst comebacks ever.. nice try on trying to sound smart and insult me at the same time.. how long have you been saving that up for?... That mom joke was pathetic too.
You guys are the best...you finally reviewed my favorite game system from my childhood, but that's ok since I know its very rare in your region of the world :)
Hi mates, nice video as always. The MSX was kind of well known and liked in Brazil back in the 80’s and beginning of the 90’s. Only richer kids had it though as their parents would buy it for them hoping they would use it to learn computer programming and whatnot. I had a few friends who had it and they were even sent to computer schools in order to learn how to use the computer and program on it. However, kids would, of course, mostly use it to play games. The MSX version my friends had in those days was a computer set with a keyboard, a HD base and a green and black screen monitor on top (only one of those friends of mine had the system plugged to a colour tv and it looked the same as you show in your video) so most games I used to play with them were only seen in green and black. Few cartridges were around though as cartridges were expensive. Instead, they had the MSX cassette tape player and lots of games recorded in cassette tapes. The most liked and played games I remember were: - Ghostbusters (similar to the Master System or NES version) - Magic Tree - Yie Ar Kung Fu 1 and 2 - Kings Valley 1 and 2 (my favourite) - Gunfright - Galaxian - Rally X - Rambo - Knightmare - Penguin adventure - Thexder - Arkanoid - The goonies - Metal Gear 1 and 2 And a few others I can’t remember the name now...
Never played an MSX. But first heard about it in 89. We had an exchange student from Japan. And he was telling us about how Metal Gear and some other game on the NES had first came out on the MSX. Great episode guys.
ColecoVision died in 1984 since Coleco blew their money on the Adam computer and failed miserably due to the release of IBM PC since they both released in the same season in 1983.
What are some of your favorite MSX games? TELL US!!!!
Aleste 2
My favorite MSX games are Dragon Slayer IV Drasle Family, Sorcerian, The Xak series, Metal Gear 1 and 2, the early games in the Ys series, Marchen Veil, and the Valis series.
From the head Inspecteur Z, Starquake and Mobile Planet Stillus.
gradius/nemesis msx saga
Princess Maker 1 and 2. Although I'm not sure they were ever translated. (played with a translation patch in the late 90's on PC). Visual novel / RPG like gameplay. Lots of fun. Can be officially bought on Steam these days.
Translations for the Japanese Portions of the Video:
Hey y'all, one of the hardest parts about enjoying the MSX is that a lot of its library is in Japanese. To help out with this im going to translate the Japanese sense in this episode to, perhaps, further entice you into picking up this really interesting computer.
3:55 : 魂斗羅 (Contra)
5:51: 夢大陸アドベンチャー
Literal translation: "Dream Continental Adventure" (The Penguin does actually go to different continents in the game)
Western Translation: "Penguin Adventure"
9:46: なまえをいれてください（１０もじまで）
Literal / Western Translation: Please enter a (your) name (Up to 10 characters)
9:49: あたまとふくをえらんでください
Literal Translation: Select a head and some clothes please.
Western Translation: Choose a Head and Some clothes.
10:13 どうしますか？
Literal Translation: What would you do?
Western Translation: Select an action.
10:15 Undead B が GameSack に ９ の ダメージをあたえた!
Literal Translation: Undead B gives damage of 9 to GameSack!
Western Translation: Zombie B deals 9 damage points to GameSack!
10:17 GameSack が Undead A に 7 の ダメージをあたえた!
Literal Translation: GameSack gives damage of 9 to Undead A!
Western Translation: GameSack deals 9 damage points to Zombie A!
10:20 すすめません!!
Literal Translation: (You) Don't advance!! (There's a wall there)
Western Translation: You cant move forward!! (There's a wall there)
10:26 Grem F が GameSack に 3 の ダメージをあたえた!
Literal Translation: Grem F gives damage of 3 to GameSack!
Western Translation: Gremlin F deals 9 damage points to GameSack!
10:28 どれをこうげきしますか GameSack?
Literal Translation: Which are you going to attack, GameSack?
Western Translation: Which enemy do you wish to strike, GameSack?
10:31 GameSack が Grem A をしとめた！
Literal/Western Translation: GameSack killed Gremlin A!
"In this lava level you'll die if you fall into it, so watch out!"
Thanks for the protip Dave
Really? I thought if we went into the lava we could rest and warm up before we continue. ..........so deceptive.......
@@therant3837 You must be animate lava then. So if lava can threaten you, that must be _some_ lava indeed.
@@hitkid2456 Wow.... I feel like I'm in 3rd grade again..... lol
You guys really do some outstanding work.
And come back for more....
RETRO CONTENT
I watch you guys a bunch lol
Ayy 🙋♂️🙋♂️
Review WCW/NWO Revenge for n64
You do too. I'm.not sure what work you do but I'm sure you're outstanding. Keep it up 👍
MSX computers were very popular in South America and Europe. They were the best 8-bit machines ever released!
