3) Yes. 360KB is also possible, as well.
Problem only occurs when sharing disks between different floppy drives.
Medium and drive of same capacity work fine, usually.

Edit:
1)

Main model differences […]
Show full quote

Main model differences

MSX: base model
MSX2: more power allaround, best games require a base, 128kB MSX2 model to run, buy this!
MSX2+: slightly more video power, around 14 games require or support 2+. Sometimes only scroll feature is used if MSX2+ is detected. Normal MSX2+ models are Japanese only and have only 64kB RAM, which limit their capabilities again.
MSX turbo R: slightly more power, around 5 games require turbo R. Cannot run games on cassette tape.

https://www.msx.org/wiki/MSX_for_beginners

Getting a working MSX can be a little tricky and a basic working MSX2 unit costs around 200$ on eBay(+shipping)
And most of them don't come with any connectors or power adapters.
Also you want to get a unit with at least 128kB of RAM, even more is better.

The statement about the memory isn't fully correct, though.
512KBytes of RAM can cause issues, even.
I once read the Japanese are upset because European indie devs are writing games
that take advantage of all that memory and the Japanese computers don't have it.
There was even a saying about banning/to boycott these games in Japan. Or the devs, not sure. Speaking under correction.

Edited.

Edit: Also beware of some euro models. If it doesn't say MSX2, then it maybe isn't.
We had some MSX1 computers with MSX2 hardware, namely the Yamaha V9938 VDP.
MSX firmware was still MSX1, though..

Best all round cart is the Megaflashrom SCC+ SD.

You get +512k ram expansion (which makes my already expanded Sony MSX2+ a whopping 768k!), SCC/Konami sound, virtual floppy, hard drive and rom emulation.

Oh yeah, and 1.44 disks will usually work okay formatted at 720k. They are usually FAT formatted and can be shared with PC, but with some limitations - I think the initial version of MSX Dos 1 is missing directory support, for example.

I don't think your Samsung monitor is going to be suitable - looking at the specs it only goes as low as 30KHz. The MSX RGB output is a 15Khz signal,.really intended for TV-like displays.

You'll either want a TV with a normal RGB scart input as used to be common here in Europe, or a multi-mode monitor that can sync as low as 15KHz, or an upscaler like the OSSC to convert the MSX 15KHz output to a monitor friendly 31KHz.

megatron-uk wrote on 2025-05-13, 06:24:

I don't think your Samsung monitor is going to be suitable - looking at the specs it only goes as low as 30KHz. The MSX RGB output is a 15Khz signal,.really intended for TV-like displays.

You'll either want a TV with a normal RGB scart input as used to be common here in Europe, or a multi-mode monitor that can sync as low as 15KHz, or an upscaler like the OSSC to convert the MSX 15KHz output to a monitor friendly 31KHz.

Jo22 wrote on 2025-05-12, 21:39:

3) Yes. 360KB is also possible, as well. […]
Show full quote

3) Yes. 360KB is also possible, as well.

Edit: Also beware of some euro models. If it doesn't say MSX2, then it maybe isn't.
We had some MSX1 computers with MSX2 hardware, namely the Yamaha V9938 VDP.
MSX firmware was still MSX1, though..

Thank you for your help, clears stuff up quite a bit. I may have some 720kb floppies around that may be put to use until I get my hands on a cart.

As for the Samsung monitor it's not that big of a deal, it was just for convenience. I'm not that experienced with soldering but would happily swap some pins around to make a SCART-BNC cable for that monitor if it was possible. I would do the same to use a Mega Drive / Genesis controller on it, but I'd rather get the adapter and keep the controller as original, without the ugly bridges across the traces. The pin swapping I could've lived with if it were enough to make it work. Maybe a cheap generic one with the MD 3 button format... hmm...

I've been hot and cold as to getting a Japanese 8-bit computer for years, and the MSX2 seems like the most practical while still having good looks and that slightly exotic feel. Now that I dove more into it I wasn't expecting such a high entry cost (MSX2 + 140€ cart + 10/15€ MD controller adapter, etc.) but I believe it will be worth it.

