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{{System-Infobox
{{media missing}}
|Image=[[File:Famicomdisksystemconsole.jpg|250px]]
{{system infobox
|Rel={{releasedate|Japan|February 21, 1986}}
|image=[[File:Famicomdisksystemconsole.jpg|250px]]
|Dis=1994 (Remained supported until September 25, 2003)
|generation=Third
|Pre=[[Nintendo Entertainment System]] ([[Family Computer]])
|release={{release|Japan|February 21, 1986}}
|Suc=[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (Super Famicom)
|discontinued=1994 (Remained supported until September 25, 2003)
|predecessor=[[Family Computer]]
|successor=[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (Super Famicom)
}}
}}
[[File:FDS Logo.png|thumb|left|100px|The system's logo, Disk-kun.]]
[[File:Famicom Disk System Logo.png|left|200px||class=invert-dark]]
The '''Family Computer Disk System''' (also called the '''Famicom Disk System''') is an accessory for the [[Family Computer]]. It allowed the Family Computer to play certain games on floppy disks rather than ROM cartridges. Floppy disks had the advantages of being cheaper. Besides that, the disks were rewritable, making saving easier.
The '''{{wp|Famicom Disk System|Family Computer Disk System}}''' (also called the '''Famicom Disk System''') is an accessory for the [[Family Computer]]. It allowed the Family Computer to play certain games on a proprietary floppy disk format called "Disk Cards" rather than ROM cartridges, as Disk Cards were not only cheaper but also allowed for higher data capacity than cartridges at the time. Besides that, the disks were rewritable, so saving was easier.
Sharp Corporation, a Japanese Electronics and Domestic Appliance company, created the [[wikipedia:Twin Famicom|Twin Famicom]], a Family Computer combined with the Disk System into one piece of hardware, but it was also only released in Japan.


The main reason why Famicom Disk System was not released outside Japan is believed to be due to a lack of success caused by various issues with the system:<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rEgsR61aNQ</ref>
[[Nintendo]] sought to make Disk Cards a permanent standard for all of its future games at that point, but this plan was abandoned a few years later due to various hardware issues, most prominently the fact that the system's games were easy to pirate. Later in 1986, Nintendo sought to counter this problem by installing special Disk Writer kiosks that would allow consumers to download games onto Disk Cards for ¥500 as opposed to the retail price of ¥2,600; some Disk System games were even exclusive to these kiosks. The service was very popular, remaining in place until the Family Computer line's discontinuation in 2003, 9 years ''after'' the discontinuation of the Disk System itself. Excluding prize disks, FDS games were available through retail, Disk Writer, or both. ''[[Kaettekita Mario Bros.]]'' and the FDS ports for ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'', ''[[Donkey Kong Jr. (game)|Donkey Kong Jr.]]'', ''[[Pinball (game)|Pinball]]'', and ''[[Wrecking Crew]]'' could be purchased only through the Disk Writer. The former was priced at ¥400 because of its promotional nature, making it the cheapest FDS game. ''[[I am a teacher: Super Mario Sweater]]'' was a retail-only game, but it was sold in handicraft stores. ''[[All Night Nippon: Super Mario Bros.]]'' was sold through a mail order lottery system and at {{wp|Nippon Broadcasting System}}'s building on a single day. The Disk Writer was also capable of updating software for any game that needed it (thus acting as an early precursor to modern internet-based software patching), the sole exception being ''[[Golf: Japan Course]]'', which required mailing the disk to Nintendo.
*The games were easier to pirate, due to the low amount of copy protection (i.e. recognizing legitimate disks by an empty space on the bottom).
*The games were easier to damage, as floppy disks were sensitive to magnetic wavelengths and exposed the strip that lets the system recognize and run the game. In the latter case, the strip could get scratched, dirty, or even grow mold in severe cases.
*Because of the enhanced sound qualities, audio was hard to convert when the games were ported to cartridges.
*The games had lengthy loading times at various points (often when swapping sides, or when entering an area that cannot be processed easily).
*Most games required the player to eject the disk at various points, flip them over, and re-insert them (often after the title screen and on the game's final stretch), similarly to how various PlayStation games require the player to eject and swap optical discs at certain points.
*The jewel cases that contained the games were smaller than cartridge boxes, and were therefore easier to overlook in stores or lose in homes. The cases were also required to fully protect the disk, whereas cartridges could be stored, standalone, on shelves.


