Famicom Disc System
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Famicom Disc System.
Latest coverage
Knight Lore - Ultimate Play the Game classic arrives on the Commodore VIC-20
The classic isometric adventure game Knight Lore, originally by Ultimate Play the Game, has been ported to the Commodore VIC-20 with a 35K RAM expansion. This follows previous conversions to other 8-bit systems like the Commodore 64. The game challenges players to collect items and brew a cure for a werewolf curse within forty days, navigating deadly obstacles in its signature viewpoint.
Four Decades Later, Gaming’s Finest Line Still Hasn’t Been Beaten
A list of the 100 greatest video game quotes of all time has ranked a line from the original The Legend of Zelda as number one, 40 years after its release. The article discusses the impact of this iconic quote, "It's dangerous to go alone! Take this.", and how it has transcended the game to become a part of everyday conversation and internet culture.
Miyamoto reflects on the NES era and discusses western RPG’s influence on Zelda’s creation”
Shigeru Miyamoto reflected on the creation of The Legend of Zelda for the NES, stating it was inspired by western RPGs. He discussed the desire to move beyond linear, arcade-style games and incorporate save data functionality, leading to the development of the Famicom Disk System. Miyamoto also noted how Nintendo adapted elements from PC RPGs like Wizardry for the Famicom.
Prime Slimes: A Guide To Gaming’s Greatest Goo-Getters
This guide explores the history and evolution of slime monsters in video games, from their origins in Dungeons & Dragons to their iconic status in franchises like Dragon Quest and Puyo Puyo. It highlights notable slime characters and games where players control slime protagonists, showcasing their enduring appeal as a beloved monster archetype.
Nintendo Had The Hottest Game On Earth. Then It Rejected The Sequel.
This article discusses the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. 2, also known as 'The Lost Levels,' and why Nintendo of America initially rejected its release in the West. The game was developed as a sequel to Super Mario Bros. for the Famicom Disk System and was notably more difficult than its predecessor. Nintendo of America, led by evaluators like Howard Phillips, found the game too punishing and lacking in innovation compared to other contemporary titles, opting instead to repurpose another game for the Western release of Super Mario Bros. 2.
Big Challenge! Dogfight Spirit
Big Challenge! Dogfight Spirit is a forgettable shooter for the Famicom Disk System developed and published by Jaleco. The game features an attack helicopter protagonist battling an evil organization across seven levels, each with a standard phase and a high-speed escape shooting gallery. Despite a mid-game difficulty spike, the game suffers from repetitive enemy types, uninspired weapon selection, and an overall generic experience that fails to stand out among other shooters.
Big Challenge! Dogfight Spirit
Big Challenge! Dogfight Spirit is a forgettable shmup for the Famicom Disk System that fails to innovate within the genre. Despite a challenging difficulty spike in its later levels, the game suffers from repetitive enemy designs and uninspired weapon mechanics. Ultimately, it offers a generic experience that is overshadowed by better shooters available on the NES.
Toaplan Arcade Garage Flying Fire Shark Collection Launches August 29
Clear River Games announced the retro shmup collection Toaplan Arcade Garage: Flying Fire Shark for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, launching August 29, 2026. The collection features six arcade titles, including Flying Shark and Fire Shark, with added modes like Super Easy and Challenge Mode, plus M2 Gadgets support. Digital purchasers receive bonus DLC, and owners of other Toaplan Arcade Garage titles get the puzzle game Teki-Paki for free.
Flying Fire Shark: Toaplan Arcade Garage coming to Nintendo Switch
Clear River Games and M2 will release Flying Fire Shark: Toaplan Arcade Garage on Nintendo Switch on August 29, 2026. This collection features classic titles from the Toaplan studio's Shark series, including Flying Shark and Fire Shark, with new features and modes like Super Easy Mode and Arcade Challenge. The physical edition will also include additional games and ports from various platforms.
Zelda was Nintendo's answer to "traditional RPGs," Shigeru Miyamoto says: "We wanted the player to interact with the game world using the controller, and conquer dungeons"
Shigeru Miyamoto explained that The Legend of Zelda was developed concurrently with Super Mario Bros. and aimed to be Nintendo's answer to traditional RPGs, utilizing the Famicom Disk System's capabilities for features like name registration and progress saving. He also expressed initial concerns about players knowing how to progress in the original game, a design philosophy that later influenced Breath of the Wild's open-world exploration.
After 40 years, Super Mario Bros speedrunners discover "the Holy Grail of glitches"
Speedrunners have discovered a significant glitch in the original Super Mario Bros., dubbed "the Holy Grail of glitches," after a year of research stemming from a similar discovery in Super Mario Bros. 2. This arbitrary code execution exploit allows for extensive manipulation of the game's code, though it is not practical for standard speedruns due to its complexity and time investment.
The Mario Game and Watch isn't my favorite version, but it does at least have the real sequel you potentially…
The Nintendo Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. handheld, released in 2020, includes the original Super Mario Bros. and its Japanese sequel, Super Mario Bros. 2 (The Lost Levels). While not the author's preferred version of the handheld, it offers official access to classic titles and a unique version of Super Mario Bros. 2, which is a reskin of Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic.