Any extra tips or advice from other users / owners? If so I'm all for it, thanks again

I think an MD pad to MSX pad adapter can be made somewhat cheaply from a DB9-RJ45 adapter like this: https://ja.aliexpress.com/item/32998825926.html
Just buy a pair and combine them with a LAN cable of about 0.1m.

andre_6 wrote on 2025-05-14, 03:10:

I've been hot and cold as to getting a Japanese 8-bit computer for years,
and the MSX2 seems like the most practical while still having good looks
and that slightly exotic feel.

I think same. MSX2 has all the fun games and can run MSX1 games, too.
Sometimes with help of a little workaround.
The first IBM PC/MSX hybrid PC has had a MSX2 VDP, too.
So I would consider MSX2 being a healthy beginning/entry point for the platform.

For the sake of completeness, there are also hardware hacking projects to upgrade MSX "1.5" computers to MSX2 (those earlier mentioned euro models).
But it's not for the fainth-hearted. It involves re-mapping stuff, adding expander and adding MSX2 firmware.
Some more information:
https://www.msx.org/forum/msx-talk/hardware/u … de-msx1-to-msx2
https://www.msx.org/forum/msx-talk/hardware/u … ading-msx1-msx2
^"Yes improve MSX to MSX2 is not really cheaper than buy real MSX2.
For me it was only a challenge.
So now I can use my old YC64 (YC128 Cool ) because msx1 are too limited."

Jo22 wrote on 2025-05-14, 05:08:

I think same. MSX2 has all the fun games and can run MSX1 games, too. Sometimes with help of a little workaround. The first IBM […]
Show full quote

I think same. MSX2 has all the fun games and can run MSX1 games, too.
Sometimes with help of a little workaround.
The first IBM PC/MSX hybrid PC has had a MSX2 VDP, too.
So I would consider MSX2 being a healthy beginning/entry point for the platform...

kagura1050 wrote on 2025-05-14, 03:44:

I think an MD pad to MSX pad adapter can be made somewhat cheaply from a DB9-RJ45 adapter like this: https://ja.aliexpress.com/item/32998825926.html
Just buy a pair and combine them with a LAN cable of about 0.1m.

Ohh ok, some extra tweaks needed for games, good to know, thanks. The adapter project seems like a good one to get some more soldering practice. I had considered getting a generic Mega Drive 3 button pad to mod so it would look more "stock" connecting directly to the controller port instead of an adapter protruding from the case, but in the MSX 2 models I've seen the controller ports are all in the back. I guess it wouldn't matter that much at the end of the day

I use a Carnivore2 cartridge as a memory expander (1MB) and SCC/SCC+ and many other things. There is a Carnivore2+ now though.. but either way these expansion carts aren't quite cheap. I put Nextor DOS on my C2, which brings MSX DOS 2 much closer towards MS DOS (directories, auto-complete, ...).
Good choice to go with an MSX2 machine.. it's very versatile and more capable than MSX1.

wbahnassi wrote on 2025-05-19, 05:47:

I use a Carnivore2 cartridge as a memory expander (1MB) and SCC/SCC+ and many other things. There is a Carnivore2+ now though.. but either way these expansion carts aren't quite cheap. I put Nextor DOS on my C2, which brings MSX DOS 2 much closer towards MS DOS (directories, auto-complete, ...).
Good choice to go with an MSX2 machine.. it's very versatile and more capable than MSX1.

Carnivore 2 has the FM PAC built in unlike the MegaFlashROM cart, right? Or do both have it?

I've never dealt with or messed around with a MSX, is there a way with either of those cartridges to use them like a regular Everdrive? Meaning turning it on and boot directly into a games list, and automatically use the features available for each game, meaning sound, etc. If there's a tutorial around for that please do point me to it, I'm a beginner with 8-bit computers but I suppose following a guide shouldn't be that difficult.

Basically I'd like to have it configured that way, but also be able to override it to boot with the MSX in the regular way whenever I feel like it. Thanks!

Not really, but if you want cheap and simple, MSX Pico is about as easy as it gets.

Carnivore 2 does OPLL (MSX Music) emulation, but the idea of emulating FM when using a real machine never made sense to me. There is also Carnivore 2+ that has additional features like SFG (OPM YM2151) emulation as well.

Personally, I prefer the MegaflashRom SCC+SD as it is simply a better system imo.

But there is no single all in one solution I'm afraid.

