Region Information

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(Created page with "The various official models of Famicom-compatible hardware can be grouped by game connectors, video standard, and security chip: ==Famicom style, 60-pin== ===60 Hz NTSC=== ====Region free==== *'''Family Computer''' (HVC-001): fixed controllers (with microphone replacing player 2's Start and Select), widely used 15-pin expansion port, cartridge audio loop for additional sound hardware, integrated NTSC-M RF modulator switchable between Japanese channels 1 and 2 (equivalen...")
 
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The various official models of Famicom-compatible hardware can be grouped by game connectors, video standard, and security chip:
The various official models of Famicom-compatible hardware can be grouped by game connectors, video standard, and security chip. ''For more information on hardware, visit the [[NES:NES Model Differences|Model Differences]] page.''
 
==Famicom (60-Pin)==


==Famicom style, 60-pin==
===60 Hz NTSC===
===60 Hz NTSC===
====Region free====
===="Region free"====
*'''Family Computer''' (HVC-001): fixed controllers (with microphone replacing player 2's Start and Select), widely used 15-pin expansion port, cartridge audio loop for additional sound hardware, integrated NTSC-M RF modulator switchable between Japanese channels 1 and 2 (equivalent to American channels 95 and 96).
*'''Family Computer''' (HVC-001): fixed controllers (with microphone replacing player 2's Start and Select), widely used 15-pin expansion port, cartridge audio loop for additional sound hardware, integrated NTSC-M RF modulator switchable between Japanese channels 1 and 2 (equivalent to American channels 95 and 96).
*'''Family Computer''' (Taiwan) (HVC-001): Nintendo logo in kanji instead of modern oval. As above.
*'''Family Computer''' (Taiwan) (HVC-001): Nintendo logo in kanji. Same as above.
*AV Famicom (HVC-101): new design, sporting the [[Nintendo Multi Out|new-ish video connector]] (hence the name), removable controllers (NES compatible, but no microphone support and most Famicom software does not support NES-style guns or multitaps or viceversa).
*AV Famicom (HVC-101): new design, sporting the [[Nintendo Multi Out|Nintendo multiout connector]] with AV out (hence the name) and removable controllers which use the same connectors as the NES. Most NES controllers are compatible, but controllers which use port 2 for extra functions (i.e. Zapper, Four Score, Power Pad) will not work without modification.
 
==="50/60" Hz PAL===
==="50/60" Hz PAL===
====Region free====
===="Region free"====
*'''Family Computer Hong Kong Version''': a Japanese model fitted with a slightly slower clock generator and a proprietary NTSC to PAL converter which outputs a signal vaguely similar to PAL60 with System I sound. A slowdown switch found on the back provides a relatively more standard 50 Hz PAL-I signal (but still with non-negligible tolerances).<ref>http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=4138.0</ref>
*'''Family Computer Hong Kong Version''': a Japanese model fitted with a slightly slower clock generator and a proprietary NTSC to PAL converter which outputs a signal vaguely similar to PAL60 with System I sound. A slowdown switch found on the back provides a relatively more standard 50 Hz PAL-I signal (but still with non-negligible tolerances).<ref>http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=4138.0</ref>


==NES style, 72-pin==
==NES (72-Pin)==
Totally redesigned for those famous US marketing reasons. Invented combined [[NES:Disabling_CIC_Chip|(but optional)]] anti-import and anti-unlicensed-game protection. Completely different (and never officially used) expansion port on bottom. No plausible audio expansion out of the box. Frontloaders (except in France) have both RF and composite/sound RCA outputs.
When the Famicom was brought over to the United States as the Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo also completely redesigned their game cartridges, making them physically larger and giving them an increased number of contacts (72 versus 60). This renders all Famicom cartridges physically incompatible with NES consoles, but a wide variety of cartridge adapters are available that allow most Famicom games to be played on NES consoles. Unlike the Famicom, the NES does not have a provision for [[NES:List of Famicom Games with External Audio|external cartridge audio]] so no NES game ever featured extra audio. This functionality was moved to the bottom expansion port on front loading consoles, which went unused.
===50 Hz PAL===
 
All front loading NES consoles feature a [[NES:Disabling_CIC_Chip|CIC (Checking Integrated Circuit) chip]] designed to lock out both unlicensed games and games outside the console's intended region. While the NES's design remained generally the same across the world, NTSC models used the same 2A03 CPU and 2C02 PPU as the Famicom while PAL models used the PAL-specific 2A07 CPU and 2C07 PPU. Note that despite sharing most of the same internals, PAL-A, PAL-B and Asian/Hong Kong models use different lockout chips and so their corresponding cartridges are ''not'' compatible with each other without modifying the NES console or using an adapter. All 72-pin NES cartridges have the same form factor and pinout across all regions.
 