The piracy issue was an especially big problem for Nintendo, and is believed to be the source of their stringent policies regarding copyright protection. It is also widely believed that the FDS's high piracy rate is what convinced Nintendo to use cartridges for the [[Nintendo 64]] rather than the technologically superior optical discs seen in their rivals, the Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation.
==Games==
===Differences from cartridge versions===
For the most part, FDS games are identical to their Famicom or NES cartridge versions. Here are some differences found in ''Super Mario'' games:<ref>{{cite|url=pony.velvet.jp/fcdisk/fmcmdskw17.html|title=カセットとディスクカード両方で発売|publisher=pony.velvet.jp|language=ja|accessdate=May 19, 2024}}</ref>


In 1986, Nintendo sought to counter FDS piracy by installing special Famicom Disk Writer kiosks that would allow consumers to download games onto Nintendo floppy disks for ¥500 as opposed to the retail price of ¥2,600; some FDS games were even exclusive to these kiosks. The service was very popular, remaining in place until the Famicom line's discontinuation in 2003, 9 years ''after'' the discontinuation of the Famicom Disk System itself.
*''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'': When Mario scores, the points are in orange instead of white.
*''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'': The [[Minus World]] is completely different. Beating it counts as beating the game, which starts [[Hard Mode]].
*''[[Wrecking Crew]]'': It is possible to save custom levels without the [[Family BASIC]]'s Data Recorder accessory.


==Games==
===Blue and gold disks===
[[File:Famicom_Zelda_Disk.png|right|200px|thumb|Disk of ''The Hyrule Fantasy: Zelda no Densetsu''.]]
Six games received blue disks, five were made by Nintendo and were compatible with Disk Fax, four of which are ''Super Mario'' games. All compatible blue disk games were subject of tournaments with scores submitted through the Disk Fax, a device that could send contestants' data and high scores to Nintendo. The tournament began as soon as the blue disks were released.
Here's the list of [[Mario (franchise)|''Mario'']] or related games released for the Disk System:
 
*''[[All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros.]]''
{|class="wikitable"
*''[[Famicom Grand Prix: F-1 Race]]''
|+Disk Fax Tournaments
*''[[Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally‎]]''
|-
*''Golf: Japan Course''
!Tournament number!!Game!!Date!!Prizes
*''Golf: Japan Course (Gold)''
|-
*''Golf: US Course''
|1||''[[Golf: Japan Course]]''||February 21 to May 10, 1987 (original deadline was April 30)||Prizes included two different gold disk versions of the game, each with a harder course. The top 100 players received the Champions' Course and gold plaques. 5,000 others received the Professional Course.
*''Golf: US Course (Gold)''
|-
*''[[I Am a Teacher: Super Mario Sweater]]''
|2||''[[Golf: U.S. Course]]''||June 14 to August 31, 1987||The top 100 players received trophies. 10,000 received a gold Famicom cartridge of ''Punch-Out!!'' and 1,000 got ''Golf: Prize Card'', a harder gold disk version.
*''[[Kaettekita Mario Bros.]]''
|-
*''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''
|3||''[[Famicom Grand Prix: F1 Race]]''||October 30 to December 15, 1987||The top 100 players of each of the four difficulty levels received trophies. 10,000 received a special edition [[Game & Watch]] of ''[[Super Mario Bros. (Game & Watch)|Super Mario Bros.]]
*''[[Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic]]''
|-
{{br}}
|5||''[[Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally]]''||April 14 to May 31, 1988||The top 100 players of each of the three car types received trophies. 10,000 received stationery sets.
|}
The three gold disks and ''Wakusei Aton Gaiden'' are the only FDS games that were never available through retail.<ref>{{cite|url=pony.velvet.jp/fcdisk/fdsstdylst_e.html|title=Famicom Disksystem<!--spelling mistake is on webpage--> - All Software and Version List|publisher=pony.velvet.jp|language=en|accessdate=May 19, 2024}}</ref> No gold or blue disk games have a cartridge equivalent and were distributed only in Japan. An NES counterpart to ''Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally'' was planned, but was rejected by Nintendo of America for looking too "cute."<ref>{{cite|author=Nintendo|date=September 19, 2017|url=www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic/interview-f-zero|title=F-ZERO Developer Interview|accessdate=September 20, 2017|archive=web.archive.org/web/20170912011823/https://www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic/interview-f-zero}}</ref>
 
