Entertainment System (NES)
Nintendo's 8-bit cartridge console, the Western version of the 1983 Famicom, for collectors and anyone comparing it with the Master System or SNES.
- Type
- Home console
- Output
- –
- Memory
- 4 KB
- Storage
- –
- Weight
- –
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specPerformance
- Type
- Home console
- CPU
- Ricoh RP2A07 (6502-based), 1.66 MHz
- GPU
- Ricoh RP2C07 PPU
- Memory
- 4 KB
- Disc drive
- No
- CPU
- Ricoh RP2A07, a 6502-derived 8-bit CPU at 1.66 MHz on PAL consoles
- GPU
- Ricoh RP2C07 picture processing unit on PAL consoles
- Memory detail
- 2 KB work RAM, 2 KB video RAM and 256 bytes of sprite attribute memory
- Storage detail
- NES Game Paks (cartridges); some save on the cartridge
Display and video
- Built-in screen
- No built-in screen
- Video output
- 256 × 240 picture; RF and composite outputs
- Audio
- 5 channels (2 pulse wave, triangle wave, noise, DPCM sample)
Connections
- Ports
- 2 × controller ports
- Controller
- NES controller with D-pad, A, B, Start and Select
Pros and cons
Pros
- Detachable controllers with the D-pad layout later consoles kept
- Five-channel sound, including a DPCM sample channel
- Front-loading cartridge slot
Cons
- 2 KB of work RAM and 2 KB of video RAM
- 256 × 240 picture
- Two controller ports only
Closest rivals
Model | Type | Output | Memory | Storage | Weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home console | – | 24 KB | – | – | Aug 1987 | |
| Home console | – | 128 KB | – | – | Sept 1990 | |
| Handheld | – | 16 KB | – | 220 g | Sept 1990 |
Newer model: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).
Sources
- nintendo.com/en-gb/Hardware/Nintendo-History/Nintendo-Entertainment-System/Tech…
- nintendo.com/en-gb/Hardware/Nintendo-History/Nintendo-History-625945.html
- classic.copetti.org/writings/consoles/nes
- consoleartisan.com/reference/famicom-family
Photo: Evan-Amos, Wikimedia Commons