Except for Asian<ref>https://www.flickr.com/photos/26673279@N08/33637605694/in/album-72157680354507093</ref> and Hong Kong consoles<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z43dMgMmiV4</ref>, PAL models have additional diodes on their controller ports and in stock form can only use controllers that have pull-up resistors, such as the NES-004E. However, they can be [[NES:Region Free Controller Mods|easily modified]] to remove this restriction. They also tend to have a blue [[Comparison_of_Power_Supplies#Third_generation_of_consoles|power socket]], which has a larger barrel diameter than NTSC NES consoles despite the two having identical power requirements.
 
====PAL-A (3197)====
====PAL-A (3197)====
These models have additional diodes on controller ports and can, [[NES:Region Free Controller Mods|without modifications]], only use controllers that have pull-up resistors (such as the NESE-004). They also tend to have a blue [[Comparison_of_Power_Supplies#Third_generation_of_consoles|power socket]].
PAL-A games and hardware use the region codes '''GBR''' (United Kingdom and Ireland), '''UKV''' (also United Kingdom and Ireland), '''AUS''' (Australasia) or '''ITA''' (Italy). Some PAL-A cartridges will also have a large letter "A" on the front label denoting their compatibility.


*'''Mattel Version''' (NESE-001), named after the original exclusive importer in '''UK/Ireland, Italy, and Australia'''.
*'''Mattel Version''' (NESE-001), named after the original exclusive importer in Australia, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
*'''NES Version''' (NESE-001), the same after Nintendo of Europe took over responsibility for those countries. Note how the British boxes incorrectly show an American console lacking any writing beyond "Nintendo Entertainment System" on the flap.
*'''NES Version''' (NESE-001), the same after Nintendo of Europe took over distribution for the above countries except Italy.
*'''Versione Italiana''', as above
*'''Versione Italiana''', used on Italian consoles after GiG (Grossisti Italiani Giocattoli) took over distribution from Mattel in the early 1990s.


====PAL-B (3195)====
====PAL-B (3195)====
*'''European Version''' (NES-PAL-001), the plain NES for the other European countries.
PAL-B games and hardware encompass a large variety of region codes, including, but not limited to, '''NOE''' (Germany), '''FRA''' (France), '''EEC''' (most of mainland Europe), '''ESP''' (Spain) and '''SCN''' (Scandinavia). Some PAL-B cartridges will also have a large letter "B" on the front label denoting their compatibility.
*'''Version Española''', as above (late production?)
 
*French version (not written on the front cover, NESE-001 (FRA) ''[sic]''), actually a NES-PAL-001 with a Sony PAL to RGB decoder tacked on to avoid the need to invent a SECAM PPU.
*'''European Version''' (NES-PAL-001, later NESE-001), sold in most of mainland Europe except Italy.
*'''Version Española''' (NESE-001), sold in Spain after Nintendo of Europe established a presence in that country.
* NES consoles sold in France (NESE-001(FRA)) look nearly identical to NTSC consoles as they lack any distribution information on their front lid.  


====Asia (3196)====
====Asia (3196)====
*'''Asian Version''' (NESA-001), officially sold in: '''Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand'''.
*'''Asian Version''' (NESA-001), officially sold in: '''Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand'''. Asian games and hardware have the region code '''ASI'''. This version of the NES was also sold in India as the '''Samurai Electronic TV Game''', though examples are extremely rare.
*'''Hong Kong Version''' (NESA-001 (HKG)), a commercial disaster compared to gray market Japanese imports (as well to the later HK Famicom). PAL-I Modulator switchable between channels A and B.<ref>https://www.flickr.com/photos/26673279@N08/25943716302/in/photostream/</ref>
*'''Hong Kong Version''' (NESA-001 (HKG)), nearly identical to the Asian Version but has a PAL-I RF modulator switchable between channels A and B. <ref>https://www.flickr.com/photos/26673279@N08/25943716302/in/photostream/</ref>


====Region free====
===="Region-free"====
*New-Style NES (NESP-101), the toploader.
*New-Style NES (NESP-101), the PAL top loader. It was only released in Australia and New Zealand, but since it lacks a lockout chip, it can play any PAL game. Compatibility with NTSC cartridges varies depending on the game.


===NTSC===
====North American (3193/6113)====
*'''Nintendo Entertainment System''' (NES-001) with no additional text: the classic front loader.


