Family Computer

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Family Computer
Family Computer
Generation Third generation
Release date Family Computer:
Japan July 15, 1983[?]
ROC 1987[?]
British HK 1991[?]
Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer:
Japan November 10, 2016[?]
Discontinued Family Computer:
September 25, 2003[1]

Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer:
April 2017

Ratings Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer:
CERO:B - Twelve years and older
Predecessor Color TV-Game
Successor Super Famicom
“If you were to strike up a friendship with a Japanese gamer and happened to ask him whether he owned a NES back in the '80s, you'd probably be met with a blank stare.”
Official Nintendo Magazine
The logo for the Family Computer

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 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.[2] 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.[3][4] The console would be redesigned for the West as the Nintendo Entertainment System. The Family Computer's controllers were attached to the main unit 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 about half the size of NES Game Paks, and were inserted in the top of the console. Famicom cartridges more closely resembles an audio cassette rather than a video cassette for NES Game Paks, and Famicom cartridges 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.[5] 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.[1]

A few months after the July 1983 release of the Famicom, Sharp produced the 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 BASIC on their Family Computers, and included characters of the 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 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.

Accessories

Famicom Controller

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. A Button and B Button are stationed on the right, the Start Button and Select Button is in the middle, and the D-pad is on the left of the controller. Controller 2 has two buttons with Start Button and Select Button 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 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.

Famicom 3D System

Famicom 3D System
The Famicom 3D System with its adapter next to it

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 SHARP for the Twin Famicom. The Famicom 3D System was compatible with a select few games including a 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.[6]

Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer

Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer
The packaging of the Nintendo Classic Mini.
Main article: Classics § Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer

On September 29, 2016, Nintendo announced the Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer, the Family Computer counterpart of the NES Classic Edition,[7] and was released alongside it in Japan on November 10, 2016. Like the NES Classic Edition, it includes 30 pre-installed Family Computer games, although with some differences in the game lineup, such as Mario Open Golf in place of Donkey Kong Jr. Production for the console was discontinued in April 2017.[8]

Appearances in the Super Mario franchise

Gallery

Logos

Super Mario games

This gallery does not include Family Computer Disk System or Nintendo Entertainment System games.

Miscellaneous

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese ファミリーコンピュータ[?]
Famirī Konpyūta
Family Computer
ファミコン[?]
Famikon
Famicom

References

  1. ^ a b http://www.webcitation.org/5nXieXX2B
  2. ^ Akfamilyhome (April 1, 2020). A History of Nintendo's Hong Kong Releases. YouTube (Cantonese & English (English subtitles available)). Retrieved June 5, 2024. (Archived May 25, 2024, 11:22:53 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
  3. ^ Игорь Пичугин (November 1, 1994). Соглашение Steepler и Nintendo. Газета "Коммерсантъ" (Russian). Retrieved June 1, 2024. (Archived April 27, 2019, 02:58:42 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
  4. ^ Семён Костин (December 14, 2021). Легенда о слоне: как IT-компания Steepler создала Dendy и основала российский консольный рынок. DTF (Russian). Retrieved June 1, 2024. (Archived June 1, 2024, 22:35:52 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
  5. ^ 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). Nintendo DREAM Web (Japanese). Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  6. ^ Plunkett, Luke (April 30, 2010). Nintendo's First 3D Technology Shot A Spaceship At Mario's Face. Kotaku (English). Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  7. ^ September 29, 2016. ファミコンが、手のひらサイズで"再"登場!. Nintendo (Japanese). Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  8. ^ Sephazon, Robert (April 14, 2017). The Famicom Classic Edition Has Now Also Been Discontinued. Nintendo Life (English). Retrieved May 31, 2024.

External links