I have a Turbo-R myself, and use it for both games and music. The system can quicky become quite the rabbit hole. Personally, I always recommend a Panasonic 2+ (WX or WSX) as a first machine if you can afford it.

SuperDeadite wrote on 2025-06-08, 23:48:

Not really, but if you want cheap and simple, MSX Pico is about as easy as it gets. […]
Show full quote

Not really, but if you want cheap and simple, MSX Pico is about as easy as it gets.

Carnivore 2 does OPLL (MSX Music) emulation, but the idea of emulating FM when using a real machine never made sense to me. There is also Carnivore 2+ that has additional features like SFG (OPM YM2151) emulation as well.

Personally, I prefer the MegaflashRom SCC+SD as it is simply a better system imo.

But there is no single all in one solution I'm afraid.

I have a Turbo-R myself, and use it for both games and music. The system can quicky become quite the rabbit hole. Personally, I always recommend a Panasonic 2+ (WX or WSX) as a first machine if you can afford it.

But does the MegaflashRom SCC+SD also possess "MSX music"? The nomenclatures for the sound formats used for the MSX are confusing me. I mentioned the Carnivore2 because it clearly states "...SCC, SCC+, FMPAC and PSG sound, all integrated in one single cartridge", so it seemed pretty complete in that regard. Either the Megaflashrom doesn't have all of those or I didn't find it maybe?

Perhaps an example might help: I saw the Obsolete Geek's YouTube video about a review for an earlier iteration of the Megaflashrom. He showed how the game Pleasure Hearts is without the FM Pac, and then showed it again with the FM Pac cartridge inserted along with the MegaFlashRom one. Does the current version of Megaflashrom SCC+SD possess that already in itself, or would I buy it and still be needing to get a FM Pac from somewhere else? Given that the Carnivore, MegaFlashrom and the MSX Pico you mentioned all seem to tick the 512k RAM / SD or CF card solution, I guess the most critical tiebreaker would probably be in the sound department? Or is Pleasure Hearts just a very specific example from the rabbit hole that you alluded to?...

Also, thank you as well for the suggestion for the Panasonic models. I did take a look at them too as I always loved Panasonic / Matsushita, but I'm afraid that the Sony MSX2 models are just too appealing in terms of looks for me to deviate from them, even if they're "worse" than the former. Half of the appeal for me resides in that and the slightly exotic feel compared to "regular" 8-bit machines. I guess that it tracks to many Sony MSX2 models being launched only in Japan... But if I did deviate elsewhere, it would be for a Panasonic model.

Sorry for the painfully noobish questions, it's just that given that the entry cost for the platform was surprisingly high for me I'd like to be as effective as one can be in these things, as it would be a considerable effort for me to purchase a MSX2 + cartridge + adapter at once

The sound tech for MSX is varied and confusing with their namings indeed.

If you are after a certain title, identify which sound tech it requires then see if the C2/MegaFlash/Pico supports it.
Many great MSX games came from Compile and Konami. For those, SCC and FMPAC are what's needed, and the C2 runs them great.

As a C2 owner, I can say that it's indeed not the most intuitive to setup. But it does have a nice boot menu that allows you to just choose a game and fire it up, and of course you can have it run the MSX in "standard" mode, or set it to always run a particular choice by default unless you hold a special key during boot.

I never owned a MegaFlash so I can't compare, but I know that there are people who swear by either of those.

A tutorial for setting up the C2 is available on the github project:
https://github.com/RBSC/Carnivore2

But typically, the seller will provide a cartridge that's up and running already. All you need is to format and populate the CF card to get things running.

The MegaflashRom offers SCC and extra PSG, it doesn't do FM. But 99% of 2+ machines have the FM chip on the motherboard ( The Panasonic FX is the only one that doesn't) so you wouldn't need it. And it'd be real chip, not emulated.

Sony 2+ machines are an option, just be careful when you buy. Sony machines are infamous for being destroyed by leaking caps, they look pretty but internal designs are so-so at best.

Funny that you mention Pleasure Hearts, that game supports faster cpu speeds to run smooth. Panasonic 2+ machines do this, Sony machines do not.

Since your confused here's a list of sound hardware.

PSG: AY-3-8910 / YM2149
All MSX machines have this.

MSX Music: YM2413 (OPLL)
Can be internal, or added by cartridge

SCC: programable wavetable device, only used by Konami. Easy to clone as it's sample based.

