Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom) Teardown
Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom) teardown.
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Walter Galan
Moderate
Nintendo Family Computer (Famicom)
It's day four of our week of game console teardowns. We stole borrowed a hot tub time machine, went directly to 1983, and acquired a Japanese national treasure: the Famicom!
We partnered with Wired for this teardown to bring you a glimpse of one of the most popular game consoles ever. Check out their story!
For those of you born in this century, the Famicom -- short for Family Computer -- is the name of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in Japan. Join us as we delve into the system that revolutionized the gaming world as we know it.
It's day four of our week of game console teardowns. We stole borrowed a hot tub time machine, went directly to 1983, and acquired a Japanese national treasure: the Famicom!
We partnered with Wired for this teardown to bring you a glimpse of one of the most popular game consoles ever. Check out their story!
For those of you born in this century, the Famicom -- short for Family Computer -- is the name of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in Japan. Join us as we delve into the system that revolutionized the gaming world as we know it.
Phillips 00 Screwdriver
Our contestant hails from a mystical place, the land of the rising sun, Japan!
Our contestant hails from a mystical place, the land of the rising sun, Japan!
The Nintendo Family Computer, released in 1983 in most of Asia, is the overseas brother of the Nintendo Entertainment System.
The Nintendo Family Computer, released in 1983 in most of Asia, is the overseas brother of the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Technical Specifications:
Technical Specifications:
Ricoh 2A03 8-bit 1.79 MHz processor (based on the MOS Technology 6502 8-bit processor core)
Ricoh 2A03 8-bit 1.79 MHz processor (based on the MOS Technology 6502 8-bit processor core)
2KB (16Kb) on-board RAM
2KB (16Kb) on-board RAM
2KB (16Kb) on-board Video RAM
2KB (16Kb) on-board Video RAM
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programmable_sound_generator">PSG</a> Sound
[link|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programmable_sound_generator|PSG] Sound
256 x 240 pixels resolution
256 x 240 pixels resolution
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Backside ports include:
Backside ports include:
AC adapter port
AC adapter port
TV/Game switch
TV/Game switch
Channel selector switch
Channel selector switch
RF Audio/Video output
RF Audio/Video output
Why are you looking so scared, little buddy? Don't worry -- our hands are gentle. We won't hurt you.
Why are you looking so scared, little buddy? Don't worry -- our hands are gentle. We won't hurt you.
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Fully assembled Nintendo Famicom console.
Fully assembled Nintendo Famicom console.
The Famicom was the first console to popularize <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-pad">D-pad</a> controllers to acquire user input. Departing from the era of joysticks, the inclusion of the D-pad allowed for quick and accurate controls.
The Famicom was the first console to popularize [link|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-pad|D-pad] controllers to acquire user input. Departing from the era of joysticks, the inclusion of the D-pad allowed for quick and accurate controls.
The controllers are similar, but not the same...
The controllers are similar, but not the same...
The first controller boasts the traditional layout: D-pad on the left, "select" and "start" buttons in the center, and "b" and "a" buttons on the right.
The first controller boasts the traditional layout: D-pad on the left, "select" and "start" buttons in the center, and "b" and "a" buttons on the right.
However, the second controller has a built-in microphone and a volume switch at the expense of the central "select" and "start" buttons... Cool!
However, the second controller has a built-in microphone and a volume switch at the expense of the central "select" and "start" buttons... Cool!
This is the only console we know of that has a microphone on one of its standard controllers.
This is the only console we know of that has a microphone on one of its standard controllers.
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The Famicom's miniscule 4W power supply won't be popping fuses anytime soon.
The Famicom's miniscule 4W power supply won't be popping fuses anytime soon.
That's about 2.5% of the power that the Xbox 360 devours.
That's about 2.5% of the power that the Xbox 360 devours.
Nintendo Famicom model number HVC-001, Made in Japan. We wouldn't want our Famicom any other way.
Nintendo Famicom model number HVC-001, Made in Japan. We wouldn't want our Famicom any other way.
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A quick removal of six Phillips screws and the bottom cover lifts right off.
A quick removal of six Phillips screws and the bottom cover lifts right off.
