Introduction to MSX Computers

The MSX platform represents a unique chapter in computing history: instead of being a single computer model, MSX is a specification that manufacturers like Sony, Panasonic, Philips, and Yamaha used to build compatible computers throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. This series explains what makes MSX different, the standardization that allowed software and peripherals to work across hundreds of different models, and introduces you to the four generations of MSX hardware and the companies behind the platform.

You'll get started quickly using WebMSX, a browser-based emulator that requires no installation, alongside coverage of other emulation options like native applications and FPGA-based hardware recreations. The series explores MSX's diverse peripherals and storage options: joysticks and mice, printers, and the three main software formats (ROM cartridges, cassette tapes, and floppy disks).

Finally, you'll get hands-on with MSX-BASIC and MSX-DOS through interactive examples, learning to navigate these environments and write your first programs. By the end of this series, you'll be comfortable with MSX and ready to explore deeper programming topics.