Famiclone: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Hardware clones of the NES home video game console}} | {{Short description|Hardware clones of the NES home video game console}} | ||
{{More citations needed|date=April 2023}} | {{More citations needed|date=April 2023}} | ||
In [[Glossary of video game terms|video game parlance]], a '''famiclone''' is a [[clone console|hardware clone]] of the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Family Computer/Nintendo Entertainment System]]. They are designed to replicate the workings of, and play games designed for, the Famicom and NES. Hundreds of unauthorized clones and [[Multicart|unlicensed game copies]] have been made available since the height of the NES popularity in the late 1980s.{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}} The technology employed in such clones has evolved over the years: while the earliest clones feature a [[printed circuit board]] containing custom or third party [[integrated circuit]]s (ICs), more recent (post-1996) clones utilize single-chip designs, with a custom [[Application-specific integrated circuit|ASIC]] which simulates the functionality of the original hardware,{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}} and often includes one or more on-board games. Most devices originate in [[China]] and [[Taiwan]], and less commonly [[South Korea]]. Outside China and Taiwan, they are mostly widespread across [[emerging market]]s of [[developing countries]]. | In [[Glossary of video game terms|video game parlance]], a '''famiclone''' (portmanteau of '''''Famicom''''' and '''''clone''''') is a [[clone console|hardware clone]] of the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Family Computer/Nintendo Entertainment System]]. They are designed to replicate the workings of, and play games designed for, the Famicom and NES. Hundreds of unauthorized clones and [[Multicart|unlicensed game copies]] have been made available since the height of the NES popularity in the late 1980s.{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}} The technology employed in such clones has evolved over the years: while the earliest clones feature a [[printed circuit board]] containing custom or third party [[integrated circuit]]s (ICs), more recent (post-1996) clones utilize single-chip designs, with a custom [[Application-specific integrated circuit|ASIC]] which simulates the functionality of the original hardware,{{Citation needed|date=December 2009}} and often includes one or more on-board games. Most devices originate in [[China]] and [[Taiwan]], and less commonly [[South Korea]]. Outside China and Taiwan, they are mostly widespread across [[emerging market]]s of [[developing countries]]. | ||
In some locales, such as former [[Eastern Bloc]], former [[Post-Soviet states|Soviet countries]] (especially [[Russia]]), [[South America]], [[Middle East]], several [[Asia|Asian countries]] and [[Africa]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://superjumpmagazine.com/the-nintendo-famicom-clone-craze-ebbf69bdd403|title=The Nintendo Famicom Clone Craze|date=4 September 2020|access-date=10 May 2021|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510092646/https://superjumpmagazine.com/the-nintendo-famicom-clone-craze-ebbf69bdd403|url-status=dead}}</ref> such systems could occasionally be found side by side with official Nintendo hardware, but clones were cheaper and had wider availability of software<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/60133/Ending-Man-Terminator-2/ | title=Ending Man Terminator 2 - Game Console - Computing History | access-date=2023-03-19 | archive-date=2023-03-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319170238/https://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/60133/Ending-Man-Terminator-2/ | url-status=live }}</ref> so such clones were the easiest available console gaming systems. Elsewhere, these systems often prompted swift legal action.<ref name=nesworld>{{cite web|url=http://nesworld.com/crushed.php|title=What happens when Nintendo discovers a shipment of NES clones|first=Martin|last=Nielsen|publisher=NES World|access-date=January 15, 2011|archive-date=November 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127114912/http://nesworld.com/crushed.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Many of these early systems were similar to the NES or Famicom not only in functionality, but also in appearance, often featuring little more than a new name and logo in place of Nintendo's branding. In contrast, in the [[former Yugoslavia]] NES clones often visually resembled the [[Mega Drive]], complete with the Sega logo.<ref>[http://mondo.rs/a713934/Mob-IT/Igre/Da-li-ste-przili-laznu-SEGU-Megu.html Da li ste "pržili" lažnu SEGU Megu?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617165703/http://mondo.rs/a713934/Mob-IT/Igre/Da-li-ste-przili-laznu-SEGU-Megu.html|date=2018-06-17}}, Mondo.rs. Retrieved | In some locales, such as former [[Eastern Bloc]], former [[Post-Soviet states|Soviet countries]] (especially [[Russia]]), [[South America]], [[Middle East]], several [[Asia|Asian countries]] and [[Africa]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://superjumpmagazine.com/the-nintendo-famicom-clone-craze-ebbf69bdd403|title=The Nintendo Famicom Clone Craze|date=4 September 2020|access-date=10 May 2021|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510092646/https://superjumpmagazine.com/the-nintendo-famicom-clone-craze-ebbf69bdd403|url-status=dead}}</ref> such systems could occasionally be found side by side with official Nintendo hardware, but clones were cheaper and had wider availability of software<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/60133/Ending-Man-Terminator-2/ | title=Ending Man Terminator 2 - Game Console - Computing History | access-date=2023-03-19 | archive-date=2023-03-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319170238/https://www.computinghistory.org.uk/det/60133/Ending-Man-Terminator-2/ | url-status=live }}</ref> so such clones were the easiest available console gaming systems. Elsewhere, these systems often prompted swift legal action.<ref name=nesworld>{{cite web|url=http://nesworld.com/crushed.php|title=What happens when Nintendo discovers a shipment of NES clones|first=Martin|last=Nielsen|publisher=NES World|access-date=January 15, 2011|archive-date=November 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127114912/http://nesworld.com/crushed.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Many of these early systems were similar to the NES or Famicom not only in functionality, but also in appearance, often featuring little more than a new name and logo in place of Nintendo's branding. In contrast, in the [[former Yugoslavia]] NES clones often visually resembled the [[Mega Drive]], complete with the Sega logo.<ref>[http://mondo.rs/a713934/Mob-IT/Igre/Da-li-ste-przili-laznu-SEGU-Megu.html Da li ste "pržili" lažnu SEGU Megu?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617165703/http://mondo.rs/a713934/Mob-IT/Igre/Da-li-ste-przili-laznu-SEGU-Megu.html|date=2018-06-17}}, Mondo.rs. Retrieved 2015–4–9.</ref> | ||
Few of these systems were openly marketed as "NES compatible".<ref name=pixel>{{cite journal |title= Sega Master System vs Bit 72 | journal = Pixel | issue= 72 |pages= 81}}</ref> Some of the packaging features screenshots from more recent and more powerful systems, which are adorned with misleading, or even outright false, quotes such as "ultimate videogame technlology" {{sic}} or "crystal clear digital sound, multiple colors and advanced 3D graphics".{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}} Some manufacturers opt for a less misleading approach, describing the system generically as a "TV game", "[[8-bit]] console", "multi-game system", or "[[Handheld TV game|Plug & Play]]", but even these examples generally say nothing to suggest any compatibility with NES hardware. They would often be distributed along [[Multicart|pirate multicarts]]. | Few of these systems were openly marketed as "NES compatible".<ref name=pixel>{{cite journal |title= Sega Master System vs Bit 72 | journal = Pixel | issue= 72 |pages= 81}}</ref> Some of the packaging features screenshots from more recent and more powerful systems, which are adorned with misleading, or even outright false, quotes such as "ultimate videogame technlology" {{sic}} or "crystal clear digital sound, multiple colors and advanced 3D graphics".{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}} Some manufacturers opt for a less misleading approach, describing the system generically as a "TV game", "[[8-bit]] console", "multi-game system", or "[[Handheld TV game|Plug & Play]]", but even these examples generally say nothing to suggest any compatibility with NES hardware. They would often be distributed along [[Multicart|pirate multicarts]]. | ||
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These types of systems contain a built-in [[Liquid-crystal display|LCD screen]] and are usually powered by [[battery (electricity)|batteries]], therefore acting as a completely portable handheld system. | These types of systems contain a built-in [[Liquid-crystal display|LCD screen]] and are usually powered by [[battery (electricity)|batteries]], therefore acting as a completely portable handheld system. | ||
One of the first handheld clones is the ''Top Guy'', although only a small number are known to exist. More widely distributed was Redant's [[Game Axe]], which was manufactured in several revisions through the 1990s. | One of the first handheld clones is the ''Top Guy'', although only a small number are known to exist. More widely distributed was Redant's [[Game Axe]], which was manufactured in several revisions through the 1990s. Game Theory Admiral featured an improved [[TFT LCD|TFT]] screen and closely resembled the [[Game Boy Advance]] or [[WinTech Racing|Wintech]] GOOD BOY - not to be confused with a Famicom clone also called Good Boy - designed to look like a [[Game Boy Color]].{{clarify|date=April 2023}} However, this smaller design included a smaller cartridge port; it was supplied with an adapter to allow the use of standard Famicom cartridges with the system. One of the more recent handheld clones is Gametech's [[PocketFami]], the first to be actively marketed as a portable Famicom by its manufacturers, and one of the most widely distributed thanks to the new legitimate status of Famicom clone products. | ||