===60 Hz NTSC===
====Korean (3195)====
====American (3193)====
*'''Korean Version (Hyundai Comboy)''' (HGM-2000), same internals as the North American model but uses the same 3195 lockout chip as PAL-B consoles. Korean games and hardware use the region code '''KOR'''.
''Main article: [[NES:NES Model Differences]]''
===="Region free"====
*'''Nintendo Entertainment System''' (NES-001) with no additional text: the classic frontloader.
*New-Style NES (NES-101), lacks a lockout chip, though compatibility with PAL cartridges varies depending on the game.
====PAL-B (3195)====
 
*'''Korean Version (Hyundai Comboy)''' (HGM-2000), same internals except CIC as American model. Also a near failure due to competition from gray market Famicoms (despite Japanese products not being officially importable, hence the use of a Korean middleman) and Famiclones.
===PAL Games with NTSC ROMs===
====Region free====
A handful of early PAL releases use the exact same ROM chips as their North American counterparts, and as a result are not optimized for 50 Hz or PAL video in any way. In addition, they will also play perfectly at their intended speed on a modified NTSC front loader (to circumvent the different lockout chip) or top loader. This is not the case with most PAL releases on an NTSC system as many of them were at least partially optimized for 50 Hz.
*New-Style NES (NES-101), RF-only toploader. Like an AV Famicom but with a rounded top and, of course, connectors to NES specifications.
 
*AV New-Style NES (NES-101), Multi Out-only toploader, limited release.
* Baseball <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/4530/baseball</ref>
* Clu Clu Land <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2057/clu-clu-land</ref>
* Donkey Kong <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/1839/donkey-kong</ref>
* Donkey Kong 3 <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/4537/donkey-kong-3</ref>
* Donkey Kong Jr. <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/1840/donkey-kong-jr</ref>
* Donkey Kong Jr. Math <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2062/donkey-kong-jr-math</ref>
* Duck Hunt <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2470/duck-hunt</ref>
* Gumshoe <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2522/gumshoe</ref>
* Gyromite <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/4423/gyromite</ref>
* Hogan's Alley <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/1841/hogans-alley</ref>
* Ice Climber <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2079/ice-climber</ref>
* Kid Icarus <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/1414/kid-icarus</ref>
* Popeye <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2499/popeye</ref>
* Stack-Up <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/991/stack-up</ref>
* Super Mario Bros. (on some early copies) <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/4559/super-mario-bros</ref>
* Urban Champion <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/986/urban-champion</ref>
* Volleyball <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2473/volleyball</ref>
* Wild Gunman <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2360/wild-gunman</ref>
* Wrecking Crew <ref>https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2442/wrecking-crew</ref>


==Further reading==
==References==
<references />
<references />
[[Category:NES]]
[[Category:Region Information|N]]

Latest revision as of 04:12, 4 March 2025

The various official models of Famicom-compatible hardware can be grouped by game connectors, video standard, and security chip. For more information on hardware, visit the Model Differences page.

Famicom (60-Pin)

60 Hz NTSC

"Region free"

  • Family Computer (HVC-001): fixed controllers (with microphone replacing player 2's Start and Select), widely used 15-pin expansion port, cartridge audio loop for additional sound hardware, integrated NTSC-M RF modulator switchable between Japanese channels 1 and 2 (equivalent to American channels 95 and 96).
  • Family Computer (Taiwan) (HVC-001): Nintendo logo in kanji. Same as above.
  • AV Famicom (HVC-101): new design, sporting the Nintendo multiout connector with AV out (hence the name) and removable controllers which use the same connectors as the NES. Most NES controllers are compatible, but controllers which use port 2 for extra functions (i.e. Zapper, Four Score, Power Pad) will not work without modification.

"50/60" Hz PAL

"Region free"

  • Family Computer Hong Kong Version: a Japanese model fitted with a slightly slower clock generator and a proprietary NTSC to PAL converter which outputs a signal vaguely similar to PAL60 with System I sound. A slowdown switch found on the back provides a relatively more standard 50 Hz PAL-I signal (but still with non-negligible tolerances).[1]

NES (72-Pin)

When the Famicom was brought over to the United States as the Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo also completely redesigned their game cartridges, making them physically larger and giving them an increased number of contacts (72 versus 60). This renders all Famicom cartridges physically incompatible with NES consoles, but a wide variety of cartridge adapters are available that allow most Famicom games to be played on NES consoles. Unlike the Famicom, the NES does not have a provision for external cartridge audio so no NES game ever featured extra audio. This functionality was moved to the bottom expansion port on front loading consoles, which went unused.