40 minutes of Sack? Fuck yeah!
that's what she said! :-)
i played with my sack for 40 mins once, i was sore as hell afterwards. lol
chrisbomber101 What your mom said! 👌🏻
@@UltimateGamerCC 40 minutes is a good warm-up
Sackage 😂😂😂😂😂
Ah, MSX. It is most nostalgic 80's PC system in Japan and Korea. It was released in Korea as Zemmix, which is only one console version of MSX in the world. My favorite games are Knightmare(魔城伝説), Cabbage Patch Kids, King's Valley(王家の谷), Magical Tree, ZANAC, THEXDER(テグザー), Yokai Yashiki(妖怪屋敷).
Knightmare soundtrack is my ringtone 😁 and king's valley is the whatsapp call tone hahaha loved MSX!
Thanks for the info!! I'm Korean-American but I've always wanted to know more about what kinds of computers my cousins used to play with in South Korea during the 80's before MS-DOS/Windows ultimately took over. Now I know what to look for better next time I visit :D
Great video guys, very well covered, especially as you said it was virtually unknown in the US. We were lucky here in Australia as we saw about six MSX 1 models from various companies, including from Spectravideo which was used as the basis of the MSX standard. An important point as they were two Hong Kong based Americans. Spectravideo and Microsoft programmers created the original Spectravideo Basic that became MSX Basic for the standard.
There is also a vibrant home brew development scene, with some absolutely amazing titles being published on a regular basis.
MSX added hardware vertical scrolling, with horizontal scrolling being done in software, but with a lot more video ram allowing page flipping to do it much better than MSX 1.
MSX 2+ added hardware horizontal scrolling as well as more high resolution modes and colours. Space Manbow detects if you have a MSX 2+ and uses the hardware scrolling and runs faster.
MSX is the System I released all my original game titles for back in the day, and I still love working on home brew titles for it.
I have one of largest MSX collections in the world (not the largest though).
The MSX was a fantastic system and I'm really happy I grew up with its amazing library of games back in the 80s.
Maze of Galious is probably my favorite MSX game it was basically our Zelda: great action adventure gameplay, tons of worlds, items and secrets.
And Vampire Killer MSX > Castlevania NES ha! Just saying :)
Some of my other favs: Usas, Kings Valley 2, the 2 Metal Gears, King Kong 2, F1-Spirit, Knightmare, Nemesis 2, Penguin Adventure, Pippols, Androgenius, Feud, Jack the Nipper 2, Scooter, Auf Wiedersehen Monty, Dragon Slayer IV... aww too many awesome MSX games :)
And don't forget the cartridge combo! For example if you insert Nemesis 2 and Penguin Adventure you can play Nemesis 2 as Pentaro the penguin, how awesome is that!?
Lastly without the MSX there would be no La Mulana! Just imagine a world without Elder Xelpud, Catball and Surprise Fish... :( The thought alone makes my stomach hurt! ;)
strafefox! I love your stuff :) Maze of Galious is by far the best MSX 1 game, a true masterpiece and still very playable. I'm coding a game for MSX right now :)
Thanks so much! I really have to update my Maze of Galious video someday :)
Coding a MSX game? sounds cool man!
Strafefox: Looking forward to your next video... btw I killed my channel ... will continue with 'the openMSX channel'
Thanks VampierMSX! Btw I planning to make another MSX themed episode later this year.
Many people like me grew up with the MSX in the 8-bit era instead of the NES. It's a country-related thing I guess. Excellent episode as always and thanks for the positive take in this important platform.
It seems to be the case. It's best to hear about gaming from other countries since the NES was such a big deal here. Sega and NEC had great consoles and there were great home computers to play on. My next collecting goal is to get into Master System and 80s computers. The MSX looks like it has amazing games.
Growing up in Eastern Europe we had those Famicom bootleg clones with 35000 games in one. At the time I didn't know this, but it seems a lot of the games on it were from MSX. The penguin one and the guy throwing grenades were definitely on it. However Contra was the NES version, and of course Super Mario Bros, Duck Hunt, Spy Hunter, Soccer, and other NES staples were there too.
The more I think I’m sure video games are for lonely people. Smart people that shouldn’t be lonely.
@@nickmoranis2865 I don't know, back in the day I think arcades brought people together & was an activity a group of friends could enjoy, while nowadays video game parties can break out at the home, or online depending on connection or personal bent. Also, I feel shows such as Game Sack also have a sense of community.
@@spetcnaz83 Companies like Taito and Konami were making games for both the MSX and NES. Sometimes versions for different systems looked and played very similar, like Antarctic Adventure and Front Line, which were both on the MSX and NES, and sometimes they were completely different like Contra and Castlevania (Vampyre Killer).
I am glad that MSX was populair in the Netherlands in the 80s and i got to know all those great Konami games that were not in this video. Like Knightmare, Maze of Galious (best MSX-1 game), F1-Spirit, Kings Valley II, Usas, Salamander, etc.
Yeah looks like Konami had a hell of a run on this machine
Was the Sega Master System big in the Netherlands as well? I've heard it had a good run in PAL regions and that the NES wasn't as popular. Mind you, in the US, the NES ran pretty much undefeated until the Mega Drive/Genesis even though we had some other good systems.
