Weird "Famicom" or famiclone??

[3Eyeboy]

Can anybody tell me if this thing is a a clone, what are those letters in chinese, also the Nintendo logo is a bit tinier...

I'm tryng to trade this thing I always thought that this thing was legit but now I'm not so sure and don't want to rip off the guy, any  clues?

[ericj]

It looks authentic to me. But, it'd be a lot easier to tell if you took a pic of the guts. Any chance you could do that?

[3Eyeboy]

I'll open it up and post some pics when I get home.

[Cheetahmen]

I could be wrong, but I think it's the Taiwanese version given as the only differences I noticed seem to be cosmetic.

[Xious]

That is the Taiwan version: If you wish to sell ir or trade it, please let me know. Thanks!

[P]

That Disk System however is Japanese. Not that it should be any compatibility problems...

[P]

In Japanese and simplified Chinese as well if I may add.

I wonder if it is anything like the Hong Kong version that has some kind of PAL converter built-in.

[3Eyeboy]

I wonder if it is anything like the Hong Kong version that has some kind of PAL converter built-in.

If it has a converter it should also have a switch somewhere, if that's so, do you know where it is?

[P]

The Hong Kong version has a switch that says "Slow <> Fast" or something like that on the back of the famicom (replacing "TV <> Game" Switch that is on a Japanese version I think) and is used to halt the speed of the PPU to make a 50Hz picture for TVs that doesn't support PAL60. I can't check my famicom right now so I'm not 100% sure how it looks like but you can find more information by searching this forum or googling Famicom Hong Kong version.

Information on the Taiwanese version seems to be scarcer though...

[Xious]

Taiwan is NTSC. Some Taiwan systems that went to China (grey market or otherwise) have been PAL-convered (Makko kits), but they are NTSC when stock and have no need of a 50/60 switch.

I'm willing to trade it for a restored A/V modified system, maybe more. I'd throw in restoring the FDS (now or in the future) as a bonus.

If it's boxed, I'd offer a great deal more...

I still need a Taiwan version, although I'll need to locate a boxed/complete one eventually.

Information is scarce, I presume in English.

[3Eyeboy]

This thing is not on very good condition as you can see in these pictures,  this console has been in my family for more than 20 years but I would like to replace it with a normal Japanese Famicom modified with A / V outputs,  one thing I realized is that the console overheats too much, when I opened it I found that it does not have any heat sink (I don't have the original adapter, I use a Megadrive adapter)..







Control 2 has a stick attached to the D-pad and I remember that some kind of balltop used to be placed there..







Cracked case. ..

[ericj]

Wow, that's not in the best condition. It is modified with a Makko Toys RF board, and the switch is probably for 60-50Hz selection.

BTW, there is a heatsink on the voltage regulator, but it looks like it has poor air circulation. Addding in some thermal compound between them and slightly bending the heatsink upward so air can circulate under it would probably help keep it cooler. Judging from the looks of the solder joints, it's quite possible there could be a slight intermittent short going on, too. If you're good at soldering, you may want to clean up the joints a bit.

[P]

Intresting pictures... So Taiwan has NTSC... What are those wires going out on the back? Is it AV-modded? (I have yet to open up my famicom and don't know what is what)

Information is scarce, I presume in English.

Yes that's what I meant. I tried googling in English just too see if there was any info easily available...

[TechJimJim]

I have one of these. Mines in a bit better shape tho. Does yours work on Channel 13 as well? How about your ac adapter is it 110V ac? The chips in mine are similar but mine must be a different revision as it is a little different "ill upload pics at a later date". The chips in mine are mostly Sharp and Motorola with a dash of Mitsubishi and Texas I. I think we should get as much information about these Taiwan Famicoms out there due to most people thinking these are clones. Pirates don't use chips that would cost more than the Japanese originals would.

[Xious]

Many units went from Taiwan (NTSC) to PAL Asian markets via the Makko kits.

I have this unit in my possession now, though I've yet to look at it. I'm not sure what those cross-pad sticks are, though I doubt that the TWFC had them by default. It reminds me of the 'Crazy Climber' cross-pad overlays (that help in playing the game), but built-in, rather than stuck-on.

• Contrary to popular belief, and Wikipedia, there is no 'Crazy Climber' controller. Instead, the game was packaged with a pair of orange plastic thumb-sticks that fitted onto the normal cross-pad and were used during the operation of the game, to be removed for playing other titles. They have a metal base that securely and snugly snaps onto the cross-pad to prevent falling-off during use, and they do not use any adhesive to stay in place. You play 'Crazy Climber' with both controllers, one per hand, with the normal 'Left' direction of the cross-pad oriented to be 'Up'. In this way you can easily hold both controllers and use your thumbs to manipulate the sticks.

If anyone else has a Taiwan model, please let me know if it has normal cross-pads and not strange sticks. I know that (for Europe), Atari released the 7800 with joypads that had a small thumb-stick: It was detachable via unscrewing it, as I recall, for more NES-like and thumb-friendly operation.