What is it?

This kit provides another step in getting your RC2014 MSX compatible. With this board your RC2014 can play chiptunes and receive input from MSX compatible gamepads/joysticks.

Its based around the YM2149 chip which was included in many MSX/MSX2 systems. The chip is very similar and generally compatible with the AY-3-8910. Although this board is designed for the YM2149 to keep things simple.

"The main difference between the YM2149 and AY-3-8910 is that the internal volume control of the D/A converter has 32 levels instead of 16, so the hardware envelope is more smooth" (msx.org wiki)

Key features

• YM2149 PSG - 3 channel audio, +1 noise channel
• 2 Controller Inputs (joystick, game-pad, and other input types) - MSX compatible
• optional additional audio input lines

What is the 'Yellow MSX Series of Boards'?

These are a series of boards that I am developing to achieve MSX compatibility for RC2014 systems.

The idea is that you can build each board one at a time, test it and play with it under RomWBW - and then once you have the set - load up some MSX/MSX2+ games!

The first board in the series is the V9958 Video board

This Game board is the second in that series.

Please note the other boards required for MSX compatibility will be coming online soon; more details at hackaday project and github project page

What's included in this kit

The full kits includes (PCB, passive components, crystals, sockets, DE9 connector for MSX compatible devices and ICs including a tested version YM2149 chip).

Please note, game controller is not included.

For more notes and any revisions please have a look at the github page

What else do I need to make this work?

• You need a working RC2014 system (CPU, RomWBW, Clock, etc).
• Enhanced Bus backplane required.
• For audio output, an external powered speaker to plug into the standard 3.5 socket.
• For controller, a MSX compatible controller.

Disclaimer

Please note that this is a kit, produced by a non-professional (me) for hackers, DIYers' and retro lovers, to tinker with. I will do my best to answer any support questions you may have.

The YM2149 chip is obsolete and out of manufacture. It may be old-new-stock or pre-used, and as such there is a risk it may not function correctly. Therefore, I fully test each chip, in-circuit, prior to packaging, so you can have good confidence that the chip you receive will perform as required.