Nice Code has produced numerous adaptations of basic, real-world games for 8-bit hardware such as board games, card games, and casino games. Most of these games were originally developed for various dedicated plug & plays based on Famicom/NES hardware, mainly from Techno Source and Excalibur. These include the TV Casino System(s), Bicycle TV Playing Card System, and the Excalibur Family Fun consoles, among others. However, several titles do not have a clear source. The majority of casino games have both a standard Famicom/NES variant and VT03 variant; some of the board games (namely Backgammon, Checkers, Chinese Checkers, Dominoes, and Reversi) have a VT03 release with an added title screen. The other listed games are generally exclusive to standard Famicom/NES hardware. Several of these games use music and sound effects ripped from Captain Tsubasa or Gomoku Narabe Renju.
Index • Intellivision & Atari ports • Nature Clan games • Casino and casual games • Olympic games • Disney's Math Quest with Aladdin level clones • 8-bit educational programs • VT32 educational programs • NES/Famicom hacks • Famicom cartridge games
Plug and play console games: 0-A • B • C-E • F • G-L • M-O • P • Q-S • T-Z
Due to the ubiquity of the games themselves, information is kept at minimum; the majority of variants are not listed. While separated into "casino" and "other" games below, there is some overlap between both categories. For consistency, the games labeled "casino games" feature faux-gambling or betting mechanics.
Techno Source casino games[]
A set of casino and card simulation games were released as part of a few plug and play systems sold by Techno Source between 2004 and 2005. These games first appeared in their 15-in-1 TV Casino System plug & play released in 2004, and some of these games would later be included in two subsequent related plug & plays released in the following year, named the Bee 5-in-1 TV Casino System and Bicycle TV Playing Card System. Generic versions of these games would later be produced and included on other plug & play systems. The versions on the Techno Source systems are likely the originals as they feature an "OUT" button that takes the player back to the main menu of the respective console the game is on. Versions of these games on the 2005 units lack music.
The Techno Source systems also feature Solitaire and Freecell; these games are likely repurposed and modified from "educational computer" Famiclones. The Bicycle TV console also includes Go Fish, which is repurposed from the "Hoyle Family TV Gaming System" (15-in-1).
5 Card Draw[]
Included on the Techno Source 15-in-1 TV Casino System from 2004.
5 Card Draw (alternate revision)[]
Appears to be based on the Techno Source version, but uses a heavily modified layout in comparison. The music and sound effects are retained.
7 Card Stud[]
Included on the Techno Source 15-in-1 TV Casino System from 2004.
7 Card Stud (alternate revision)[]
Appears to be based on the Techno Source version, but uses a heavily modified layout in comparison. The music and sound effects are retained.
Baccarat[]
Included on the Techno Source 15-in-1 TV Casino System from 2004.
Blackjack[]
Originally included on the Techno Source 15-in-1 TV Casino System from 2004 and the Bee 5-in-1 TV Casino System from 2005. An unaltered version of the original game is included on the Family Pocket 638-in-1. The music used in this version is "National Champions" from Tecmo Cup Soccer Game.
Blackjack (Power Joy)[]
Simplifies the playfield design and slightly alters the dealer's sprite. The HEX data for the erased playfield detail is still intact in the code.
Blackjack (VT03)[]
A VT03 conversion based on the Techno Source version; the graphics are completely redrawn in comparison. The music is also altered.
Blackjack (Play Vision/Fun Station)[]
Changes the dealer to a girl with pigtails, and the poker chips to an owl-like creature with a dollar sign on its stomach. This variant originates from the "Play Vision"/"Fun Station" game set; it was later featured in Waixing's set with no further changes.
Blackjack (Waixing, VT03)[]
VT03-enhanced version of the "Play Vision"/"Fun Station" 8-bit version; graphics are given added colors/shading.
Blackjack (alternate revision)[]
Appears to be based on the Techno Source version, but uses a heavily modified layout in comparison. The sound effects are retained, with the music track changed to the "Newscast" theme from Tecmo Cup Soccer Game.