There are also a number of famiclones in the shape of a [[Game Boy]] or similar, but which can only display NES/Famicom games on a TV, and have a simple [[handheld electronic game|LCD game]] in the screen area. such an example is the NES Clone "GameKids Advance", which resembles an older [[Game Boy Advance]], and has a built-in LCD game, powered by 2 AA batteries, or the included AC adapter. However, the NES games can only be played on TV using the AC adapter. It uses a game cartridge, similar to those from a Game Boy/Game Boy Color, and also includes an adapter to play NES games. | There are also a number of famiclones in the shape of a [[Game Boy]] or similar, but which can only display NES/Famicom games on a TV, and have a simple [[handheld electronic game|LCD game]] in the screen area. such an example is the NES Clone "GameKids Advance", which resembles an older [[Game Boy Advance]], and has a built-in LCD game, powered by 2 AA batteries, or the included AC adapter. However, the NES games can only be played on TV using the AC adapter. It uses a game cartridge, similar to those from a Game Boy/Game Boy Color, and also includes an adapter to play NES games. | ||
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[[Image:Gunboy double super joy.jpg|thumbnail|right|Two-player Gunboy set]] | [[Image:Gunboy double super joy.jpg|thumbnail|right|Two-player Gunboy set]] | ||
This type of hardware clone, popular in North America and western [[Europe]], is designed to hold all the console's hardware in the shape of a regular game console controller, usually the [[Nintendo 64]]'s. | This type of hardware clone, popular in North America and western [[Europe]], is designed to hold all the console's hardware in the shape of a regular game console controller, usually the [[Nintendo 64]]'s. Also known as "[[System on a chip|NES-on-a-chip]]" due to their extremely miniaturized hardware (relative to the original NES), these controllers usually shun or at least downplay{{clarify|date=April 2023}} a game cartridge interface in favor of storing games directly in internal memory chips. These famiclones can often run on battery as well as AC power, making them popular for portable usage. These clones have become especially popular in the USA thanks to the new "[[Handheld TV game|TV-Game]]s" fad of selling legitimately emulated classic arcade games in a traditional-looking controller. ([[Atari]] games are especially common.) Controller clones can usually be found in places like flea markets, mall kiosks, or independent toy stores, and most people who sell and buy them are unaware or do not care that they are in fact illegally made. In [[Brazil]] this type of console is commercialized with the name ''GunBoy''. | ||
The ''[[Power Player Super Joy III]]'' consoles (also known as ''Power Games'' and ''XA-76-1E'') are a line of unauthorized handheld [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]/[[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] clones manufactured by NRTRADE that are sold in [[North America]], [[Brazil]], [[Europe]], [[Asia]], and [[Australia]]. The system resembles a [[Nintendo 64 controller]] and [[Handheld TV game|attaches to a TV set]]. The second controller resembles a [[Sega Genesis]] controller, and a [[light gun]] is also included. [[NTSC]], [[PAL]] and [[SECAM]] versions are available. They all use a custom "NES-on-a-chip" (NOAC) that is an implementation of the NES's hardware (Custom 6502, PPU, PAPU, etc.). The consoles came with 76 built-in games, although marketing frequently claims to have 1,000+ ways of playing them. Most of the included games were originally released for the NES or Famicom, but some have been created by the manufacturer to expand their list of included games. Most of the games have had their title screen graphics removed to save space on the ROM chip, not to mention a company logo removal trick for reduced liability. After this product gained some popularity, the Power Player 3.5, an improved model with more games, was released.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} | The ''[[Power Player Super Joy III]]'' consoles (also known as ''Power Games'' and ''XA-76-1E'') are a line of unauthorized handheld [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]/[[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] clones manufactured by NRTRADE that are sold in [[North America]], [[Brazil]], [[Europe]], [[Asia]], and [[Australia]]. The system resembles a [[Nintendo 64 controller]] and [[Handheld TV game|attaches to a TV set]]. The second controller resembles a [[Sega Genesis]] controller, and a [[light gun]] is also included. [[NTSC]], [[PAL]] and [[SECAM]] versions are available. They all use a custom "NES-on-a-chip" (NOAC) that is an implementation of the NES's hardware (Custom 6502, PPU, PAPU, etc.). The consoles came with 76 built-in games, although marketing frequently claims to have 1,000+ ways of playing them. Most of the included games were originally released for the NES or Famicom, but some have been created by the manufacturer to expand their list of included games. Most of the games have had their title screen graphics removed to save space on the ROM chip, not to mention a company logo removal trick for reduced liability. After this product gained some popularity, the Power Player 3.5, an improved model with more games, was released.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} A wireless version of Power Games was also released.{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}}<ref name="sunk">Gearty, Robert. (April 14, 2005) [[Daily News (New York)|New York Daily News]] ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20070325035616/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/nydailynews/access/821882541.html?dids=821882541%3A821882541&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS%3AFT&date=Apr%2B14%2C%2B2005&author=ROBERT%2BGEARTY&pub=New%2BYork%2BDaily%2BNews&edition=&startpage=32&desc=VIDEO%2BGAME%2BPIRATES%2BSUNK Video game pirates sunk.]'' Section:News; Page 32</ref><ref>''[https://web.archive.org/web/20080923041945/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2005_April_15/ai_n13612029 Nintendo Applauds the FBI -- Four Arrested for Allegedly Distributing Pirated Nintendo Products.]'' [[Business Wire]] (April 15, 2005)</ref><ref>[[St. Paul Pioneer Press]] (November 19, 2005) '' Man gets five years in video game fraud.'' Section: LOCAL; Page 5B</ref> | ||
''Playervision'' or ''Game Stick'' is another unauthorized [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] hardware clone built into a [[gamepad]] and sold in [[South America]], and is just one version of [[Power Player Super Joy III]], nevertheless, the name of the product varies on and in the box, user manual and the gamepad video game console itself. For example, the instruction sheet calls it "Playervision", but the system itself says "Players". This video game console has no cartridge slot, or an input for a second player controller or [[NES Zapper|Zapper]]. This means that some of the games included | ''Playervision'' or ''Game Stick'' is another unauthorized [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] hardware clone built into a [[gamepad]] and sold in [[South America]], and is just one version of [[Power Player Super Joy III]], nevertheless, the name of the product varies on and in the box, user manual and the gamepad video game console itself. For example, the instruction sheet calls it "Playervision", but the system itself says "Players". This video game console has no cartridge slot, or an input for a second player controller or [[NES Zapper|Zapper]]. This means that some of the games included cannot be used because of the need of a gun (''[[Duck Hunt]]'', for example). The system includes the same 76 games as [[Power Player Super Joy III]], but some of them are repeated or are graphical hacks ([[Teletubbies]], for example, is just ''[[Mario Bros.]]'' with graphic changes). | ||
===Computer type=== | ===Computer type=== | ||
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These built-in games are usually designed to complement, rather than replace, the traditional cartridge slot, although some devices omit such a slot entirely, allowing only the built-in games to be played. Typical numbers for the built-in "distinct" games range from as low as three to as high as fifty or one hundred games for more expensive products. The number of "distinct games" is important, because while many NES clones claim to have thousands of built-in games, most of these games are usually nothing more than hacks that allow the player to start the same game at different levels or with different numbers of lives. | These built-in games are usually designed to complement, rather than replace, the traditional cartridge slot, although some devices omit such a slot entirely, allowing only the built-in games to be played. Typical numbers for the built-in "distinct" games range from as low as three to as high as fifty or one hundred games for more expensive products. The number of "distinct games" is important, because while many NES clones claim to have thousands of built-in games, most of these games are usually nothing more than hacks that allow the player to start the same game at different levels or with different numbers of lives. | ||
The games are usually direct unlicensed copies of official NES and Famicom game titles, usually with copyright information removed and sometimes featuring other minor changes. The most commonly found games in NES clones are generally games below 64 K of ROM size and which can be easily split into distinct subgames or levels. As such, ''[[Track & Field (video game)|Track & Field]]'' and ''[[Circus Charlie]]'' are present in a large percentage of NES clones, usually blown up to count as 6 or 7 "distinct" games each. ''[[Duck Hunt]]'' (often with its clay shooting mode shown as a separate game) is also a common NES clone feature as they justify the existence of the [[light gun]] accessory. Other popular, although less common choices, are ''Super Mario Bros.'' hacks, ''[[Excitebike]]'', ''[[Tetris]]'', ''Magic Jewelry'' (an unlicensed clone of [[Columns (video game)|Columns]]), older sports titles and miscellaneous platform games. Additionally, some clones incorporate games that, although they may initially appear to be original, are in fact counterfeit copies featuring extensive graphical (and sometimes audio) modifications. Examples of this include ''UFO Race'', based on Nintendo's ''[[F-1 Race]]'', ''Pandamar'' (also known as simply ''Panda''), based on ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', ''Ladangel'', based on [[Hudson Soft]]'s ''[[Challenger (video game)|Challenger]]'' and ''UFO Shoot'', based on ''[[Duck Hunt]]''. | The games are usually direct unlicensed copies of official NES and Famicom game titles, usually with copyright information removed and sometimes featuring other minor changes. The most commonly found games in NES clones are generally games below 64 K of ROM size and which can be easily split into distinct subgames or levels. As such, ''[[Track & Field (video game)|Track & Field]]'' and ''[[Circus Charlie]]'' are present in a large percentage of NES clones, usually blown up to count as 6 or 7 "distinct" games each. ''[[Duck Hunt]]'' (often with its clay shooting mode shown as a separate game) is also a common NES clone feature as they justify the existence of the [[light gun]] accessory. Other popular, although less common choices, are ''Super Mario Bros.'' hacks, ''[[Excitebike]]'', ''[[Tetris]]'', ''Magic Jewelry'' (an unlicensed clone of ''[[Columns (video game)|Columns]]''), older sports titles and miscellaneous platform games. Additionally, some clones incorporate games that, although they may initially appear to be original, are in fact counterfeit copies featuring extensive graphical (and sometimes audio) modifications. Examples of this include ''UFO Race'', based on Nintendo's ''[[F-1 Race]]'', ''Pandamar'' (also known as simply ''Panda''), based on ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', ''Ladangel'', based on [[Hudson Soft]]'s ''[[Challenger (video game)|Challenger]]'' and ''UFO Shoot'', based on ''[[Duck Hunt]]''. | ||
