Site Notice

We have a limited coverage policy. Please check our coverage page to see which articles are allowed.
Please no leaked content less than one year old, or videos of leaks.
Content copied verbatim from other websites or wikis will be removed.

Difference between revisions of "Famicom Network System"

From NintendoWiki, your source on Nintendo information. By fans, for fans.
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 1: Line 1:
 
[[File:Famicom Network System.png|thumb|right|A Famicom with the modem attached]]
 
[[File:Famicom Network System.png|thumb|right|A Famicom with the modem attached]]
  
−
The '''Famicom Network System''' ('''Family Computer Network System''', Japanese: ファミリーコンピュータ ネットワークシステム), also referred to as the '''Famicom Modem''' was [[Nintendo]]'s first known online platform for a home console, specifically the Famicom (Japanese version of the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]). It was released in Japan in September of 1988, and is a dial-up modem that attaches to the Famicom, supporting its own special cartridges. The cartridges, known as [[Tsuushin Cartridge]]s compared with a Famicom Game Pak (which are of a rectangular shape excluding where their connector part is) appear as long, rectangular vertical portrait-shaped cards.
+
The '''Famicom Network System''' ('''Family Computer Network System''', Japanese: ファミリーコンピュータ ネットワークシステム), also referred to as the '''Famicom Modem''' was [[Nintendo]]'s first known online platform for a home console. Released for the [[Family Computer|Famicom]] in September 1988, the system comprises a dial-up modem that attaches to the console via the cartridge connector. Software for the system was distributed on long, thin cards called [[Tsuushin Cartridge|Tsuushin]] or Communication Cartridges.  Unlike the larger, landscape-oriented Famicom Cassettes, the labels on these cartridges are portrait-oriented.
  
−
The service was part of a collaboration between [[Nomura Securities]] (specialising in financial services, global investments, financial securities) and Nintendo. The focus for this platform was not on online video games (though the released Konami licensed Tsuushin Shogi Club game for the Famicom Network System possibly was one, and some prototypes were conceived including an online version of [[Go (Famicom Network System)|Go]]) in this case, on request of the Nintendo president at the time [[Hiroshi Yamauchi]]).
+
The network itself was a collaboration between Nintendo and financial services company [[Nomura Securities]]. Unlike other Famicom peripherals, the Famicom Network System was not used for video games, with the possible exception of [[Konami|Konami's]] Tsuushin Shogi Club. Nonetheless, several game prototypes have been developed for the platform, including an online version of [[Go (Famicom Network System)|Go]]). This particular game was personally requested by [[Hiroshi Yamauchi]], Nintendo's president at the time.
  
−
The main services for the service (but possibly not limited to) was live stock trading, [[JRA-PAT|horse race betting]] (the most popular software; later re-released on other consoles), [[PIT Motorboat Race|race boat betting]] and information on video game reviews moderated by a network of toy stores (transmitted through the 1991 introduced [[Super Mario Club (Famicom Network System)|Super Mario Club software and service]]).
+
Applications for the service included (but may not have been limited to) live stock trading, betting on [[JRA-PAT|horse]] and [[PIT Motorboat Race|motorboat races]] and video game reviews and information moderated by a network of toy stores. Of these, the horse racing betting application proved the most popular, and it would later see releases on other consoles. The video game reviews were transmitted through the [[Super Mario Club (Famicom Network System)|Super Mario Club software and service]], introduced in 1991.
  
−
The service was reportedly discontinued in 2001, 13 years after its initial release, with the main use being on the JRA-PAT, the previously mentioned horse race betting game. The peripheral sold a total of around 130,000 units.
+
The service was reportedly discontinued in 2001, 13 years after its initial release, with the main application being on JRA-PAT, the aforementioned horse race betting service. The peripheral sold a total of around 130,000 units.
  
 
==Cancelled adaption for Nintendo of America==
 
==Cancelled adaption for Nintendo of America==

Revision as of 09:40, 29 December 2022

A Famicom with the modem attached

The Famicom Network System (Family Computer Network System, Japanese: ファミリーコンピュータ ネットワークシステム), also referred to as the Famicom Modem was Nintendo's first known online platform for a home console. Released for the Famicom in September 1988, the system comprises a dial-up modem that attaches to the console via the cartridge connector. Software for the system was distributed on long, thin cards called Tsuushin or Communication Cartridges. Unlike the larger, landscape-oriented Famicom Cassettes, the labels on these cartridges are portrait-oriented.

The network itself was a collaboration between Nintendo and financial services company Nomura Securities. Unlike other Famicom peripherals, the Famicom Network System was not used for video games, with the possible exception of Konami's Tsuushin Shogi Club. Nonetheless, several game prototypes have been developed for the platform, including an online version of Go). This particular game was personally requested by Hiroshi Yamauchi, Nintendo's president at the time.

Applications for the service included (but may not have been limited to) live stock trading, betting on horse and motorboat races and video game reviews and information moderated by a network of toy stores. Of these, the horse racing betting application proved the most popular, and it would later see releases on other consoles. The video game reviews were transmitted through the Super Mario Club software and service, introduced in 1991.

The service was reportedly discontinued in 2001, 13 years after its initial release, with the main application being on JRA-PAT, the aforementioned horse race betting service. The peripheral sold a total of around 130,000 units.

Cancelled adaption for Nintendo of America

According to a June 1989 New York Times article by Michael Freitag, an official localization of the network of some kind for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the USA was discussed between Nintendo and a different company, AT&T with Peter Main (Nintendo of America vice marketing president) estimating that it may release in that region in 1990.

In the end, no release candidate modem for the Famicom outside of Japan was ever released. The Teleplay Modem was an unofficial (and unreleased) third party NES modem project with three games known as Battle Storm, Terran Wars and Sea Battle but both Nintendo and SEGA refused to give it a license.

See also


NES logo.png
Nintendo online services
 • Famicom Network System (Famicom, 1988)
 • Satellaview (Super Famicom, 1995) (scheduled satellite broadcast/download, but not Internet)
 • Randnet (Nintendo 64DD 1999)
 • Mobile System GB (Game Boy Color/Game Boy Advance w/Mobile GB Adapter and mobile phone, 2001)  • Online Nintendo GameCube gameplay (Nintendo GameCube, w/GameCube Broadband Adapter/Modem Adapter, 2002)
 • Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (Wii, Nintendo DS Lite, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo DSi XL optionally w/Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector, Nintendo DS & DSi Browser, 2006)
 • Nintendo Network (Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, Web, 2012/3)
 • Nintendo Switch Online (2018; Nintendo Switch)
 • Websites (Nintendo web browser games)
Retrieved from "https://niwanetwork.org/wiki/index.php?title=Famicom_Network_System&oldid=44685"