Famicom

The Famicom, short for Family Computer, is Nintendo's 8-bit home video game console released in Japan in 1983. It popularized the use of cartridge-based games for households and featured a red-and-white compact design. The system's name and branding emphasized family entertainment.

Hardware and design details include a Ricoh 2A03 8-bit CPU with integrated audio, based on the MOS 6502, and a Ricoh 2C02 Picture Processing Unit for graphics. It ran at about 1.79 MHz. Games were distributed on ROM cartridges plugged into a card-edge slot. Controllers connected to the front; the standard controller included a digital D-pad, two action buttons labeled A and B, and Start and Select. The Famicom's architecture supported a wide catalog of arcade ports and original titles.

Peripherals and variants: In 1986 Nintendo released the Famicom Disk System, a detachable drive that stored games on proprietary floppy disks, extending storage and offering save features. The Disk System was highly popular in Japan. Another major variant emerged outside of Japan as the NES; in North America, the console was redesigned with a gray/black shell to meet Western market expectations, and released in 1985–1986 as the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Legacy and library: The Famicom established Nintendo as a leading home console developer, contributing a rich library including many enduring franchises. It helped revive the video game market after the mid-1980s crash and laid groundwork for Nintendo's later hardware generations. The Famicom line remains influential among collectors and gaming historians.