However, some systems include legally licensed games; for example, the [[Rumble Station]]'s 15 built-in games are licensed from [[Color Dreams]], and [[Thin Chen Enterprise|Sachen]]'s Q-Boy includes only its own original titles. A growing number of recent clones, such as those marketed by Technologies in the United States, contain large numbers of original games made by developers in China. | However, some systems include legally licensed games; for example, the [[Rumble Station]]'s 15 built-in games are licensed from [[Color Dreams]], and [[Thin Chen Enterprise|Sachen]]'s Q-Boy includes only its own original titles. A growing number of recent clones, such as those marketed by Technologies in the United States, contain large numbers of original games made by developers in China. | ||
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===Generation NEX=== | ===Generation NEX=== | ||
[[File:Genertation Nex.jpg|thumb|Generation NEX, with an NES game loaded in front and a Famicom game loaded topside]] | [[File:Genertation Nex.jpg|thumb|Generation NEX, with an NES game loaded in front and a Famicom game loaded topside]] | ||
Generation NEX is a Nintendo hardware clone released in 2005.<ref name="Sili" /><ref name="Lemon" /> | Generation NEX is a Nintendo hardware clone released in 2005.<ref name="Sili" /><ref name="Lemon" /> It is compatible with Japanese Famicom and North American/European NES cartridges. A front-loading slot is used for NES games, like the original console, while a top-loading slot handles Famicom games.<ref name="IGN" /> Messiah Entertainment Inc., a company based in Los Angeles,<ref name="Crave" /> announced the Generation NEX in May 2005.<ref>{{cite web |title=Messiah Debuts Generation NEX Console |url=https://www.gamezone.com/news/messiah_debuts_generation_nex_console/ |website=GameZone |access-date=2020-04-15 |date=2005-05-23 |archive-date=2021-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030134635/https://www.gamezone.com/news/messiah_debuts_generation_nex_console/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The console was shown at the [[Classic Gaming Expo]] that August, and was scheduled for release in September 2005.<ref name="Frosty">{{cite web |last=Weintraub |first=Steve 'Frosty' |title=Miss Your Old Nintendo 8-Bit? Check This Out |url=https://collider.com/miss-your-old-nintendo-8bit-check-this-out/ |website=Collider |access-date=2020-04-15 |date=2005-08-17 |archive-date=2020-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200109012043/https://collider.com/miss-your-old-nintendo-8bit-check-this-out/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Saviors">{{cite web |last=Gitlin |first=Elle Cayabyab |title=The saviors of retro gaming, part two |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2005/06/502/ |website=Ars Technica |access-date=2020-04-15 |date=2005-06-11 |archive-date=2020-10-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027020259/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2005/06/502/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kohler |first=Chris |title=Retro Gamers Unite! |url=https://www.wired.com/2005/08/retro-gamers-unite/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=2020-04-15 |date=2005-08-24 |archive-date=2020-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928232417/https://www.wired.com/2005/08/retro-gamers-unite/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The NEX is a slimmer version of the original NES, measuring an inch and a half in height.<ref name="IGN" /> The console uses a custom-designed [[integrated circuit]] based on NES-on-a-chip, which is used by most Nintendo clone consoles.<ref name="Vintage">{{cite web |last=Edwards |first=Benj |title=A False Messiah: The Generation NEX Sucks |url=http://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/6/this-just-in-the-generation-nex-sucks |website=Vintage Computing and Gaming |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007154911/http://www.vintagecomputing.com/index.php/archives/6/this-just-in-the-generation-nex-sucks |archive-date=2013-10-07 |date=2005-11-03}}</ref> The ASIC used is known as the VT03, and is part of the OneBus family of NOACs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-28 |title=Nerdly Pleasures: The Unofficial Enhanced NESs - Continuing On where Nintendo Left Off |url=https://nerdlypleasures.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-unofficial-enhanced-ness-continuing.html |access-date=2024-10-24 |website=Nerdly Pleasures}}</ref> The NEX is compatible with approximately 95 percent of NES games,<ref>{{cite web |title=Compatibility list |url=http://www.playmessiah.com/onlinestore/gnex_faq-chart.htm |publisher=Messiah Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060907225820/http://www.playmessiah.com/onlinestore/gnex_faq-chart.htm |archive-date=2006-09-07 |date=2006-06-27}}</ref> excluding games such as ''[[Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse]]''.<ref name="Sili" /><ref name="IGN" /> The console includes [[stereo sound]] capabilities for [[Homebrew (video games)|homebrew game]]s.<ref name="Sili">{{cite web |title=Generation NEX compatibility list |url=https://www.siliconera.com/generation-nex-compatibility-list/ |website=Siliconera |access-date=2020-04-15 |date=2005-11-02 |archive-date=2020-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200826124443/https://www.siliconera.com/generation-nex-compatibility-list/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
The NEX retailed for $59.99,<ref name="Lemon" /> and included one wired controller. Wireless 2.4 [[Hertz|GHz]] controllers were also produced, and were sold in sets of two at a cost of $50 per set.<ref name="IGN" /><ref name="Kuchera" /> The wired and wireless controllers were redesigned from the [[Nintendo Entertainment System#Controllers|original NES controller]], having an appearance more similar to the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System#Peripherals|SNES controller]].<ref name="IGN" /> The console includes controller ports that allow the user to plug in and use original NES controllers instead, and the wireless NEX controllers are also compatible with the original NES. The NEX is also compatible with all other [[List of Nintendo Entertainment System accessories|NES accessorie]]s, such as the [[NES Zapper|Zapper gun]].<ref name="IGN" /><ref name="Saviors" /> Messiah also produced a wireless [[arcade stick]] controller.<ref name="Crave" /> | The NEX retailed for $59.99,<ref name="Lemon" /> and included one wired controller. Wireless 2.4 [[Hertz|GHz]] controllers were also produced, and were sold in sets of two at a cost of $50 per set.<ref name="IGN" /><ref name="Kuchera" /> The wired and wireless controllers were redesigned from the [[Nintendo Entertainment System#Controllers|original NES controller]], having an appearance more similar to the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System#Peripherals|SNES controller]].<ref name="IGN" /> The console includes controller ports that allow the user to plug in and use original NES controllers instead, and the wireless NEX controllers are also compatible with the original NES. The NEX is also compatible with all other [[List of Nintendo Entertainment System accessories|NES accessorie]]s, such as the [[NES Zapper|Zapper gun]].<ref name="IGN" /><ref name="Saviors" /> Messiah also produced a wireless [[arcade stick]] controller.<ref name="Crave" /> | ||
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=== My Arcade Micro Player === | === My Arcade Micro Player === | ||
Micro Player is a series of famiclone-based miniature [[arcade cabinet]]s<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=ausretrogamer |date=2019-11-12 |title=My Arcade Micro Players - Review {{!}} AUSRETROGAMER |url=https://ausretrogamer.com/my-arcade-micro-player-review-6-inch-collectable-retro-arcade-machines/ |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=ausretrogamer.com |language=en-AU}}</ref> sold by dreamGEAR, a [[Video game accessory|video game accessories]] company based in [[Torrance, California|Torrance]], [[California|CA]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=DreamGEAR Main Website |url=https://www.dreamgear.com/}}</ref> under the My Arcade brand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nerdly » 'My Arcade Micro Player' Retro Arcade Review |url=https://www.nerdly.co.uk/2018/10/22/my-arcade-micro-player-retro-arcade-review/ |access-date=2024-12-03 |language=en-US}}</ref> Several examples of game cabinets sold under this brand are [[Pac-Man]], [[Dig Dug]], [[Galaga]], and [[Bubble Bobble]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Micro Players |url=https://myarcade.com/collections/micro-player |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=My Arcade® |language=en}}</ref> | Micro Player is a series of famiclone-based miniature [[arcade cabinet]]s<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=ausretrogamer |date=2019-11-12 |title=My Arcade Micro Players - Review {{!}} AUSRETROGAMER |url=https://ausretrogamer.com/my-arcade-micro-player-review-6-inch-collectable-retro-arcade-machines/ |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=ausretrogamer.com |language=en-AU}}</ref> sold by dreamGEAR, a [[Video game accessory|video game accessories]] company based in [[Torrance, California|Torrance]], [[California|CA]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=DreamGEAR Main Website |url=https://www.dreamgear.com/}}</ref> under the My Arcade brand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nerdly » 'My Arcade Micro Player' Retro Arcade Review |url=https://www.nerdly.co.uk/2018/10/22/my-arcade-micro-player-retro-arcade-review/ |access-date=2024-12-03 |language=en-US}}</ref> Several examples of game cabinets sold under this brand are ''[[Pac-Man]]'', ''[[Dig Dug]]'', ''[[Galaga]]'', and ''[[Bubble Bobble (video game)|Bubble Bobble]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Micro Players |url=https://myarcade.com/collections/micro-player |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=My Arcade® |language=en}}</ref> | ||