@@grawman67 master system was also very popular in the Netherlands. Way bigger than nes.
@NIFB For Aruba only in the 2 southern provinces Nintendo was more popular.
The MSX was huge where I'm from! It was almost in every home just like how the US is with the NES. This system had amazing games
Are you still alive?
@@lifespanofafry1534 ahh yes? 😂
@@Rowri88 yay! I like to check up on old comments.
Grew up with an MSX2 in the Netherlands and still love the system! I have a small collection of originals including my favourite: Penguin Adventure. Konami was king in this era.
There are so many great msx games. You guys need to play: Firehawk, Undealine, Psycho World, Hinotori, Quarth, Columns, Puyo Puyo, Dragon Slayer series, Xak series, Fray, and so many others...
Thanks the episode was simply amazing!
...the penguin game looks legit. inviting character, different, creative, slight addictive alluring factor, light RPGish items giving depth. thats a classic formula if i ever heard one.
I want more games with penguins. I don't care how. good ones. with penguins.
D Vice This was a follow-up to "Antarctic Adventure", so it obviously had to top itself.
Have you heard of Binary Land? :) That's another really good Penguin game.
another penguin game from Konami is Yume Penguin Monogatari. its on famicom look it up
Amazingly put
Agree with this
Those MSX scene transitions are amazing, Joe. Added a lot!
True!
"This shop owner gets really mad, when you stop buying things"
Nice to know Konami would behave the same way, years later
First the penguin would buy things from Inuit merchants in Dream Continental Adventure, then he himself would become a merchant assuming the name "Maho" in Frogger's Journey: The Forgotten Relic.
I lost it at "Did someone sneak a Voodoo graphics card into my MSX" lmao XD
I love the MSX. It's my favorite home computer of all time. Where I'm from, Dubai, the MSX was really popular. It was named "Sakhr" ("Boulder" in Arabic) and was marketed as an educational computer, with some games too. There were numerous edutainment games on it, like, (I'm translating these titles), "Who?", "Avicenna", and "Journey to Mecca". There was even a Quran on the MSX!
My mother told me she had an AX170 MSX when she was younger which my gramps bought her so that she can learn to read the Quran using the Quran program. Also, I heard that it was the very first Quran to be on a home computer.
I didn't live during the time of the MSX, (I'm 15), but I do have a fondness for how my parents lived in the 80s. I have a fondness for old computers in general.
14:50 It's because the MSX 2 added vertical scrolling and tile offset capabilities. (Tile offset had to be used for horizontal scrolling, causing the strange lines at the edges of the screen)
Horizontal scrolling was added in the 2+
there were some games for the msx 1 that had the smoothest kind of vertical scroll...that one with a plane in a river.. i cant remember.,...
@@Trikipum River Raid.
The favorite computer if my childhood.
It was very popular in Brazil.
Today I'm in the US, and still love it.
I have 50 msx computers and counting!
Impressive. I am totally new to this system and games 👾
50 computers? I hope many enjoy your museum!
Sometimes when I'm feeling down, your videos really cheer me up. Thanks dudes.
Who should we send to infiltrate Outer Heaven? You guessed it: Frank Stallone.
I have a Sony MSX HibBit Mezzo, red like a ferrari, it looks like a cyberdeck from a William Gibson novel. It's just an MSX 1 with 16kb ram, but it's the sexiest computer you'll ever see. I love it to death.
The best game on MSX 1 is by far Maze of Galious, it's a "metroidvania" and kicks Metroid 1 and Zelda 2 ass.
Knightmare, the previous game in the series, is fantastic as well, a vertical shooter with fantastic music.
Then there's King's Valley, a very fun puzzle platformer. Think Solomon's Key on NES, but even better.
For MSX 2 you missed Shalom, that is the third game in the Knightmare series and The Treasure of Usas, give them a try!
Bruhhh im seriously bout to cop one😂💪💪💪💪
The choppy scrolling is not much of an issue once you get up to an MSX2+ or a Turbo R. The scrolling is fairly smooth on those machines. Plus, if you get a Sony Hit Bit MSX2+ the FM sound capabilities are pretty much built in. So most games sound amazing. especially Konami games.
The scrolling is only smoother on MSX2+ and turboR if the game is especially programmed to do so. And there aren't many who do that.
these guys deserve much more subscribers
MSX was pretty popular here in Brazil after 86 (two suppliers, Sharp and Gradiente). I had one back in the day, and the hot thing was to get it upgraded to a MSX2 via an expansion board, as well as a Megaram cartridge to enable loading megarom games from disk. Those were the days!
Notable omissions: Knightmare, Maze of Galious, Hinotori and USAS. Nemesis Series. All Konami.
Should have mentioned in the computer intro that the hw is closely related to SEGA Mark I and Coleco, there are some ports or conversions from those systems. Master System is also related, but with a much better graphics chip. MSX2 fixed that, although still suffers for scrolling in some games.
sounds like the same sound chip also from the sms2.You can see that the transparent sprites are definitely mark 1.
Always cool to hear about retro gaming in other countries. Here in the US, the NES ran supreme until the Mega Drive/Genesis came along even though we had Master System and Turbografx16/PC Engine and some computers like the C64. It's a shame to see some of these great machines not get their due here.