Caribbean[]
Included on the Techno Source 15-in-1 TV Casino System from 2004.
Caribbean (alternate revision)[]
Appears to be based on the Techno Source version, but uses a heavily modified layout in comparison. The music track is changed; as with the Techno Source release, the game has no sound effects.
Craps[]
Included on the Techno Source 15-in-1 TV Casino System from 2004.
Craps (VT32)[]
VT32 conversion of the Techno Source Craps game. Likely originates from a VT03 conversion.
Gin Rummy[]
Included on the Techno Source 15-in-1 TV Casino System from 2004 and the Bicycle TV Playing Card System from 2005.
Gin Rummy (alternate revision)[]
Appears to be based on the Techno Source version, but uses a heavily modified layout in comparison. The sound effects are retained, with the music track changed.
Gin Rummy ("Family" version)[]
Judging by unused CHR data of the "alternate" revision, a more family-friendly variant of Gin Rummy was produced that featured a hamster (possibly acting as the card dealer). However, this version has not yet surfaced, and may have been part of a canceled project. Similar remnants of "family" versions also exist within variants of Hearts and Spades.
Hearts[]
Included on the Techno Source 15-in-1 TV Casino System from 2004 and the Bicycle TV Playing Card System from 2005.
Snaffo (Power Joy)[]
Removes all betting mechanics and changes the three opponents to a bear, a bulldog, and a beagle. The playfield design is altered, and is now colored pink with a large heart in the center. Adds a title screen crediting Power Joy Ltd.
Hearts (alternate revision)[]
Appears to be based on the Snaffo variant; as with that version, the betting mechanics are removed. Further alters the playfield and removes the opponents' portraits entirely; also changes the game's music.
Hearts (VT03)[]
A VT03 conversion based on the Techno Source version; the graphics are completely redrawn in comparison. The music is also altered.
Hearts ("Family" version)[]
Judging by unused CHR data of the "alternate" revision, a more family-friendly variant of Hearts was produced that featured different human opponents. However, this version has not yet surfaced, and may have been part of a canceled project. Similar remnants of "family" versions also exist within variants of Gin Rummy and Spades.
Roulette[]
Included on the Techno Source 15-in-1 TV Casino System from 2004 and the Bee 5-in-1 TV Casino System from 2005.
Roulette (alternate revision)[]
Features different graphics and music compared to the Techno Source version.
Roulette (VT32)[]
VT32 conversion of the "alternate" revision of the game. Likely originates from a VT03 conversion.
Slot Machine[]
Gameplay (15-in-1 TV Casino System version).
Included on the Techno Source 15-in-1 TV Casino System from 2004 and the Bee 5-in-1 TV Casino System from 2005. The original 2004 version on the 15-in-1 uses music from Destiny of an Emperor. All known variants of this game are based on the 15-in-1 version.
Slot Machine (Power Joy)[]
Generic variant of the original Techno Source 15-in-1 version of the game for Power Joy Ltd. that uses different graphics. Selecting "OUT" in game goes to the title screen.
Slots (Play Vision/Fun Station)[]
Based on the Power Joy version; uses completely different graphics in comparison. This variant originates from the "Play Vision"/"Fun Station" game set; it was later featured in Waixing's set with no further changes.
Slots (Waixing, VT03)[]
VT03-enhanced version of the "Play Vision"/"Fun Station" 8-bit version; graphics are given added colors/shading.
Spades[]
Included on the Techno Source 15-in-1 TV Casino System from 2004 and the Bicycle TV Playing Card System from 2005.
Spades (alternate revision)[]
Appears to be based on the Techno Source version, but uses a heavily modified layout in comparison. The music track is changed; as with the Techno Source release, the game has no sound effects.
Spades (VT03)[]
VT03 conversion of the "alternate" revision of the game.
Spades ("Family" version)[]
Judging by unused CHR data of the "alternate" revision, a more family-friendly variant of Spades was produced that featured dog opponents (possibly referencing "Dogs Playing Poker"). However, this version has not yet surfaced, and may have been part of a canceled project. Similar remnants of "family" versions also exist within variants of Gin Rummy and Hearts.