The cabinets feature artwork from the originals, and utilize licensed NES ports of the games included on them, with Nintendo copyright information removed.<ref name=":12" /> The mini arcade cabinets were relatively popular due to their low price. They also released consoles containing these games with a handheld form factor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-01-06 |title=My Arcade Pac-Man Pocket Player (and quick Namco Blast!) "look"/"review" |url=https://forums.atariage.com/topic/286782-my-arcade-pac-man-pocket-player-and-quick-namco-blast-lookreview/ |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=AtariAge Forums |language=en-US}}</ref> | The cabinets feature artwork from the originals, and utilize licensed NES ports of the games included on them, with Nintendo copyright information removed.<ref name=":12" /> The mini arcade cabinets were relatively popular due to their low price. They also released consoles containing these games with a handheld form factor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-01-06 |title=My Arcade Pac-Man Pocket Player (and quick Namco Blast!) "look"/"review" |url=https://forums.atariage.com/topic/286782-my-arcade-pac-man-pocket-player-and-quick-namco-blast-lookreview/ |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=AtariAge Forums |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
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===Arabian Peninsula=== | ===Arabian Peninsula=== | ||
The most popular famiclone in the 1990s were ''Rinco Home Computer'' and ''Al Sagr'' distributed by Ramar International Ltd, that previously sold [[Atari 2600]] clones in the region, which also proved to be popular. Ramar translated some of the games into Arabic and published few unique bootleg games like ''The Dragon''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hallyvorc.wixsite.com/unauthorizon/post/cut-into-the-number-of-famiclones-ever-produced-case-8-rinco-al-sagr?referral=business-feed |title=Cut into the Number of Famiclones Ever Produced - Case #8: RINCO/AL SAGR |website=wixsite.com|access-date=2025-03-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/famiclones/home_computer_3600.htm|title=Home Computer 3600 - Ultimate Console Database at ultimateconsoledatabase.com|website=ultimateconsoledatabase.com|access-date=2023-03-22|archive-date=2023-03-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316225009/http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/famiclones/home_computer_3600.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In the same time, Nintendo officially distributed its products here,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nintendo.com/corp/companies/middleeast.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980205072054/http://www.nintendo.com/corp/companies/middleeast.html | archive-date=1998-02-05 | title=Nintendo: International Distributors }}</ref> but it is unknown if they took legal actions against famiclones sellers. | The most popular famiclone in the 1990s were ''Rinco Home Computer'' and ''Al Sagr'' distributed by Ramar International Ltd, that previously sold [[Atari 2600]] clones in the region, which also proved to be popular. Ramar translated some of the games into Arabic and published few unique bootleg games like ''The Dragon''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hallyvorc.wixsite.com/unauthorizon/post/cut-into-the-number-of-famiclones-ever-produced-case-8-rinco-al-sagr?referral=business-feed |title=Cut into the Number of Famiclones Ever Produced - Case #8: RINCO/AL SAGR |website=wixsite.com|access-date=2025-03-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/famiclones/home_computer_3600.htm|title=Home Computer 3600 - Ultimate Console Database at ultimateconsoledatabase.com|website=ultimateconsoledatabase.com|access-date=2023-03-22|archive-date=2023-03-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316225009/http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/famiclones/home_computer_3600.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In the same time, Nintendo officially distributed its products here,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://scontent-waw2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/120402772_3436235606415363_6078319628635390463_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=0b6b33&_nc_ohc=G_Brdd1TQdgQ7kNvwGffc-e&_nc_oc=AdnUe-rM0AYYbItxugOblaTeHWFGQcBdxbCirtFvkwKcZapkwmYLqMkujSlQrp5_DP4&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-waw2-2.xx&_nc_gid=VThJ8GDxoeX_H-W8QRmhKA&oh=00_AfVfmzVdrcBfNdFzUEc2j5vJSmBMsUx8IbXaCFNZX9EQ2Q&oe=68D8293C |title=Nintendo promotional materials in Arabic for NES, SNES and Game Boy | archive-url=https://archive.today/20250828220248/https://scontent-waw2-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/120402772_3436235606415363_6078319628635390463_n.jpg?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=0b6b33&_nc_ohc=G_Brdd1TQdgQ7kNvwGffc-e&_nc_oc=AdnUe-rM0AYYbItxugOblaTeHWFGQcBdxbCirtFvkwKcZapkwmYLqMkujSlQrp5_DP4&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-waw2-2.xx&_nc_gid=VThJ8GDxoeX_H-W8QRmhKA&oh=00_AfVfmzVdrcBfNdFzUEc2j5vJSmBMsUx8IbXaCFNZX9EQ2Q&oe=68D8293C | archive-date=2025-08-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nintendo.com/corp/companies/middleeast.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980205072054/http://www.nintendo.com/corp/companies/middleeast.html | archive-date=1998-02-05 | title=Nintendo: International Distributors }}</ref> but it is unknown if they took legal actions against famiclones sellers. | ||
===Argentina=== | ===Argentina=== | ||
The ''Family Game'' was manufactured by the Argentine company | The ''Family Game'' was manufactured by the Argentine company Electrolab S.A.<ref name=":1">{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pZb5CAAAQBAJ&pg=PA51|first1=Graciela Alicia|last1=Esnaola Horacek|first2=Alejandro|last2=Iparraguirre|first3=Guillermo|last3=Averbuj|first4=María|last4=Luján Oulton|chapter=Argentina|editor-first=Mark J. P.|editor-last=Wolf|title=Video Games Around the World|date=May 2015|publisher=MIT Press|page=51|isbn=9780262527163}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite news|url=https://www.neoteo.com/la-maldicion-del-elefante-gris-clones-famicom-miserias-compartidas/|title=La Maldición del Elefante Gris: Clones de Famicom y miserias compartidas|work=NeoTeo|date=2016-11-09|access-date=2018-12-09|archive-date=2018-12-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124622/https://www.neoteo.com/la-maldicion-del-elefante-gris-clones-famicom-miserias-compartidas/|url-status=live}}</ref> They distributed ''Super Family Electrolab Ending-Man'' (based on [[Terminator 2 (console)|Ending-Man Terminator]] clone) and ''Electrolab Family Game'' with official distribution of [[Supervision]].<ref>{{cite journal |title= Para Llegar Al Final, Hay Que Tener Muchas Vidas Y Ser Los Mejores | journal = Action Games | issue= 12 |pages= 32–33}}</ref> At the peak of its popularity, its sales amounted 95% of the argentinian console market.<ref>{{cite book |title=Piracy and Intellectual Property in Latin America: Rethinking Creativity and the Common Good|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vxbUDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Family+game%22+nintendo+Mexico&pg=PT95|last1=Goldgel-Carballo|first1=Víctor|last2=Poblete|first2=Juan|publisher=Routledge|language=en|date=2020-03-03|access-date=2021-12-18|isbn=978-1-000-03875-0}}</ref> | ||
According to an interview with Eddy Kiersz, CEO of Electrolab, they paid royalties to Nintendo both to sell the "famiclones" and to import the games, with the condition that they would not export them outside of Argentina. He also mentioned that Nintendo itself put them in contact with the Taiwanese company [[NTDEC]] which built the Famicom, to design the "Family Game.<ref>[https://youtube.com/watch?v=FCJXlXJeiEc ¿El PADRE del FAMILY GAME en ARGENTINA? ENTREVISTA a EDDY KIERSZ, ex dueño de Electrolab.]</ref> This is | According to an interview with Eddy Kiersz, CEO of Electrolab, they paid royalties to Nintendo both to sell the "famiclones" and to import the games, with the condition that they would not export them outside of Argentina. He also mentioned that Nintendo itself put them in contact with the Taiwanese company [[NTDEC]] which built the Famicom, to design the "Family Game.<ref>[https://youtube.com/watch?v=FCJXlXJeiEc ¿El PADRE del FAMILY GAME en ARGENTINA? ENTREVISTA a EDDY KIERSZ, ex dueño de Electrolab.]</ref> This is not true and Eddy Kiersz confused Nintendo of America with the American subsidiary of NTDEC, whose full name was Nintendo Electronic Co.<ref name=special301>{{Cite web |url=https://library.gamehistory.org/repositories/2/resources/249 |title=Special 301 Comments on Video Game Piracy in Asia and Latin America}}</ref> | ||
Other known consoles are ''NTD Family Game'' (distributed by NTD Electronica Argentina),<ref>{{cite journal |title= Family Game | journal = Action Games | issue= 12 |pages= 17}}</ref> ''Son Son'',<ref>{{cite journal |title= Somos Fabricantes De Taiwan | journal = Action Games | issue= 12 |pages= 8–9}}</ref> ''Froggy Family Game'' (distributed by BTE Electronics SA<ref>{{cite journal |title= Froggy Family Game | journal = Action Games | issue= 12 |pages= 31}}</ref>), ''Rasti'' (distributed by Rasti SA<ref>{{cite journal |title= Rasti VideoGames | journal = Action Games | issue= 12 |pages= 42–43}}</ref>), ''Micro Genius'', Family Game and ''Goodboy'' (distributed by Tec Toy Argentina),<ref>{{cite journal |title= Tec Toy Argentina S.R.L | journal = Action Games | issue= 7 |pages= 59}}</ref> ''Edu Family Game'' (distributed by Videogames EDU S.A),<ref>{{cite journal |title= EDU Family Game Video Computer | journal = Action Games | issue= 8 |pages= 23}}</ref>''Turbo Game'' (distributed by La Roque S.A),<ref>{{cite journal |title= Turbo Game | journal = Action Games | issue= 2 |pages= 26–27}}</ref> ''Super Game City'' (by Top Games),<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Top Games|journal=Action Games |page=79 |issue=19}}</ref> ''Asder PC-95'' (distributed in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay by M.S Trade and Commerce)<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Asder PC-95 |journal=Action Games |pages=2–3 |issue=55}}</ref> and ''Hyper Boy'' (by Honson Games).<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Hyper Boy |journal=Supergames |page=42 |issue=1}}</ref> | |||
