When did the Famicom (Family Computer) come out?

The Famicom (Family Computer) was released in 1983.

How many games are licensed for the Famicom (Family Computer)?

Approximately 1,053 licensed games were released for the Famicom (Family Computer).

How many Famicom (Family Computer) units were sold?

Around 19.4 million Famicom (Family Computer) units were sold worldwide.

Can the Famicom (Family Computer) be modded?

The Famicom (Family Computer) supports softmodding — no hardware modification required. Custom firmware: N/A (ROM-based).

Famicom (Family Computer)

Manufacturer: Nintendo
Production: 1983–2003
Generation: Gen 3
Type: Home
Region: JP
Media: Cartridge
Units sold: 19.4M

About Famicom (Family Computer)

The Nintendo Family Computer, commonly shortened to "Famicom," is an 8-bit home video game console released by Nintendo in Japan on July 15, 1983, at a launch price of ¥14,800. A massive commercial success that dominated the Japanese market, it was later redesigned and released internationally as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The Famicom is widely credited with reviving the video game industry after the 1983 crash and establishing the cartridge-based home console template, alongside franchises such as Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.

Read about the Famicom (Family Computer) in the Chapter 2: The Crash and the Comeback era of our long-form console history.

Library & collector facts

Software library

1,053licensed games

Japan: 1,053

Best-selling game

Super Mario Bros.

Pricing

Launch price (1983)

🇯🇵 JPY: ¥14,800

Launch titles & exclusives

Launch titles

Donkey Kong · Donkey Kong Jr. · Popeye

Pack-in game

None (sold as standalone hardware in Japan)

Notable exclusives

Super Mario Bros. · The Legend of Zelda · Dragon Quest series · Final Fantasy I-III · Mother (EarthBound Beginnings) · Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon · Famicom Detective Club · Metroid · Kid Icarus · Castlevania

Final licensed game

Adventure Island IV (Takahashi Meijin no Bouken Jima IV, 1994) was among the last licensed releases

Most valuable collectible

Family Computer Disk System exclusive titles; sealed early-production launch units with hardwired controllers; gold/silver Famicom Disk System Writer kiosks (institutional collector pieces)

Hardware specs

Cpu: Ricoh 2A03 @ 1.79 MHz (customized MOS 6502 with integrated APU)
Gpu: Ricoh 2C02 PPU — 25 on-screen colors from a 54-color palette
Ram: 2 KB work RAM + 2 KB video RAM
Sound: 2A03 APU — 5 channels (2 pulse, 1 triangle, 1 noise, 1 DPCM sample)

Hardware revisions

Original Famicom HVC-001(1983)
hardwired controllers, RF-only output, early units had a chip bug causing freezes (Nintendo offered free motherboard swaps)
Sharp Twin Famicom(1986)
licensed integrated unit with built-in Famicom Disk System
AV Famicom HVC-101(1993)
final cost-reduced redesign with detachable controllers and composite video output

Launch colorways & special editions

Launch colors

Red and white (cream) two-tone — the iconic launch colorway

Special editions

Sharp Twin Famicom (1986, integrated Disk System); Sharp C1 Famicom TV (1983, CRT with Famicom built in); AV Famicom / New Famicom HVC-101 (1993, composite output redesign)

Modding scene

Difficulty: soft-mod
Custom firmware: N/A (ROM-based)

Reception & legacy

Launch reception

Massive success in Japan — sold out repeatedly through 1984; defined the post-arcade home gaming market in Japan

Notable controversies

Early production motherboard bug caused freezes and prompted a costly recall/swap program; strict Nintendo licensing terms (limited cart orders per publisher) bred resentment that later drove publishers to Sega and Sony

Cultural significance

Dominant Japanese home console of the 80s; the cultural template for modern console gaming in Japan and the foundation Nintendo's entire business is built on