===Gallery===
<gallery>
All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros cover.jpg|''[[All Night Nippon: Super Mario Bros.]]''
F1Race.png|''[[Famicom Grand Prix: F1 Race]]''
HotRally.png|''[[Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally]]''
Fdsfamicomgolf jp.png|''[[Golf]]''
Famicom-Golf-Japan-Course-cover.png|''[[Golf: Japan Course]]''
Fds famicomgolfuscourse jp.jpg|''[[Golf: U.S. Course]]''
Mario sweater.jpg|''[[I am a teacher: Super Mario Sweater]]''
SMB1 FDS Boxart.jpg|''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''
SMB TLL Boxart.png|''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels|Super Mario Bros. 2]]''
DDP Famicom Box Art.jpg|''[[Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic]]''
</gallery>
 
==System gallery==
<gallery>
FDS Logo.png|The system's mascot, Diskun
</gallery>


==Names in other languages==
==Names in other languages==
{{Foreignname
{{foreign names
|Chi=紅白機
|Chi=紅白機
|ChiM=red and white machine
|ChiT=Hóngbái jī
|ChiM=Red and white machine
}}
}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
[[File:Famicom Disk System Main Menu.png|thumb|right|200px|Main menu (''Twin Famicom'' version). The original would say ''Nintendo'' instead.]]
{{multiple image
*[[Mario]] and [[Luigi]] also appear in the Disk System's BIOS, seen when the Disk System is started. The BIOS also makes a cameo appearance in ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', on [[Sir Grodus]]'s computer. His computer accepts [[Data Disk]]s that looks like a '''Disk System''' disk.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjuIzeNyNEQ</ref>
|align=right
*When sped up about 16 times, the [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]] menu ambience is revealed to be a slowed-down version of the startup tune for the Disk System BIOS. <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1m6j38CDOc</ref>
|direction=horizontal
|image1=FamicomDiskSystemMain Menu2.png
|width1=200
|caption1=Family Computer Disk System BIOS
|image2=Famicom Disk System Main Menu.png
|width2=200
|caption2=Twin Famicom BIOS
}}
*[[Mario]] and [[Luigi]] also appear in the Disk System's BIOS, seen when the Disk System is started. The BIOS also makes a cameo appearance in ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', on [[Sir Grodus]]'s computer. His computer accepts a [[Data Disk]] that looks like a Disk Card.<ref>{{cite|url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjuIzeNyNEQ|title=Paper Mario - The Thousand-Year Door - Famicom Disk System|date=March 26, 2010|author=[[User:Wildgoosespeeder|wildgoosespeeder]]|publisher=YouTube|language=en|accessdate=May 19, 2024}}</ref>
*The system mascot, Diskun, cameos as a toy in Booster's Tower in ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]''. This was made more apparent in the game's [[Super Mario RPG (Nintendo Switch)|remake]] for the [[Nintendo Switch]] due to the higher quality graphics.
*When sped up 19 times, the [[Nintendo GameCube]] menu ambience is revealed to be a slowed-down version of the startup tune for the Disk System BIOS.<ref>[[Media:GCN Main Menu Sped Up.oga]]</ref>
{{br}}