Congraturations for making this video and having us here.
Awesome video as always guys! You two fine gentlemen have introduced me to so many consoles I've never seen and/or heard of and not to mention, a ton of great retro games I didn't know were out there either. Every Game Sack episode is like an awesome online class on retro collecting, thanks for lessons again!
*the lessons
I think the MSX is something most gamers know about but have never seen in person. Heck, I'm sure few people will have seen gameplay from the system before watching this. I'm glad to see the MSX episode come together and it's impressive knowing just how long you've been working on it. I look forward to finishing it in the morning.
not really, the MSX has a fantastic homebrew scene, tons of games coming out, and there are some classics that are a lot better than their NES version, Maze of Galious for example is a masterpiece, while the NES port is incredibly annoying. There are a lot of retrogamers that still play with much more limited system like the ZX Spectrum, even the MSX 1 is a powerhouse compared to that, so yeah, you just are not one of them
Jenovi I've seen gameplay of the original Metal Gear game on the MSX, because it's meant to be significantly better than the awful NES version
Nope, I heard about a few times in the mid 90s but never seen one.
I can understand that many people in USA and other countries where MSX wasn't popular hadn't the opportunity of seeing a MSX in live action but here in Spain MSX was quite popular and even nowadays there are a lot of people involved in software (annual MSXDev for example) and hardware development for that system (MSXVR from a spanish team is on its way to see the light soon). It was a charming and lovely system and almost everyone who owned a MSX in the 80's still love it today.
Jenovi I bet games are so expensive as well, no wonder no body collects em, and they're in Japanese.
You guys are absolutely awesome, you definitely deserve more subs, been a fan for about 2-3 years!
Once again your sack had some pleasant surprises for us. Thank you guys. 👍
a good sack is ALWAYS full of surprises. ;)
The Gaming Paladin it certainly is my good sir 👍👍
One game to definitely check out on on the MSX2 is "Treasure of Usas". It's really sad Konami never ported it any other system since I had only discovered it through emulation. "Fray in Magical Adventure" is another good one I tried through emulation. I only tried it on the Turbo R, but a MSX2 version was done as well.
damn, finally. now we need these guys to play the PC98 and FM TOWNS !!!!!!!!!
It was an attempt by Microsoft to monop-- excuse me, "standardize" home computers
WindowsGOD
@@deadlocked5337 MSX-Dos
Can you guys cover the NEC PC-98? I'm really interested in the game lineup.
Nice to see you two branching into covering older computers too!
Hey ! The MSX was my very first computer/console in 1986 ! My dad brought it to me from a trip in Saudi Arabia.. so I had an arabic version with the arabic keyboard !! 😆 And he brought with it 20 games !!!! but most of them were educative games in arabic ! 😅 I remember I had Road fighter, Yie ar kung fu, Circus Charlie, Knightmare, Athletic land, Comic Bakery and King's valley ! and mostly it was since this moment that video games became an important part of my life ! So this machine was very meaninfull for me ! 😊
Back in the day, They were pretty popular here in Brazil
Oh yea! Thats exactly what i was talking about
Brazil havev this likeness towards retro games
Great episode since MSX is rarely talked about on youtube. MSX was the first console in our house back in the late 80s. It was popular in Kuwait since there is a Kuwaiti company named Sakhr Computers that has the license to produce Arabic computers in the middle east using the msx technology. 2 games you guys should play: The Castle which is a puzzle platform & also try Rambo.
That's really cool! Those sound like neat games so I'll have to check them out. At the time, were Nintendo and Sega pretty well known in Kuwait? I know Sega's Master System did really well in places like PAL territories.
@@grawman67 Arab here. I wasn't alive at the time (I'm 15, but have an interest in retrocomputing/retrogaming), but from what I've seen, there were Famiclones produced by a company called Rinco, and Sega had an official presence here as far as I know, but I think there were also clones of the Mega Drive.
@@ImperatorGrausam That wouldn't be that surprising to me since he mentioned Sakhr making Clone computers with MSX tech.
It's probably worth mentioning that the MSX was very popular in Europe as well. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if it actually sold better in Europe than it did in Japan considering how mini computers were all the rage in Europe in the 80's. It's my understanding that the MSX was even more popular than the NES in Europe! The NES actually didn't do very well in European regions as the Sega Master System was the one that actually dominated over there. Cool huh?
I love hearing about other countries' gaming scenes. It's a shame the Master System and MSX weren't popular here in the US. So many good gamesa
I got a little drunk after coming home from work on St. Paddy's Day, and this video helped cool my jets after I saw the second episode of "The Alienist." Thanks, Game Sack! I'm sure no one's ever thanked you guys in this way before!
That Snatcher game looks pretty freaking cool.
It was also a fun game to play.. way batter then the original snatcher. My friends wanted to make a snes game version of this but they didn't get the permission from Konami Japan because of an eartquake there at that moment. There is a snes demo made for Konami.
Worp3music
Way better than the original Snatcher? I think not, boyo. It does look good, though.
