FC Game Console (known as the Neo Fami in Japan) is a compact Famiclone measuring just 143x147x47mm manufactured by Qi Sheng Long. It was released by Yobo Gameware Co. in the United States and Gametech in Japan. The system has both 60-pin Famicom and 72-pin NES versions, the latter of which lacking a 10NES chip can play most (but not all) Nintendo Entertainment System and Famicom titles. The Japanese version of the packaging refers to it as Neo-Fami and as a result it is sometimes referred to as such. Due to its small size and widescale availability, the FC Game Console has taken off in markets where Famiclones traditionally never sold well, such as North America.
Overview[]
The original Neo-Fami or the 60-pin version of the FC Game Console accepts Famicom cartridges and won't work with NES cartridges unless one uses an adapter (the reverse is true of the 72-pin version). Though most sites that sell the 60-pin version outside of Japan include this adapter for free. The 60-pin version has 9-pin Famiclone style controller ports, whereas the 72-pin version (released in North America in 2005, marked "USA Version" on the box) has 7-pin NES style controller ports. These ports allow the system to be compatible with each console's original controllers and accessories respectively. However, the 60-pin version lacks the original Famicom expansion port.
All versions output composite NTSC video and mono audio via RCA-style connectors. An external power supply provides 9v 200mA DC through an ordinary power jack. Both supplied controllers feature 'slow' buttons that rapidly pause and unpause play to simulate slowdown, and 'turbo' buttons that provide rapid automated button pressing. The video quality of the FC Game Console is also higher than that of Nintendo's original systems.
Unlike the original Neo-Fami or 60-pin version, the US 72-pin version comes in multiple colors. Either white top/red bottom, silver top/black bottom, or indigo top/white bottom.
Shortcomings and incompatibilities[]
While the system works with most US games, individuals have reported problems with a few (primarily Castlevania III, Gauntlet, and Mindscape games) due to special in-cartridge hardware being incompatible with the NES-on-a-Chip ASIC.
There are also serious audio reproduction inaccuracies which cause music and sound effects in some games to play incorrectly or not at all. In Dragon Warrior III, some of the bass sounds are dulled, but the rest of the sounds are unaffected. The model of NES-on-a-Chip used in the system provides comparatively inferior audio compared to many other Famicom clone systems.
The system also suffers from particularly serious slowdown issues evident in stressful games. These audio and slowdown issues are particularly apparent in games like Kirby's Adventure which feature stressful CPU operations and complex audio.
Trivia[]
- A game console that strongly resembles the FC Game Console was advertised on the website of Taiwanese electronics company Teamforce under the ID TF-2309.[1] It is unknown if this is a rebranded version of the FC Game Console or if the final product resembles it in any way.
- The box for the original release has typos, such as "only" being spelled as "qnly". However, some boxes fix these typos.
References[]
External links[]
- YoboGroup - US distributor, offering systems for wholesale
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