Games for different versions of MSX

Yes, it is indeed the same cartridge for both MSX generations. Interestingly the European cartridge of Eggerland Mystery 2 was labelled as MSX/MSX 2 but the Japanese Meikyushinwa cartridge as MSX 2 (and with much more colorful label), but the binary cartridge contents of the two releases are identical!

Whoa, I never noticed it was a double label, but I checked and mine is the same. Also had not discovered that bug!

Yeah, I'm definitely inclined to disagree -- but I'm also a HUGE fan of the OPLL sound on MSX, so for me, the FM versions of the music in MSX2 Pac Mania are literally the best versions of those tracks out of every existing version of the game. I even prefer them to the console versions of those same tracks. The PSG versions simply can't compare IMHO.

I don't think the FM versions lack punch at all, nor do I think any FM tracks I've heard sound like they're coming from an aluminum can (on the contrary, I find most FM, and especially the MSX's OPLL, to sound extremely crisp and clear in most cases!).

Long live OPLL, I say!

Anyway, to get back on topic, there are a TON of homebrew games that have version differences, if those count. I think my favorite is Children of the Night, as there are version differences for MSX1, MSX2 or MSX2+, and MSX Turbo R -- three different experiences you can have when you pop that game in.

If you have an MSX2 or higher system, a separate color palette will be used that looks much more vibrant and detailed than the MSX1 color palette.

And if you have a Turbo R system, you'll get PCM voice samples sprinkled throughout the game at key moments. Pretty high-quality ones, too, as you might expect!

Micromancers/Hikaru did something similar with Multiverse, altering the color palette if the game is played on an MSX2 or higher, though there are no PCM voice samples this time.

And Imanok did something somewhat similar with Tina's Adventure Island, though you need to press a key on the title screen to change the color palette manually. That game also introduces smooth horizontal scrolling, however, if played on an MSX2+ or Turbo R, as opposed to block scrolling if played on an MSX1 or MSX2.

Brain Games included some version differences in Tales of Popolon, which will use the MSX2+'s turbo mode to run a little faster, or will even use the R800 on a Turbo R to double the game's framerate -- though at least the R800 feature needs to be toggled by the player manually using a set hotkey during gameplay.

I'm sure there are a bunch of other indie games with notable version differences as well.

-Tom

These are too completely different games. The MSX1 version, made by Bedrock Software in 1986 is a version that seems to emphasize as faithful a reproduction of the original as possible, even at the expense of playability. The camera is close to the ground, there are hills, curves and other things that mask obstacles like cars and trucks, as in the original. The music is on par with the Atari-ST version and unlike the ZX-Spectrum and Commodore 64 versions, this version has splits after which the landscape changes.

The feeling of being in a fast car is missing because of the low refresh rate. The MSX2 version does this much better. The emphasis is less on a faithful reproduction of the original and therefore the game is more fluid. Still no Hyperrally though

It's actually a PC-88 port! That's exactly what the PC-88 game looks like, aside from the resolution being different.

Unfortunately... well, the resolution is different, and the game also runs considerably more sluggishly on MSX, due in part to some rather poor porting.

The MSX1 version of Xanadu was built from the ground up for MSX, and on cartridge as well, so everything about it is just better -- the color palette is much more appropriate, everything runs at the speed it should, and most impressively, the MSX1 version of the game has its own unique soundtrack not present in any other version of Xanadu. And while it is a bit unfortunate to be missing the classic "La Valse Pour Xanadu" track that plays during all map and battle scenes in the MSX2 version, I actually think the MSX1 PSG tracks are quite catchy and excellent tracks in their own right -- and since they're actually different songs, and not just variations on the same waltz, the game's soundtrack is a lot less repetitive than in other versions of the game.

-Tom