The Famicom Data Recorder (HVC-008) is a

compact cassette The Compact Cassette, also commonly called a cassette tape, audio cassette, or simply tape or cassette, is an analog magnetic tape recording format for audio recording and playback. Invented by Lou Ottens and his team at the Dutch company ...

tape data interface introduced in 1984, for the

Family Computer The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is an 8-bit home video game console developed and marketed by Nintendo. It was first released in Japan on 15 July 1983 as the and was later released as the redesigned NES in several test markets in the U ...

. It is compatible with four Famicom titles, for saving

user-generated content User-generated content (UGC), alternatively known as user-created content (UCC), emerged from the rise of web services which allow a system's User (computing), users to create Content (media), content, such as images, videos, audio, text, testi ...

to tapes. It was Nintendo's first rewritable storage medium, the second one would follow shortly after with the Family Computer Disk System's

floppy disk A floppy disk or floppy diskette (casually referred to as a floppy, a diskette, or a disk) is a type of disk storage composed of a thin and flexible disk of a magnetic storage medium in a square or nearly square plastic enclosure lined with a ...

s in 1986.

History

Home game consoles may present the player with the opportunity for storing game positions and original

such as custom game levels. Based on the read-only memory cartridge medium, the premium cost of easy-to-use solid-state data storage technology, such as battery-backed memory, drove the 1980s market to seek cheaper compromises. Utilizing standard

tapes, Nintendo began with the Famicom Data Recorder. A compatible game runs on cartridge and optionally allows the creation of user-generated content to be saved onto cassette tapes using this tape drive. Manufactured by Matsushita/Panasonic for Nintendo, the cassette tape drive was released in 1984 only in Japan for . Available to any game developer, it was launched as a peripheral for Nintendo's ''Family BASIC'' Keyboard to save

BASIC Basic or BASIC may refer to: Science and technology * BASIC, a computer programming language * Basic (chemistry), having the properties of a base * Basic access authentication, in HTTP Entertainment * Basic (film), ''Basic'' (film), a 2003 film ...

programs written by users. In addition to ''Family BASIC'', this compatible game library is Nintendo's ''Programmable Series'' with '' Excitebike'' (1984), '' Mach Rider'' (1985), and '' Wrecking Crew'' (1985)and the third party games '' Castle Excellent'' (1989), '' Arkanoid II'' (1988), '' Lode Runner'' (1984), and '' Nuts & Milk'' (1984). As production costs decreased over the years, Nintendo later developed the

based Famicom Disk System, and ASCII Corporation created an external battery-backed RAM-disk called the Turbo File.

Operation

The Famicom Data Recorder is powered either by a 6 volt adapter or 4 AA batteries. The Recorder can be used as a conventional sound recorder, and includes a built in microphone in the bottom left hand corner of the unit. The Recorder has mono sound output from a built in speaker on the top of the unit. A convenient volume control is accessible on the left hand side. The Recorder has two data ports that use a conventional 3.5mm mono phone connector. The port on the left hand side is labeled "ear" and "load". The port on the right is labeled as "Mic" and "Save". When used as a data storage device the phone cables connected to the corresponding "write" and "save" ports on the Family BASIC keyboard. The Data Recorder set includes an instruction manual, a data cable, a Nintendo-branded

, a 6 volt AC adapter, and a carrying handle that extends from the front bezel.

References

{{Nintendo hardware, NES Nintendo Entertainment System accessories Computer-related introductions in 1984 Japan-exclusive video game hardware Video game storage media