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Black Onyx 1, The

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MSX 1 RPG 1984 Japan 1 Player 5 (0) 3

Black Onyx 1, The

What is Black Onyx 1, The?

Compiled by the Retro Games Online Editorial Team · Updated June 27, 2026

The Black Onyx is a landmark role-playing game originally released in 1984 for the MSX home computer system in Japan. Developed by Bullet-Proof Software, it is often credited as one of the very first Japanese RPGs, predating the Dragon Quest series by two years. This MSX 1 version is the original release, offering a glimpse into the early days of the genre on Japanese home computers.

The player controls a party of adventurers navigating a multi-level dungeon from a first-person perspective. Gameplay revolves around turn-based combat against a variety of monsters, with a focus on resource management including health and magic points. The interface is text-driven and menu-based, relying on keyboard commands for movement, combat selection, and item usage.

Today, The Black Onyx offers a fascinating look at the roots of Japanese role-playing games. While its graphics and mechanics are primitive by modern standards, its historical significance as a progenitor of the genre makes it a must-try for retro RPG enthusiasts. The game's straightforward dungeon crawling and leveling system remain playable if you are comfortable with vintage design.

How to Play Black Onyx 1, The Online

Section 2 - Getting Started:

The Black Onyx begins with a brief introduction screen in Japanese. Press the Enter key (Start) to proceed to the main menu. You will need to create or load a character party using the text options. Since the game is entirely in Japanese, navigating menus may require trial and error or a guide - a simple method is to press X (confirm) repeatedly to accept defaults and start a new game.

Once in the dungeon, the core loop is exploring corridors, encountering random battles, and managing your party's health. Use the Arrow Keys to move, X to confirm actions in combat (like attack or magic), and S to cancel or run. Resting heals slowly but consumes food. Save your progress at inns or save points, which are available in towns accessed from the dungeon entrance.

Pay attention to your party's stats and equipment - buying better gear in town is essential for progressing deeper into the dungeon. The game does not provide tutorials, so expect a steep learning curve if you do not read Japanese. But with persistence, the simple mechanics become manageable.

Black Onyx 1, The Keyboard Controls

Controls

Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
X: Trigger 1
S: Trigger 2
Enter: Start

Frequently Asked Questions

Which regions was Black Onyx 1, The released in?

The Black Onyx was originally released exclusively in Japan for the MSX platform. There is no official evidence of a Western release for this MSX 1 version.

Does Black Onyx 1, The have a multiplayer or co-op mode?

No, The Black Onyx is a single-player role-playing game. It does not include any multiplayer or cooperative features.

Roughly how long does it take to finish Black Onyx 1, The?

Completion time is not widely documented, but as an early dungeon crawler RPG, a typical playthrough likely takes anywhere from 10 to 30 hours depending on familiarity with Japanese menus and grinding.