Famicom

Famicom.

The Family Computer, in Japanese (ファミリーコンピュータ Famiri Konpyuta), but better known as the Famicom (ファミコン Famikon), is a third generation video game console developed by Nintendo and sold in Japan from 1983-07-15 to 2003-09-25 and serviced until 2007-10-31. The Famicom was re-engineered for markets outside of the Asian region as the Nintendo Entertainment System and, specifically to South Korea, as the Hyundai Comboy (현대 컴보이 Hyeondae Keomboi).

The Famicom uses a Ricoh 2A03 processor, which is a MOS 6502 modified to eliminate decimal mode (to avoid licensing issues) and include a custom audio processing unit. It also uses a custom video processing chip called the Picture Processing Unit.

Status

I do not own and have never played a real-life Famicom, but I have played a lot of games through emulators.

Differences Between the Famicom and NES

The differences between the two consoles are notable enough that I have separate pages for each.

• The Famicom console was considerably smaller than the NES.
• The Famicom controllers are smaller than the those for the NES.
• The console's two controllers were wired into the main unit for the Famicom, while they are removable on the NES.
• The second-player controller lacks a start and select button and instead features a speaker and microphone, however, very few games used them.
• Famicom game cartridges used a top-loader design while the NES used a spring-loaded insert design.
• Famicom cartridges were smaller and had fewer connection pins.
• Famicom game boxes were originally designed wider than taller, the opposite of NES boxes.
• The Famicom did not feature the special lock-out chip of the NES.

Games

See all Famicom Games.

These are the Famicom games that are both important to me and distinct enough from their American release to mention:

• 

  Hitler's Resurrection: Top Secret

• 

  Contra

• 

  Dragon Quest

• Goonies - FC - Japan.jpg

  Goonies

• 

  Devil's Castle Legend

• 

  Legend of Zelda: The Hyrule Fantasy

• 

  Yume Penguin Monogatari

Hardware

• Famicom 3D System
• Famicom Controller
• Famicom Disk System
• Famicom Modem
• Family BASIC
• Gun

Review

I don't really know enough about the console to warrant a review at this time.

Media

Books

• 

  I Am Error: The Nintendo Family Computer / Entertainment System Platform

• Unofficial NES-Famicom, The - Visual Companion, A.pdf

  The Unofficial NES/Famicom - A Visual Companion.

Videos

• youtube.com/watch?v=EbL9OFlxwV8 - Computerphile - Q&A with Masayuki Uemura.
• youtube.com/watch?v=5ugMeN4Zqy4 - NES Works.
• youtube.com/watch?v=PKXr_DbqHsU - Famicom commercials.

Links