I don't really play games any more due to a mix of reason, but you guys still somehow find a way to stay entertaining. Well done
I think the Vampire Killer ROM you have there is bugged. Because the one I have here doesn't have any issues to destroy the candles. So try a different version of the ROM.
SD-Snatcher was not just "Snatcher cutified", it was Konami's answer to the success of YS2 and Dragon Slayer 6. :)
Some bonus tips:
- On MG2, you can also save you game on floppy disks or on Game Master 2 SRAM (like a memory card), provided that you have those
- On Space Manbow, you can hold the bomb as long as you don't shoot
- On both Aleste games, the timer of the secondary weapon only decreases if you use it. So use the 1st and 2nd buttons of the joystick wisely. (It's mapped on the SHIFT and Z keys of the keyboard, BTW)
- On Aleste-2, you can pause the game by pressing STOP. Then you can select your ship speed with RIGHT/LEFT. I personally prefer to set it to 7. If you press SELECT while stopped, there's a little easter egg that will animate the sprites while the game is paused.
- In Penguin Adventure, there's one bell item that rings to tell you where the secret passages are. You don't have to fall on each crack on the floor obsessively as you did. :)
- Buy yourself a Flash cartridge, and the "lots of disks" factor won't be an issue anymore. :)
- There are patches to allow turbo support for many games. In fact, there are plenty of patches for MSX games. Always look for them, as they'll provide you a better experience.
Wait, wait, WAIT.... a kewl Sega dude and a Nintendo chap?! How did you manage to remain friends for this long?
MSX = Microsoft Extended Basic = One of the countless attempts by Microsoft to conquer the Computer world until they had finally success with Windows.
MSX = Machines with Software eXchangeability
Nishi reached an agreement with Microsoft to get the operating system only
And so far the only mildly successful crack at the Japanese Gaming market by MS, as the XBOX is still a disaster over there
@@fernandosevilla9516 I was at the presentation mr. Nishi held during a Dutch MSX fair, where he indeed acknowledged this.
@@JackBandicootsBunker Because it was made in Japan. Go figure.
@@hitkid2456 That wasn’t its key or its only reason. The main reason was wide compatibility amongst a sea of different standards, each and every one of those inferior to the NEC PC standards.
Thank you so much for this review. I owned an MSX (and MSX2) back in the day and your review really brought back some great childhood memories. It lifted my spirit.
Oohhhhh, so THIS is what retro games look like without nostalgia glasses.
Huh.
Not really, retro consoles are quite different from each other, saying what you said is just being petty. If you want to judge retro games without "nostalgia glasses" evaluate them on their own merit and don't use something like the msx as a proxy
So stoked for this episode. My neighbour used to have a MSX, and I have fond memories of some of the games.
30:08 "I'm not sure if it's any better if it's played on an MSX2+ or not."
Answer is yes.
I grew up with this system. We didn't have most of these games on their original cartridges, but we could still play them from diskettes. Don't forget this was not just a game system either. Normally, it would boot in MSX-BASIC, a very simple programming language. 8-year old me learned to program on it quite easily.
Games you've missed are some of the later homebrew games, like the Pumpkin Adventure franchise (technically just PA2 and PA3, part 1 was never seriously meant to be released, but following the success of part 2 and 3, it was eventually released for free anyway). Of course these are no longer officially available, but there are... alternatives.
There was (still is?) also a demoscene, with classic demos like the Jean Michel Jarre demo, Jarre's Docklands concert replicated in a demo, fireworks and all.
Also, I loved Payload, which is basically Japan Truck Simulator, complete with fuel and fatigue system and speeding tickets, as well as drunk driving. Unfortunately it could only save the gamestate to cassette, so back in the day I never finished it, but I did years later using emulators.
I want an Amiga episode!
Why these guy will mock it...
If they didn't mock the msx they shouldn't mock the Amiga.
The NTSC amiga was pretty terrible and had a much smaller selection of games. Because of its poor US sales, no one bothered to port many of the European titles. But if they do a PAL machine, that will be the tits.
This.
Great video guys! Joe, your attention to detail is amazing, excellent work.
Dave's "annoying joke" is the peak of GameSack humor in this video. Well done, Dave!
It was good.
I fucking lost it at the "Zanzibar/Maybe fatso Snake accepted the mission cuz he thought that was some sort of candy bar?" bit. So good. Also liked the "sad Sylvester Stallone mixed with Emilio Estevez" bit
FinalBaton Very true, but the cut to Joe's reaction and Dave corpsing was great.
Agreed!
The coding of Master System Aleste version is done on MSX2 by hardware tool. In realty the MSX2 version is the first release, but for commercial strategy, is releases a lot before the Master System version.
In Front Line, you DO know you were trying to blow up your own tank?
I got my first MSX computer in 1995 in Iraq (MSX2 Yamaha AX350II Sakhr). Thank you very much for this episode. :)
Been looking forward to this, since I'm a pretty avid MSX collector. Pretty nice info overall, but there were definitely some notable omissions... which I will, of course, detail for you now! ;)
Psycho World is one of the most technically impressive games on the system, featuring totally smooth scrolling in all four directions with really detailed graphics and great FM music -- and unlike the SMS and GG versions, it has 8 full stages, each with branching paths, and a whole lot of neat manga panel-style cutscenes. It's easily one of the best games on the system, and a real showpiece for what the MSX2 is capable of in the right hands.