Just like the <a href="/Teardown/Atari+2600+Teardown/3541/1">earlier</a> <a href="/Teardown/RCA+Studio+II+Teardown/3527/1">retro</a> <a href="/Teardown/Magnavox+Odyssey+100+Teardown/3531/1">consoles</a>, Fami is super-easy to disassemble.
Just like the [guide|3541|earlier] [guide|3527|retro] [guide|3531|consoles], Fami is super-easy to disassemble.
(yes, we named him Fami.)
(yes, we named him Fami.)
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Two antiquated connectors exchange signals between the controllers and the board.
Two antiquated connectors exchange signals between the controllers and the board.
Want to disconnect a controller? Gotta remove the bottom cover -- but that's pretty much it.
Want to disconnect a controller? Gotta remove the bottom cover -- but that's pretty much it.
Controller II has an extra wire for microphone input and controlling the volume.
Controller II has an extra wire for microphone input and controlling the volume.
After disconnecting them from the board, the controller cables can be lifted out of the case.
After disconnecting them from the board, the controller cables can be lifted out of the case.
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Six Phillips screws secure the motherboard assembly to the outer case.
Six Phillips screws secure the motherboard assembly to the outer case.
Lifting the assembly out of the case gives us a good look at the archaic silicon that makes this thing tick.
Lifting the assembly out of the case gives us a good look at the archaic silicon that makes this thing tick.
Two more Phillips screws secure the hefty power switch to the outer case.
Two more Phillips screws secure the hefty power switch to the outer case.
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Notable chips on the board include:
Notable chips on the board include:
Ricoh RP2A03G 8-bit, 1.79 MHz CPU
Ricoh RP2A03G 8-bit, 1.79 MHz CPU
Ricoh RP2C02G-0 8-bit, 5.32 MHz <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_Processing_Unit">PPU</a>
Ricoh RP2C02G-0 8-bit, 5.32 MHz [link|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_Processing_Unit|PPU]
Toshiba TC40H368P hex bus buffers
Toshiba TC40H368P hex bus buffers
Sharp LH5216D-12 static RAM
Sharp LH5216D-12 static RAM
Hitachi HD74LS139P decoder/demultiplexer
Hitachi HD74LS139P decoder/demultiplexer
Fujitsu MB74LS373
Fujitsu MB74LS373
Unsurprisingly, lead solder abounds on the bottom of the board. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROHS">RoHS</a> standards weren't established until 20 years after this puppy was made.
Unsurprisingly, lead solder abounds on the bottom of the board. [link|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROHS|RoHS] standards weren't established until 20 years after this puppy was made.
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Well hello there!
Well hello there!
<tt>"Shall I compare thee to an Xbox 360? Thou art more lovely and more temperate...But thy internal structure shall not fade...Nor shall time brag thou wand'rest in its shade...So long as gamers can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee."</tt>
``"Shall I compare thee to an Xbox 360? Thou art more lovely and more temperate...But thy internal structure shall not fade...Nor shall time brag thou wand'rest in its shade...So long as gamers can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee."``
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After the motherboard assembly is out, the reset and power button covers can easily be removed.
After the motherboard assembly is out, the reset and power button covers can easily be removed.
Unclipping a spring is all that's needed to remove the eject mechanism from the outer case.
Unclipping a spring is all that's needed to remove the eject mechanism from the outer case.
Ejecting a cartridge is accomplished by pushing two inclined planes underneath the cartridge until it pops up off the connector attached to the board.
Ejecting a cartridge is accomplished by pushing two inclined planes underneath the cartridge until it pops up off the connector attached to the board.
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<del>Breaking</del> Gently releasing the retaining clips holding the cartridge together reveals a 60 pin printed circuit board.
~~Breaking~~ Gently releasing the retaining clips holding the cartridge together reveals a 60 pin printed circuit board.
Front and back sides of the Famicom cartridges:
Front and back sides of the Famicom cartridges:
This PCB from a Tennis cartridge has two ROM packages -- totaling 24 KB -- soldered to one side.
This PCB from a Tennis cartridge has two ROM packages -- totaling 24 KB -- soldered to one side.
For comparison, a single layer <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc">Blu-ray disc</a> has a 25,000,000 KB capacity.
For comparison, a single layer [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc|Blu-ray disc] has a 25,000,000 KB capacity.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.