SCC-1 (aka SCC+) Upgraded version of the above, only used by Snatcher and SD Snatcher.

MSX-Audio (Y8950), this is an OPL (aka OPL1) with ADPCM DAC and can use up to 256kb of sample memory. It is not compatible with OPLL (MSX Music). A few Compile games cab use it, but it was mostly a failure in Japan, however it was sold in Europe as the "Music Module" and there are a lot of homebrew titles that support it.

Moonsound (OPL4), not part of the MSX standard, but these carts have been around since 1992. They are the popular choice for "power users" and a lot of modern homebrew is made for this.

There are a variety of other chips and devices as well, but mostly used for listening to chiptunes and not so much for games. As stated above the rabbit hole goes deep.

Currently I'm playing "MSX Legends" which is basically a homebrew port of Heroes of Might and Magic. It requires a special flashcart as it uses the newly developed "ASCII16-X" (8MB) mapper, and requires OPL4 for music 🤣.

wbahnassi wrote on 2025-06-09, 03:13:

The sound tech for MSX is varied and confusing with their namings indeed. […]
Show full quote

The sound tech for MSX is varied and confusing with their namings indeed.

If you are after a certain title, identify which sound tech it requires then see if the C2/MegaFlash/Pico supports it.
Many great MSX games came from Compile and Konami. For those, SCC and FMPAC are what's needed, and the C2 runs them great.

As a C2 owner, I can say that it's indeed not the most intuitive to setup. But it does have a nice boot menu that allows you to just choose a game and fire it up, and of course you can have it run the MSX in "standard" mode, or set it to always run a particular choice by default unless you hold a special key during boot.

I never owned a MegaFlash so I can't compare, but I know that there are people who swear by either of those.

A tutorial for setting up the C2 is available on the github project:
https://github.com/RBSC/Carnivore2

But typically, the seller will provide a cartridge that's up and running already. All you need is to format and populate the CF card to get things running.

SuperDeadite wrote on 2025-06-09, 03:49:

The MegaflashRom offers SCC and extra PSG, it doesn't do FM. But 99% of 2+ machines have the FM chip on the motherboard ( The P […]
Show full quote

The MegaflashRom offers SCC and extra PSG, it doesn't do FM. But 99% of 2+ machines have the FM chip on the motherboard ( The Panasonic FX is the only one that doesn't) so you wouldn't need it. And it'd be real chip, not emulated.

Sony 2+ machines are an option, just be careful when you buy. Sony machines are infamous for being destroyed by leaking caps, they look pretty but internal designs are so-so at best.

Funny that you mention Pleasure Hearts, that game supports faster cpu speeds to run smooth. Panasonic 2+ machines do this, Sony machines do not.

Since your confused here's a list of sound hardware.

PSG: AY-3-8910 / YM2149
All MSX machines have this.

MSX Music: YM2413 (OPLL)
Can be internal, or added by cartridge

SCC: programable wavetable device, only used by Konami. Easy to clone as it's sample based.

SCC-1 (aka SCC+) Upgraded version of the above, only used by Snatcher and SD Snatcher.

MSX-Audio (Y8950), this is an OPL (aka OPL1) with ADPCM DAC and can use up to 256kb of sample memory. It is not compatible with OPLL (MSX Music). A few Compile games cab use it, but it was mostly a failure in Japan, however it was sold in Europe as the "Music Module" and there are a lot of homebrew titles that support it.

Moonsound (OPL4), not part of the MSX standard, but these carts have been around since 1992. They are the popular choice for "power users" and a lot of modern homebrew is made for this.

There are a variety of other chips and devices as well, but mostly used for listening to chiptunes and not so much for games. As stated above the rabbit hole goes deep.

Currently I'm playing "MSX Legends" which is basically a homebrew port of Heroes of Might and Magic. It requires a special flashcart as it uses the newly developed "ASCII16-X" (8MB) mapper, and requires OPL4 for music 🤣.

Excellent info, thank you both! Nice to have some clarity, hope this thread helps someone else out too. I think I'm finally more aware of the pitfalls and concessions.

There's really nothing that particular that I'm looking for regarding games, I'd like to check out Penguin Adventure, the Metal Gear games, SD Snatcher, Quarth... that type of stuff. I wasn't even aware of Pleasure Hearts but I saw in the YouTube video and the graphics looked really nice.