The MSX2 also has the best version of Fire Hawk: Thexder the Second Contact (IMHO), which remains my number one favorite MSX game -- it's insanely long, really well-designed, super-fun, and has an absolutely wonderful FM soundtrack that I like WAY better than the DOS version's (which Sierra messed with a little too much for my tastes). The MSX version also has a proper intro and ending, which Sierra apparently couldn't be bothered even porting over to DOS.
For unique shmups, Konami's "Hinotori" is pretty notable -- it's an MSX2 exclusive, and a really fun and unique game. It's a vertically scrolling shooter where you control a dude, like Aleste Gaiden, but the levels all loop if you just keep on scrolling up. Instead, you have to exit off the sides of the screen, where there are always two other levels looping in parallel with your current one, and you need to kind of weave your way back and forth through all three areas, looking for keys to unlock doors that will allow you to access other parts of the level and -- eventually -- the exit to the boss room and the next level. Except... you also need to find special keys throughout the game that unlock the FINAL boss room, which means you'll need to backtrack to earlier levels after getting specific keys to unlock specific doors in them, and... well, it's complicated! But it's really cool. It's like they jammed a shmup together with the dungeon stages from Zelda 1. Very, very highly recommended.
There's also a Konami platformer that's unique to the MSX2 called "Usas" (or "Treasure of Usas" in Europe), which has two dudes named Wit and Kles exploring ancient ruins all around the world. You choose which of them to take into each level, and they each play very differently... plus, you can change their emotional states by collecting power-ups, which affect everything from their attacks to their jump mechanics. The boss door of each level is locked, too, and you need to be in a certain emotional state in order to open it (not sure how that works, but it's a video game, so let's run with it!). I like this game a lot conceptually, but I find the gameplay kind of frustrating due to some rather player-hostile level designs. Still, it's considered an MSX classic, and is definitely one that's at least worth checking out!
Oh, and speaking of classic Konami games, I'm really shocked you guys left out The Maze of Galious! That's one of the system's defining games. Basically, it's like the MSX's true answer to Zelda, but side-scrolling instead of overhead. Also, it was the inspiration for modern indie games like La-Mulana, Unepic, and Hydra Castle Labyrinth.
...I could probably go on listing games all day (I have a pretty sizable collection at this point), but I think the last thing I'll mention is the homebrew scene. The MSX homebrew scene is AMAZING -- I think there are more homebrew games available for the MSX than for any other system I've ever seen, even including the NES. And most of them are really damn good, often doing things with the hardware that I didn't even know was possible! Fans have even created add-ons for the MSX to increase its capabilities, like the "Moonsound" cartridge that adds sample-based OPL4 audio (allowing you to compose music that seriously sounds like it's coming out of a SNES), as well as the V9990 cartridge that essentially gives the system 16-bit graphics processing capabilities. If you ever decide to check out any homebrew titles, my highest recommendations of where to start would probably be The Cure (an MSX1 Castlevania game, basically, and a DAMN GOOD ONE), The Sword of IANNA (think Prince of Persia but with a Conan the Barbarian aesthetic), Ghost (basically sci-fi Maze of Galious), Kyokugen (the best shmup on the system, by far), and Pumpkin Adventure 3 (a mid-'90s turn-based RPG developed in Europe that's got the humor stylings of like, Beavis and Butthead, yet manages to be one of the deepest and most involving RPGs on a system that's known -- in Japan, at least -- for its deep and involving RPGs).
Hope to see another MSX episode from you guys sometime, and if so, feel free to hit me up for more suggestions -- I could literally give you dozens of them, and possibly even supply the games if you promised reeeeeeal nicely that you'd send them back afterward! ;)
Yeah we knew we couldn't cover even half of the good games in this episode and it's already long as it is. MSX games will definitely show up again on the show. Thanks for the suggestions!
Hello, Since I did not read your comment I wrote something similar. I disagree on only one thing, the best version of Thexder 2 is not msx but pc-8801 with a much better sound (Soundboard 2 with more channel!!)
Came here to reply with what msk33 said. The PC-88 version of Thexder 2 is the absolute best, mainly thanks to the YM2608 soundtrack.
My opinion on that is definitely an unpopular one, but I just absolutely love the sound of the OPLL synth on the MSX -- I find its particular instrumentation to be much more charming than that of the PC-88 under most circumstances. Technically, the PC-88 version is definitely better due to its extra channels, but I just personally like the sound and the arrangements featured in the MSX version a lot more. Additionally, I like the dynamic transitions to the boss music in each stage, which I don't believe the PC-88 version had -- in the MSX version, there's no fade-out or switch-over, but rather, as you approach the boss, the music just suddenly... BECOMES the boss theme at the next viable transition point in the stage song. It's minor, but it's a cool effect that impressed me when I first heard it. ;)
Really, though, the PC-88 version of Fire Hawk is great too -- the game is just a masterpiece no matter where you play it. I'm still amazed that it's not more talked about, being a game from 1989 with a badass female protagonist rescuing a dude in distress, dynamic music transitions, an optional tutorial mode, an actually GOOD STORY that's partially told through your environment, and... really, so many other things that feel shockingly ahead of their time. It's a wonderful game.
