Editing Family Computer

|release='''Family Computer:'''<br>{{flag list|Japan|July 15, 1983|ROC|1987|British HK|1991}} '''Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer:'''<br>{{flag list|Japan|November 10, 2016}}

[[File:Family Computer Logo.png|left|250px]] The '''Family Computer''' (often shortened to '''Famicom''') is a third-generation video game console created by [[Nintendo]]. It was released in Japan on July 15, 1983; Taiwan in 1987; and Hong Kong in 1991. Because the latter region previously saw an official release of its {{wp|Western world|Western}} counterpart, the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (or NES), the Hong Kongese release of the Famicom was marketed as a "second-generation" hardware revision, adding the ability to toggle between PAL 50 Hz and PAL 60 Hz output.<ref>{{cite|author=Akfamilyhome|date=April 1, 2020|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IToY_73pRHU|publisher=YouTube|title=A History of Nintendo's Hong Kong Releases|language=Cantonese & English (English subtitles available)|archive=https://web.archive.org/web/20240525112253/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IToY_73pRHU|accessdate=June 5, 2024}}</ref> Nintendo additionally arranged a deal with the Russian technology company Steepler in 1994 to permit the sale of a clone console called the Dendy in the former Soviet Union in exchange for providing equal distribution for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]].<ref>{{cite|author=Игорь Пичугин|date=November 1, 1994|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/94004|title=Соглашение Steepler и Nintendo|publisher=Газета "Коммерсантъ"|language=Russian|archive=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427025842/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/94004|accessdate=June 1, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite|author=Семён Костин|date=December 14, 2021|url=https://dtf.ru/games/970617-legenda-o-slone-kak-it-kompaniya-steepler-sozdala-dendy-i-osnovala-rossiiskii-konsolnyi-rynok|title=Легенда о слоне: как IT-компания Steepler создала Dendy и основала российский консольный рынок|publisher=DTF|language=Russian|archive=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601223552/https://dtf.ru/games/970617-legenda-o-slone-kak-it-kompaniya-steepler-sozdala-dendy-i-osnovala-rossiiskii-konsolnyi-rynok|accessdate=June 1, 2024}}</ref> The console would be redesigned for the West as the Nintendo Entertainment System. The Family Computer's controllers were attached to the main unit, unlike those of the NES, and could be stored on the sides of the system. Player One's controller can pause the game, and Player Two's controller has audio controls. The cartridges were half the size of the NES's, and were inserted in the top instead of through a door in the front (like on the NES). Instead of looking like a vertical cartridge, like the NES, a Famicom cartridge more closely resembles an audio cassette but can be found in different colors, such as red, yellow, and blue. By the release of ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', Nintendo had already sold over four million units.<ref>{{cite|language=ja|url=www.ndw.jp/post-714|title=上村雅之さん 大いに語る。 ファミリーコンピュータ インタビュー（後編）（2013年10月号より）|publisher=[[Nintendo DREAM|''Nintendo DREAM Web'']]|accessdate=June 18, 2023}}</ref> The redesigned '''New Famicom''' (often called the '''AV Famicom''') would release in Japan on December 1, 1993. The Famicom sold 19.35 million units in Japan and would be discontinued on September 25, 2003.<ref name=Discontinue />

A few months after the July 1983 release of the Famicom, Sharp produced the {{wp|Nintendo Entertainment System models#Sharp Nintendo Television|Sharp C1 Famicom TV}}, a combined console and TV unit packaged with ''[[Donkey Kong Jr. + Jr. Sansū Lesson]]''. The following year, Sharp released the Playbox BASIC and [[Family BASIC]] accessories, allowing users to program in {{wp|BASIC}} on their Family Computers, and included characters of the [[Super Mario (franchise)|''Super Mario'' franchise]] as programmable sprites.

In February 1986, the [[Family Computer Disk System]] accessory was released, and it enabled games to be played on the Family Computer in the form of a disk. Many newer games that were never released on the Family Computer or NES were released only on the Disk System, such as ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''.

In 1987, the {{wp|Famicom 3D System}} accessory was released, but like the future [[Virtual Boy]], it flopped. This is compatible with the Disk System game ''[[Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally]]''.

The Famicom Controller is the basic controller that is hard-wired into the Family Computer. Controller 1 has four buttons and a directional pad on a round-shaped case. {{button|nes|A}} and {{button|nes|B}} are stationed on the right, the {{button|nes|start}} and {{button|nes|select}} is in the middle, and the D-pad is on the left of the controller. Controller 2 has two buttons with {{button|nes|start}} and {{button|nes|select}} being replaced with a volume slider and microphone. Nintendo later released a different form of the Famicom, the New Famicom (also known as the AV Famicom), which used a "dog-bone" design similar to the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System#SNES Controller|Super Famicom controller]]. This design combines elements of the [[Game Boy]] and [[Super Famicom]] controller. Unlike the original Famicom controller, the New Famicom controllers used the same controller plugs as the ones found on the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]].

The '''Famicom 3D System''' is an accessory for the Famicom that connects to the system via an adapter that plugs into the expansion port. A version of the Famicom 3D System was also distributed by {{wp|SHARP}} for the {{wp|Twin Famicom}}. The Famicom 3D System was compatible with a select few games including a ''[[Super Mario (franchise)|Super Mario]]'' game for the [[Family Computer Disk System]], ''[[Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally]]''. The 3D System was a commercial failure and was never released outside of Japan.<ref>{{cite|author=Plunkett, Luke|date=April 30, 2010|url=kotaku.com/nintendos-first-3d-technology-shot-a-spaceship-at-mario-5527760|language=en|title=Nintendo's First 3D Technology Shot A Spaceship At Mario's Face|publisher=Kotaku|accessdate=November 28, 2024}}</ref>

Family Computer Logo.png

Famicom Family logo.svg|Alternate logo

FC MOG.png|''[[NES Open Tournament Golf|Mario Open Golf]]''

PlayboxBASICcartridge.jpg|[[Family BASIC|Playbox BASIC]]

FC SMUSA.png|''[[Super Mario Bros. 2|Super Mario USA]]''

FC WW.png|''[[Wario's Woods (Nintendo Entertainment System)|Wario's Woods]]''

FC Wrecking Crew.png|''[[Wrecking Crew]]''