==References==
==References==
{{NIWA|NWiki=1|StrategyWiki=1|ZeldaWiki=Famicom Disk System}}
<references/>
<references/>
{{NIWA|NWiki=1}}
 
{{br}}
{{NES}}
{{NES}}
{{Consoles}}
{{Systems}}
[[it:Famicom Disk System]]
[[Category:Japan-only systems]]
[[Category:Japan Only Systems]]
[[Category:Accessories]]
[[Category:Accessories]]
[[it:Family Computer Disk System]]

Latest revision as of 14:20, May 20, 2024

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Family Computer Disk System
Family Computer and Family Computer Disk System
Generation Third generation
Release date Japan February 21, 1986
Discontinued 1994 (Remained supported until September 25, 2003)
Predecessor Family Computer
Successor Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Super Famicom)
The logo for the Family Computer Disk System

The Family Computer Disk System (also called the Famicom Disk System) is an accessory for the Family Computer. It allowed the Family Computer to play certain games on a proprietary floppy disk format called "Disk Cards" rather than ROM cartridges, as Disk Cards were not only cheaper but also allowed for higher data capacity than cartridges at the time. Besides that, the disks were rewritable, so saving was easier.

Nintendo sought to make Disk Cards a permanent standard for all of its future games at that point, but this plan was abandoned a few years later due to various hardware issues, most prominently the fact that the system's games were easy to pirate. Later in 1986, Nintendo sought to counter this problem by installing special Disk Writer kiosks that would allow consumers to download games onto Disk Cards for ¥500 as opposed to the retail price of ¥2,600; some Disk System games were even exclusive to these kiosks. The service was very popular, remaining in place until the Family Computer line's discontinuation in 2003, 9 years after the discontinuation of the Disk System itself. Excluding prize disks, FDS games were available through retail, Disk Writer, or both. Kaettekita Mario Bros. and the FDS ports for Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., Pinball, and Wrecking Crew could be purchased only through the Disk Writer. The former was priced at ¥400 because of its promotional nature, making it the cheapest FDS game. I am a teacher: Super Mario Sweater was a retail-only game, but it was sold in handicraft stores. All Night Nippon: Super Mario Bros. was sold through a mail order lottery system and at Nippon Broadcasting System's building on a single day. The Disk Writer was also capable of updating software for any game that needed it (thus acting as an early precursor to modern internet-based software patching), the sole exception being Golf: Japan Course, which required mailing the disk to Nintendo.

GamesEdit

Differences from cartridge versionsEdit

For the most part, FDS games are identical to their Famicom or NES cartridge versions. Here are some differences found in Super Mario games:[1]

Blue and gold disksEdit

Six games received blue disks, five were made by Nintendo and were compatible with Disk Fax, four of which are Super Mario games. All compatible blue disk games were subject of tournaments with scores submitted through the Disk Fax, a device that could send contestants' data and high scores to Nintendo. The tournament began as soon as the blue disks were released.

Disk Fax Tournaments
Tournament number Game Date Prizes
1 Golf: Japan Course February 21 to May 10, 1987 (original deadline was April 30) Prizes included two different gold disk versions of the game, each with a harder course. The top 100 players received the Champions' Course and gold plaques. 5,000 others received the Professional Course.
2 Golf: U.S. Course June 14 to August 31, 1987 The top 100 players received trophies. 10,000 received a gold Famicom cartridge of Punch-Out!! and 1,000 got Golf: Prize Card, a harder gold disk version.
3 Famicom Grand Prix: F1 Race October 30 to December 15, 1987 The top 100 players of each of the four difficulty levels received trophies. 10,000 received a special edition Game & Watch of Super Mario Bros.
5 Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally April 14 to May 31, 1988 The top 100 players of each of the three car types received trophies. 10,000 received stationery sets.

