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{{System-Infobox
{{system infobox
|Image=[[File:Famicomdisksystemconsole.jpg|250px]]
|image=[[File:Famicomdisksystemconsole.jpg|250px]]
|Rel={{releasedate|Japan|February 21, 1986}}
|generation=Third
|Dis=1994 (Remained supported until September 25, 2003)
|release={{flag list|Japan|February 21, 1986<ref>{{cite|author=|date=|url=https://famicomworld.com/system/fds/|title=Famicom Disk System (FDS)|publisher=Famicom World|archive=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625193659/https://famicomworld.com/system/fds/|accessdate=July 2, 2024}}</ref>|British HK|1991<ref>{{cite|author=Nakamanga|date=September 30, 2019|url=youtu.be/MXuVDUUmYyo|title=Famicom and Disk System Hong Kong Version - Commercial|publisher=YouTube|accessdate=June 1, 2024}}</ref>{{better source}}}}
|Pre=[[Nintendo Entertainment System]] ([[Family Computer]])
|discontinued=1993 (remained supported until September 25, 2003)<ref>{{cite|url=www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0408/what|archive=web.archive.org/web/20190629044100/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0408/what|title=ディスクシステムとは？|publisher=nintendo.co.jp|accessdate=June 1, 2024|language=ja}}</ref>
|Suc=[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (Super Famicom)
}}
}}
[[File:Famicom Disk System Logo.png|left|200px||class=invert-dark]]
[[File:FDS Logo.png|thumb|left|100px|The system's logo, Diskun.]]
The '''{{wp|Famicom Disk System|Family Computer Disk System}}''' (also called the '''Famicom Disk System''') is an accessory for the [[Family Computer]]. It allowed the Family Computer to play certain games on a proprietary floppy disk format called "Disk Cards" rather than ROM cartridges, as Disk Cards were not only cheaper but also allowed for higher data capacity than cartridges at the time. Besides that, the disks were rewritable, so saving was easier.
The '''Family Computer Disk System''' (also called the '''Famicom Disk System''') is an accessory for the [[Family Computer]]. It allowed the Family Computer to play certain games on a proprietary floppy disk format called "Disk Cards" rather than ROM cartridges. Disk Cards had the advantages of being cheaper. Besides that, the disks were rewritable, making saving easier.
Sharp Corporation, a Japanese Electronics and Domestic Appliance company, created the [[wikipedia:Twin Famicom|Twin Famicom]], a Family Computer combined with the Disk System into one piece of hardware, but it was also only released in Japan.


[[Nintendo]] sought to make Disk Cards a permanent standard for all of its future games at that point, but this plan was abandoned a few years later due to various hardware issues, most prominently the fact that the system's games were easy to pirate. Later in 1986, Nintendo sought to counter this problem by installing special Disk Writer kiosks that would allow consumers to download games onto Disk Cards for ¥500 as opposed to the retail price of ¥2,600; some Disk System games were even exclusive to these kiosks. The service was very popular, remaining in place until the Family Computer line's discontinuation in 2003, 9 years ''after'' the discontinuation of the Disk System itself. Excluding prize disks, FDS games were available through retail, Disk Writer, or both. ''[[Mario Bros. Returns]]'' and the FDS ports for ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'', ''[[Donkey Kong Jr. (game)|Donkey Kong Jr.]]'', ''[[Pinball (game)|Pinball]]'', and ''[[Wrecking Crew]]'' could be purchased only through the Disk Writer. The former was priced at ¥400 because of its promotional nature, making it the cheapest FDS game. ''[[I am a teacher: Super Mario Sweater]]'' was retail-only software, but it was sold in handicraft stores. ''[[All Night Nippon: Super Mario Bros.]]'' was sold through a mail order lottery system and at {{wp|Nippon Broadcasting System}}'s building on a single day. The Disk Writer was also capable of updating software for any game that needed it (thus acting as an early precursor to modern internet-based software patching), the sole exception being ''[[Golf: Japan Course]]'', which required mailing the disk to Nintendo.
The main reason why Family Computer Disk System was not released outside Japan is believed to be due to a lack of success caused by various issues with the system:<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rEgsR61aNQ</ref>
*The games were easier to pirate, due to the low amount of copy protection (i.e. recognizing legitimate Disk Cards by an empty space on the bottom).
*The games were easier to damage, as Disk Cards were sensitive to magnetic wavelengths and exposed the strip that lets the system recognize and run the game. In the latter case, the strip could get scratched, dirty, or even grow mold in severe cases.
*Because of the enhanced sound qualities, audio was hard to convert when the games were ported to cartridges.
*The games had lengthy loading times at various points (often when swapping sides, or when entering an area that cannot be processed easily).
*Most games required the player to eject the Disk Card at various points, flip them over, and re-insert them (often after the title screen and on the game's final stretch), similarly to how various PlayStation games require the player to eject and swap optical discs at certain points.
*The jewel cases that contained the games were smaller than cartridge boxes, and were therefore easier to overlook in stores or lose in homes. The cases were also required to fully protect the Disk Card, whereas cartridges could be stored, standalone, on shelves.


