Family Computer Disk System
- Not to be confused withFamicom Data Recorder.
| Family Computer Disk System | |
|---|---|
 Official logo  TheFamily Computer with the Disk System RAM Adapter and disk drive attached to the console | |
| Generation | Third generation |
| Release dates |  February 21, 1986[1] 1991[2][better source needed] |
| Discontinued | 1993 (remained supported until September 25, 2003)[3] |
| Successor | Family Computer Network System |
TheFamily Computer Disk System (also called theFamicom Disk System, abbreviatedFDS) is an add-on for theFamily Computer. It allowed the Family Computer to play certain games on a proprietaryfloppy disk format called "Disk Cards" rather than conventionalcartridges, as Disk Cards were not only cheaper but also allowed for higher data capacity than cartridges at the time. Besides that, the disks were rewritable, so saving was easier.
Nintendo sought to make Disk Cards a permanent standard for all of its future games at that point, but this plan was abandoned a few years later due to various hardware issues, most prominently the fact that the system's games were easy to pirate. Later in 1986, Nintendo sought to counter this problem by installing special Disk Writer kiosks that would allow consumers to write games onto Disk Cards for ¥500 as opposed to the retail price of ¥2,600; some Disk System games were even exclusive to these kiosks. The service was very popular, remaining in place until the Family Computer line's discontinuation in 2003, 9 yearsafter the discontinuation of the Disk System itself. Excluding prize disks, FDS games were available through retail, Disk Writer, or both.Mario Bros. Returns and the FDS ports forDonkey Kong,Donkey Kong Jr.,Pinball, andWrecking Crew could be purchased only through the Disk Writer. The former was priced at ¥400 because of its promotional nature, making it the cheapest FDS game.I am a teacher: Super Mario Sweater was retail-only software, but it was sold in handicraft stores.All Night Nippon: Super Mario Bros. was sold through a mail order lottery system and atNippon Broadcasting System's building on a single day. The Disk Writer was also capable of updating software for any game that needed it (thus acting as an early precursor to modern internet-based software patching), the sole exception beingGolf: Japan Course, which required mailing the disk to Nintendo.
Games[edit]
Differences from cartridge versions[edit]
For the most part, FDS games are identical to their Famicom or NES cartridge versions, including their title screen copyright years and any absences of saving data. Here are some differences found inSuper Mario games:[4]
- Donkey Kong: When Mario scores, the points are in orange instead of white.
- Super Mario Bros.: TheMinus World is completely different. Beating it counts as beating the game, which startsHard Mode.
- Wrecking Crew: It is possible to save custom levels without theFamily BASIC's Data Recorder accessory.
Blue and gold disks[edit]
Six games received blue disks, five were made by Nintendo and were compatible with Disk Fax, four of which areSuper Mario games. All compatible blue disk games were subject of tournaments with scores submitted through the Disk Fax, a device that could send contestants' data and high scores to Nintendo. The tournament began as soon as the blue disks were released.
| Tournament number | Game | Date | Prizes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Golf: Japan Course | February 21 to May 10, 1987 (original deadline was April 30) | Prizes included two different gold disk versions of the game, each with a harder course. The top 100 players received the Champions' Course and gold plaques. 5,000 others received the Professional Course. |
| 2 | Golf: US Course | June 14 to August 31, 1987 | The top 100 players received trophies. 10,000 received a gold Famicom cartridge ofPunch-Out!! and 1,000 gotGolf: Prize Card, a harder gold disk version. |
| 3 | Famicom Grand Prix: F1 Race | October 30 to December 15, 1987 | The top 100 players of each of the four difficulty levels received trophies. 10,000 received a special editionGame & Watch ofSuper Mario Bros. |
| 5 | Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally | April 14 to May 31, 1988 | The top 100 players of each of the three car types received trophies. 10,000 received stationery sets. |
The three gold disks andWakusei Aton Gaiden are the only FDS games that were never available through retail.[5] No gold or blue disk games have a cartridge equivalent and were distributed only in Japan. An NES counterpart to an unreleased sequel toFamicom Grand Prix: F1 Race was planned, but was rejected by Nintendo of America for looking too "cute."[6]
Super Mario games[edit]
This gallery does not includeFamily Computer orNintendo Entertainment System games.