Wyrdwad What do you think of The Castle? I find it to be a unique game that all msx owners should try.
I'd never want to get an MSX for myself, but I enjoyed watching you guys show it off and talk about it.
Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 are the best games on the MSX and were seriously way ahead of their time
Yea, Metal Gear 2 is the prequel for MGS1 so it has a good plot and pretty good gameplay.
I'm very thankful that you uploaded the video of you editing this episode Joe, as this episode, as well as a few before this, did not appear in my sub box at all. This is arguably my favorite show on YT of all time, so I'm glad I can finally get caught up
27:45 “Seriously dude, what the f-“ “Especially...” lol
Working on finals this video is a great excuse to take a break. Thanks for the videos guys!
You're doing computers, there's hope you'll do something about the C64
Go watch the 8-Bit Guy if you're looking for C64.
I do but he's not game sack.
Nah. They're not worthy of one of the best 8 bit computer ever made, with new games still being made today.
Are u keeping up with the commodore ? “Commodore is keeping up with you”
The first very first Parodius game was made for the MSX! This version is included in the Parodius Collection for the PSP.
A home computer? on Game Sack? Does this mean we're getting closer to a Commodore 64 episode?
Go watch the 8-Bit Guy if you're looking for C64.
I already do. Just thought it would be entertaining to see these guys impression on it.
True.. nothing beats the Sack.
It is not the first episode that covers home computers,the first one is x68000
I use to own an MSX 2 system the MSX 370 and that is when i first played Metal Gear Solid, Nemesis, Salamander, King's Valley, Antarctic Adventure 1,2 and my first racing game that i loved F-1 spirit!
I really like the stop-action animation in Game Sack. Sets it apart from other game shows. Does Joe or Dave do that? Or do they hire it out?
I think Joe does. Yeah it really does set them apart! The MSX transistion in this video was also a nice addition, gave a very polished feel. The editing is all-around pretty great in their vids. Looks professional
Looks like the Melancholia translation for SD Snatcher is now free to download on their site :)
Dude, Dave, That blue/red tank in frontline is your own. stop trying to destroy it an enter it! :)
Top notch editing. Another great episode.
Got the notification, clicked "Like," don't even know what I'm watching or what an MSX is!
Keep up the great work :)
Small update after all these years, but the melancholia patch is now freely available from their website
I was pleasantly surprised here...
The graphics for the first system vary wildly, from stuff that looks like it belongs on Intellivision, to stuff that looks as good as Famicom. I guess it comes down to whoever was programming. Wonder how different the history of gaming would be if this had come to the US before the NES, or had better marketing so we knew it even existed.
It also comes down to what you're programming for. Remember the minimum spec for MSX1 was just 8k of RAM. You can make an MSX1 game look pretty, but with every improvement your target audience gets a bit smaller.
Always love it when you bring up the "easy to remember" passwords lol
That penguin game looks badass
graphically it has always looked a bit simplistic to me, not that it wasn't a good game though.
I was looking for name of that song you used in tech analysis part for DAYS man. Thanks Joe! You're a lifesaver!
"even Joe." lol
Nice to see you guys taking a look at the MSX. Pretty solid platform despite so many manufacturers and configurations.
Awesome to see you cover a home computer. I would love to see you cover the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari etc :)
Atari was the first big game console, not a PC, however i'm not hating, as a neutral gamer (PC, Console, Handheld) i'd like to know more about Pre-Windows PC Gaming.
i know there's the C64, Apple II, Amiga and now the MSX, am i missing anymore good ones or am i set?
It depends on far back you wish to go and how deep. You could add the british computers to that, the Sinclair, Amstrad and Acorn BBC Micro. Many famous games had their origin on these platforms but they are very low spec as far as computers go.
If you look for gaming computers who did have unique and still playable titles then Commodore 64 and Amiga (two main variants to consider, the Amiga 500 and the 1200 with AGA chipset) is a good start and definitely something that belongs in a retro-game archive.
The Atari had primarily lesser ports of games that appeared on Commodore. This were true in the first Atari computers and also on Atari ST, STE and Falcon. I have never found a title where I felt that you have to play it on an Atari.
The Apple II or earlier Macintoshes had unique games to them, but they were rarely any good. Usually just desktop games like the ones you find in early Windows. All the major titles have been ported to PC or ports from PC. Have a browse on the website "Macintosh Garden" if anything catches an eye.
Then you have the japanese computers, like MSX, MSX2, Sharp 68000 and maybe NEC, but the issue there is that they are often japanese and difficult to navigate without specifically knowing what you look for.
Finally when it comes to PC I do think you can divide the platform into four distinct eras of DOS-gaming, each with their unique style, feel and play.