==Games==
The piracy issue was an especially big problem for Nintendo, and is believed to be the source of their stringent policies regarding copyright protection. It is also widely believed that the Disk System's high piracy rate is what convinced Nintendo to use cartridges for the [[Nintendo 64]] rather than the technologically superior optical discs seen in their rivals, the Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation.
===Differences from cartridge versions===
For the most part, FDS games are identical to their Famicom or NES cartridge versions, including their title screen copyright years and any absences of saving data. Here are some differences found in ''Super Mario'' games:<ref>{{cite|url=pony.velvet.jp/fcdisk/fmcmdskw17.html|title=カセットとディスクカード両方で発売|publisher=pony.velvet.jp|language=ja|accessdate=May 19, 2024}}</ref>


*''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'': When Mario scores, the points are in orange instead of white.
In 1986, Nintendo sought to counter Disk System piracy by installing special Disk Writer kiosks that would allow consumers to download games onto Disk Card for ¥500 as opposed to the retail price of ¥2,600; some Disk System games were even exclusive to these kiosks. The service was very popular, remaining in place until the Family Computer line's discontinuation in 2003, 9 years ''after'' the discontinuation of the Disk System itself.
*''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'': The [[Minus World]] is completely different. Beating it counts as beating the game, which starts [[Hard Mode]].
*''[[Wrecking Crew]]'': It is possible to save custom levels without the ''[[Family BASIC]]''{{'}}s Data Recorder accessory.


===Blue and gold disks===
==Games==
Six games received blue disks, five were made by Nintendo and were compatible with Disk Fax, four of which are ''Super Mario'' games. All compatible blue disk games were subject of tournaments with scores submitted through the Disk Fax, a device that could send contestants' data and high scores to Nintendo. The tournament began as soon as the blue disks were released.
[[File:Famicom_Zelda_Disk.png|right|200px|thumb|Disk Card of ''The Hyrule Fantasy: Zelda no Densetsu''.]]
 
Here's the list of [[Mario (franchise)|''Mario'']] or related games released for the Disk System:
{|class="wikitable"
*''[[All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros.]]''
|+Disk Fax Tournaments
*''[[Famicom Grand Prix: F-1 Race]]''
|-
*''[[Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally‎]]''
!Tournament number!!Game!!Date!!Prizes
*''Golf: Japan Course''
|-
*''Golf: Japan Course (Gold)''
|1||''[[Golf: Japan Course]]''||February 21 to May 10, 1987 (original deadline was April 30)||Prizes included two different gold disk versions of the game, each with a harder course. The top 100 players received the Champions' Course and gold plaques. 5,000 others received the Professional Course.
*''Golf: US Course''
|-
*''Golf: US Course (Gold)''
|2||''[[Golf: U.S. Course]]''||June 14 to August 31, 1987||The top 100 players received trophies. 10,000 received a gold Famicom cartridge of ''Punch-Out!!'' and 1,000 got ''Golf: Prize Card'', a harder gold disk version.
*''[[I Am a Teacher: Super Mario Sweater]]''
|-
*''[[Kaettekita Mario Bros.]]''
|3||''[[Famicom Grand Prix: F1 Race]]''||October 30 to December 15, 1987||The top 100 players of each of the four difficulty levels received trophies. 10,000 received a special edition [[Game & Watch]] of ''[[Super Mario Bros. (Game & Watch)|Super Mario Bros.]]
*''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''
|-
*''[[Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic]]''
|5||''[[Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally]]''||April 14 to May 31, 1988||The top 100 players of each of the three car types received trophies. 10,000 received stationery sets.
{{br}}
|}
The three gold disks and ''Wakusei Aton Gaiden'' are the only FDS games that were never available through retail.<ref>{{cite|url=pony.velvet.jp/fcdisk/fdsstdylst_e.html|title=Famicom Disksystem<!--spelling mistake is on webpage--> - All Software and Version List|publisher=pony.velvet.jp|language=en|accessdate=May 19, 2024}}</ref> No gold or blue disk games have a cartridge equivalent and were distributed only in Japan. An NES counterpart to ''Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally'' was planned, but was rejected by Nintendo of America for looking too "cute."<ref>{{cite|author=Nintendo|date=September 19, 2017|url=www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic/interview-f-zero|title=F-ZERO Developer Interview|accessdate=September 20, 2017|archive=web.archive.org/web/20170912011823/https://www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic/interview-f-zero}}</ref>
 
