With the news that Boogermann is on the verge of dropping the MSX core for the Pocket, a system that many in the West know next to nothing about, let’s have a closer look at what we have to look forward to.
The MSX was the brainchild of Microsoft, in an attempt to crack the Eastern market. In collaboration with Ascii, Microsoft came up with an industry standard for computing, similar to how VHS was the standard for videotapes.
This meant that anyone could release an MSX computer, and companies such as Sony, Phillips, Mitsubishi, Toshiba and Panasonic, all released their own versions of the system,
The MSX was launched in 1983 and proved very popular in Japan, selling over five million units and remaining relevant until the 90's. In the West though, it never really took off, apart from a few places such as the Netherlands, where the system has a cult following.
The MSX runs on 8-bit architecture, think Commodore 64 or ZX Spectrum, but with a Japanese vibe. Games came in both cassette, and cartridge format, with later models using floppy discs as the main medium.
Several big-name software companies, including Hudson Soft and Konami, were prolific on the MSX, and over a thousand games were released for it over its lifespan.
Unfortunately, several iconic games will not be coming to the Pocket just yet, as they were released for the upgraded MSX2, and we are only getting the MSX1 core at the moment.
Snatcher and Metal Gear may have to wait a while yet, but there are still many great games to look forward to, so let's have a look at some of the titles.
Antarctic Adventure
Notable for being the first game that the legendary Hideo Kojima worked on, Antarctic Adventure was released in late 1983, making it one of the earliest games released for the MSX.
The player takes control of a penguin, racing across Antarctica. Our protagonist must reach several research stations across Antarctica, dodging sea-lions, and holes in the ice on the way. Catching fish that leap out of the ice holes earns bonus points, which like a lot of early videogames, is the name of the game.
There is a sequel called Penguin Adventure, which will also be playable on the Pocket, once the MSX core drops.
Bomber Man
A franchise that still sees releases up to the modern day, with the latest iteration, Bomberman R2, releasing last year on the Nintendo Switch. This MSX version was where the series made its debut back in 1983, before ending up on the Famicom, and virtually every system released since.
In this version, Bomberman is a robot who is forced to work endless shifts, in an underground bomb factory. Upon hearing of a rumour, that if you escape the factory and reach the surface, you will become a free human, Bomberman sets out to do just that.
By all accounts, this is probably the worst iteration of the game, but it is still interesting from a historical perspective.
Batman
Another character familiar to most people, Batman, also has his own game on the MSX. Whereas most games starring the Caped Crusader involve side scrolling beat-em-up action, this version is instead, an isometric take on Gotham's protector.
Batman must find all the missing pieces of the Batman Hovercraft, in order to rescue Robin. If you have played the Amstrad or ZX Spectrum versions of this, then you will know what to expect. Contemporary reviews rated this one highly.
R-Type
Irem's legendary shoot-em-up also makes an appearance. Ported from the 1987 coin-op of the same name, R-Type is another one that has appeared on many systems. Players control a star ship called the R-9 Arrowhead, which has the assistance of the "Force", a glowing orb that can attach to the ship, to provide cover and extra firepower.
The developers clearly took inspiration from the art of H.R. Giger and the Alien movie for the games aesthetic, and the arcade machine blew everyone away at the time, due to the stunning graphics.
Our hero must defeat an alien race called the Bydo, who are trying to destroy mankind. Again, there are graphically superior versions of this game elsewhere, but that will not stop me trying this out, when the MSX core is released.
Nemesis 3
Another Shoot-em-up, though it is unlikely that you will have played this one, as it is a MSX exclusive. Released in 1988, this is the fourth game in the series, which is better known as Gradius in the West. Nemesis, Nemesis 2 and Salamander are also playable on the MSX.
Set 200 years after the first three games, David Burton, a descendant of the pilot in the first three games, flies the Vixen, an upgraded version of Vic Viper, the ship from the previous games. There are four models of Vixen to choose from, all with different weapon combinations.
I love the Gradius games, so I am definitely eager to give this one a go.
Knightmare
The first in a trilogy of games, and another MSX exclusive, Konami's Knightmare is a vertically scrolling shooter, where you play as a a Knight named Popolon, who is on a quest to save his beloved, Aphrodite.
She has been kidnapped by an evil Priest called Hudnos, and our Shovel Knight-esque hero must use his trusty bow and arrow to defeat all the enemies, on his mission to rescue his Lady. His bow can be upgraded by collecting temporary power-ups, these range from swords and boomerangs, to 3-way shots and speed boosts.
Both contemporary, and retrospective reviews, rated this title highly, this is another one that I look forward to playing.
Hyper Sports 2
Yet another Konami title, Hyper Sports 2 is part of a series, synonymous with button-bashing, that began with the iconic Track and Field. There are three sports on offer here; skeet shooting, archery and weight-lifting, with you having to beat a qualifying score to progress to the next event.
Track and Field 1+2, and Hyper Sports 1+3, are also on the MSX, so there is plenty of sporting action to look forward to.
These games that I have highlighted here, are but a fraction of the titles we shall be able to play when that MSX core drops. Cherry Pixel Ninja has been streaming on a work in progress core, that looks pretty complete, so it should not be too long until the full core is released.
I am pretty excited to get my hands on this, having never experienced the system. What about you? Let me know in the comments.
Till next time, peace out.
Buzzing for the MSX core