Family Computer

The Famicom (Family Computer) is the Japanese equivalent of the Nintendo Entertainment System, or the NES. The name is a portmanteau of the "family" and "computer." The Famicom's controllers were attached to the main unit, unlike 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', 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, it more closely resembles a SNES cartridge, but can be found in different colors, such as gray, yellow, and blue.

The console was released in 1983, but in February 1986 the Famicom Disk System was released as an accessory for the Famicom. This accessory enabled games to be played on the Famicom in the form of a disk. Many newer games were released only on the F.D.S. that were never released on the NES or Famicom.

Trivia

Mario playing his Famicom.

• In The Great Mission to Save Princess Peach, Mario himself (during his days at the Real World early in the movie) possessed a Famicom, which he played an unknown game on. Peach and Bowser also managed to teleport through the television he played this system on, although they did not appear to have any role at all in the game.