The three gold disks and Wakusei Aton Gaiden are the only FDS games that were never available through retail.[2] No gold or blue disk games have a cartridge equivalent and were distributed only in Japan. An NES counterpart to Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally was planned, but was rejected by Nintendo of America for looking too "cute."[3]

GalleryEdit

System galleryEdit

  • The system's mascot, Diskun

Names in other languagesEdit

Language Name Meaning
Chinese 紅白機

 Red and white machine

Chinese (traditional) Hóngbái jī

 -

TriviaEdit

 
Family Computer Disk System BIOS
 
Twin Famicom BIOS

ReferencesEdit

Family Computer Disk System coverage on other NIWA wikis:
  1. ^ カセットとディスクカード両方で発売. pony.velvet.jp (Japanese). Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  2. ^ Famicom Disksystem - All Software and Version List. pony.velvet.jp (English). Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  3. ^ Nintendo (September 19, 2017). F-ZERO Developer Interview. Retrieved September 20, 2017. (Archived September 12, 2017, 01:18:23 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
  4. ^ wildgoosespeeder (March 26, 2010). Paper Mario - The Thousand-Year Door - Famicom Disk System. YouTube (English). Retrieved May 19, 2024.
  5. ^ Media:GCN Main Menu Sped Up.oga
Nintendo Entertainment System / Family Computer games
Super Mario franchise Donkey Kong (1983) • Mario Bros. (1983) • Pinball (1984) • Golf (1984) • Family BASIC V3† (1985) • Wrecking Crew (1985) • Super Mario Bros. (1985) • Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988) • Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988) • Dr. Mario (1990) • NES Open Tournament Golf (1991) • Mario is Missing!* (1993) • Mario's Time Machine* (1994)
Donkey Kong franchise Donkey Kong (1983) • Donkey Kong Jr. (1983) • Donkey Kong Jr. + Jr. Sansū Lesson† (1983) • Donkey Kong Jr. Math (1983) • Donkey Kong 3 (1984) • Donkey Kong Classics* (1988)
Yoshi franchise Yoshi (1991) • Yoshi's Cookie (1992)
Wario franchise Wario's Woods (1994)
Family Computer Disk System Golf (1986) • Super Mario Bros. (1986) • Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (1986) • I am a teacher: Super Mario Sweater (1986) • All Night Nippon: Super Mario Bros. (1986) • Golf: Japan Course (1987) • Golf: U.S. Course (1987) • Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic (1987) • Famicom Grand Prix: F1 Race (1987) • Donkey Kong‡ (1988) • Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally (1988) • Donkey Kong Jr.‡ (1988) • Kaettekita Mario Bros.‡ (1988) • Wrecking Crew‡ (1989) • Pinball‡ (1989)
Miscellaneous Nintendo World Championships 1990* (1990) • Nintendo Campus Challenge* (1990)
* NES only
† Famicom only
‡ Disk Writer only
Video game systems and add-ons
Nintendo home consoles Nintendo Entertainment System/Family Computer (Family BASIC, Family Computer Disk System) • Super Nintendo Entertainment System/Super Famicom (Satellaview, Super Game Boy) • Nintendo 64 (Nintendo 64DD) • Nintendo GameCube (Game Boy Player) • Wii (Virtual Console, WiiWare) • Wii U (Virtual Console)
Nintendo handhelds Game & Watch • Game Boy • Virtual Boy • Game Boy Color • Game Boy Advance • Nintendo DS (Nintendo DSi, DSiWare) • Nintendo 3DS (Virtual Console)
Other MS-DOS • VS. System • Nintendo PlayChoice-10 • Nelsonic Game Watch • Super Mario Bros. Watch • Gamewatch Boy • Philips CD-i • Mini Classics • Nintendo Switch • Triforce • Visteon Dockable Entertainment System • Classics • LodgeNet

Navigation

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