Best MSX Emulators for Android

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The MSX was a family of home computers launched in the early 1980s, designed to create a unified standard across manufacturers like Sony, Panasonic, and Philips. While it wasn’t a huge hit in North America, the MSX became massively popular in Japan, Europe, and South America. Its library includes early gems from Konami and other developers, including the very first Metal Gear, Gradius, and Vampire Killer (an early Castlevania game).

Today, MSX hardware is rare, but thanks to MSX emulators for Android, you can enjoy this unique library of classics on your phone. These apps let you relive the golden era of Konami and other developers, with modern features like save states, controller support, and improved visuals.

Why MSX Emulation Matters

The MSX is important because it was the birthplace of many legendary franchises. Without MSX, we might never have seen the beginnings of Metal Gear. It was also one of the first platforms where arcade-style shooters, platformers, and RPGs thrived outside of consoles.

By emulating the MSX on Android, players preserve not only these historic games but also an important chapter of computing history.

What to Expect from MSX Emulators

Because the MSX was an 8-bit computer, emulation on Android is not demanding. Even modest devices can run most MSX titles smoothly. Features to look for include:

Support for MSX1 and MSX2 software
Save states for progress management
Customizable on-screen controls
Bluetooth/USB controller support
Keyboard emulation for games and software that require typing
Support for multiple ROM formats (.rom, .dsk, .cas)

fMSX – The Most Popular MSX Emulator

👉 fMSX on Google Play
👉 fMSX Official Site

fMSX, developed by Marat Fayzullin, is the most widely used MSX emulator for Android. It supports MSX1, MSX2, and MSX2+ titles, making it compatible with nearly the entire MSX library.

It includes save states, fast-forwarding, customizable controls, cheat support, and full Bluetooth/USB controller compatibility. For fans who want to experience Konami classics like Metal Gear or Gradius, fMSX is the easiest and most reliable way to do it on Android.

C-BIOS with RetroArch

👉 RetroArch on Google Play
👉 C-BIOS Official Page

For players who prefer RetroArch’s multi-system approach, MSX support is available through its fMSX core or blueMSX core. RetroArch provides all of its advanced features, including shaders, rewinding, achievements, and cloud saves.

Using C-BIOS, an open-source MSX BIOS replacement, you can run many MSX games without needing proprietary BIOS files. This makes RetroArch a good option for those who like tinkering and want a legal way to explore the MSX library.

blueMSX (via RetroArch Core)

blueMSX is another popular MSX emulator, known for accuracy and compatibility. While standalone Android builds are hard to find today, its functionality lives on inside RetroArch as the blueMSX core. This makes RetroArch the best way to experience blueMSX features on modern devices.

Why the MSX Library Still Matters

The MSX isn’t as widely remembered as the NES or Sega Master System, but its games had a massive influence. Konami built early franchises here, including:

Metal Gear – The beginning of Hideo Kojima’s legendary series.
Vampire Killer – A unique take on Castlevania.
Gradius – One of the most influential side-scrolling shooters.
Penguin Adventure – An early Konami classic designed by Kojima.

Many of these titles are still fun today and showcase the creativity of the 8-bit era. Emulation ensures that this overlooked library is preserved and playable on modern hardware.

Final Thoughts on the Best MSX Emulators for Android

For Android users, two options stand out:

fMSX – The most reliable standalone MSX emulator, simple and powerful.
RetroArch with blueMSX or fMSX cores – A flexible option for advanced users who want multi-system support.

Together, they provide the best way to revisit the MSX library. Whether you want to replay the original Metal Gear or explore obscure Japanese classics, these emulators make it possible. That’s why they remain the best MSX emulators for Android.

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