What hardware extension for MSX would you produce if money were not an issue?

As soon as you add modern-day stuff like USB, Ethernet etc you soon have things that can be used by 1 or 2 dedicated softwares at best. Build mini-micro webserver using ethernet port? There's better hardware for that purpose. Make controller to change an old oven into DIY reflow solder oven? There's better hardware for that purpose. And so on.

Start with software, and then you get: new box that runs most (all?) of existing MSX software. And maybe software for other systems too if hardware allows it. For this purpose there exists hardware that's cheaper & better than what you could possibly create yourself.

Therefore I'd go for a 'systems integrator'. Some party that selects hardware (say, an existing FPGA development board), puts into nice case, adds MSX connectors needed, prepares flash cards, makes licensing deals so that much software can be included in starter package, includes decent manual for MSX newbies, and so on. So that you get a one-stop-shop to buy replacement box that runs your beloved MSX software. Or allows a quickstart for someone that's never heard of MSX and prefers box-hooked-up-to-TV over emulators...

Maby a idea for sound freaks

VS1063 - MP3 / OGG / AAC / WMA / FLAC / G.711 / G.722 Audio Codec
Features
•Encodes a multitude of audio formats, all at 8-48 kHz, mono and stereo:
•MP3: All samplerates and bitrates of MPEG 1.0, 2.0 and 2.5
•Ogg Vorbis
•16-bit PCM
•IMA ADPCM
•G.711 u-law and A-law
•G.722 ADPCM
•Decodes multiple formats upto 48 kHz:

•MP3 = MPEG 1 & 2 audio layer III (CBR+VBR+ABR)
•MP2 = MPEG 1 & 2 audio layer II optional
•Ogg Vorbis
•MPEG4 / 2 AAC-LC(+PNS), HE-AAC v2 (Level 3) (SBR + PS)•WMA4.0/4.1/7/8/9 all profiles (5-384 kbps)
•FLAC lossless audio (upto 24 bits)
•WAV: 16-bit PCM, IMA ADPCM, G.711 u-law and A-law, G.722 ADPCM
•A new full-duplex codec mode allows both input and output using many formats:
•16-bit PCM
•IMA ADPCM
•G.711 u-law and A-law
•G.722 ADPCM
•Streaming support
•Upto 96 KiB RAM for user code and data
•Unique ID for code protection
•I2S interface for external DAC
•High-quality stereo A/D converter
•Serial control and data interfaces
•Can be used either as a slave co-processor or as a standalone processor
•UART for debugging purposes
•New functions may be added with software and 12 GPIO pins
•EarSpeaker Spatial Processing
•Bass and treble controls
•5-channel equalizer
•Low-power operation
•High-quality on-chip stereo DAC with no phase error between channels
•Zero-cross detection for smooth volume change
•Stereo earphone driver capable of driving a 30­-ohm load
•Quiet power-on and power-off
•Separate voltages for analog, digital, I/O
•SPI flash boot for special applications
•Hardware drop-in replacement for VS1053 (control software still needs to be modified)
http://www.vlsi.fi/en/products/vs1063.html

Thanks a lot for the info! Those models are probably a bit harder to obtain..but, hey, let's start with the MT-32 and go from there..

I got a spare sc155 (I used it before i got my sc88) module that i'm willing to sell, just send me a e-mail if you are interested.

I got your email so I'll contact you somewhere soon..

@pitpan: One or two more Metal Gear games for MSX would be highly awesome. But 100+ more games and it would end up being boring, as it happens now with the PS.

Since then, this is sort of what happened...