Name: Family Computer
Brand: Nintendo

03

Overview

A home video game console released by Nintendo in 1983. It used the Ricoh RP2A03 CPU and ROM cartridges for software. In North America and Europe it was released with a redesigned body as the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Name in North America: Nintendo Entertainment System
Name in Europe: Nintendo Entertainment System

04

Industrial Design

Industrial design

An ABS plastic body in a red-and-white colour scheme with gold accents. Development was led by Masayuki Uemura.

Rear view of the Family Computer — Family Computer, rear view

05

Technical Specifications

Technical specifications

Model number: HVC-001
CPU: Ricoh RP2A03 (MOS 6502-based) 1.79 MHz
Memory: Work RAM 2 KB / VRAM 2 KB
Graphics: Ricoh RP2C02 PPU
Display: 256×240; 25 colors on screen
Bits (period term): 8-bit
Generation (Wikipedia): 3rd generation

Values are from the sources below. Where sources differ, see the notes under Sources.

06

Controller

Two controllers were hard-wired to the original console; the pad uses a cross-shaped D-pad with A and B buttons, and Controller II has a built-in microphone.

07

Media Format

Media format

ROM cartridge

ROM cartridge
A software medium housing ROM chips on a circuit board inside a plastic shell. The Famicom used this format from its 1983 launch; Nintendo's Western packaging called them 'Game Paks'.

08

Launch & Context

Launch & historical context

Release (Japan): 15 Jul 1983[2]
Release (North America): 18 Oct 1985[1]
Release (Europe): 1 Sep 1986[1]
Release (Australia): 1987[1]
Launch price (Japan): ¥14,800[2]
Launch price (North America): $180.00(NES)[1]
Units: 61.91 million(sold, as reported · worldwide · Life-to-date in Nintendo IR data through FY3/2025)[3]

Released in Japan on 15 July 1983 at ¥14,800. In North America it launched as the NES in the aftermath of the video game crash of 1983.

09

Notable Games

Notable games

10

Gallery

Family Computer (HVC-001) with controllers
Family Computer, rear view
Family Computer Controller I
Family Computer Controller II

11

Timeline

12

Related Consoles

Related consoles

About Nintendo →

13

Sources

[1]
Nintendo Entertainment System
Wikipedia (English)
ReferenceAccessed 2026-09-26
[2]
ファミリーコンピュータ
Wikipedia (日本語)
ReferenceAccessed 2026-09-26
[3]
Consolidated Sales Transition by Region (historical data)
Nintendo Co., Ltd.
ManufacturerAccessed 2026-09-26
[4]
任天堂の歴史
任天堂
ManufacturerAccessed 2026-09-26

Notes on conflicting sources

NA date 1985-10-18 is the New York test-market launch; nationwide NA release 1986-09-27 per EN Wikipedia. EU date 1986-09-01 is Scandinavia; other European regions followed 1986–1987. Colour count: EN Wikipedia '25 simultaneously of 54 usable', JA Wikipedia '52–56 colours, 25 simultaneous'. Units figure is Nintendo IR 'Consolidated Sales Transition by Region' (company-reported sales units; Japan 19.35 million). Nintendo corporate history page confirms release year 1983 only. Start/Select placement per controller not verified, so omitted.

14

Image Credits

Image credits

Family Computer (HVC-001) with controllers
Nintendo Family Computer console with its two hard-wired controllers
PhotoEvan-Amos
Wikimedia Commons·Public domain
Family Computer, rear view
Rear view of the Family Computer
PhotoEvan-Amos
Wikimedia Commons·Public domain
Family Computer Controller I
Family Computer Controller I with D-pad and A/B buttons
PhotoEvan-Amos
Wikimedia Commons·Public domain
Family Computer Controller II
Family Computer Controller II with built-in microphone
PhotoEvan-Amos
Wikimedia Commons·Public domain

Family Computer