Another popular brand of famiclones were made by Bit Argentina and that is ''Bitgame'',<ref>{{cite journal |title= Parece Igual , Pero Es De Bit | journal = Action Games | issue= 12 |pages= 21}}</ref> ''Super Bitgame'' and ''Video Racer''.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Bitgame | journal = Dos Posibilidades Para la Misma Aventura| issue= 12 |pages= 4–5}}</ref> In 1992, Nintendo entered the Argentina market with H.Briones Argentina S.A. as representative<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/ClubNintendo04Ao01N04Argentina/page/n1/mode/1up|title=Club Nintendo 04 - Año 01 Nº 04 (Argentina)|date=December 1992}}</ref> and Bit Argentina was awarded as official distributor with the rights to still sell famiclones.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Bit Argentina H. Briones Argentina S.A | journal = Action Games | issue= 12 |pages= 55}}</ref> | Another popular brand of famiclones were made by Bit Argentina and that is ''Bitgame'',<ref>{{cite journal |title= Parece Igual , Pero Es De Bit | journal = Action Games | issue= 12 |pages= 21}}</ref> ''Super Bitgame'' and ''Video Racer''.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Bitgame | journal = Dos Posibilidades Para la Misma Aventura| issue= 12 |pages= 4–5}}</ref> In 1992, Nintendo entered the Argentina market with H.Briones Argentina S.A. as representative<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/ClubNintendo04Ao01N04Argentina/page/n1/mode/1up|title=Club Nintendo 04 - Año 01 Nº 04 (Argentina)|date=December 1992}}</ref> and Bit Argentina was awarded as official distributor with the rights to still sell famiclones.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Bit Argentina H. Briones Argentina S.A | journal = Action Games | issue= 12 |pages= 55}}</ref> | ||
In 1993, more than 180,000 8-bit systems sold in the country were famiclones and only 12,000 units authentic NES systems. Nintendo took legal actions against distributors of clones. Argentina was one of the countries on [[Special 301 Report|Special 301 Watch List]] from 1994 due to huge intellectual property issue and authors of the report classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very Severe" (50%-100%).<ref name=special301 /> | |||
===Australia=== | ===Australia=== | ||
Since 1989, Centronics Systems distributed the Spica IQ-701 along with games and multicarts in custom-made boxes.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Spica Entertainment Series | journal = The Age | issue= | Since 1989, Centronics Systems distributed the Spica IQ-701 along with games and multicarts in custom-made boxes.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Spica Entertainment Series | journal = The Age | issue= 1989–12–12 }}</ref> Nintendo sued the distributor and the consoles were withdrawn from further sale.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/FCA/1992/584.html?stem=0&synonyms=0&query=title%2528nintendo%2520%2529|title=Re Centronics Systems Pty Ltd; Maurice Latin; Tiberio Salice and Fabrizio Latin v Nintendo Company Ltd [1992] FCA 584; (1992) 111 ALR 13 (1992) 24 IPR 481 (1992) 39 FCR 147 (1 December 1992)|website=austlii.edu.au|access-date=24 January 2025}}</ref> Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===Baltic States=== | ===Baltic States=== | ||
The most known clone in these countries is ''Zhiliton'' which looks like the Sega Mega Drive model I. Due to the small market of these countries, there are also other clones such as ''[[Dendy (console)|Dendy]]'', ''UFO'', ''Subor'', ''Liko'', [[Ending-Man Terminator|''Terminator 2'']] and ''Fei Hao''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spoki.lv/speles/Top-Nintendo-Entertainment-System/282647|title=Top Nintendo Entertainment System spēles|website=Spoki|date=6 February 2011|access-date=21 June 2020|archive-date=22 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622171338/https://spoki.lv/speles/Top-Nintendo-Entertainment-System/282647|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.delfi.ee/archive/siim-avi-sund-1984-telekamang-ehk-meelelahutus-missugune?id=13822910|title=Siim Avi (sünd. 1984): Telekamäng ehk meelelahutus missugune|date=September 11, 2006|website=Delfi|access-date=June 21, 2020|archive-date=June 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623221518/https://www.delfi.ee/archive/siim-avi-sund-1984-telekamang-ehk-meelelahutus-missugune?id=13822910|url-status=live}}</ref> | The most known clone in these countries is ''Zhiliton'' which looks like the Sega Mega Drive model I. Due to the small market of these countries, there are also other clones such as ''[[Dendy (console)|Dendy]]'', ''UFO'', ''Subor'', ''Liko'', [[Ending-Man Terminator|''Terminator 2'']] and ''Fei Hao''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://spoki.lv/speles/Top-Nintendo-Entertainment-System/282647|title=Top Nintendo Entertainment System spēles|website=Spoki|date=6 February 2011|access-date=21 June 2020|archive-date=22 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200622171338/https://spoki.lv/speles/Top-Nintendo-Entertainment-System/282647|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.delfi.ee/archive/siim-avi-sund-1984-telekamang-ehk-meelelahutus-missugune?id=13822910|title=Siim Avi (sünd. 1984): Telekamäng ehk meelelahutus missugune|date=September 11, 2006|website=Delfi|access-date=June 21, 2020|archive-date=June 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623221518/https://www.delfi.ee/archive/siim-avi-sund-1984-telekamang-ehk-meelelahutus-missugune?id=13822910|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |title= PC vs Consoles | journal = Kiberzona| issue= 2000-05 |pages= 26-29 |url=https://archive.org/details/kiberzona-2000-05/page/n26/mode/1up}}</ref> Since 1993, Interpons company has been the supplier of Nintendo products (NES, SNES, Game Boy) in the Baltic countries, but these products were described by the local press as too expensive for the average citizen.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://adt.arcanum.com/en/view/Hommikuleht_1993_02/?query=interpons+nintendo&pg=346&layout=s |title=Jaapani firma NINTENDO vallutab maailma}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://adt.arcanum.com/en/view/RahvaHaal_1993-2/?query=interpons&pg=250&layout=s |title=Videomäng rõőmuks kogu perele}}</ref>Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very Severe" (50%-100%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===Belarus=== | ===Belarus=== | ||
One of the first clones that arrived to Belarus was ''Zhiliton''. Later ''Dendy'' was released, which was the most popular clone in this region.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sb.by/articles/igra-s-pristavkoy.html|title=Игра с приставкой|first=СБ-Беларусь|last=сегодня|date=October 12, 2013|website=www.sb.by|access-date=June 22, 2020|archive-date=June 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625155241/https://www.sb.by/articles/igra-s-pristavkoy.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1994, Steepler, Dendy | One of the first clones that arrived to Belarus was ''Zhiliton''. Later, the ''Dendy'' was released, which was the most popular clone in this region.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sb.by/articles/igra-s-pristavkoy.html|title=Игра с приставкой|first=СБ-Беларусь|last=сегодня|date=October 12, 2013|website=www.sb.by|access-date=June 22, 2020|archive-date=June 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625155241/https://www.sb.by/articles/igra-s-pristavkoy.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1994, Steepler, the producer of ''Dendy'', reached an agreement with Nintendo to sell consoles in Russia and CIS countries with relinquished its claim to Dendy sales,<ref name=secretmag>{{cite web | url=https://secretmag.ru/business/trade-secret/nintendo-so-slonom-kak-viktor-savyuk-pridumal-pristavku-dendy.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142332/https://secretmag.ru/business/trade-secret/nintendo-so-slonom-kak-viktor-savyuk-pridumal-pristavku-dendy.htm | archive-date=2018-06-12 | title=Приставка Dendy: Как Виктор Савюк придумал первый в России поп-гаджет }}</ref> meaning that Nintendo did not take legal action against famiclones. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very Severe" (50%-100%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
On April 18, 2025, the Belarusian government banned the import of the Dendy Junior DJ-300, one of the Russian clones of the original Dendy, due to the risk of electric shock.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telepolis.pl/tech/bialorus-konsola-dendy-blokada?category=sprzet|title=Białoruś zbanowała rosyjski sprzęt. "Stwarza poważne ryzyko"}}</ref> | On April 18, 2025, the Belarusian government banned the import of the Dendy Junior DJ-300, one of the Russian clones of the original Dendy, due to the risk of electric shock.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telepolis.pl/tech/bialorus-konsola-dendy-blokada?category=sprzet|title=Białoruś zbanowała rosyjski sprzęt. "Stwarza poważne ryzyko"}}</ref> | ||
===Benelux Union=== | |||
According to Special 301 Watch List from 1994, Benelux shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems were classified as "Severe" (25%-50%). Famiclones sold in region were Mastergames Supercom SP-72, replaced in early 2000s by educational computers. Mastergames proudly wrote to retailers around the Europe, about selling 200,000 units only for 1 year in Germany, Benelux, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, Algeria without trouble from Nintendo. Regional distributors worked with police and custom service to search for clone retailers.<ref name=special301 /> | |||
===Brazil=== | ===Brazil=== | ||