Given that I already used Pleasure Hearts as an example and that it's a later MSX game, I checked out multiple examples of the game running on MSX2 models. I'm pretty sure I'd be perfectly satisfied with the performance, and even more so with the older games from the 80's/early 90's. The Panasonic MSX2+ models are much more expensive than the Sony MSX2 models that I'm seeing like you said, and honestly I can't justify the price difference for what it provides, ultimately it comes down to that really. If they were the same price or close enough then I'd seriously consider it. The same goes for the Sony MSX2+ models. Also thank you for the tip regarding the caps, I'm not that experienced with soldering but if we're talking about a simple recap of electrolytics then I think I'd be up for it. I'm checking out what's available from the Sony MSX2 HB-FX model variations. The eye candy side of it trumps the real FM vs emulation question for me, I'm already a OPL heretic that doesn't mind CQM and is perfectly satisfied with SB Emulation for General Midi, etc...

As for the sound / cartridge, intertwined as they are, MegaFlashROM seems like the most straight forward and compatible, plus the SD card interface is just more practical. The presets for games that the Carnivore2 seems to require does tip the scale towards the MFR, plus the CF card interface vs SD card... And if I really want the FM Pac I guess I'll just get a dedicated cartridge for it someday and stick it in the second cartridge slot, assuming it plays nice with the MegaFlashROM... The only thing I'm still hesitating is regarding the alleged MSX Pico compatibility issues, which I'd like to read about a bit more, as it's more complete sound wise and almost half the price of a MegaflashROM SCC+SD. That alone deserves another look just in case...

Since I already had a 8bits4ever 4MB MEGA-MAPPER for Sony HB-F1XD, instead Megaflashrom SCC+ SD, I bought the BackBit Pro cartridge, and I can use it simultaneously with some other 8-bit consoles, such as the Atari 7800.

Backbit pro works well with all the roms I tried, however it may have some problems with floppy games, but as I understand you are going to use floppy disks for them. I have case with tens of floppies individually marked and it is great method to use console as it supposed to be.

I bought Sony HB-F1XD 5 years ago with the power cable cut off by previous owner?:

Luckily the cable was the only problem, the floppy drive works fine after some tweaking, no capacitors replacement required. So I think Sony is pretty reliable.

The original controllers are too small and not very comfortable, I found Arvel and generic NES are the best and could be used for FM towns computers too:

The Backbit seems to be limited to 1mb ROMs. This leaves out quite a few games. I think sooner or later, most users will want a mass storage device that runs Nextor/MSXDOS2 as well. But honestly these days the MSX has so many hardware options it will make your head spin. The platform is so open ended, that you can stuff just about anything in an MSX cartridge. The latest craze is using a Wifi Modem cartridge to stream games directly from the internet. 🤣. There are also some groups using the Yamanooto cartridge to make massive compilation cartridges...

The various OCM machines are quite advanced too. Denjhang sells the uMSX at only $99 and it is quite a capable 2+ clone. 8bitsforever makes fancier versions, but I would only recommend their hardware to those living in the EU, as their build quality is a bit questionable.

My MSX also doubles as my Master System, as I enjoy pumping MS games through the MIDI-PAC.

In the long term, I think most new MSX users will end up spending a lot more on hardware then they originally planned, but it is quite a lot of fun. The European, Brazilian, and Japanese communities are highly active, and new stuff appears almost randomly. I bought my Turbo-R in Osaka for about 30,000 more than 10 years ago, I have probably spent more than 5x that on hardware upgrades for it at this point, but it's been quite the trip. You can just slap stuff together, and 90% of the time it will just work. I run 3 slot-expanders at once now for my music rig. 🤣

MAZter wrote on 2025-06-09, 18:22:

Since I already had a 8bits4ever 4MB MEGA-MAPPER for Sony HB-F1XD, instead Megaflashrom SCC+ SD, I bought the BackBit Pro cartri […]
Show full quote

Since I already had a 8bits4ever 4MB MEGA-MAPPER for Sony HB-F1XD, instead Megaflashrom SCC+ SD, I bought the BackBit Pro cartridge, and I can use it simultaneously with some other 8-bit consoles, such as the Atari 7800.

