Tag Archives: Famicom

Modding a Nintendo Famicom (Japanese version of the NES “Nintendo Entertainment System”)

YouTuber Kari has an original Japanese Famicom with NTSC-J RF output and she wants to connect it to a PAL TV.  Join her as she updates a  composite mod on an original Famicom “Family Computer” video game console to work with her TVs, and to have a much clearer picture.

The Nintendo Famicom, short for Family Computer, is a landmark in gaming history, released by Nintendo in Japan in 1983. It revolutionized the home entertainment landscape, introducing millions to the joys of video gaming. The Famicom’s design was sleek and compact, featuring a distinctive red and white color scheme that became iconic. Its controllers were hardwired into the console, a departure from the detachable controllers of previous systems, and featured a simple yet effective directional pad and two action buttons, setting the standard for future game controllers. The console’s architecture was built around an 8-bit CPU, with support for colorful graphics and rich sound, allowing for immersive gaming experiences that captivated players of all ages.

One of the Famicom’s most significant contributions to gaming was its vast library of games, which included classics like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid, among others. These games not only pushed the boundaries of what was possible in gaming at the time but also laid the foundation for many of the franchises and genres that continue to thrive today. The Famicom’s success extended beyond Japan when it was rebranded as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) for international markets. Its influence on the gaming industry cannot be overstated, as it helped revive the video game market after the crash of 1983 and established Nintendo as a dominant force in the industry for decades to come.

Retro Champ – Very DISAPPOINTED…

 

The Retro Champ tries to be the “Switch” for NES/Famicom cartridges, but sadly fails in many key areas. I wanna like it…but NOPE…

PROS

  • good size, feels well built
  • I like that there is a rechargeable battery
  • turns on and boots up very quick
  • Supports thousands of physical games

CONS

  • Screen is not crisp at all. Looks like 240p footage instead of upscaled 
  • D-pad is a little shallow and mushy
  • Has a death grip on your NES cartridge
  • Famicom cartridges are very tough to get out because they’re flush with the system. You need to either use that special tool to push them out or another NES cartridge which is kind of weird and bad design
  • colors washed out or overly saturated
  • Aspect ratio cuts off the right side in 4 x 3
  • Sound is off. Not emulated correctly

Nintendo Famicom Disk System – Buying Guide + Best Games!

Family Computer Disk System was released only in Japan in 1986 and uses floppy disks to store retail games and save games. John Riggs is a collector of the system and shares his knowledge of the system and what games you will want to pick up day 1.

GAMES SHOWN:
The Miracle of Almana
Meikyū Jiin Dababa
Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic
The Mysterious Murasame Castle
Falsion
Vs. Excitebike
Kick Challenger: Air Foot
Bio Miracle-I’m Upa
Otocky

10 Great Nintendo FAMICOM Games – Import these now!

Nintendo collectors may not realize that collecting Japanese Famicom games can be a cheaper option AND get you some games that we never got! Game Collector John Riggs shows us some fun & cheap Famicom games for Nintendo fans!

Games Shown:
Akumajo Special: Boku Dracula-kun
Splatterhouse: Wanpaku Graffiti
New Ghostbusters II
Parodius Da!
Star Wars
Joy Mech Fight
Kid Niki 2
Samurai Pizza Cats
Holy Diver
Wai Wai World 2: SOS!!