MFX-1000

The Multifunctional System 1000 (official title), sold as MFX in Japan and Asia Pacific, MFS1000 in Europe and Australia, Multifunctional Computing Cube in Canada and MFX-1000 in North America, is a 32-bit, fifth-generation video game system produced by MFXGaming. Selling only up to 500 thousand units, the system lasted from 1996 to 1999. The system was meant to be in direct competition with the Sega Saturn and company, it wound up competing with the much less popular PC-FX by NEC. The system was distributed in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Australasia/Oceania, although it has been sold in India under the directly-translated title, Cube of Video Information.

History
The MFX-1000's history dates back to when MFXGaming was producing software for the SNES and Sega Genesis/Master Drive. MFXGaming wanted to earn more profits seeing that its games were popular (the best-selling being a million units), thus they decided to create a new video game system. In 1993, when the Atari Jaguar was released, the team studied the console, along with the SNES and Genesis to create a new system. Originally intended to be 24-bit, it was later expended to 32-bit following the release of the 3DO Multiplayer.

1995 saw the release of the PlayStation (although released in late 1994 in Japan) that was also 32-bit but utilized optical disks. Hoping not to lose competition, MFXGaming rushed their work intensively, dumping the piano and joystick add-ons. Planning to release 15 launch titles, it only managed to finish 7 by the end of 1995. Third-party support at the time was also low due to interest in the new PlayStation and other systems that were still popular.

In a press conference held in January 1996, the MFX-1000 was first shown to the public. At the time, it was known simply as the MFX. Impressed by the console, MFXGaming gained some third-party support from several companies. The launch titles increased to 17, and anticipation rose for the console. However, the sleek, rectangular box the console was supposed to be had to be modified due to technical difficulties and hang-ups.

In another press conference held in March 1996, MFXGaming showed the modified console to the press. With interest downed, the MFXGaming had to reduce the price of the console upon its release. Eventually, in May 1996, it was released in Japan and the rest of Asia Pacific as MFX. It was later released in the United States in June, under the name 'MFX-1000'.

Canada saw a one-month late release, originally intended to be on the same release date as the US until distribution problems, under the name 'Multifunctional Computing Cube'. The design was a lot different, and many could have mistook it for another console if not for the logo of MFXGaming printed on the front. When asked, it was eventually revealed that the distributor gained half the rights to the system, including the name and the design.

The letter 'X' was meant to represent 'System', as it could be re-spelled as 'Xystem' with the same pronunciation. However, the European division of MFXGaming, named 'MFSGaming', did not approve of this and renamed it for Europe before releasing the console there in July 1996. The Australian division similarly renamed the console, releasing it in September 1996. It was also released in South America under 'MFS-1000', but was recalled and no longer sold.

Among the seventeen launch titles, We are in the dungeon of something sold the most number of copies. It was notorious for its capitalization errors and ridiculous plot, but was technically the best game in the series.