I'm looking to buy an MSX, but I'm not certain where to start.

Supporter (7)

15-03-2016, 04:16

I hope this is the best place to post this. If not, please direct me to where it will be most fruitful.

I've become pretty interested in the MSX, and I'd love to get started with MSX collection. I've always had an affinity for western vintage PC's (Commodore, Amiga, Apple II, pre-Win 95 DOS pc's, etc.) and I'd love to branch out in to Japanese PC's. Anyway, in addition to having some good games, MSX seems like a good place in general to get started. The different models are interesting, and the history of it is pretty fascinating as well.

That being said, I'm looking for an MSX. Is there a good model for someone getting started? I'm just looking to play games. Developing/coding isn't really in my future.

My other question is this; I know that some older JPC's like the Sharp x68000 tend to require recapping. Does the MSX have the same problem? Or is it not as severe?

Any assistance that can offered would be greatly appreciated!

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Por foobarry81

Master (148)

15-03-2016, 10:46

Hi dreamingnoctis,

welcome to msx.org/the community.

There was a thread, similar to yours, created in the General discussion just recently.

https://www.msx.org/forum/msx-talk/general-discussion/noob-t...

I suggest you go through that first, since many of your questions may have already been answered in there.

Por dreamingnoctis

Supporter (7)

15-03-2016, 12:46

Thanks. I looked over the thread, and am certainly leaning towards a Sony or Panasonic model if I can find either for a good price. There's a Panasonic FS-A1 on ebay right now, but it seems a bit steep, especially considering that it does not have an FDD.

I guess I'm looking to spend up to $250-ish on the right model. I've been looking at this forum, waiting for any good offers or auctions to show up.

Por Grauw

Ascended (10683)

15-03-2016, 15:08

You can contact daniel who posted here recently, he regularly sells refurbished machines from Japan.

Por sniper22477

Master (248)

15-03-2016, 18:33

Grauw wrote:

You can contact daniel who posted here recently, he regularly sells refurbished machines from Japan.

Absolutely right....

Daniel from Spain is a great seller ....

Also ... Mika from Finland is a great seller and has a huge collection of all MSX computers (MSX, MSX2, MSX2+ and MSX turbo R).

Regards,

Sniper

Por sniper22477

Master (248)

15-03-2016, 18:36

I purchased MSX stuff from Daniel and Mika and I recommended them.

Por foobarry81

Master (148)

15-03-2016, 18:49

@dreamingnoctis: since you're new to the forum: you can find daniel683104's contact details on the following link: https://www.msx.org/users/daniel683104

And here are mika's: https://www.msx.org/users/msx-fan-finland

Hondamsx might also have computers for sale: https://www.msx.org/users/hondamsx

Por dreamingnoctis

Supporter (7)

15-03-2016, 22:48

Thanks, to all of you, for the replies. I will be making some inquiries in the near future!

Por Lazzeri

Champion (273)

16-03-2016, 16:10

Too late to jump in?

Assorted toughs, hope they help more than not.

So if you are looking for a machine who can play the best software for the plataforma I think you should go for AT LEAST an MSX2 with disk drive. Drives are compatible with PC so there´s no nonsense, you can create your own disks at your PC and have fun.

If you´re looking for a little extra, I highly recommend an MSX2+ because of the FM sound. It sounds great! You can instead pick an MSX2 and a FM-PAC but a MSX2+ is not much more expensive and it´s a neat package.

There are three makers of MSX2+ with FM sound: Panasonic, Sony and Sanyo. I think It´s up to your aesthetic preferences. I´m a Panasonic man myself but Sony´s had their charm.

(My daily use MSX is a FS-A1-WSX. Great machine)

The "best MSXs" are the TurboR but I don´t think they Worth the price or trouble. Hard to get and you´ll probably won´t use its "edge". I do have a boxed A1ST, but I like my WSX better.

WSX

Anyway. If you grab an MSX2+ and manage to record some game disks in your PC you´ll have fun for quite some time. And if you like it (you should! ;) ) and wish to spend an extra buck you should DEFINITELY look for a mass storage / flash cart solution so you can play the best ROM games (there are some amazing games in ROM format and that´s the easiest way to run them)

Check "flash" on MSX Cart Shop

Por dreamingnoctis

Supporter (7)

16-03-2016, 16:59

Thanks for the comments! I'd love an MSX2+, and the Sony models look pretty appealing. I definitely want one with a disk drive. I've heard a few soundtracks from MSX2 games, and noted just how deep and rich it seemed compared to a lot of other game/pc music from the era.

I very much want a flash cart. I actually just got in to flash carts, and ordered one for my Twin Famicom (which should be arriving today).

As far as aesthetics go, I'm pretty big in to industrial design in general. I'm going in to a design-related field, so the creation of physical objects is something that is inherently interesting to me, and all the MSX models seem to have unique little details that appeal to me.

Anyway, thanks for the comment!

Por Grauw

Ascended (10683)

16-03-2016, 17:19

If you’re going for an MSX2+, be aware not all of them have MSX-MUSIC (FM) so make sure the model you want does.

If you’re getting a Japanese MSX with 64K RAM, I also recommend getting the 512K RAM expansion option with the MegaFlashROM SCC+ SD. Otherwise you can’t use the built-in MSX-DOS2 operating system with FAT16 and directory support and such, without which the capacity of the SD card is limited.