Can You Play NES Games on an AV Famicom?
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The short answer is: yes, with some caveats and the necessary adapter, you can play NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) games on an AV Famicom. However, it’s not as simple as plugging in an NES cartridge. This article will delve into the details, explaining how it works, what challenges you might face, and provide a comprehensive guide to help you enjoy NES games on your AV Famicom.
Understanding the Differences: NES vs. Famicom
To grasp why an adapter is needed, we first need to understand the fundamental differences between the NES and the Famicom. Though both are 8-bit consoles from Nintendo, they were designed for different markets and have distinct physical features.
- Cartridge Design: The most obvious difference is the cartridge design. The Famicom uses a 60-pin cartridge, while the NES uses a 72-pin cartridge. This physical incompatibility prevents you from directly inserting an NES cartridge into a Famicom.
- Region Locking: The NES and Famicom have different physical cartridge designs acting as a primary form of region lock. The NES also has a technical region lock, using its 10NES lockout chip, however, the Famicom does not have a comparable lockout chip.
The AV Famicom: A Step Forward
The AV Famicom, also known as the New Famicom (released in 1993), offered significant improvements over the original Famicom. Key among these was the inclusion of composite video output, an enhancement over the original Famicom’s RF-only output. However, the AV Famicom did not include an AV cable or an AC adapter, as Nintendo assumed many potential customers already owned a Super Famicom and could use those cables. This improvement made the AV Famicom a more attractive option for many and better suited to modern televisions. The cartridge slot however, remained the same 60-pin design.
Using an Adapter
To play NES games on an AV Famicom, you’ll need a 60-pin to 72-pin adapter. This adapter bridges the physical gap between the two cartridge types and allows the signals from the NES game to be processed by the AV Famicom.
Adapter Considerations
- Functionality: Most adapters allow standard NES games to play on the AV Famicom. However, some games use special hardware on the cartridges, such as PPU /A13 or VRAM /CE connectors. Certain adapters might not support these games directly. Some adapter vendors make modified versions specifically to support games using those connectors.
- Sound and Graphics: While most NES games will run reasonably well on an AV Famicom with an adapter, there may be minor glitches with sound or graphics in rare cases. This is more common with PAL region games, but even NTSC games aren’t guaranteed to run flawlessly in every case.
- Power Supply: It’s important to use the correct power supply with your AV Famicom. Always make sure the power supply matches the voltage requirements for your region.
- Physical Fit: The adapter will make the NES cartridge slightly taller and more bulky on top of the AV Famicom console.
Modifying the Adapter
As mentioned earlier, some NES games won’t function properly with standard adapters. These games utilize specific signals that some older adapters don’t handle correctly. To play these games, some modification may be needed. This usually involves modifying the adapter to support these PPU /A13 and VRAM /CE signals. However, this is not something to take lightly and would typically only be attempted by people who have a reasonable understanding of electronics. Some vendors will also sell modified adapters, which would be much simpler for those not comfortable doing modifications themselves.
Modding Considerations
- Technical Knowledge: Modifying an adapter requires some technical knowledge of electronics. This is not something for beginners.
- Risk: Improper modifications can damage your adapter, games, or console, and should be avoided unless you are sure you know what you are doing.
- Alternatives: If you are uncomfortable modifying the adapter, consider buying a modified one from a vendor who already makes them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of playing NES games on an AV Famicom, covering various aspects and potential concerns:
1. Are Famicom and NES the same console?
Yes and No. They are both 8-bit consoles from Nintendo with identical processors, but the Famicom was released in Japan first, and the NES was the North American version. They have different physical cartridge designs and different casing.
2. Can I use a regular Famicom (not AV) to play NES games with an adapter?
Yes, you can, but it will not be as simple. The original Famicom has an RF output. Using a 72-pin to 60-pin adapter to plug an NES game in would function identically to using the AV Famicom. However, the original Famicom lacks composite video output and you will likely need to use a relatively poor quality RF signal from it. You would also need an NES power adapter instead of a Famicom power adapter. Using an AV Famicom with an adapter is much simpler and provides superior video quality.
3. Will all NES games work with an adapter on an AV Famicom?
Most NTSC NES games will work with an adapter on an AV Famicom, but some games using extra hardware on the cartridges (such as PPU /A13 or VRAM /CE connectors) might not work with all adapters unless it has been modified to support these signals. PAL NES games may encounter graphical or sound glitches or might not run at all.
4. Can I use a Famicom Disk System on my NES?
Yes, you could use a Famicom Disk System on a North American NES with the correct adapter. However, the enhanced audio of the Famicom Disk System will likely not work on the NES. The SNES however, is not compatible with the Famicom Disk System.
5. Is the Famicom AV region locked?
The AV Famicom itself is not region-locked in a hardware sense like the NES is. The physical cartridge slots differ between the two systems. However, US and European NES games cartridges won’t physically fit without an adapter. The video output is NTSC 240p, so your display needs to support that format.
6. How do I make my Famicom region-free?
To make an NES cartridge fit, you will still need the 60 to 72 pin adapter. There is no “region lock” on the Famicom like there is on the NES, so all you need to do is use the adapter. Physical differences in the shape of the cartridge will prevent a native fit in the Famicom console.
7. Can a Famicom top loader play NES games?
Yes, you can use a Famicom top loader (though much rarer than the NES top loader) to play NES games with a 60 to 72 pin adapter. The adapter will still be required due to physical differences in the cartridges.
8. Why does the Famicom have fixed controllers?
The Famicom has fixed controllers to lower costs. In Japan, the most common use for consoles was as part of “living room” type entertainment setups and the additional cost of adding ports for controllers would have greatly increased the console price. This also meant the use of NES peripherals such as the Zapper required an additional expansion port on the console to remedy this.
9. Why is the NES cartridge so much bigger than the Famicom cartridge?
The NES cartridge is larger due to its 72-pin design, while the Famicom uses a 60-pin design. The NES uses 4 pins for the lockout chip and 10 pins for an expansion port on the bottom of the console, thus the need for additional pins. The 60-pin connector of the Famicom is much smaller.
10. Why could Famicom games have additional audio chips in the cartridges?
The Famicom could route audio chips directly from the cartridge into the audio mixer of the console, while the NES could not. This allowed for better sound quality in some Famicom games such as Castlevania III.
11. When did the AV Famicom get released?
The AV Famicom was released in 1993, much later than the original Famicom, which came out in 1983.
12. How many games were released for the NES and Famicom?
There were 1395 officially licensed games released for the NES and Famicom across their lifespans.
13. What is the largest official NES game?
The largest official NES game is Kirby’s Adventure, at 768KB.
14. Will Nintendo make more NES Classic consoles?
Nintendo has stated that they will not restock the NES Classic, nor are they planning any similar mini-console versions of their other home consoles.
15. Why was the Famicom so popular in Japan?
The Famicom was popular as it allowed people to play a variety of games at home, at a time when playing video games was only common in arcades.
Conclusion
Playing NES games on an AV Famicom is a rewarding experience for retro gaming enthusiasts. While you’ll need an adapter and should be mindful of potential compatibility issues with certain games, the ability to enjoy the vast library of NES titles on a Japanese console is certainly attainable. By understanding the differences between the two consoles, and taking careful steps with a well-sourced adapter, you can unlock hours of classic 8-bit gaming fun. This guide and the included FAQs should provide you with all the information you need to start your journey!