Family Computer (Famicom)

Famicom · 1983

Overview

Nintendo’s Family Computer (Famicom), launched in Japan on July 15, 1983 with hardwired controllers, a top-loading cartridge slot, and the 8-bit architecture later sold worldwide as the NES.

Technical specifications

Manufacturer: Nintendo
Platform: Famicom
Revision: Original
Storage: ROM Game Pak / Famicom Disk System (optional)
Released: 1983-07-15
Discontinued: 2003-09-25
CPU: Ricoh 2A03 (6502-based) @ 1.79 MHz
GPU: Ricoh 2C02 Picture Processing Unit (PPU)
Memory: 2 KB work RAM + 2 KB video RAM

Collector note

Original Famicom: red/white hardwired controllers, top-loading 60-pin cartridges (different from NES 72-pin). Optional Famicom Disk System (1986). Later AV Famicom (New Famicom) added composite AV and detachable controllers.

Facts

Japan launch: July 15, 1983.
CPU: Ricoh 2A03 @ ~1.79 MHz; PPU: Ricoh 2C02; 2 KB work RAM + 2 KB VRAM.
Display: 256×240; cartridge ROM Game Paks; optional Disk System add-on.
Western redesign sold as the NES (NES-001) from 1985.
AV Famicom production ended September 25, 2003.

Related consoles

Nintendo Entertainment System · NESWestern NES redesign (NES-001)
NES Top Loader · NESLater top-loading NES-101
Super Nintendo Entertainment System · SNESSuccessor console (SNES / Super Famicom)

Sources

Nintendo Entertainment System · Wikipedia
Nintendo Entertainment System technical specifications · Wikipedia
Nintendo to end Famicom and Super Famicom production · GameSpot

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