Overview
Nintendo Entertainment System (ニンテンドー・エンターテインメント・システム), or NES for short is a home video game console released by Nintendo for outside Japanese territories. It is based on the Famicom released in Japan, but the chassis has been modified and adapted to each country.
| Region | Release date |
|---|---|
| North America | October 18, 1985 |
| Europe | September 1, 1986 |
| Taiwan | 1987 |
| Korea | 1989 |
Differences from the Famicom
Cartridges and Connectors
- The size and shape of cartridges and the number of terminals in connectors are different. Therefore, they are not physically compatible with each other.
- Cartridges are inserted horizontally into the main body.
- Because the connector itself is different, there is no pin for external input. In addition, the logical channel used for the expansion chip in Japan is allocated to the following authentication chip. For this reason, the cartridge side expansion chip could not be used. For example, the Famicom version of Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (Legend of the Evil Demon Castle or Legend of the Devil Castle in Japan) was equipped with an external sound source, but the overseas version of Castlevania III uses only the internal sound source for BGM.
- In addition, since the Disk System also uses an expansion chip, it cannot logically be connected to the NES. This is why some pirate compatibles cannot run the Disk System.
- Incidentally, the domestic version of the New Famicom has input terminals and logic channels for external expansion chips, so there is no reason why the Disk System or expansion chip sound source cannot be used.
- To prevent unauthorized software production, the authentication chip between the cartridge and the console (10NES) was used for the first time in Nintendo. This chip was designed to prevent piracy, and in the case of the European version, it also functioned as a region lock.
- NES cartridges themselves are actually used in Japan for arcade Famicom software and disc writer game packs (which contain the master data for disc software). However, these cannot be used with the NES.
- Since the cartridge is large, you would expect the board to be large as well, but the board is small and more than half of it is empty.
Controller
- The controller (gamepad) can be detached. Can be shared with New Famicom.
- Since the controller is supposed to be detachable, there is no difference between one controller and two controllers. The Legend of Zelda still has a gimmick of using the microphone function in the instruction manual.
- On the other hand, the Famicom does not have an expansion terminal, so third party external controllers such as Joycard and Hori Commander cannot be used.
- However, the NEW Hori Commander for the New Famicom can be plugged in (actually, this is basically just a change in the plug of the regular Hori Commander, and in recent years, private conversion cables have been made and distributed based on this theory, so other external controllers can be used with it).
- In fact, the structure of the internal circuit board of the NES controller is identical to that of the Famicom controller, starting with the button layout.
Derived Models
New-Style NES
The contrast console of the New Famicom. It's also known by it's model number NES-101. It had a much lower price compare to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
Nintendo M82
Officially known as the M82 Game Selectable Working Product Display.
This is a huge arcade machine sold to toy stores in the west for use as an in-store test machine.
Since it was a test machine for sales promotion, it was compatible with the NES and could run NES software.
Incidentally, the Nintendo Famicom Box and Sharp Famicom Station released in Japan are also named after the Famicom, but their specifications are similar to the NES (the way the arcade cassette is inserted is completely NES).
AVS
The abbreviation for Advanced Video System, which was announced by Nintendo at CES in the US in January 1985.
It was a prototype of the NES, and was designed to be a hobby PC.
Initially, it is said to have had the same internal specifications as the Famicom. It also seems to have been a prototype of the Family BASIC in a sense.
Development in the US and Europe
The release of the AVS was cancelled and the specifications were changed to the NES, which was devoid of PC elements.
It was redesigned to look like a VCR, and included a light gun and R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy) to emphasize that it was an entertainment system rather than a console.
These attempts were successful, and the console went on sale first in New York on October 18, 1985, and was released around the United States the following February 1986. The popularity of Super Mario Bros. as a launch title overseas revitalized the video game industry, and North American game manufacturers, which had moved to PC games, entered the home video game market one after another, reviving the American home video game market.
Just as "Famicom" became a household word in Japan, "Nintendo" became a household word in the United States. In Europe, on the other hand, Sega's Master System had a head start on the market, and for a long time held the second largest market share, but with the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the situation turned around.
Commercials
USA
Korea (Hyundai Comboy)
Digression
- The NES compatible devices that exist on the market are very close to the NES specifications.
- Currently, NES cartridge converters from Retro Freak allow you to play NES games on Famicom consoles.
Related Articles
Nintendo Famicom Super Nintendo Entertainment System Advanced Video System Robotic Operating Buddy Famicom Disk System Video Game Console
External Links
English
Nintendo Entertainment System - Wikipedia
Japanese
Nintendo Entertainment System - Wikipedia
