Famicom Network System

Introduction

The Family Computer Network System (a.k.a. Famicom Network System) is a dial-up modem and associated service released for the Famicom in September 1988 that used Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT)'s services. The modem allowed players a range of services including betting on horse races, access to weather forecasts and cheats for video games, and game reviews through the Super Mario Club. A software cartridge was used in conjunction with the Network System for the specific functions that the user required.

Although the modem was discontinued in 1991, having sold 130,000 units, the Network System gave Nintendo the experience for further networking attempts, such as the Satellaview for the Super Famicom. A modem for the NES was in plans for the American market using AT&T services but nothing emerged out of the initial discussions.

Please note that software screen images on this page were taken using the composite video output of a Twin Famicom.

Introduction

Overview

Software

Japanese Racing Association-Personal Access Terminal (JRA-PAT)

Technical

You can email me at james.boshikoopa@gmail.com

Overview

There appears to be at least two versions of the Network system bundle - HVC-FCNS-A and HVC-FCNS-A-01 - with the second version perhaps being a revision although it's not clear what is different about the package (possible the network adapter itself is slightly different internally). The package contents, which are listed on the side of the box, are as follows:

HVC-050 Network System modem
HVC-051 Network System controller
HVC-053 phone line cable
HVC-054 phone line adapter

Also included with the bundle is a leaflet that shows how to connect up the Network System to a Famicom as well as a second, thicker set of instructions that goes into more detail as to what's included in the kit, the different configurations and how to use the Network System.

The modem plugs into the cartridge socket of a Famicom and is compatible with the original Famicom (HVC-001), AV Famicom/New Famicom (HVC-101), and the Twin Famicom models (which the Network System instructions do not mention even though the Twin was already released). The Network System requires that software is loaded into its cartridge port which is done by pushing the cartridge into the modem and then locking the mechanism in place, much like a scaled down version of the cartridge mechanism found in the original NES. Without a software cartridge loaded into the Network System you will not get anything more than a grey screen when you turn the Famicom on.

As the service provided by Nintendo for the Network System to work is no longer up and running, the modem today is more of a curiosity item and a reminder of Nintendo's innovative hardware attempts.

Software

As already mentioned, the Network System makes use of a credit card size cartridges in order to be able to access the online features, which of course now are defunct although the software can still be used to test the modem and controller to a point. Getting hold of the cartridges, however, will likely set you back a lot of money as they are rare and expensive and you may have to buy a bundle just to get a cartridge at reasonable cost (which is how I ended up with two modems). Unfortunately there isn't a lot of information about the software titles and further complicating matters is that the software and documentation is in Japanese so if you do not speak the language you will have a hard time making use of the software, the little that can be done with it now.

Before talking about the individual software titles it's worth mentioning that there were a number of prototypes which include an online version of the strategy board game Go and we can only wonder what other software may have been produced for the modem had it been available longer. As for the software that actually made it to the store shelves there was the following:

PIT Motorboat Race

Unknow release date and publisher, the software made possible to vote for a raceboat online.

Super Mario Club

Released in 1991, there is some confusion as to what Super Mario Club was actually used for and whether the general public actually got their hands on the software but it seems it was used by toy stores to submit game reviews as well as feedback from customers to be used by Nintendo internally.

Japanese Racing Association-Personal Access Terminal (JRA-PAT)

Developed and produced by an unknown team though seemingly with involvement from Nintendo, JRA-PAT permitted users to bet on horse races and proved to be the most popular piece of software for the Famicom Network System, selling 100,000 units in total. There were at least three different versions of JRA-PAT although it is unknown whether the variations are purely cosmetic.

As the network service is no longer available it isn't possible to use the software for what it was intended for, however, it does at least let us test that the Network System modem and controller works to a point..

As I own JRA-PAT I'm able to provide some screen captures of the software. When booting the Famicom you are greeted with this screen:

Obviously, if like me Japanese isn't a language you understand then navigating through the software is difficult. Pressing A at this screen takes you to the next page which has some familiar graphics:

There are a number of '?' blocks from Super Mario Bros on two rows and pressing a number key on the Network System controller changes each block in turn to represent the number that was pressed, with the exception of the last four blocks. I have no idea what the numbers represent, perhaps a phone number, however, once all the blocks have been changed you can press A to go on to other screens.

Above shows one of what appear to be options screens with this one you use d-pad up and down to move the blue arrow and d-pad left and right to move between the other screens.

Here is another screen:

JRA-PAT wouldn't last be seen on the Famicom as similar software was also later released on the SNES and Dreamcast, also with online functionality.

Technical

A lot of detailed information about the inner workings of the Famicom Network System:

https://wiki.nesdev.com/w/index.php/Famicom_Network_System