Backbit pro works well with all the roms I tried, however it may have some problems with floppy games, but as I understand you are going to use floppy disks for them. I have case with tens of floppies individually marked and it is great method to use console as it supposed to be.

I bought Sony HB-F1XD 5 years ago with the power cable cut off by previous owner?:

The attachment 129cb02.jpg is no longer available

Luckily the cable was the only problem, the floppy drive works fine after some tweaking, no capacitors replacement required. So I think Sony is pretty reliable.

The original controllers are too small and not very comfortable, I found Arvel and generic NES are the best and could be used for FM towns computers too:

The attachment 43609a2.jpg is no longer available

The attachment i-img1200x900-1684195182uephgo878922.jpg is no longer available

Lovely machine you got there. How's the experience been? I've seen various MSX for sale that have already been recapped, but anyway if it got to that I'd do it myself, shouldn't be a problem. I think I'll go the controller adapter route as I already have some Mega Drive 3 button pads. I tried to look for some cheap knockoffs of those to mod, but I only found the 6 button version, which doesn't quite fit my hands so nicely. Funny that I only found the mod tutorial for the 6 button version too.

As for floppies, can I use whatever cartridge I end up getting and use floppies to store the save files? I'm looking forward to use them for some disk based games from time to time as well.

SuperDeadite wrote on 2025-06-09, 23:08:

My MSX also doubles as my Master System, as I enjoy pumping MS games through the MIDI-PAC.

In the long term, I think most new MSX users will end up spending a lot more on hardware then they originally planned, but it is quite a lot of fun. The European, Brazilian, and Japanese communities are highly active, and new stuff appears almost randomly.

Master System games on MSX? I thought only the reverse was possible! How does that work, can the MSX be used for more stuff like that and are Sega SG-1000 games a possibility then? I'd love to turn the MSX into a 8-bit sort of hub for computers / consoles of that era.

I wouldn't be surprised if I fell into the rabbit hole you mentioned. Feel free to suggest hardware expansions / mods / new products...

It may seem like I'm in some analysis paralysis or something, I'm just getting good info from you all while I'm gathering the funds to splurge on the entry set, so to speak. I read some more and I'm pretty settled on the Carnivore2. It just has everything, and if it's harder to use than MFR SCC+SD so be it, but at least I get the FM Pac outright for the same price. I didn't quite understand the need for game presets for some titles, its reason so to speak, but shouldn't be that hard I suppose.

The CF card interface put me off a little, as many people say CF Cards are getting expensive, is it true? What size should I look for for a comprehensive ROM set?

Thanks as always everyone, so much to learn...

andre_6 wrote on 2025-06-10, 15:47:

Lovely machine you got there. How's the experience been? I've seen various MSX for sale that have already been recapped, but any […]
Show full quote

MAZter wrote on 2025-06-09, 18:22:

Since I already had a 8bits4ever 4MB MEGA-MAPPER for Sony HB-F1XD, instead Megaflashrom SCC+ SD, I bought the BackBit Pro cartri […]
Show full quote

Since I already had a 8bits4ever 4MB MEGA-MAPPER for Sony HB-F1XD, instead Megaflashrom SCC+ SD, I bought the BackBit Pro cartridge, and I can use it simultaneously with some other 8-bit consoles, such as the Atari 7800.

Backbit pro works well with all the roms I tried, however it may have some problems with floppy games, but as I understand you are going to use floppy disks for them. I have case with tens of floppies individually marked and it is great method to use console as it supposed to be.

I bought Sony HB-F1XD 5 years ago with the power cable cut off by previous owner?:

The attachment 129cb02.jpg is no longer available

Luckily the cable was the only problem, the floppy drive works fine after some tweaking, no capacitors replacement required. So I think Sony is pretty reliable.

The original controllers are too small and not very comfortable, I found Arvel and generic NES are the best and could be used for FM towns computers too:

The attachment 43609a2.jpg is no longer available

The attachment i-img1200x900-1684195182uephgo878922.jpg is no longer available

Lovely machine you got there. How's the experience been? I've seen various MSX for sale that have already been recapped, but anyway if it got to that I'd do it myself, shouldn't be a problem. I think I'll go the controller adapter route as I already have some Mega Drive 3 button pads. I tried to look for some cheap knockoffs of those to mod, but I only found the 6 button version, which doesn't quite fit my hands so nicely. Funny that I only found the mod tutorial for the 6 button version too.