All front loading NES consoles feature a CIC (Checking Integrated Circuit) chip designed to lock out both unlicensed games and games outside the console's intended region. While the NES's design remained generally the same across the world, NTSC models used the same 2A03 CPU and 2C02 PPU as the Famicom while PAL models used the PAL-specific 2A07 CPU and 2C07 PPU. Note that despite sharing most of the same internals, PAL-A, PAL-B and Asian/Hong Kong models use different lockout chips and so their corresponding cartridges are not compatible with each other without modifying the NES console or using an adapter. All 72-pin NES cartridges have the same form factor and pinout across all regions.

Except for Asian[2] and Hong Kong consoles[3], PAL models have additional diodes on their controller ports and in stock form can only use controllers that have pull-up resistors, such as the NES-004E. However, they can be easily modified to remove this restriction. They also tend to have a blue power socket, which has a larger barrel diameter than NTSC NES consoles despite the two having identical power requirements.

PAL-A (3197)

PAL-A games and hardware use the region codes GBR (United Kingdom and Ireland), UKV (also United Kingdom and Ireland), AUS (Australasia) or ITA (Italy). Some PAL-A cartridges will also have a large letter "A" on the front label denoting their compatibility.

  • Mattel Version (NESE-001), named after the original exclusive importer in Australia, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
  • NES Version (NESE-001), the same after Nintendo of Europe took over distribution for the above countries except Italy.
  • Versione Italiana, used on Italian consoles after GiG (Grossisti Italiani Giocattoli) took over distribution from Mattel in the early 1990s.

PAL-B (3195)

PAL-B games and hardware encompass a large variety of region codes, including, but not limited to, NOE (Germany), FRA (France), EEC (most of mainland Europe), ESP (Spain) and SCN (Scandinavia). Some PAL-B cartridges will also have a large letter "B" on the front label denoting their compatibility.

  • European Version (NES-PAL-001, later NESE-001), sold in most of mainland Europe except Italy.
  • Version Española (NESE-001), sold in Spain after Nintendo of Europe established a presence in that country.
  • NES consoles sold in France (NESE-001(FRA)) look nearly identical to NTSC consoles as they lack any distribution information on their front lid.

Asia (3196)

  • Asian Version (NESA-001), officially sold in: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand. Asian games and hardware have the region code ASI. This version of the NES was also sold in India as the Samurai Electronic TV Game, though examples are extremely rare.
  • Hong Kong Version (NESA-001 (HKG)), nearly identical to the Asian Version but has a PAL-I RF modulator switchable between channels A and B. [4]

"Region-free"

  • New-Style NES (NESP-101), the PAL top loader. It was only released in Australia and New Zealand, but since it lacks a lockout chip, it can play any PAL game. Compatibility with NTSC cartridges varies depending on the game.

NTSC

North American (3193/6113)

  • Nintendo Entertainment System (NES-001) with no additional text: the classic front loader.

Korean (3195)

  • Korean Version (Hyundai Comboy) (HGM-2000), same internals as the North American model but uses the same 3195 lockout chip as PAL-B consoles. Korean games and hardware use the region code KOR.

"Region free"

  • New-Style NES (NES-101), lacks a lockout chip, though compatibility with PAL cartridges varies depending on the game.

PAL Games with NTSC ROMs

A handful of early PAL releases use the exact same ROM chips as their North American counterparts, and as a result are not optimized for 50 Hz or PAL video in any way. In addition, they will also play perfectly at their intended speed on a modified NTSC front loader (to circumvent the different lockout chip) or top loader. This is not the case with most PAL releases on an NTSC system as many of them were at least partially optimized for 50 Hz.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.famicomworld.com/forum/index.php?topic=4138.0
  2. ↑ https://www.flickr.com/photos/26673279@N08/33637605694/in/album-72157680354507093
  3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z43dMgMmiV4
  4. ↑ https://www.flickr.com/photos/26673279@N08/25943716302/in/photostream/
  5. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/4530/baseball
  6. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2057/clu-clu-land
  7. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/1839/donkey-kong
  8. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/4537/donkey-kong-3
  9. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/1840/donkey-kong-jr
  10. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2062/donkey-kong-jr-math
  11. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2470/duck-hunt
  12. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2522/gumshoe
  13. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/4423/gyromite
  14. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/1841/hogans-alley
  15. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2079/ice-climber
  16. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/1414/kid-icarus
  17. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2499/popeye
  18. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/991/stack-up
  19. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/4559/super-mario-bros
  20. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/986/urban-champion
  21. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2473/volleyball
  22. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2360/wild-gunman
  23. ↑ https://nescartdb.com/profile/view/2442/wrecking-crew
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