CGA: Early stages of PC gaming for IBM PC or Tandy 1000 with magenta/cyan graphics and often no sound or just noises, often with games that had to boot directly from disk. Includes games such as Alley Cat and King's Quest.
EGA: A short lived era in the second half of the 80ies with improved graphics and early soundcards. Includes games like Commander Keen.
VGA: The golden era of DOS gaming with full 256-color graphics, soundcards and CD-rom games. Includes classics like Monkey Island, Wolfenstein and Jazz Jackrabbit.
SVGA: The end of the DOS era just before Windows took over completely in the late 90'ies with higher resolution graphics and early 3d. Contains games like Command & Conquerer and Quake.
goddamn! for PC being supposedly elite, they had more variations than tiger handhelds! ok well aside from the MSX i think i want to stay american, then focus on DOS and Windows. would that be sufficient to play every unique game on PC?
The Gaming Paladin: Some of the very earliest PC games from the early 80ies booted directly from disk, but up to 1995 you can run pretty much all games in DOS (or emulated in dosbox). Earlier Windows up to and including Windows 95 could be installed under DOS too, so for early windows games you start dos, then windows, then the game. Games released in the very end of the 90ies and early 2k sometimes needs Windows 98 but most can be ran under the modern Windows 10 with some tweaking.
yeah, i know of DOSbox, it seems to be finicky at times when it comes to working, at least for a noob like me.
MSX is the most magical computer of its time.
Its about time you guys talk about a home computer system
They've done it previously with that Sharp and NEC computer system.
Perhaps you should watch a few more Game Sack episodes. :)
Maruko Chan 99 So the X68000 wasn't a home computer?
I forgot to add "for a while" on that detail
Maruko Chan 99 "Another" would've been more appropriate.
You guys forgot to add The Maze of Galious! Absolutely one of my favorite games on the MSX.
Ahh yes...the two best reviewers on RUclips.....auto thumbs up. Now let me sit back and admire the sack... wait...what😲😲
iwonderifthisislegal 😂
KageMaxwell: I love these two dudes lol. Great reviews always....great chemistry.... gotta love it😳🤘🏽
Uh... we arent doing anything wrong... no one is getting hurt
iwonderifthisislegal
That was one of the worst comebacks ever.. nice try on trying to sound smart and insult me at the same time.. how long have you been saving that up for?... That mom joke was pathetic too.
iwonderifthisislegal I agree. They're pretty funny.
You guys are the best...you finally reviewed my favorite game system from my childhood, but that's ok since I know its very rare in your region of the world :)
Never clicked on a video faster! Man, I'm so friggin' stoked, I'm literally jumping up and down on the damn couch!
You must lead a very boring life.
I might have exaggerated things for comical effect there... Don't you think? ;)
It's the internet, it shall not be taken too seriously eh?
Hi mates, nice video as always.
The MSX was kind of well known and liked in Brazil back in the 80’s and beginning of the 90’s.
Only richer kids had it though as their parents would buy it for them hoping they would use it to learn computer programming and whatnot. I had a few friends who had it and they were even sent to computer schools in order to learn how to use the computer and program on it.
However, kids would, of course, mostly use it to play games.
The MSX version my friends had in those days was a computer set with a keyboard, a HD base and a green and black screen monitor on top (only one of those friends of mine had the system plugged to a colour tv and it looked the same as you show in your video) so most games I used to play with them were only seen in green and black.
Few cartridges were around though as cartridges were expensive. Instead, they had the MSX cassette tape player and lots of games recorded in cassette tapes.
The most liked and played games I remember were:
- Ghostbusters (similar to the Master System or NES version)
- Magic Tree
- Yie Ar Kung Fu 1 and 2
- Kings Valley 1 and 2 (my favourite)
- Gunfright
- Galaxian
- Rally X
- Rambo
- Knightmare
- Penguin adventure
- Thexder
- Arkanoid
- The goonies
- Metal Gear 1 and 2
And a few others I can’t remember the name now...
Joe is the jay Leno of video games
La Mulana is a fantastic, but extremely difficult MSX inspired game
Game Sack > Santa's Sack
Never played an MSX. But first heard about it in 89. We had an exchange student from Japan. And he was telling us about how Metal Gear and some other game on the NES had first came out on the MSX. Great episode guys.
At last! A episode about the ColecoVision's more finished brother.
ColecoVision died in 1984 since Coleco blew their money on the Adam computer and failed miserably due to the release of IBM PC since they both released in the same season in 1983.
@@Nestalgba92023 I said that because the ColecoVision's hardware is damn near similar to the MSX...
The stop-motion and box shots are FIRE!
My two gay gaming uncles telling me about retro games, I just love it.
Wow that is super-gay.
I love your channel. It's the best channel about retro games on RUclips. Greetings from Brazil.
Sweet timing!
Congraturations on another excellent episode.
Now if only we could get the Intellivision episode I was promised back in 2013...
Nobody made any promises.
Genesis possibly?
I have an Intellivision III. Should I make a video?
Helly Kerbert Yes, please.
Space Manbow. It's like a rainbow but a manbow and in space.