Texas Hold'em[]
Included on the Techno Source 15-in-1 TV Casino System from 2004 and the Bee 5-in-1 TV Casino System from 2005.
Texas Hold'em (alternate revision)[]
Appears to be based on the Techno Source version, but uses a heavily modified layout in comparison. The music and sound effects are retained.
Video Poker[]
Included on the Techno Source 15-in-1 TV Casino System from 2004.
Video Poker (alternate revision)[]
Appears to be based on the Techno Source version, but uses a heavily modified layout in comparison. The sound effects are retained, with the music track changed. Uses a modified version of the Bubble Bobble Part 2 font.
Excalibur casino games[]
A separate set of casino games included on the single-player "World Series of Poker: 15-in-1 Casino" plug & play by Excalibur. Some games in this set appear to be based on the earlier Techno Source versions in code (e.g. Slots), but feature rather elaborate alterations; such as changing the table/HUD layout or adding/removing animations. Most (if not all) of the Excalibur versions feature no background music. In comparison to the Techno Source releases, the Excalibur versions are less common on unbranded plug & play systems; though still occasionally appear in generic sets, either unmodified or as hacked variants.
There is also a 7-in-1 model of the World Series of Poker system. The 7-in-1 console appears to run on different (possibly non-NES) hardware with considerably different sound effects, but uses similar game layouts to the 15-in-1 system. There is also a multiplayer version of the 15-in-1; it is unknown if this release contains the Nice Code-developed titles.
This game set also includes Gin Rummy, which is repurposed from the "Excalibur Family Fun" 10-in-1 system.
5 Card Draw[]
Included on the World Series of Poker: 15-in-1 Casino plug & play. Appears to be entirely reprogrammed compared to the Techno Source version.
7 Card Stud[]
Included on the World Series of Poker: 15-in-1 Casino plug & play. Appears to be entirely reprogrammed compared to the Techno Source version.
Acey-Deucey[]
Included on the World Series of Poker: 15-in-1 Casino plug & play. Referred to as "Red Dog" in most generic multicart menus.
Baccarat[]
Included on the World Series of Poker: 15-in-1 Casino plug & play. Appears to be entirely reprogrammed compared to the Techno Source version.
Baccarat (alternate revision)[]
Appears to be based on the Excalibur version, but uses a heavily modified layout in comparison. The sound effects are retained; uses the same music track as another hacked variant that retains the Excalibur layout.
Big Six[]
Included on the World Series of Poker: 15-in-1 Casino plug & play. The game is often overdumped as 256k on generic multicarts, seemingly for an unclear technical reason; the actual game's data is only around 32k.
Blackjack[]
Included on the World Series of Poker: 15-in-1 Casino plug & play. Appears to be entirely reprogrammed compared to the Techno Source version.
Craps[]
Included on the World Series of Poker: 15-in-1 Casino plug & play. Appears to be entirely reprogrammed compared to the Techno Source version.
Craps (alternate revision)[]
Features different graphics (with a red board rather than green) and added music.
Deuces Wild Video Poker[]
Included on the World Series of Poker: 15-in-1 Casino plug & play.
Keno[]
Included on the World Series of Poker: 15-in-1 Casino plug & play.
Pai Gow Poker[]
Included on the World Series of Poker: 15-in-1 Casino plug & play.
Roulette[]
Included on the World Series of Poker: 15-in-1 Casino plug & play. Appears to be entirely reprogrammed compared to the Techno Source version.
Slots[]
Included on the World Series of Poker: 15-in-1 Casino plug & play. Appears to be built off of the same engine as the Techno Source Slot Machine game, but uses an altered layout in comparison.
Slots ("Blue machine" version)[]
Features different graphics (with a blue machine rather than orange) and added music. The layout of this variant is specifically based on the Excalibur release.
