THE MSX2 COMPUTER


2.1 MSX2 Standard definition and remarks

This list contains ofcourse only specs that differs from an MSX1 machine.


2.2 Graphic capabilities

Screen modes from 0 to 3 are the same as on MSX1, except that in screen 0 the 80 column mode is always available and that the colours can be selected from a 512 colour palette.

Mode

Resolution

Colours

Size

Description

4

256*192

16 of 512 RGB

16kB

Graphic Mode

5

256*212/424

16 of 512 RGB

32kB

Graphic Mode

6

512*212/424

4 of 512 RGB

32kB

Graphic Mode

7

512*212/424

16 of 512 RGB

54kB

Graphic Mode

8

256*212/424

256 (no pallette)

54kB

Graphic Mode


2.2.1 What are the screen modes used for?


2.3 Special MSX2 machines











"Hit Bit in Orbit" - MSX2 Sony HB-G900 in space !

"A sony 900 has boldy gone where no MSX has gone before... into space! To celeberate the 25th anniversary of the Apollo mission, German televisionbroadcasted American and Soviet space footage. Whilst watching images of the interior of the Russian space staition Mir, Gerd Pepela recognised his computer - a Sony 900 with genlocker. He managed to capture this on video. The pictures are a little fuzzy - but you'd recognise your own machine anywhere, wouldnt you? Mir was launched on 19 February 1986 to an orbit of 241 miles."

From: MSX-LINK CHIP CHAT (January 1995)

Note: some of these pictures were taken from Maurizio's site. The picture-dir is here. Thanks to Patriek Lesparre of MSX Banzai to let me use some of these pics. More pictures are on The FUNET FTP MSX-hardware pictures directory!

2.4 Software

MSX2 software was and is supplied on 360kB and 720kB disks and as well in Mega ROM modules, but ofcourse the (old?) MSX1 software can also be used on this MSX, in any form.

[The GC-BOX]

CD SEQUENTIAL

Made by EUROSOFT. A normal CD-PLAYER is required to load the games, through the cassette recorder connector of an MSX1 or MSX2 computer, so it isn't especially for MSX2, but there are some MSX2 games on it

[THE GAMES COLLECTION CD-ROM]

The GAMES COLLECTON CD

Games available on this CD:

747 499b Flightsimulator

Discovery

Playhouse Strippoker

Astroblaster

Eagle Control

Quebert

Bankbuster MSX2 (*)

Frog

Red Dawn

Blow-Up

Guttblaster

SAR

Boom

Haunted House

Scentipede

Booty

Jet Fighter

Space Rescue

Breaker-Breaker

Kong

Starbite

Burgerkill

Missile Command

Starbuggy

Chessplayer MSX1

Penguin

Time Rider

Chessplayer MSX2 (*)

Pharaoh's Revenge

Vortex Raider

Chopper One

Pinball Blaster

Winterhawk

The MSX2 games need 128kB RAM/128kB VRAM, and the rest runs on MSX1 with 64kB RAM.

------

MSX2/2+/Turbo R software is still produced by local user groups/programmers nowadays


2.4.1 What do I need to run the newest MSX2 software?


2.5 Companies which produced MSX2 computers

Sony, Sanyo, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, National, Philips, Sakhr (Yamaha), Talent, Telematica, Toshiba, Yamaha, Daewoo, etc.(?)

For a complete list, check out The MSX Hardwarelist


Back to the FAQ's index!