As for floppies, can I use whatever cartridge I end up getting and use floppies to store the save files? I'm looking forward to use them for some disk based games from time to time as well.

SuperDeadite wrote on 2025-06-09, 23:08:

My MSX also doubles as my Master System, as I enjoy pumping MS games through the MIDI-PAC.

In the long term, I think most new MSX users will end up spending a lot more on hardware then they originally planned, but it is quite a lot of fun. The European, Brazilian, and Japanese communities are highly active, and new stuff appears almost randomly.

Master System games on MSX? I thought only the reverse was possible! How does that work, can the MSX be used for more stuff like that and are Sega SG-1000 games a possibility then? I'd love to turn the MSX into a 8-bit sort of hub for computers / consoles of that era.

I wouldn't be surprised if I fell into the rabbit hole you mentioned. Feel free to suggest hardware expansions / mods / new products...

It may seem like I'm in some analysis paralysis or something, I'm just getting good info from you all while I'm gathering the funds to splurge on the entry set, so to speak. I read some more and I'm pretty settled on the Carnivore2. It just has everything, and if it's harder to use than MFR SCC+SD so be it, but at least I get the FM Pac outright for the same price. I didn't quite understand the need for game presets for some titles, its reason so to speak, but shouldn't be that hard I suppose.

The CF card interface put me off a little, as many people say CF Cards are getting expensive, is it true? What size should I look for for a comprehensive ROM set?

Thanks as always everyone, so much to learn...

Nextor/MSXDOS2 is limited to Fat16, so basically 2gb is the limit. You can get a 4gb card and partition it though. 2gb is more space than you will ever need anyway. Colecovision and SG-1000 roms are very easy to run on MSX, as the hardware is basically the same, the major difference is the sound chip as those systems use the SN7. The "Musical Memory Mapper" cartridge contains the SN7 chip and also serves as a 1MB RAM Mapper, it can load Coleco and SG1000 roms into RAM and run them directly.

Now MarkIII/Master System is a bit harder, as the VDP is completely different. I use the "Playsoniq" which is quite an awesome expander cartridge. It contains the MS VDP chip (which also contains the SN7 sound chip), supplies 12MB of RAM, SCC music, and even a legit Commodore 64 SID chip allowing MSX to play PSID files. Note that this hardware setup has some quirks (some games will only run at 50htz, while others will only run at 60htz), but it is a nice setup. I like it a lot, as I can turn FM on or off as I like (MS and MSX use the same OPLL FM chip). Also, I can combine it with the MIDI-PAC2 to play MS games on my favorite MIDI modules, something that a real MS or Genesis can't do. But as you can imagine, this stuff gets expensive very quickly. 😜

Here's my MSX+Playsoniq+MIDI capture playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHZUP16OLiE&l … 1AMkAvE&pp=gAQB

And here's me playing GG Aleste II (GameGear rom patched to MasterSystem) and playing it on the Playsoniq:
https://youtu.be/U5D9yZTrwqs

If you look through my channel, you can see some of the crazier stuff available on MSX, but I've buying this stuff slowly over 10 years now.
Pace yourself, or you will go broke 🤣.

The Carnivore2 game profiles are needed only for certain ROMs that C2 cannot guess well when loading them. Those titles typically have very specific memory/device requirements. Using the profile is as easy as placing the profile file next to the ROM you want to install into C2 and that's it. The majority of games install correctly without profile files.

I'm more of a Sanyo guy for my MSXs. The AX170 looks very unique and elegant, and the AX370 is an MSX2+ in disguise of an MSX2. One aspect to keep in mind is ease of maintenance. Some Yamaha MSXs are terrible for maintenance. Hard to open, impossible to disassemble keyboard..

I use an SD2CF card adapter for my C2, and it works great. I have a 4GB SD card partitioned in 16MB, 2GB and 2GB. The 16MB root partition is for DOS, and the other two partitions contain ROMs and my development environment. The SD card can be easily plugged into the PC to transfer data.

Very few games to my knowledge save to disk. For example, King's Valley 2 has a fan-made patch to enable it to save to disk, but otherwise it only saves to cassette.