MSX

Type: Computer
Firstly released in: Japan
First release: 1983
Release and compatibility details: Conceptual computer produced by various famous home-elctronic publishers (Sony, Toshiba, Sanyo, Yamaha, Philips etc..)

Success and unsuccess:

Most popular years: 1984-1990
Most popular countries: Japan, Korea, Netherlands, Spain, Finland, South America (especially Brazil and Chile), former USSR (in USSR communist government bought these computers in schools.. :) )
Amount of games in database: 448 (list)
Amount of music records in database: 12 (list)
Amount of downloadable MIDI tunes: 12 (list)
Importance on the market in the most popular years: Medium

Characteristics:

Attempt to create some "standard" for home computers (something like is PC now) from Japan.

CPU: Z80 3.58 MHz
RAM: 8kB - 64kB (various by concrete type; most popular was the 64kB one)
Video RAM: 16kB
Resolution: 256x192, 16 colors (chip TMS9918 or S9928).
Sound: General Instruments AY-3-8910 Programmable Sound Generator (PSG in short) (8 octaves, 3 sound channels, 1 noise channel)
OS: MSX Basic 1.0 (from Microsoft)
Peripherals: 1-2 cartridge slots, Two joystick slots, RS232, rf, RGB
Media: Cassette, Floppy disk

More info: http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=90

Thanks to MäSäXi for many valuable info(s) about this platform

Games and music info:

Most common media for storing games: Cassette
Average packed game size: 15 kB

Emulation info:

MSX has lot of great games, especially games from Konami are best at its time. The emulation is also in very good state, emulation is close to 100%.

fMSX - MSX - MSX 2+ emulator for most platforms from Unix to PlayStation.. :)
RuMSX - MSX - MSX Turbo-R emulator from Russia for Windows.

This emulation info was written on 13.December 2002. (This time is very important, because emulation info very depends on the time it was written - emulators can improve a lot after this time..).