Famicom Disk System

The Family Computer Disk System, commonly shortened to the Famicom Disk System, is a peripheral for Nintendo's Family Computer (Famicom) home video game console, released in Japan on February 21, 1986 and limited release in Hong Kong in 1991. The system uses proprietary floppy disks called "Disk Cards" for more affordable data storage and adds a high-fidelity sound channel to enhance audio in compatible Disk System games. To support the Disk System, Nintendo installed "Disk Writer" kiosks in stores across Japan that allowed customers to bring their Disk Cards and have new games rewritten onto them for a small fee, making it a cost-effective alternative to purchasing games on traditional ROM cartridges. Nintendo also offered similar disk rewriting services by mail. The Disk System was designed to enhance features already present in the base Famicom, offering better sound and cheaper, rewritable games. However, it came with drawbacks, including a high initial price for the device along with the storage medium's slower load times and reduced reliability. Despite these limitations, the Disk System’s rewritable storage served as an enabling technology, enabling the creation of new types of video games. This era saw the rise of expansive open world adventures like The Legend of Zelda (1986) and Metroid (1986) enabled by progress-saving, games with cost-effective and swift releases such as the best-selling Super Mario Bros. 2, and nationwide leaderboards and contests via in-store Disk Fax kiosks, which are considered to be forerunners of today's online achievement and distribution systems. While sales of the Disk System peripheral ended in 1993, after selling 4.4 million units, making it the most successful console add-on of all time, support for the system continued well beyond that point. The final title for the Disk System was Janken Disk Jo, released on December 22, 1992. Nintendo maintained Disk...