Reinterpreting the Nintendo Famicom as a 2003-era Family Computer
In the world of retro gaming, the ubiquity of Nintendo Famicom and similar NES clone consoles is undeniable. Recently, a fascinating entry has surfaced, a keyboard-based Famiclone with an alarm clock-like design and a patched over hatch on the rear. This system, discovered by investigative journalist Nicole Branagan, is a intriguing addition to the vast landscape of Famiclone consoles.
Nicole's up-close investigation and teardown of the system revealed that it can be used to play a variety of Famicom/NES games, much like typical Famiclones. The system's cartridge slot is equipped for use with the 48-in-1 cartridge, which is what the system uses. However, the system does not have any known custom software beyond the 48-in-1 cartridge, and its design or similarity to other Famiclones remains unchanged due to the use of the 48-in-1 cartridge.
Inside the system, Nicole found typical epoxied-over chips, suggesting a standard construction. The 48-in-1 cartridge used in the system boasts 32 kB of SRAM for Family BASIC, but the system does not have the ability to save game progress. The keys on the system are remapped for use with the 48-in-1 cartridge.
The system is likely a V.R. Technology's VTxx-series Famiclone, but the manufacturer or further products by them remain unknown. V.R. Technology is a Taiwanese company known for producing VTxx series chips used in various Famiclone consoles, but specific details about the manufacturer of this VTxx-series Famiclone are not available. The manufacturer and further products by V.R. Technology remain unknown at this time.
Interestingly, in the early 2000s, there was a half-serious attempt to make an educational family computer using these consoles. This keyboard-based Famiclone, with its design elements suggesting it was used for various devices, could potentially be a relic of that era.
Despite the system's use of the 48-in-1 cartridge, its cartridge slot's compatibility with Famicom software is somewhat spotty due to remapped keys and the lack of a save feature. However, this does not significantly elevate it, but it remains a fascinating entry in the world of Famiclone consoles.
