Article
Nintendo Co., Ltd., changed the internal workings and look of the Family Computer throughout the 1980s. Most Famicom collectors know that the most sought after Famicom — the square-buttoned Famicom — was made with square A and B buttons on the controllers and a smooth bottom on the console itself, instead of the textured bottom we most often see.
The square-buttoned Famicom was the first and possibly second release, and because it had problems, such as weak lockout and soft buttons that could wear down, it was revamped. For the next release of the Famicom, the buttons were made round and hard, instead of square and rubbery. The bottom casing was made rough, instead of smooth. Because of these changes, the square-buttoned Famicom is the rarest of the Famicom versions released.
SQUARE-BUTTONED FAMICOM
Smooth Bottom Casing
Black Pin Adapter
HVC-CPU-05
1983
SQUARE-BUTTONED FAMICOM
Smooth Bottom Casing
Blue Pin Adapter
HVC-CPU-05
1983
ROUND-BUTTONED FAMICOM
Rough Bottom Casing
Blue Pin Adapter
HVC-CPU-06
1983
ROUND-BUTTONED FAMICOM
Rough Bottom Casing
Blue Pin Adapter
HVC-CPU-07
1984
ROUND-BUTTONED FAMICOM
Rough Bottom Casing
Blue/Silver Pin Adapter
HVC-CPU-GPM-02
1989