===Gallery===
<gallery>
Fdsfamicomgolf jp.png|''[[Golf]]''
SMB1 FDS Boxart.jpg|''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''
SMB TLL Boxart.png|''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels|Super Mario Bros. 2]]''
Mario sweater.jpg|''[[I am a teacher: Super Mario Sweater]]''
All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros cover.jpg|''[[All Night Nippon: Super Mario Bros.]]''
Famicom-Golf-Japan-Course-cover.png|''[[Golf: Japan Course]]''
Fds famicomgolfuscourse jp.jpg|''[[Golf: U.S. Course]]''
DDP Famicom Box Art.jpg|''[[Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic]]''
F1Race.png|''[[Famicom Grand Prix: F1 Race]]''
HotRally.png|''[[Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally]]''
</gallery>
 
==System gallery==
<gallery>
FDS Logo.png|The system's mascot, Diskun
PPTTYD Grodus Office FDS Mario.png
PPTTYD Grodus Office FDS Luigi.png
</gallery>


==Names in other languages==
==Names in other languages==
{{foreign names
{{Foreignname
|Jpn=ファミリーコンピュータ ディスクシステム
|Chi=紅白機
|JpnR=Famirī Konpyūta Disuku Shisutemu
|ChiM=red and white machine
|JpnM=Family Computer Disk System
|Jpn2=ファミコン ディスクシステム
|Jpn2R=Famikon Disuku Shisutemu
|Jpn2M=Famicom Disk System
|Chi=
|ChiR=
|ChiM=
|Dut=
|DutM=
|FreA=
|FreAM=
|FreE=
|FreEM=
|Ger=
|GerM=
|Ita=
|ItaM=
|Kor=
|KorR=
|KorM=
|Rus=
|RusR=
|RusM=
|SpaA=
|SpaE=
|SpaEM=
}}
}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
{{multiple image
[[File:Famicom Disk System Main Menu.png|thumb|right|200px|Main menu (''Twin Famicom'' version). The original would say ''Nintendo'' instead.]]
|align=right
*[[Mario]] and [[Luigi]] also appear in the Disk System's BIOS, seen when the Disk System is started. The BIOS also makes a cameo appearance in ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', on [[Sir Grodus]]'s computer. His computer accepts [[Data Disk]]s that looks like a Disk Card.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjuIzeNyNEQ</ref>
|direction=horizontal
*When sped up about 16 times, the [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]] menu ambience is revealed to be a slowed-down version of the startup tune for the Disk System BIOS. <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1m6j38CDOc</ref>
|image1=FamicomDiskSystemMain Menu2.png
|width1=200
|caption1=Family Computer Disk System BIOS
|image2=Famicom Disk System Main Menu.png
|width2=200
|caption2=Twin Famicom BIOS
}}
*[[Mario]] and [[Luigi]] also appear in the Disk System's BIOS, seen when the Disk System is started. The BIOS also makes a cameo appearance in ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', on [[Grodus]]'s computer at [[X-Naut Fortress]]. His computer accepts a [[Data Disk]] that looks like a Disk Card.<ref>{{cite|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjuIzeNyNEQ|title=Paper Mario - The Thousand-Year Door - Famicom Disk System|date=March 26, 2010|author=[[User:Wildgoosespeeder|wildgoosespeeder]]|publisher=YouTube|language=en|accessdate=May 19, 2024}}</ref>
*The system mascot, Diskun, cameos as a toy in Booster's Tower in ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]''. This was made more apparent in the game's [[Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch)|remake]] for the [[Nintendo Switch]] due to the higher quality graphics.
*When sped up 19 times, the [[Nintendo GameCube]] menu ambience is revealed to be a slowed-down version of the startup tune for the Disk System BIOS.<ref>[[Media:GCN Main Menu Sped Up.oga]]</ref>
{{br}}


==References==
==References==
{{NIWA|NWiki=1|StrategyWiki=1|ZeldaWiki=Famicom Disk System}}
<references/>
<references/>
 
{{NIWA|NWiki=1}}
{{br}}
{{NES}}
{{NES}}
{{Systems}}
{{Consoles}}
[[it:Famicom Disk System]]
[[Category:Japan Only Systems]]
[[Category:Accessories]]
[[Category:Accessories]]
[[it:Family Computer Disk System]]

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