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, is a third generation video game console developed by Nintendo and sold in Japan from 1983-07-15 to 2003-09-25 and serviced them until 2007-10-31. The Famicom was re-engineered for markets outside of the Asian market as the Nintendo Entertainment System and, specifically to South Korea, as the Hyundai Comboy (현대 컴보이 Hyeondae Keomboi).

The Famicom uses a Ricoh 220A processor, which is a MOS Technology 6052 modified to eliminate decimal mode 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.
• Famicom game cartridges used a top-loader design while the NES used a spring-loaded design.
• Famicom cartridges were smaller and had fewer connection pins.
• 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 the 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

Hardware

• 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.

Links

• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Entertainment_System - Wikipedia.
• mobygames.com/browse/games/nes/list-games - MobyGames.