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Since 1989, Famicom- and NES-compatible consoles were made and sold in Brazil by local companies, some of which also imported and sold original NES cartridges and consoles. The first Famicom-compatible system, called ''Dynavision 2'', was released in 1989 by Dynacom and used joysticks similar to the [[Atari 2600]].<ref name=":0" /> The next system, ''Dynavision 3'', had gamepads similar to [[Sega Mega Drive]] gamepads and had a dual slot that allowed both 60-pin and 72-pin cartridges. This was followed in the mid-1990s by ''Handyvision'', a portable system that allowed video to be broadcast to the TV with a UHF transmitter.<ref name=":0" /> Another company, Geniecom, produced a black-colored clone with headphone jacks on gamepads, and Game Genie code input. The ''NASA'' clone was similar to the original NES, but had two slots, a 72-pin on the front and a 60-pin on top. Brazilian manufacturers also produced cartridges, but ran into the problem of having two formats. Hydron company solved the issue by making two-sided cartridges - one side 60-pin, the other 72-pin.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |date=2021 |title=N.21 На другой стороне Земли |trans-title=N.21 On the Other Side of the Earth |journal=DF Mag. Журнал о ретро-играх. |type=magazine |language=ru |pages=73–74}}</ref> | Since 1989, Famicom- and NES-compatible consoles were made and sold in Brazil by local companies, some of which also imported and sold original NES cartridges and consoles. The first Famicom-compatible system, called ''Dynavision 2'', was released in 1989 by Dynacom and used joysticks similar to the [[Atari 2600]].<ref name=":0" /> The next system, ''Dynavision 3'', had gamepads similar to [[Sega Mega Drive]] gamepads and had a dual slot that allowed both 60-pin and 72-pin cartridges. This was followed in the mid-1990s by ''Handyvision'', a portable system that allowed video to be broadcast to the TV with a UHF transmitter.<ref name=":0" /> Another company, Geniecom, produced a black-colored clone with headphone jacks on gamepads, and Game Genie code input. The ''NASA'' clone was similar to the original NES, but had two slots, a 72-pin on the front and a 60-pin on top. Brazilian manufacturers also produced cartridges, but ran into the problem of having two formats. Hydron company solved the issue by making two-sided cartridges - one side 60-pin, the other 72-pin.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |date=2021 |title=N.21 На другой стороне Земли |trans-title=N.21 On the Other Side of the Earth |journal=DF Mag. Журнал о ретро-играх. |type=magazine |language=ru |pages=73–74}}</ref> | ||
In 1993, Nintendo themselves arrived in Brazil and released the NES with the American cartridge slot. This official version was manufactured by [[Playtronic]], a [[joint venture]] between the toy company [[Estrela (company)|Estrela]] and Gradiente. | In 1993, Nintendo themselves arrived in Brazil and released the NES with the American cartridge slot. This official version was manufactured by [[Playtronic]], a [[joint venture]] between the toy company [[Estrela (company)|Estrela]] and Gradiente.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/nes-gradiente-phantom-system/ |title=The NES Gradiente Phantom System and the fight for access in Brazil's gaming underground}}</ref> Nintendo worked with customs service from Brazil to stop imports of famiclones and took legal actions against clones distributors. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
''PolyStation'', another popular clone was distributed from 2000 by [[West]]ern businessman Ali Ahmad Zaioum, of [[Paraguayan]]-[[Lebanese people|Lebanese]] origin. He also owns around 400 patents and trademarks supposedly created by him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 23, 2009 |title=Sony denuncia 'mega inventor' da fronteira que criou o Poly Station |url=https://www.douradosnews.com.br/noticias/sony-denuncia-mega-inventor-da-fronteira-que-criou-o-poly-station-6ed8/374193/ |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=Dourados News |language=pt-br}}</ref> However, he was accused by the Paraguayan court of falsifying documents and information in order to obtain registration with the [[Politics of Paraguay|Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Paraguay]].<ref name="tecmundo">{{cite web |last=Góis |first=Aléxis Cerqueira |date=27 March 2022 |title=PolyStation: conheça o videogame que decepcionou muita criança |url=https://www.tecmundo.com.br/voxel/235962-polystation-conheca-videogame-decepcionou-crianca.htm |access-date=27 January 2023 |website=Tecmundo |language=pt-BR}}</ref> | |||
=== Caribbean === | |||
Though the official NES was distributed in most [[List of sovereign states and dependent territories in the Caribbean|Caribbean countries]] by Itochu de Venezuela,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nintendo: International Distributors |url=http://www.nintendo.com/corp/companies/venezuela.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980610031732/http://www.nintendo.com/corp/companies/venezuela.html |archive-date=1998-06-10 |access-date=2025-08-24 |website=www.nintendo.com}}</ref> the ''Family'' clones were popular for those who could not afford it. | |||
===Colombia=== | ===Colombia=== | ||
In Colombia consoles named ''Creation'', ''Super Creation'', ''Nichi-man'' (manufactured by [[Micro Genius]]) and later on ''PolyStation'' were popular. Nintendo arrived in Colombia in early 1990s with help of ab compufax.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Nintendo Va Contigo | journal = Club Nintendo | issue= 8/2 |pages= 2}}</ref> | In Colombia consoles named ''Creation'', ''Super Creation'', ''Nichi-man'' (manufactured by [[Micro Genius]]) and later on ''PolyStation'' were popular. Nintendo arrived in Colombia in early 1990s with help of ab compufax.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Nintendo Va Contigo | journal = Club Nintendo | issue= 8/2 |pages= 2 |url=https://archive.org/details/club-nintendo-11-ano-02-no-08-colombia/page/n1/mode/2up}}</ref> Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Limited" (5%-10%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
Also, a recent famiclone, and of the [[Nintendo Switch]], is the ''Nanica Smitch''. It has 800 [[NES]] games built in, and has removable controllers, but the controllers look like [[Joy-Con]], but instead the thumbsticks are replaced with d-pads. It was also sold as the ''Game Magic''. However, this famiclone is available just in Colombia. | Also, a recent famiclone, and of the [[Nintendo Switch]], is the ''Nanica Smitch''. It has 800 [[NES]] games built in, and has removable controllers, but the controllers look like [[Joy-Con]], but instead the thumbsticks are replaced with d-pads. It was also sold as the ''Game Magic''. However, this famiclone is available just in Colombia. | ||
===Czech Republic/Slovakia=== | ===Czech Republic/Slovakia=== | ||
Most known clones sold in this country are [[Terminator 2 (console)|''Terminator 2'']], ''Bel Game'', ''Pegasus IQ-502'', ''Video Game-GT3300'' and ''[[Micro Genius]]''.<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=https://www.oldgames.sk/images/magazine/score/1995/22/score22-074.jpg|title=Photo|website=www.oldgames.sk|format=PDF|access-date=2020-12-12|archive-date=2022-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126234735/https://www.oldgames.sk/images/magazine/score/1995/22/score22-074.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite web|url=https://www.oldgames.sk/images/magazine/level/1995/05/level5-037.jpg|title=Photo|website=www.oldgames.sk|access-date=2020-12-12|archive-date=2022-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126234737/https://www.oldgames.sk/images/magazine/level/1995/05/level5-037.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite magazine|date=4 November 1994|title=Prodejna Atelier nabizi pocitacove hry Micro Genius|issue=5/39|magazine=ABC|publisher=Czech News Center}}</ref> Nintendo entered [[Czechoslovakia]]n market in 1992 with Game Boy,<ref>{{cite journal |title=Nintendo Game Boy | journal = BiT | issue= 12/92 |pages= 7}}</ref> and in the next year, after split into two countries, Nintendo released SNES and NES.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Nintendo | journal = Excalibur | issue= 18 |pages= 32}}</ref> It is unknown if distributor took legal actions against famiclones resellers. | Most known clones sold in this country are [[Terminator 2 (console)|''Terminator 2'']], ''Bel Game'', ''PolyStation'', ''Pegasus IQ-502'', ''Video Game-GT3300'' and ''[[Micro Genius]]''.<ref name=":4">{{cite web|url=https://www.oldgames.sk/images/magazine/score/1995/22/score22-074.jpg|title=Photo|website=www.oldgames.sk|format=PDF|access-date=2020-12-12|archive-date=2022-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126234735/https://www.oldgames.sk/images/magazine/score/1995/22/score22-074.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{cite web|url=https://www.oldgames.sk/images/magazine/level/1995/05/level5-037.jpg|title=Photo|website=www.oldgames.sk|access-date=2020-12-12|archive-date=2022-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126234737/https://www.oldgames.sk/images/magazine/level/1995/05/level5-037.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite magazine|date=4 November 1994|title=Prodejna Atelier nabizi pocitacove hry Micro Genius|issue=5/39|magazine=ABC|publisher=Czech News Center}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://hrej.cz/article/dejte-mi-jedno-polystation-pane-stankar |title=Dejte mi jedno Polystation, pane stánkař}}</ref> Nintendo entered [[Czechoslovakia]]n market in 1992 with Game Boy,<ref>{{cite journal |title=Nintendo Game Boy | journal = BiT | issue= 12/92 |pages= 7 |url=https://www.oldgames.sk/mag/bit-15/page/7/}}</ref> and in the next year, after split into two countries, Nintendo released SNES and NES.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Nintendo | journal = Excalibur | issue= 18 |pages= 32 |url=https://www.oldgames.sk/mag/excalibur-18/page/32/}}</ref> It is unknown if distributor took legal actions against famiclones resellers. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===Denmark=== | ===Denmark=== | ||
In the mid-90s, many Danish markets sold Mastergames Supercom 72, but as in other Western countries, Nintendo quickly tracked down the distributors, sued them, and won in 1996. Most of the stock was destroyed by a [[bulldozer]] and the event was broadcast on TV as a warning to other pirates.<ref name=nesworld /> | In the mid-90s, many Danish markets sold Mastergames Supercom SP-72, but as in other Western countries, Nintendo quickly tracked down the distributors, sued them, and won in 1996. Most of the stock was destroyed by a [[bulldozer]] and the event was broadcast on TV as a warning to other pirates.<ref name=nesworld /> Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Limited" (5%-10%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
=== Egypt === | === Egypt === | ||
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===Finland=== | ===Finland=== | ||
