The MSX was my first computer ever, and I still own my original Gradient Expert DD Plus (a glamourized, bare-bones MSX 1 machine with a 3.5" disk drive) and a Sharp Hotbit, both manufactured in Brazil back in the 80s. Getting an MSX 2 machine is definitely in my bucket list, though!
Thanks for showing the multimedia HAT pcb on your video, please, pay atention: don't use internal speakers connection and RCA audio output at the same time and don't use internal video converter connected at the same time you use RGB connector to a TV. I don't think it will damange anything but I know you will have quality issues.
As others have said an scc(+) and an fm-pac with an ym2413 fm synth chip are essential audio upgrades! Fm-pac clones should still be easy to find, not sure if there's scc clones though as those games have become quite expensive. You can buy a game with scc and build in a rom enable/disable switch so you can use it with other games. See youtuber Repair Bas for instructions. I think metal gear and sd snatcher uses a scc+ chip, which has one extra audio channel (6 vs 5 of normal scc chips). And check out super laydock (intro plays sampled sounds), hydefos, aleste 1 and aleste 2 (plays sampled sounds too in weapon selection menu), feedback (space harrier type of game, end credits show screen 8 256 color pictures of dev team after second playthrough) and undead line for what an msx2 is really capable of. Konami games are great in gameplay but rarely show off the msx2 capabilities. Look at Compile, ascii, Hertz etc games.
Can you talk more about the MSX, its origins, where it was sold all that lovely sordid stuff we all love? I never heard of the MSX looks like a great system.
Hi @theretroshack If you try with an NTSC BIOS (like all MSX2+ are) that will work at 60Hz you will be able to play all those games with an increased speed. Of course you may need your TV prepared for this and some old TV where not. Is that your case?
I'm not sure because the volume was quite low, but I think you don't have an SCC sound chip in there, do you? Salamander should sound like this: ruclips.net/video/vHQ_Y2EcMQY/видео.html
Great to see more MSX. The recent MSXDEV competition produced some outstanding titles. For penguins, check out the new Amstrad CPC title Penguin Attack, which feels a lot like an MSX title.
Just mentioning that there is adult content on that cartridge will substantially increase the sales! 😄 However, I think only people who were pubescent teenagers in the early 80's will understand, that this technically primitive looking stuff was exciting at that time!
nothing beats the msx. there are some games with a good scroll on msx. the scroll needs to be software. msx2+(v9958) gives you real hardware supported scroll all directions.
have to admit the MSX passed me by.. a friend of mine had one.. (or did he have a memotech?) they seem like a curious combination of console and computer.
The Memotech model was called the MTX, so I can understand the confusion A schoolfriend of mine had one. Not a bad machine, but he had a rough time arguing its merits - and getting games - when everyone else had a Spectrum.
@@joneggelton yeah I think it was the MTX.. it was a massive black metal thing.. looked like it was built by Knight Industries.. lol awww i miss those playground arguments.. they followed us into college when we got 16 bit machines..
Nice MSX you've got there! :) But the colors seem wrong in some parts. I had a lower version of this monitor and played some of the games you show. Penguin Adventure looks bad, so does Metal Gear. Looks like maybe too little chroma in the dark regions and too much in the bright regions. Maybe a gamma problem? I think the MSX standard also says something about color mixing iirc? Anyway, something seems off.
@@TheRetroShack Great! Looking forward to it. :) Also, if available, make sure you use the RGB outputs of the MSX 2 machine. Not sure which model you have but i think RGB was kindof standard (in some form) on many MSX2 machines. The philips monitor has RGB inputs over SCART iirc. But in general there seems to be something off with your signal. Also -Look up Penguin Kun Wars (there is a MSX2 sequel as well). This is probably the main one you're missing. -Penguin Adventure has a simpler prequel called Antarctic Adventure. -You can also double up the Nemesis 2 (gradius 2) cartridge with a penguin adventure cartridge (Nemesis 2 in slot 1, Penguin Adventure in slot 2), which will give you a nice surprise. -In Parodius you can choose a penguin as your main character. -Doki Doki Penguin Land -Ice (Bytebusters)
There are enhanced versions of Salamander, Nemesis and Nemesis 3, where you can get smooth scroll and other enhancements on your MSX2. ruclips.net/video/Y6x0jfEiwn4/видео.html
While Outrun for the MSX1 was a crappy port of the ZX-Spectrum, that Outrun for the MSX2 was a crappy port of the Sega Master System. 😅 Anyway, better try native games, like Space Manbow, Aleste (1 and 2), Usas, Hinotori, Mon Mon Monster, Bombaman, Fire Hawk, Mr Ghost etc Last, please change your BIOS to a 60Hz version. Using the 50Hz version like your machine has makes the Japanese MSX games runs horribly sluggish. This is not the MSX fault, it happened with all other Japanese consoles/computers too: ruclips.net/video/cWSIhf8q9Ao/видео.html
For the love of god, change your MSX to 60Hz. You're playing everything too slow and on a narrowed, compressed vertically frame for absolutely no reason as 99% of the games were developed in Japan. Even the ZX ports wil benefit from the faster CPU speed (as there is less screen to update). Perhaps you can use the spare switch to, ahem, switch between 60 and, I have no idea why you would, 50Hz. Cheerio
@@ZettDarkstone No, most MSX fans preferred 60Hz, especially since many of the best games were from Japan and designed for running at 60Hz. To change to 60Hz in BASIC: vdp(10)=0 and to go back to 50Hz: vdp(10)=2.
