Dragon MSX Prototype

The Dragon MSX was an unreleased MSX1-compatible computer designed by Radofin for Dragon Data and Eurohard. Intended for the Spanish market, it replaced the established 6809 architecture with the international Z80-based MSX standard.

The prototype included 64KB of RAM, two cartridge slots, RGB output and the standard MSX graphics and sound hardware. Only a small number were built, with prototype number 37 becoming the best documented surviving example.

Notable Features

• Full MSX1 architecture with 64KB RAM and 16KB video RAM.
• Two cartridge slots, RGB output and a parallel printer port made it well equipped.
• Designed by Radofin, the company behind the Mattel Aquarius.

Historical Significance

• Represented Eurohard’s attempt to move the Dragon name onto a widely supported international standard.
• Never reached commercial production before the Spanish company failed.

Collector’s Notes

• Known surviving units are prototypes and may show hand-finished or revision-specific details.
• It is unrelated architecturally to the 6809-based Dragon 32, 64 and 200 despite the branding.

Specifications

Technical Information
Name	Dragon MSX Prototype
Manufacturer	Dragon Data Ltd
Launched	Tuesday, January 1, 1985
Country	Spain
CPU	Zilog Z80A at 3.58 MHz
Units Sold
Operating System	MSX BASIC 1.0
I/O	Parallel, two cartridge, two joystick, RF, RGB and cassette ports
Keyboard	Integrated Spanish alphanumeric keyboard
Storage	Cassette and two MSX cartridge slots
Sound	AY-3-8910 three-channel PSG plus noise
Graphics	TMS9918 graphics at 256 x 192 in 16 colours with sprites
Display	40 x 24 or 32 x 24 text
ROM	32KB MSX BASIC and BIOS
RAM	64KB main RAM and 16KB video RAM
CPU Speed	3.58 MHz