Some of the games shops marketed a few famiclones with yellow carts like [[Terminator 2 (console)|''Terminator 2'']]<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/famiclones/endingmans7000.htm|title=Ending Man S-700 - Ultimate Console Database at ultimateconsoledatabase.com|website=ultimateconsoledatabase.com|access-date=2023-03-24|archive-date=2021-06-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613203623/http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/famiclones/endingmans7000.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> or promoted unlicensed NES games like [[Action 52]].<ref>{{cite journal |title= Action 52 | journal = Com Club | issue= 1992–06 |pages= 26–27}}</ref> Nintendo took legal actions against distributors, and in 1994 the biggest seller of pirate games and consoles had to pay damages of $75,000.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Wieści ze świata grania | journal = Top Secret | issue= 33 |pages= 57}}</ref> | Some of the games shops marketed a few famiclones with yellow carts like [[Terminator 2 (console)|''Terminator 2'']]<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/famiclones/endingmans7000.htm|title=Ending Man S-700 - Ultimate Console Database at ultimateconsoledatabase.com|website=ultimateconsoledatabase.com|access-date=2023-03-24|archive-date=2021-06-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613203623/http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/famiclones/endingmans7000.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> or promoted unlicensed NES games like [[Action 52]].<ref>{{cite journal |title= Action 52 | journal = Com Club | issue= 1992–06 |pages= 26–27 |url=https://archive.org/details/comclub199206/page/n25/mode/2up}}</ref> Nintendo took legal actions against distributors, and in 1994 the biggest seller of pirate games and consoles had to pay damages of $75,000.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Wieści ze świata grania | journal = Top Secret | issue= 33 |pages= 57 |url=https://archive.org/details/TopSecret33/page/n56/mode/1up}}</ref> Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
Some misunderstanding was also caused by a joke article on April | Some misunderstanding was also caused by a joke article on April 1 in a Finnish and Swedish magazine about the new Scandinavian console called ''Viking X'', whose design was taken from the Micro Genius IQ-301, which is why some journalists believed it to be real.<ref>{{cite journal |title= VIKING X YLLÄTTÄÄ! | journal = Super Power | issue= 1995–04 |pages= 10 |url=https://archive.org/details/super-power-1995.04/page/n9/mode/1up}}</ref> | ||
===Germany=== | ===Germany/Austria/Switzerland=== | ||
Few famiclones were released in | Few famiclones were released in the region like ''VidiTex VT-720'', sold by Ultra-Sat Vierhaus and Master Games Supercom SP-27.<ref>{{cite journal |title= VidiTex VT-720 | journal = Video Games | issue= 2/92 |pages= 34}}</ref><ref name=special301 /> Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified markets shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===Greater China=== | ===Greater China=== | ||
[[File:小霸王学习机 SB-486D 正面.jpg|thumb|300px|Subor SB-486D]] | [[File:小霸王学习机 SB-486D 正面.jpg|thumb|300px|Subor SB-486D]] | ||
The market of People's Republic of China opened to the console in late 1980s, but high customs made imported consoles such as the Famicom very expensive. This why local companies began producing cheaper clones which created a large grey market for unlicensed consoles and games.<ref name="china history">{{cite journal | title = Japanese Console Games Popularization in China: Governance, Copycats, and Gamers | first1 = Sara X. T. | last1 = Liao | date = 2015 | doi = 10.1177/1555412015583574 | journal = [[Games and Culture]] | volume = 11 | issue = 3 | pages = 275–297 | s2cid = 147283833 | url = http://www.com.cuhk.edu.hk/images/content_people/publication/sara-journal-2016-japanese.pdf | access-date = September 20, 2019 }}</ref> | The market of People's Republic of China opened to the console in late 1980s, but high customs made imported consoles such as the Famicom very expensive. This is why local companies began producing cheaper clones which created a large grey market for unlicensed consoles and games.<ref name="china history">{{cite journal | title = Japanese Console Games Popularization in China: Governance, Copycats, and Gamers | first1 = Sara X. T. | last1 = Liao | date = 2015 | doi = 10.1177/1555412015583574 | journal = [[Games and Culture]] | volume = 11 | issue = 3 | pages = 275–297 | s2cid = 147283833 | url = http://www.com.cuhk.edu.hk/images/content_people/publication/sara-journal-2016-japanese.pdf | access-date = September 20, 2019 }}</ref> Counterfiet Nintendo was sold in great quantities primarily in large cites of Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and cities of Guandong Province. In 1994, Beijing was the place where more than 10,000 stores sold famiclones and 50% of families used to have one. Some of the stores claimed that record sales were 10,000 units of cartridges in just one day. At that time, there were already factories producing clones of Game Boy games and consoles, and the first cases of pirated games for the Super Nintendo.<ref name=special301 /> | ||
One of the most popular was ''Xiǎo Bàwáng'' or ''Little Bawang'' ([[Chinese language|Chinese]]: 小霸王; <small>[[Literal translation|lit.]]</small> 'Little Emperor or Little Tyrant') by [[Subor]], which claimed to be one of the largest producers of video games in China.<ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=https://news.17173.com/content/2012-11-28/20121128093357374.shtml |title=从巅峰到没落 小霸王做过的电子产品 |date=28 November 2012 |work=17173 |access-date=16 February 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218063136/http://news.17173.com/content/2012-11-28/20121128093357374.shtml |archive-date=18 February 2017 }}</ref> They marketed ''Super Mario Bros'' as ''Super Brothers II'', and ''Tetris'' as ''Russian Bricks II''. Another company called New Star, also claimed to be market leader with 15% shares of the Chinese market, largest distribution network of 300 retailers and more than 300 cartridges. Many brands and producers existed like Nanbeng Co. Ltd, Jichang Electronics Co.,Ltd and more. Most of the local manufacturers began distributing console to other countries, which made China one of main hubs of famiclone production.<ref name=special301 /> Certain models were officially advertised by [[Jackie Chan]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/11/chinese_firm_which_ripped_off_the_nes_with_jackie_chans_help_has_filed_for_bankruptcy | title=Chinese Firm Which Ripped off the NES with Jackie Chan's Help Has Filed for Bankruptcy | date=11 November 2020 }}</ref> | |||
Nintendo saw the market potential and decided to enter China in 1994, with Game Boy and Super Nintendo but it did not include NES, because according to company it was commercially impossible to market it. Due to lack copyrighy enforcements and border control it could not fight piracy.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://user.guancha.cn/main/content?id=153053 | title=25年后,任天堂仍然想打通"中国"这一关_风闻 }}</ref> Until late 1993, pirates manage to sell 20 million units of all type of famiclones across China and by late 1995, the number increased to 30 million.<ref>{{citation | url=https://archive.org/details/game-software-93-02/%E7%94%B5%E5%AD%90%E6%B8%B8%E6%88%8F%E8%BD%AF%E4%BB%B696%E4%B8%8B%E5%8D%8A%E5%B9%B4%E5%90%88%E8%AE%A2%E6%9C%AC/page/n170/mode/1up?view=theater | magazine=Game Software |title=中国软件行业协会电子游戏机分会秘书长 | issue=9/1996 |page=2}}</ref> China was one of the countries on Special 301 Watch List from 1994 due to huge intellectual property issue and authors of the report classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very Severe" (50%-100%).<ref name=special301 /> | |||
The popularity of these devices continued in the People's Republic of China in the 2000s, due to the fact that in June 2000, the Chinese government decided to ban all video game consoles.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ign.com.cn/jiketang/33161/opinion/zou-jin-zhong-guo-jia-yong-you-xi-ji-bo-wu-guan-ji-ke-tang | title=Zou jin zhong guo jiayong-you xi ji bo wu guan ji ke tan | date=21 June 2021 }}</ref> Since the mid-1990s Chinese manufacturers have been selling the latest Famiclone models as an educational computer with a keyboard and a cartridge with simple educational games. It turned out Chinese authorities allowed the further sale of that devices, not recognizing it as console, which resulted in next clone models from other manufacturers as well as new unlicensed games, miscellaneous programmes like ''[[Windows 98]]'' or ports of newer games for 8-bit Nintendo such as ''[[Resident Evil]]'' (Bio Hazard), ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' or ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]''.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpoytsB5puc Historia "Pegasusa z klawiaturą" -- GLK-2004 et al. | (Mini) Time Warp]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ews9PNEowKs Final Fantasy VII... na NES-a?! -- Famicomowy Bootleg]</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instalki.pl/news/rozrywka/podrabiany-windows-98-na-pegasusie-z-klawiatura-czego-to-chinczycy-nie-wymysla/ | title=Podrabiany Windows 98 na Pegasusie z klawiaturą. Czego to Chińczycy nie wymyślą | date=5 February 2021 }}</ref> The full number of clones and units sold in China is still unknown. At the same time, Nintendo adapted to new regulations and entered the market with remodeled consoles through [[iQue]]. | The popularity of these devices continued in the People's Republic of China in the 2000s, due to the fact that in June 2000, the Chinese government decided to ban all video game consoles.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ign.com.cn/jiketang/33161/opinion/zou-jin-zhong-guo-jia-yong-you-xi-ji-bo-wu-guan-ji-ke-tang | title=Zou jin zhong guo jiayong-you xi ji bo wu guan ji ke tan | date=21 June 2021 }}</ref> Since the mid-1990s Chinese manufacturers have been selling the latest Famiclone models as an educational computer with a keyboard and a cartridge with simple educational games. It turned out Chinese authorities allowed the further sale of that devices, not recognizing it as console, which resulted in next clone models from other manufacturers as well as new unlicensed games, miscellaneous programmes like ''[[Windows 98]]'' or ports of newer games for 8-bit Nintendo such as ''[[Resident Evil]]'' (Bio Hazard), ''[[Tomb Raider]]'' or ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]''.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpoytsB5puc Historia "Pegasusa z klawiaturą" -- GLK-2004 et al. | (Mini) Time Warp]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ews9PNEowKs Final Fantasy VII... na NES-a?! -- Famicomowy Bootleg]</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.instalki.pl/news/rozrywka/podrabiany-windows-98-na-pegasusie-z-klawiatura-czego-to-chinczycy-nie-wymysla/ | title=Podrabiany Windows 98 na Pegasusie z klawiaturą. Czego to Chińczycy nie wymyślą | date=5 February 2021 }}</ref> The full number of clones and units sold in China is still unknown. At the same time, Nintendo adapted to new regulations and entered the market with remodeled consoles through [[iQue]]. | ||