Slots ("Black machine" version)[]
Features different graphics (using a black machine), and uses music and sound effects ripped from Don Doko Don 2.
Slots Casino (VT03)[]
Uses virtually identical graphics to the "Slots" game included on the World Series of Poker: 7-in-1 Casino plug & play (which is not yet verified to be a Nice Code production). As with the "black machine" version, it uses music and sound effects from Don Doko Don 2.
Texas Hold'em[]
Included on the World Series of Poker: 15-in-1 Casino plug & play. Appears to be entirely reprogrammed compared to the Techno Source version.
Video Poker[]
Included on the World Series of Poker: 15-in-1 Casino plug & play. Appears to be entirely reprogrammed compared to the Techno Source version.
Other casino games[]
Caribbean Poker[]
Not known to be included on any Techno Source or Excalibur systems, and only known to exist as a VT32 conversion (which was likely VT03-based originally). The game's HUD more closely resembles the Excalibur titles, so it may originate from a scrapped game concept for the World Series of Poker systems.
Techno Source casual games[]
A series of casual games that were released on a few plug & play models by Techno Source in 2005. These include the "Hoyle Family TV Gaming System" (11-in-1) and the "Sudoku TV Gaming System" (6-in-1); an alternate "Hoyle TV Mahjong Plus Solitaire" console was also announced, but was seemingly canceled. Additional variants of the games were concurrently produced for Power Joy Ltd, which generally feature added music tracks; the Techno Source releases feature no music. All of the games in the series (save for Sudoku) are common on generic plug & play systems.
Notably, while Nice Code produced various forms of Sudoku games, the variant featured on the Sudoku TV Gaming System does not appear to be Nice Code-developed; instead being produced by the same (otherwise-unknown) developer who produced the final versions of the "Elmo's World" plug & play games.
Backgammon[]
Backgammon (VT03)[]
A VT03 conversion; based on the variant with no music. Features fully-redrawn graphics and an updated title screen.
Checkers[]
The version with added music is just titled "Checker", and features a secret Power Joy credits screen.
Checkers (VT03)[]
A VT03 conversion; based on the variant with added music. Features fully-redrawn graphics and an updated title screen.
Chinese Checkers[]
Chinese Checkers (VT03)[]
A VT03 conversion; based on the variant with no music. Features fully-redrawn graphics and adds a title screen.
Crazy Eights[]
Crazy Eights (alternate revision)[]
Features different graphics (including much smaller cards) and an added music track.
Crazy Eights (VT03)[]
VT03 conversion of the "alternate" revision of the game; it does not feature a title screen.
Dominoes[]
Dominoes (VT03)[]
A VT03 conversion; based on the variant with no music. Features fully-redrawn graphics and adds a title screen.
Go Fish[]
Features fish swimming in the background, which appear to be modified from Fish Story. This game is also included on the Bicycle TV Playing Card System.
High Card[]
Reuses graphics from Hit-Mouse/Toad in the Hole, with each player having three mice that get knocked down by a hammer upon losing a round.
Poker War[]
A variant of High Card that changes the mice to rows of tanks. The player portraits are intact, but are colored differently. Also adds a music track.
Mahjong[]
A tile-matching game; does not play by proper mahjong rules.
Old Maid[]
The variant with added music also features slightly altered graphics, including different card backings showing an old maid. The players in this version are also given names: "Jeery" [sic], "Charis", and "Eric".
Old Maid (VT03)[]
A VT03 conversion; features fully-redrawn graphics, though does not feature a title screen. Adds human portraits representing the three opponents; the cards are changed to farm animals. Also uses a different music track than the original version.
Reversi[]
Reversi (VT03)[]
A VT03 conversion; features fully-redrawn graphics and adds a title screen. The player is represented by a man in a futuristic helmet; the opponent is changed to a robot. Uses a different music track than the original version. The title screen uses the same bouncing "START" letters as some of Nice Code's Sudoku games.
