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A Sanyo MPC-200, to be exact. 64KB of RAM, 16KB of VRAM, with a Sanyo DR-303 cassette data recorder .

I was 9 at the time (I just turned 42), and I still use MSX computers today (real hardware, CRT display and all).

A Sanyo MPC-200, to be exact. 64KB of RAM, 16KB of VRAM, with a Sanyo DR-303 cassette data recorder .

I was 9 at the time (I just turned 42), and I still use MSX computers today (real hardware, CRT display and all).

Radarsoft's Breaker is "Arkanoid without levels": when the ball would leave the top of the screen, the entire playing field scrolls up.

Surprisingly, it doesn't really change the game all that much. The second paddle, which can be moved up and down in addition to left and right, makes a bigger difference in game play than the scrolling playing field.

(Those looking closely at the screenshots will notice a level indicator: indeed the game has levels, but each level is many screens in height.)

The MSX had the AY-3-8910 PSG sound chip as default indeed. But since the MSX2+ (1988), the Yamaha OPLL was default. The same chip in a cartridge was also a very popular extension cartridge (called FM-PAC). Then there is the MSX-AUDIO (Yamaha Y8950) sound extension, the SCC which Konami put in some of their game cartridges and some other sound extensions. MSX users became very active on the sound department due to this. So, it's a bit simple to state what you did about the sound in MSX.

Secondly, the disk drive. Indeed, most first generation MSX models did not have a disk drive, but most second generation (MSX2) models did. Also, you could buy an external disk drive, which works on any MSX.

About the memory: the Sony HB-F700P was a very popular MSX2 machine in Europe, which had 256kB main RAM, plus 128kB videoRAM (this is 1986). THe last MSX model, the Panasonic FS-A1GT turboR, released in 1992, had 512kB main RAM and 128kB VideoRAM. The RAM could easily be expanded, and this was done a lot in Europe, too. Unfortunately mostly to play cracked ROM cartridges, but OK.

We can say that the MSX2 (1985) was really the most powerful 8 bit computer at that time, with the hardware accelerated graphics chip. Many great games were made for it, like indeed the Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake games.

In total, there are about 3000 games for the MSX, see http://www.generation-msx.nl/msxdb for a list.

The aforementioned Wikipedia page lists some more details, as well as The Ultimate MSX FAQ: http://faq.msxnet.org/

OK, I hope I set some things straight here :)

Yes, but Hobbyscoop Basicode programs were also distributed on cassette tapes.

The only Flexi-Disk I know is the one that was packaged with the Dutch MSX magazine "MSX Computer Magazine", issue 16 of 1987. The vinyl contained "MCM's Basicode 3 translator". Maybe you were even confused with that?
See also a picture of the cover on Generation MSX

I agree totally, what's interesting about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, is that many of the elements that made Metal Gear Solid such a fantastic experience first debuted in this title. Including the epic Hind-D battle.
A pity this game is often roped in the with risible Snakes Revenge, as this classic never saw the light of day off of the shores of Japan and the MSX. However, thankfully, there is a high quality fan translation out there, which goes highly recommended.

I just wrote the following e-mail to the author of the article:

Hello Frank,

I just read your SNK article on GameSpot.com. A very nice in-depth article!

Although, I think you forgot to mention that SNK also produced software for the MSX system, which is virtually unknown in the USA, but used to be very popular in Japan and certain parts of Europe, as well as Brazil.

For some more information about this home computer system, you might want to check out these sites:
The Ultimate MSX FAQ
The MSX Resource Center

The only MSX product of SNK I know is Ikari Warriors. For some information about the game, see this page: Ikari Warriors on Generation MSX.

In short: it was released in 1987 for the MSX2 system (the second generation standard of MSX). It's a 2Mbit game.

Some scans of the cover in a higher resolution: front, back, side.

I'm also in posession of this game myself. :-)

I hope you will update the article!
(At least pages 2 (near the bottom) and page 31 should mention the MSX port of Ikari Warriors, I think.