@@skillaxxx nha. and that is not the best way to go 60hrz. vdp(10)=vdp(10)and253 i love my 50hrz msx! and the games on it. lets power up magical kid wizz and enjoy the playable speed of 50hrz... pushing cardrige in a slot...
The MSX was my first computer ever, and I still own my original Gradient Expert DD Plus (a glamourized, bare-bones MSX 1 machine with a 3.5" disk drive) and a Sharp Hotbit, both manufactured in Brazil back in the 80s. Getting an MSX 2 machine is definitely in my bucket list, though!
owww a gradient expert dd plus is still a msx that i want. only seen it once here in NL
Thanks for showing the multimedia HAT pcb on your video, please, pay atention: don't use internal speakers connection and RCA audio output at the same time and don't use internal video converter connected at the same time you use RGB connector to a TV. I don't think it will damange anything but I know you will have quality issues.
Glad to see the Omega computer up and running!
As others have said an scc(+) and an fm-pac with an ym2413 fm synth chip are essential audio upgrades! Fm-pac clones should still be easy to find, not sure if there's scc clones though as those games have become quite expensive. You can buy a game with scc and build in a rom enable/disable switch so you can use it with other games. See youtuber Repair Bas for instructions.
I think metal gear and sd snatcher uses a scc+ chip, which has one extra audio channel (6 vs 5 of normal scc chips).
And check out super laydock (intro plays sampled sounds), hydefos, aleste 1 and aleste 2 (plays sampled sounds too in weapon selection menu), feedback (space harrier type of game, end credits show screen 8 256 color pictures of dev team after second playthrough) and undead line for what an msx2 is really capable of. Konami games are great in gameplay but rarely show off the msx2 capabilities. Look at Compile, ascii, Hertz etc games.
Love being welcomed back to the Retro Shack.
Recommend to try Space Manbow - that's really showing of even more capabilities of the MSX2 systems.
and even better on an MSX2+ like he has.
Can you talk more about the MSX, its origins, where it was sold all that lovely sordid stuff we all love? I never heard of the MSX looks like a great system.
I concur
Here is some info:
ruclips.net/video/AFRf87SqWrw/видео.html
The first game Kojima worked on was Penguin Adventure, the game you showed before Metal Gear.
Very impressive build and diagnosis work!
Now do one for a BBC B 🙃
Thanks for the video! I really need to get one of those cartridges.
Another enjoyable episode. It was bad luck about the RAM getting destroyed, but stuff happens, I guess. The end result was worth it.
Hi @theretroshack If you try with an NTSC BIOS (like all MSX2+ are) that will work at 60Hz you will be able to play all those games with an increased speed. Of course you may need your TV prepared for this and some old TV where not. Is that your case?
Penguin based game!!! TUX RACER!!!
That penguin was kind of mascot on MSX :) Artic Adventure and Penguin adventure are top games
Very nice machine! Kudos!!
Those hints were about as subtle as a pan-galactic gargle-blaster.
I'm not sure because the volume was quite low, but I think you don't have an SCC sound chip in there, do you? Salamander should sound like this: ruclips.net/video/vHQ_Y2EcMQY/видео.html
Great to see more MSX. The recent MSXDEV competition produced some outstanding titles.
For penguins, check out the new Amstrad CPC title Penguin Attack, which feels a lot like an MSX title.
Yep MSXDEV for many years give use great new msx stuff. for free!
Just mentioning that there is adult content on that cartridge will substantially increase the sales! 😄
However, I think only people who were pubescent teenagers in the early 80's will understand, that this technically primitive looking stuff was exciting at that time!
SCC sounds from Salamander take it to a different level, I am not sure where you would get one of those from.
Penguin games. Penguin-kun Wars?
