Microsoft MSX2 Console
The application Microsoft MSX2 Emulator is one that helps the user to play games and other software of Microsoft’s MSX2 computer system of the 1980s. The MSX2 stand for ‘MSX two’ was introduced in 1985 as the successor of the initial MSX model based on a home computing platform designed by Microsoft and the ASCII Corporation group. Their goal was to standardise the home computer hardware platform, especially in the three areas: Japan, Europe, and South America. The Microsoft MSX2 was an improvement to the MSX1 with enhanced graphics capabilities, higher resolution, and additional RAM, making it to be used in gaming and business applications.
There are so many software that emulate the MSX2 system today; some of them include BlueMSX and OpenMSX. With the help of these emulators, one can play MSX2 games again, have the opportunity to increase the resolution of graphics in the game, and use actual peripherals like a USB gamepad. In terms of usability, BlueMSX is flexible and the most accurate emulator to use, while on the other hand, OpenMSX is preferred by the advanced users, especially geeks who want to tweak it. They both are quite accurate in emulating the original hardware so as to pay homage to the Microsoft MSX2 system.
Popular ROMs
Microsoft MSX2 had a humongous game roster, and the majority of these games were developed specifically for the MSX2. Perhaps the most well-known was Metal Gear, which started on the MSX2 and grew to be the stealth action game that spawned the well-known Metal Gear Solid franchise. Another notable one was the Vampire Killer, which is in fact the first installment in the Castlevania genre where the player has to fight through levels filled with action and terror in the form of gothic imagery horror. Aleste, a fast shoot ’em up, hence, became another favourite for the MSX2, which provided better graphical resolution.
Besides such top titles, Microsoft MSX2 offered a huge number of other great but not as well-known games. Snatcher is an adventure game with a cyberpunk setting developed by Hideo Kojima with an interesting plot, non-trivial graphics, and an intense atmosphere. Xak: The Art of Visual Stage belongs to the MSX2 library’s best-kept secrets: it is an action RPG with gorgeous graphics and a rather demanding play style. All these games and many more make the MSX2 a shepherd of the Golden Age of arcade games or our beloved retro games in general.
System Requirements for Microsoft MSX2 Emulator
To run MSX2 emulators smoothly, the system requirements are quite modest compared to more modern emulation. Here’s what you need:
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Operating System: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 (64-bit), or macOS/Linux
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Processor: 1.0 GHz dual-core or higher
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RAM: 512 MB or more
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Graphics: Any DirectX 9 compatible GPU
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Storage: 100 MB free space for emulator and games
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Input: Keyboard, or USB game controller (compatible with MSX2 emulation)
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