China new MSX manufacturing

Master (198)

14-08-2021, 02:09

Hi ..

Today I saw a new version of a new Famiclone called "Golden Leopard King" which is a keyboard with famicom cartridge slot along with mouse, two joysticks and light gun, with an educational cartridge of 48 in 1 for educational software created for middle east countries. I knew about other versions with Russian and Turkish language 48 in 1 educational cartridge.

My question is, didn't anyone think of manufacturing a low cost new MSX (MSX1) in china with a PS/2 or USB keyboard and USB port to run any game you want??
I think in china it can be made very cheaply as an FPGA probably or even logic chips, it won't be difficult for them to make a new TMS9918, or even let's say they can make it as an MSX Engine that contains everything..

So what are your ideas?? and how can something like this be made??
I don't know why china didn't clone computers like ZX Spectrum, MSX..etc.. and instead clone famicom with a very poor BASIC language in it?? probably famicom games are better and more loved (for some at least)??

By hamlet

Scribe (4105)

14-08-2021, 08:13

Because China is a country.
There is more to it than putting a console's hardware into a mini-dress. The implemented games want to be licensed.
This is certainly the most strenuous part of the matter.
While some companies certainly don't allow this because current series titles are still being released, in other cases it's hard to track down the current rights holder. Still other companies don't want to see their portfolio mixed with anything else.
And while the mini-consoles released so far draw from a far greater name recognition than the MSX landmark, such a release is unlikely.
Instead, enjoy the released consoles from 8Bits4ever. Of course, you can also configure a RasPi to MSX yourself or, if you have more money to spend, take a closer look at the MSXVR.
A reappraisal of our beloved console is thus also possible without support from China.

By st1mpy

Paladin (903)

14-08-2021, 13:06

If you are talking about the past I think the closest non official clone that was built and relatively cheap was the early non msx licensed Zemmix console from Korea (later models are officially licensed).
As for why Famicom got cloned, it is much simpler in design (less chips, if you open a nes clone you see the whole system is running on one black blob of IC), cheaper to make and had much more software, and was very popular with better games.

If you are talking about today. It makes more sense to make an ARM or other cheap and fast processor based machine running emulators, rather than manufacturing an original clone chip just for msx. You see these clone consoles everywhere now and are cheaper than buying a set of toothbrush for a family. But if someone believed in msx enough, they could risk the initial investment and make an asic chip based on the 1chip msx vhdl code, as long as it sells millions of units, a clone msx can be made for tens of dollars. (Arm based one will have problems with cartridge compatibility to solve like the msx vr.)

By ATroubleshooter

Expert (97)

14-08-2021, 23:24

Shinobi wrote:

Hi ..

My question is, didn't anyone think of manufacturing a low cost new MSX (MSX1) in china with a PS/2 or USB keyboard and USB port to run any game you want??

I'd agree with you, that MSX was the best micro of its' era, and probably still is the best computer for a child to start with. BASIC in MSX is very handy, yet powerful and versatile, unlike those in ZX Spectrum or BK0010. You've got all kind of resource when coding in Z80 asm, if compared to other z80-based micros. Not to mention the ROM-cartridge slot - our user may be just willing to play, he's just a kid, remember

I think it's good idea overall.

By Shinobi

Master (198)

14-08-2021, 23:42

I am from Middle East, here there are new Famiclones with the name of the Arab Merchant on it, so it seems easy for importers to go to china (as they do here) to a factory and print their name on the console. I think they can do the same for MSX by not naming it MSX but another name like (TV educational Computer) and copying one of the MSX1 Engine chips like Toshiba T7937 which contains everything.
Actually now I remember, they did something like this, unlicensed MSX with MSX AX-660 and AX-990, the first one contained Sega Mega Drive with MSX and the last contained Famicom with MSX.
I don't need a new MSX, I have two MSX AX-200 's but I was wondering why no one thought of this, I think it is easier to do than NES ON A CHIP ..
Famicom is a game console, it doesn't have bitmapped mode and still they make a computer of it with very poor BASIC and no saving method for programs (although some Brazilian Famiclone computers had disk drives I think), so If someone wanted to do an educaitional computer, it is better to be MSX.

By CASDuino

Champion (330)

14-08-2021, 23:50

There is a MSX4All project which is a small FPGA MSX DIY with cart slot.

By enribar

Paragon (1206)

15-08-2021, 10:14

Shinobi I agree with you and many people had this idea in the past. For unknown reasons, nobody make it.
I also dreamed that Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, etc. making a celebrative MSX machine for the 20th, 25th, 30th but nothing.
I don't think it would be not-profitable or costly to make such a thing... Chinese engineers are around the corner ;-)

By gdx

Enlighted (6107)

15-08-2021, 10:22

enribar wrote:

I also dreamed that Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, etc. making a celebrative MSX machine for the 20th, 25th, 30th but nothing.

The fall of the standard may have been bitter for them. They made a series of missteps.

By Shinobi

Master (198)

16-08-2021, 11:22

I think if some merchant who goes to famiclone factories, he can make them do it. It wont take them too long to see some fpga projects and do it. Let's hope they do it, at least our msx will be in the hands of everyone.

By Shinobi

Master (198)

16-08-2021, 11:24

Lets search for some factory websites on the net and try to show them the msx standard and how it can be very educative tool and convice them to do it.

By Shinobi

Master (198)

16-08-2021, 11:37

You can send message to Subor company that makes famiclones from this link
https://m.globalsources.com/gsol/GeneralManager?&design=mobi...