Excalibur casual games[]
A set of ten casual games that were released on the "Excalibur Family Fun" 10-in-1 plug & play (also sold as just "Excalibur Family"). Each game opens with a menu allowing the player to enter their name and choose various options (e.g. difficulty levels and card backing designs). Many of these games feature sound effects lifted from Mahjong and/or Gomoku Narabe Renju for the Famicom. A majority of these games are not commonly featured on generic multi-game systems, with the exception of three titles: Boxes, Hangman, and Slapjack.
Boxes[]
A game of Dots and Boxes.
Lattice Winner[]
Features completely different graphics than the original version. The options menu is removed, instead featuring a title screen that retains the player select option.
Boxes (alternate revision)[]
Based on the Lattice Winner variant; this version has the player draw square soccer nets, which show soccer balls when completed instead of a filled-in color.
Boxes Game[]
Based on the Lattice Winner variant; the graphics are completely different in comparison. This variant is only known to appear on a 360-in-1 console in a faux-NES Classic Edition shell.
Fruit Boxes (VT03)[]
A VT03 conversion; the players' completed boxes are filled in with fruits. Many graphics are modified from Kirby's Adventure, notably using a large edited sprite of Kirby from that game's title screen.
Card Match[]
Different from Nice Code's other known card matching games (e.g. Twin Cards and Happy Match).
Crazy 8s[]
Completely different in coding than the Techno Source version.
Gin Rummy[]
Appears to be built off of the same engine as the Techno Source casino game, but uses an altered layout in comparison. This game is also included on the World Series of Poker: 15-in-1 Casino plug & play, which has its options menu removed and uses slightly different formatting.
Go Fish[]
Completely different in coding than the Techno Source version.
Hangman[]
Most generic multicart releases of this game remove the options menu; this results in the game starting with the same word ("EASEL") every time it is powered up.
Hearts[]
Appears to be built off of the same engine as the Techno Source casino game, but uses an altered layout in comparison.
Old Maid[]
Completely different in coding than the Techno Source version.
Slapjack[]
Most generic multicart releases of this game remove the options menu.
War[]
Based on the War card game.
Other casual games[]
RB Chess[]
An Othello/Reversi game; the "RB" in the title stands for the red and blue playing pieces. Many multicarts mix up this game's title with the Apple Chess version below.
This game very likely originates from an "educational computer" Famiclone, and appears to have originally used CHR-RAM for graphics (as remnants of graphic tiles can be seen in its PRG). Notably, it appears to have been intended to run with a Subor 24-bit mouse as its controller (though it also functions with a standard d-pad). However, it is unclear if its original form was a Nice Code-developed release, or if Nice Code merely hacked and republished the game.
There is a large CHR area featuring unused graphics of what appears to be an amusement park (with text labeled "娱乐公园"). However, no PRG mapping for the sprites is in the data; the graphics may be a further leftover from an educational computer system.
Apple Chess[]
Changes the playing pieces to orange and green apples. Many multicarts mix up this game's title with the RB Chess version above.
Reversi ("Candy" revision)[]
Changes the playing pieces to starlight mints and candy canes; also features a redone orange playfield.
Freecell[]
Largely modeled after the classic Windows version(s). The game uses single-patterned cards (i.e. only one symbol in the card's center), with the card's number written in its top-left corner. What is likely the first Nice Code-related variant is included on the Techno Source 15-in-1 TV Casino System and the Bicycle TV Playing Card System.
This game very likely originates from an "educational computer" Famiclone, and appears to have originally used CHR-RAM for graphics (as a large section of blank areas can be seen in its PRG). Notably, it appears to have been intended to run with a Subor 24-bit mouse as its controller (though it also functions with a standard d-pad). However, it is unlikely that its original form was a Nice Code-developed release; it appears to merely be hacked from the common "Dragon" version seen on educational computer systems, with the Nice Code/Techno Source variant having modified graphics.
Freecell (alternate revision)[]
Changes the center card symbols to peaches, scales, and flowers; the diamonds are retained, but are redrawn in comparison. The background color is changed from green to orange.
