Category:Family Computer Disk System

The Family Computer Disk System (ファミリーコンピュータ ディスクシステム, Famirii Konpyuuta Disuku Shisutemu^?) (often shortened to Famicom Disk System (ファミコンディスクシステム, Famikon Disuku Shisutemu^?) and abbreviated as FCDS, FDS, or FCD), was released on February 21, 1986 by Nintendo as a peripheral for the Family Computer. It was a unit that used proprietary floppy disks (called "Disk Cards") for data storage. It was announced, but not released, for the North American/PAL region's NES. Through its entire production span, from 1986 to 2003, 4.44 million units were sold.

The device was connected to the Famicom deck by plugging a modified cartridge known as the RAM Adapter into the system's cartridge port, which attached via a supplied cable to the disk drive. The RAM adapter contained 32 kilobytes (KB) of RAM for temporary program storage, 8 KB of RAM for tile and sprite data storage, and an ASIC known as the 2C33. The ASIC acted as a disk controller for the floppy drive, and also included additional sound hardware featuring a primitive wavetable synthesizer. The Disk Cards used were double-sided, with a total capacity of 112 KB per disk. Many games spanned both sides of a disk, requiring the user to switch sides at some point during gameplay. A few games used two full disks (four sides). The Disk System was capable of running on six C-cell batteries or the supplied AC adapter. Batteries would usually last five months with daily game play. The battery option was included due to the likelihood of a standard set of AC plugs already being occupied by a Famicom and a television.

• 👁 The Sharp Twin Famicom was a Famicom with a built in FDS.
  

  The Sharp Twin Famicom was a Famicom with a built in FDS.