MSX with built-in Megadrive hardware

Resident (63)

20-03-2005, 02:22

I've never heard about this before :

http://www.eidolons-inn.net/segabase/SegaBase-Genesis.html

MSX was the Japanese attempt at defining a worldwide standard for 8-bit personal computer systems. It may surprise you to know that there are two MSX computers, both produced by Sakhr under licence from Universal, were produced for distribution in Kuiwait and Yemen. Based on the Yamaha AX-330 and AX-990 MSX2 computers, the Sakhr versions included built-in MegaDrive hardware and a cartridge port. In fact, Sakhr's AX-990 variant included additional firmware with 50 games in Arabic burned into its ROMs.

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Van Yukio

Paragon (1540)

25-02-2006, 14:26

Can you play Master System games on it?
If not, it should be possible to make a SMS/MSX2 hybrid machine ... Imagine the use of the Yamaha FM/AM sound chip ...

Van DamageX

Master (217)

26-02-2006, 08:16

It's interesting that you should mention an SMS/MSX hybrid. Not only did they share the Z80 CPU and have the possibility of using YM2413 but supposedly Sega's VDP in the SMS is backwards compatible with the TMS9918 (which was used in Sega's earlier SG-1000). It's like a little sister to the V9938. Instead of screen 4-8 it has a mode with 4bpp patterns and 64 sprites with 64 available colors.

Then the Megadrive/Genesis had a backwards compatibility mode also.

It's funny that Sega never made their own MSX computer, considering that their hardware was similar all along.

Van Yukio

Paragon (1540)

26-02-2006, 11:08

SMS.
So, with more memory and the correct BIOS, a redesigned board would be able to boot MSX1 applications.

Van DamageX

Master (217)

26-02-2006, 23:23

Almost, the SMS is also lacking the PPI and has a different PSG compared to MSX1.

Van Yukio

Paragon (1540)

27-02-2006, 00:12

The PPI and PSG, maybe a custom chip or a secondary PSG. What is need to use the joystick? The PSG is a standard in MSX computers.