Appearances in theSuper Mario franchise[edit]
The Disk System makes a cameo appearance inPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, onGrodus's computer atX-Naut Fortress. His computer accepts aData Disk that looks like a Disk Card and loads up the Disk System's BIOS when turned on.[7]
The Disk System's BIOS withMario in it inPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
The Disk System's BIOS withLuigi in it inPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
The room in theNintendo Switch remake ofPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
_(Switch).png)
Diskun[edit]
A mascot known as Diskun has featured heavily in marketing for the Family Computer Disk System and its software. He is portrayed as a stylized Disk Card with eyes. Cameos of Diskun can be found across theSuper Mario franchise.
- Several Diskun appear in the default service data screens ofGolf: Japan Course andGolf: US Course. Diskun also appears on the score sheet menu inU.S. Course.
- A limited number ofSuper Mario Bros.Game & Watches with Diskun-themed packaging were awarded to contestants of aFamicom Grand Prix: F1 Race tournament held in Japan in late 1987.
- Diskun cameos as a toy inBooster Tower inSuper Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. This was made more apparent in the game'sremake for theNintendo Switch due to the higher quality graphics.
- Atrophy andspirit of Diskun can be unlocked inSuper Smash Bros. Melee andSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate, respectively.
- An unused sprite of an enemy resembling a black-colored angry Diskun can be found in theE3 demo ofMario & Luigi: Superstar Saga.
- In theWarioWare: Touched! microgamePower Chord, the rock star has a tattoo of Diskun on their right arm.
- A poster with Diskun can be seen behindShop Manager Iwata during9-Volt and18-Volt's stage inWarioWare: Smooth Moves.
- Diskun appears as aMystery Mushroomcostume inSuper Mario Maker, and can be randomly unlocked by clearing the 100 Mario Challenge on Super Expert difficulty.
- InThe Super Mario Bros. Movie, a shop named "Disk-kun Hardware Co." can be seen in Brooklyn, featuring the mascot in its logo.
Gallery[edit]
Diskun on the service data screen ofGolf: Japan Course
The Diskun-themedSuper Mario Bros. Game & Watch
A Diskun toy in Booster Tower inSuper Mario RPG
Diskun's trophy inSuper Smash Bros. Melee
The unused Diskun enemy sprite from theMario & Luigi: Superstar Saga E3 demo
The Diskun tattoo in the Power Chord microgame inWarioWare: Touched!
The Diskun poster inWarioWare: Smooth Moves
Diskun's Costume Mario sprite inSuper Mario Maker
"Disk-kun Hardware Co." sign fromThe Super Mario Bros. Movie
Multimedia[edit]
Boot jingleNames in other languages[edit]
Family Computer Disk System / Famicom Disk System[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ファミリーコンピュータ ディスクシステム[?] Famirī Konpyūta Disuku Shisutemu | Family Computer Disk System | |
| ファミコン ディスクシステム[?] Famikon Disuku Shisutemu | Famicom Disk System |
Diskun[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ディスくん[?] Disukun | Portmanteau of「ディスク」(disuku, "disk") and the honorific「くん」(kun) | |
| Russian | Дискун[?] Diskun | Diskun | Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |
Notes[edit]
- Mario andLuigi appear in the Disk System's BIOS, seen when the Disk System is started. The sprites are based on ones fromMario Bros. for the Famicom.
- When sped up 19 times, theNintendo GameCube menu ambience is revealed to be a slowed-down version of the startup tune for the Disk System BIOS.[8]
References[edit]
 | The Cutting Room Floor has an article onFamily Computer Disk System. |
 | Wikipedia has an article onFamily Computer Disk System. |
- ^Famicom Disk System (FDS).Famicom World. Retrieved July 2, 2024. (Archived June 25, 2024, 19:36:59 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^Nakamanga (September 30, 2019).Famicom and Disk System Hong Kong Version - Commercial.YouTube. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ディスクシステムとは？.nintendo.co.jp (Japanese). Retrieved June 1, 2024. (Archived June 29, 2019, 04:41:00 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^カセットとディスクカード両方で発売.pony.velvet.jp (Japanese). Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^Famicom Disksystem - All Software and Version List.pony.velvet.jp (English). Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^Nintendo (September 19, 2017).F-ZERO Developer Interview. Retrieved September 20, 2017. (Archived September 12, 2017, 01:18:23 UTC via Wayback Machine.)
- ^wildgoosespeeder (March 26, 2010).Paper Mario - The Thousand-Year Door - Famicom Disk System.YouTube (English). Retrieved May 19, 2024.
- ^Media:GCN Main Menu Sped Up.oga