Link[]
Virtually identical to the Techno Source version visually, but the top-right column's pattern is changed. Removes the "Out" button and changes the "Deal" button to a faux-Windows button (possibly a carry-over from the educational computer version).
Solitaire[]
Largely modeled after the classic Windows (pre-95) version(s). The game uses single-patterned cards (i.e. only one symbol in the card's center), with the card's number written in its top-left corner. Based on one-card draw rules. What is likely the first Nice Code-related variant is included on the Techno Source 15-in-1 TV Casino System, the Bicycle TV Playing Card System, and the Hoyle Family TV Gaming System.
This game very likely originates from an "educational computer" Famiclone. However, it is unlikely that its original form was a Nice Code-developed release; it appears to merely be hacked from the common Solitaire game seen on educational computer systems, with the Nice Code/Techno Source variant having modified graphics.
Solitaire (alternate revision)[]
Changes the center card symbols to cats, mice, pandas, and raccoons; the background color is changed from green to orange. Misspelled as "Solitare" at the top of the screen (an issue not present in the Techno Source version). Some VT32 consoles feature a menu preview image for this game, but instead include one of the originally-programmed versions below.
Solitaire (reprogrammed version)[]
Appears to be completely reprogrammed rather than being derived from the "educational computer" code. It does not seem to control well with a Subor 24-bit mouse, suggesting it was not intended for use with one. Some versions of this game are based on one-card draw, while others are three-card draw; both versions use different sound effects from each other.
Sudoku[]
A basic Sudoku game; features 300,000 puzzle layouts. Numbers are selected from the bottom row by holding down the B button while moving left and right.
What is likely the original version of this game is included on a 6-in-1 Sudoku plug & play system. The version on this console features a faux-title screen; it is actually a separately-coded ROM that leads to a separate Sudoku ROM (similar to the multicart itself leading into each game).
Sudoku (alternate revision)[]
Based on the 6-in-1 Sudoku version. There are only 81 puzzle layouts to select, with the menu design changed to show a 9-by-9 grid instead of a preview of the puzzle. The in-game graphics are unaltered, save for the playfield being changed from dark teal to pink. The faux-title screen is removed.
Sudoku ("Zheng Lan" version)[]
Features completely different graphics and an altered layout compared to the 6-in-1 Sudoku version. The number select row is moved to the righthand side of the screen, being navigated by holding B while moving up and down. This variant has 81 puzzle layouts. Features no music and limited sound effects; it does not have a title screen. This game, in its English-language form, is only known to appear on the Family Pocket 638-in-1.
There are large unused tiles in the CHR data reading "Copyright Zheng Lan" (郑澜版权所有), with a written date of November 2005. Presumably, Zheng Lan is the game's developer; it is unknown if this entity is an individual person or a company.
Mind Games: Hot Sudoku (智力游戏 数独 热)[]
A Chinese-language variant of the "Zheng Lan" version. It is only known to have been released on a 2-in-1 cartridge by Nanjing (alongside Gobang, a hack of Gomoku Narabe Renju by Inventor). This version features an added title screen; curiously, it uses the same bouncing "START" letters as the 6-in-1 Sudoku version's faux-title screen.
The New York Times Sudoku[]
Appears to be based on the "Zheng Lan" version; features completely different graphics and sounds in comparison. This variant was released as a dedicated plug & play by Excalibur, under "The New York Times" brand. The console uses a customized control setup with a number pad; each number is mapped to a different button on the Famicom/NES controllers, many of which are on the second player controller.
Plug and Play Sudoku Game[]
Basic title screen variant of The New York Times Sudoku, removing all name references to the brand. Released as a dedicated plug & play.
Sudoku (VT03)[]
A VT03 conversion; appears to be based on the 6-in-1 Sudoku version. This variant was seemingly intended for some sort of special control setup (much like The New York Times Sudoku), likely with a number pad. Ironically, however, this variant is only known to appear on the Overmax 151-in-1 console, which uses two Sega Genesis-styled controllers (making the game virtually unplayable).