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Dires

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MSX 2 Puzzle Homebrew 1 Player 5 (0) 3

Dires

Getting to Know Dires

Compiled by Alfred J. Hall · Editorial standards · Published June 28, 2026

Dires is a puzzle game for the MSX2 home computer, thought to have been released in the mid-1990s as a homebrew or small-scale title. Its exact developer and publisher are not widely documented, which is common for many niche releases on the platform. The game fits into the MSX2's library of logic-based puzzle games, a genre that thrived on the system due to its modest hardware capabilities.

The player interacts with a grid-based puzzle board, moving blocks or tiles to achieve a specific arrangement or clear the screen. Controls rely on the keyboard or a joystick, with simple input for selection and manipulation. Each level presents a new configuration, gradually increasing in difficulty. The mechanics are straightforward, asking for careful planning rather than quick reflexes.

For fans of retro puzzle gaming, Dires offers a modest but engaging challenge. It represents the kind of creative, no-frills games that the homebrew community produced during the MSX2's lifespan. While it may lack the polish of commercial releases, its simple logic puzzles provide a satisfying experience for players who enjoy mental challenges on classic hardware.

How to Play Dires Online

Getting Started When you launch Dires, you are presented with a puzzle grid. Use the arrow keys to move a cursor or select pieces on the board. Press the A button (mapped to X) to confirm a move, and the B button (mapped to S) to cancel or undo if needed. The primary goal is to rearrange tiles or blocks into a target pattern or to clear the grid entirely. Each completed level advances you to the next, with new layouts and challenges. Menus in Dires are minimal and appear to be in English, so navigating the start screen and level select (if present) is straightforward. The core loop involves analyzing the puzzle, planning moves, and executing them with the keys. There is no time limit, so you can think through each step. If you get stuck, restarting a level is usually possible from the pause or menu screen. Because Dires is a homebrew title, documentation is scarce. The basic rules of moving blocks to match a goal are consistent across levels. Experiment with the controls if the game supports rotation or swapping - the mapping above covers the EmulatorJS defaults, and the game responds to directional input and the two main action buttons.

Dires Keyboard Controls

Controls

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dires exclusive to MSX 2 or did it appear on other systems?

Dires was released only for the MSX2. No ports to other systems are known.

Roughly how long does it take to finish Dires?

Completion time varies depending on puzzle-solving skill, but a typical playthrough takes around one to two hours.

Is Dires an official release, a fan hack, a prototype, or another kind of build?

Dires is believed to be a homebrew release from the mid-1990s, created by an individual or small team. It is not an official commercial title from a known publisher.