3:29 "The Neverending Story..." 1985, Ocean. 😋👍
nothing beats the msx. there are some games with a good scroll on msx. the scroll needs to be software. msx2+(v9958) gives you real hardware supported scroll all directions.
penguin game: Tux Racer :)
I would like to see it run SymbOS someday.
pretty sure there were a couple of c64 penguin games but alas the names escape my ageing neurons
Penguin games - are those annoying Prinny creatures in the Disgaea series penguins?
Doki Doki Penguin Land by SEGA is a pengiun game on the MSX 1 and actually quite good.
Two thumbs up! :) 👍👍
Where did you buy the megaram from?
Always regret giving my MSX away ,had loads of games including a few cartridges
8:26 - my ears!!!
Did you ever Try SymbOS on this machine and was it working? Just wondering
have to admit the MSX passed me by.. a friend of mine had one.. (or did he have a memotech?) they seem like a curious combination of console and computer.
The Memotech model was called the MTX, so I can understand the confusion
A schoolfriend of mine had one. Not a bad machine, but he had a rough time arguing its merits - and getting games - when everyone else had a Spectrum.
@@joneggelton yeah I think it was the MTX.. it was a massive black metal thing.. looked like it was built by Knight Industries.. lol
awww i miss those playground arguments.. they followed us into college when we got 16 bit machines..
Nice MSX you've got there! :) But the colors seem wrong in some parts. I had a lower version of this monitor and played some of the games you show. Penguin Adventure looks bad, so does Metal Gear. Looks like maybe too little chroma in the dark regions and too much in the bright regions. Maybe a gamma problem? I think the MSX standard also says something about color mixing iirc? Anyway, something seems off.
I'll take a look at that - I have an 'actual' MSX-2 that' isn't working currently so that sounds like a future episode and then comparison :)
@@TheRetroShack Great! Looking forward to it. :) Also, if available, make sure you use the RGB outputs of the MSX 2 machine. Not sure which model you have but i think RGB was kindof standard (in some form) on many MSX2 machines. The philips monitor has RGB inputs over SCART iirc. But in general there seems to be something off with your signal.
Also
-Look up Penguin Kun Wars (there is a MSX2 sequel as well). This is probably the main one you're missing.
-Penguin Adventure has a simpler prequel called Antarctic Adventure.
-You can also double up the Nemesis 2 (gradius 2) cartridge with a penguin adventure cartridge (Nemesis 2 in slot 1, Penguin Adventure in slot 2), which will give you a nice surprise.
-In Parodius you can choose a penguin as your main character.
-Doki Doki Penguin Land
-Ice (Bytebusters)
There are enhanced versions of Salamander, Nemesis and Nemesis 3, where you can get smooth scroll and other enhancements on your MSX2. ruclips.net/video/Y6x0jfEiwn4/видео.html
While Outrun for the MSX1 was a crappy port of the ZX-Spectrum, that Outrun for the MSX2 was a crappy port of the Sega Master System. 😅
Anyway, better try native games, like Space Manbow, Aleste (1 and 2), Usas, Hinotori, Mon Mon Monster, Bombaman, Fire Hawk, Mr Ghost etc
Last, please change your BIOS to a 60Hz version. Using the 50Hz version like your machine has makes the Japanese MSX games runs horribly sluggish. This is not the MSX fault, it happened with all other Japanese consoles/computers too:
ruclips.net/video/cWSIhf8q9Ao/видео.html
Can you build me one? I'm rich, and I don't care how much the cost would be.
For the love of god, change your MSX to 60Hz. You're playing everything too slow and on a narrowed, compressed vertically frame for absolutely no reason as 99% of the games were developed in Japan. Even the ZX ports wil benefit from the faster CPU speed (as there is less screen to update).
Perhaps you can use the spare switch to, ahem, switch between 60 and, I have no idea why you would, 50Hz.
Cheerio
I probably forgot add a "please" somewhere, sorry for my bad manners. Is that the cheerful Fantasy Zone music looks so sad in 50Hz...
@@carlosbragatto nha just play it ad 50Hrz like all the ppl in eu did with those japan games.
@@ZettDarkstone No, most MSX fans preferred 60Hz, especially since many of the best games were from Japan and designed for running at 60Hz. To change to 60Hz in BASIC: vdp(10)=0 and to go back to 50Hz: vdp(10)=2.
@@skillaxxx nha. and that is not the best way to go 60hrz. vdp(10)=vdp(10)and253 i love my 50hrz msx! and the games on it. lets power up magical kid wizz and enjoy the playable speed of 50hrz... pushing cardrige in a slot...
@@ZettDarkstoneThe 'and 253' or 'or 2' is absolutely unnecessary for end users in practice / from BASIC, thats only relevant for devs.
Penguin games? Snokie (C64 and Atari).