Even though the MSX standard had been dead since the early 1990s, a cult following lived on.  In the mid-2000s, Kazuhiko Nishi surprised a fan convention by announcing the 1ChipMSX, a compact version of the MSX2 that would work on modern TVs and PC monitors, as well as play ROMs from an SD card.  Shortly thereafter, the unit was released in Japan, and the company Bazix signed on to manufacture the unit for Western markets.  But, unwilling to pay $500+ for a Japanese unit on Ebay, I'm still sitting here without my 1Chip.  I want to play Penguin Adventure, dammit.

Hit the link for the full article.

Bazix was all set to distribute the 1Chip in Europe, but the unit allegedly did not qualify as RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliant.  However, it was never proven that any component of the 1Chips was hazardous.  Eventually, this filibuster aggravated Bazix to the point that they gave up their position as Western producer and distributor of the 1Chip.

If Steve Jobs never went back to Apple...

Bazix's abandoning of the project, of course, left the MSX Corporation without a Western branch, and ever since, fans have been twiddling their thumbs, patiently waiting for MSX to find a replacement.  It's tough to say if we'll ever see a Western version of the 1Chip.  It's even difficult to research the topic as most sites talking about the hardware have been taken down.

Come on, MSX, make it happen - Bring the 1ChipMSX to the West.  Or at the very least, produce a second run for the Japanese market so we have another chance to import the machine.

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