RATP contracted a consortium of manufacturers, with Ateliers du Nord de la France in charge of the project.

They were built following successful tests of a prototype train-set called the "BOA", derived from the MF 77, which tested new features such as open gangway connections between cars to improve passenger distribution and special bogies to reduce friction caused by the sharp curves found in the Métro network.

[4] Carrying on the features of the BOA,[5] a total of nine MF 88 train-sets were built, which have only ever operated on Line 7bis in a three-car formation.

[6][5] The MF 88 was also the first to adopt a new computing architecture, developed by TechnicAtome, over relay-based systems used in older Paris Metro rolling stock.

[2][3] It also introduced an independent-wheeled steering axle design,[5] but this turned out to cause several problems for RATP and was not adopted in subsequent Paris Metro rolling stock.