Taiwan | In Taiwan, Famicom release was pretty limited.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://consolevariations.com/collectibles/nintendo-famicom-console-tw | title=Nintendo Famicom Console [TW] | date=6 September 2021 }}</ref> Many companies, such as [[NTDEC]] or [[Micro Genius]], were established in Taiwan and sold famiclones locally and internationally. According to Special 301 Watch List from 1994, around 130 manufacturers and trading companies were breaking the law and next 70 was suspected of doing that. Many Taiwan producers move their assembly operations to Mainland China in order to import into the country key video game components. This made Taiwan one of the most important hubs for the production of clones. In order to stop it Nintendo made dozen lawsuits against producers and retailers. It also tried to work with custom servic, but system was not effective<ref name="Nintendo of America Inc v. NTDEC">[http://openjurist.org/51/f3d/281/nintendo-of-america-inc-v-ntdec Nintendo of America Inc v. NTDEC]</ref><ref name=special301 /> | ||
Hong Kong had legal Famicom distribution as first,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://consolevariations.com/collectibles/nintendo-famicom-console-hk | title=Nintendo Famicom Console [HK] | date=22 March 2019 }}</ref> but piracy was spreading here, because companies from China and Taiwan had here its sells agent or manufacturing plants. Infringement actions and support from customs services were present here. Both Hong Kong and Taiwan were one of the countries on Special 301 Watch List from 1994 due to huge intellectual property issue and authors of the report classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very Severe" (50%-100%).<ref name=special301 /> | |||
===Greece=== | ===Greece=== | ||
[[File:Supercom SP-72 Famiclone.jpg|thumb|300px| | [[File:Supercom SP-72 Famiclone.jpg|thumb|300px|Supercom 72]] | ||
From 1990, Greek Software marketed''BIT 72'' and ''Redstone'' (which used NES cartridges) as a competitor to officially distributed [[Master System]].<ref name=pixel/><ref>{{cite journal |title=The Best Game Consoles | journal = User | issue= 8 |pages=3}}</ref> In 1991, Nintendo entered the Greek market,<ref>{{cite journal | title= NINTENDO O KOSMOS TOU 2.000 | journal = Pixel | issue= 80 |pages= 34–39}}</ref> but clones were still sold in video game stores like ''Action Set - Family 52'' from 1991 by Computer Market,<ref>{{cite journal |title=Computer Market | journal = User | issue= 18 |pages= | From 1990, Greek Software marketed ''BIT 72'' and ''Redstone'' (which used NES cartridges) as a competitor to officially distributed [[Master System]].<ref name=pixel/><ref>{{cite journal |title=The Best Game Consoles | journal = User | issue= 8 |pages=3 |url=https://archive.org/details/USER_08/page/n1/mode/2up}}</ref> In 1991, Nintendo entered the Greek market,<ref>{{cite journal | title= NINTENDO O KOSMOS TOU 2.000 | journal = Pixel | issue= 80 |pages= 34–39 |url=https://archive.org/details/pixel-gr-080/page/n33/mode/2up}}</ref> and took legal actions against importers, but clones were still sold in video game stores like ''Action Set - Family 52'' from 1991 by Computer Market,<ref>{{cite journal |title=Computer Market | journal = User | issue= 18 |pages=4–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/USER_18/page/n3/mode/2up}}</ref> ''Crazy Boy'' distributed from 1993 by Multi Logi<ref>{{cite journal |title=Crazy Boy Entertainment | journal = User | issue= 33 |pages=59 |url=https://archive.org/details/USER_33/page/n57/mode/2up}}</ref> and Mastergames Supercom SP-72. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Severe" (25%-50%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===Hungary=== | ===Hungary=== | ||
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===Iceland=== | ===Iceland=== | ||
Nintendo was in this region from the early 1980s,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timarit.is/page/4019489?iabr=on#page/n3/mode/2up/search/nintendo | title=Tíminn - 251. Tölublað (04.11.1982) - Tímarit.is | access-date=2023-03-19 | archive-date=2023-03-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319195718/https://timarit.is/page/4019489?iabr=on#page/n3/mode/2up/search/nintendo | url-status=live }}</ref> but stores distributed clones like ''Crazyboy'',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timarit.is/page/3535435?iabr=on#page/n23/mode/2up/search/crazyboy | title=Pressan - Jólagjafahandbók (12.12.1991) - Tímarit.is | access-date=2023-03-19 | archive-date=2023-03-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319195722/https://timarit.is/page/3535435?iabr=on#page/n23/mode/2up/search/crazyboy | url-status=live }}</ref> ''Redstone'',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timarit.is/page/2592187?iabr=on#page/n43/mode/2up/search/redstone | title=Dagblaðið Vísir - DV - Jólagjafahandbók (04.12.1991) - Tímarit.is | access-date=2023-03-19 | archive-date=2023-03-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319195720/https://timarit.is/page/2592187?iabr=on#page/n43/mode/2up/search/redstone | url-status=live }}</ref> ''NASA'' (compatible with NES),<ref name=":8">{{cite web | url=https://timarit.is/page/2592145?iabr=on#page/n1/mode/1up/search/nasa%20nintendo | title=Dagblaðið Vísir - DV - Jólagjafahandbók (04.12.1991) - Tímarit.is | access-date=2023-03-19 | archive-date=2023-03-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319195716/https://timarit.is/page/2592145?iabr=on#page/n1/mode/1up/search/nasa%20nintendo | url-status=live }}</ref> ''Action Set'',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timarit.is/page/2608697?iabr=on#page/n41/mode/2up/search/nintendo | title=Dagblaðið Vísir - DV - 30. Tölublað - Helgarblað (06.02.1993) - Tímarit.is | access-date=2023-03-19 | archive-date=2023-03-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319195719/https://timarit.is/page/2608697?iabr=on#page/n41/mode/2up/search/nintendo | url-status=live }}</ref> ''NTDEC''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timarit.is/page/1756674?iabr=on#page/n39/mode/2up/search/NTDEC | title=Morgunblaðið - 291. Tölublað (20.12.1991) - Tímarit.is | access-date=2023-03-19 | archive-date=2023-03-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319201328/https://timarit.is/page/1756674?iabr=on#page/n39/mode/2up/search/NTDEC | url-status=live }}</ref> etc. | Nintendo was in this region from the early 1980s,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timarit.is/page/4019489?iabr=on#page/n3/mode/2up/search/nintendo | title=Tíminn - 251. Tölublað (04.11.1982) - Tímarit.is | access-date=2023-03-19 | archive-date=2023-03-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319195718/https://timarit.is/page/4019489?iabr=on#page/n3/mode/2up/search/nintendo | url-status=live }}</ref> but stores distributed clones like ''Crazyboy'',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timarit.is/page/3535435?iabr=on#page/n23/mode/2up/search/crazyboy | title=Pressan - Jólagjafahandbók (12.12.1991) - Tímarit.is | access-date=2023-03-19 | archive-date=2023-03-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319195722/https://timarit.is/page/3535435?iabr=on#page/n23/mode/2up/search/crazyboy | url-status=live }}</ref> ''Redstone'',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timarit.is/page/2592187?iabr=on#page/n43/mode/2up/search/redstone | title=Dagblaðið Vísir - DV - Jólagjafahandbók (04.12.1991) - Tímarit.is | access-date=2023-03-19 | archive-date=2023-03-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319195720/https://timarit.is/page/2592187?iabr=on#page/n43/mode/2up/search/redstone | url-status=live }}</ref> ''NASA'' (compatible with NES),<ref name=":8">{{cite web | url=https://timarit.is/page/2592145?iabr=on#page/n1/mode/1up/search/nasa%20nintendo | title=Dagblaðið Vísir - DV - Jólagjafahandbók (04.12.1991) - Tímarit.is | access-date=2023-03-19 | archive-date=2023-03-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319195716/https://timarit.is/page/2592145?iabr=on#page/n1/mode/1up/search/nasa%20nintendo | url-status=live }}</ref> ''Action Set'',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timarit.is/page/2608697?iabr=on#page/n41/mode/2up/search/nintendo | title=Dagblaðið Vísir - DV - 30. Tölublað - Helgarblað (06.02.1993) - Tímarit.is | access-date=2023-03-19 | archive-date=2023-03-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319195719/https://timarit.is/page/2608697?iabr=on#page/n41/mode/2up/search/nintendo | url-status=live }}</ref> ''NTDEC''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timarit.is/page/1756674?iabr=on#page/n39/mode/2up/search/NTDEC | title=Morgunblaðið - 291. Tölublað (20.12.1991) - Tímarit.is | access-date=2023-03-19 | archive-date=2023-03-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319201328/https://timarit.is/page/1756674?iabr=on#page/n39/mode/2up/search/NTDEC | url-status=live }}</ref> etc. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===India=== | ===India=== | ||
In 1987, Nintendo released the NES under the name [[Samurai Electronic TV Game System|Samurai]] marketed by Samurai Electronics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/getahead/2008/sep/16wii.htm|title=Nintendo Wii and DS to launch in India|website=www.rediff.com|access-date=2020-08-02|archive-date=2022-09-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929140516/https://www.rediff.com/getahead/2008/sep/16wii.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> | In 1987, Nintendo released the NES under the name [[Samurai Electronic TV Game System|Samurai]] marketed by Samurai Electronics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rediff.com/getahead/2008/sep/16wii.htm|title=Nintendo Wii and DS to launch in India|website=www.rediff.com|access-date=2020-08-02|archive-date=2022-09-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929140516/https://www.rediff.com/getahead/2008/sep/16wii.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> According to company owner Mahesh Toshniwal, despite initially good sales, China and Taiwan introduced clone consoles, priced 25% lower than Samurai, and multicarts priced 10% lower than games. Sales went down, and Samurai initiated legal action against the "Samurai" Micro Genius and informed Nintendo representatives, which did not made it better due to poor Indian law, resulting official NES sales dying out in 1993. Another version of events claims that Samurai registered the Micro Genius name by itself in 1991 and sold the clones as its own alongside the legitimate NES, but Mahesh Toshniwal refused to confirm this.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTESo86hD98 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/RTESo86hD98 |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Video |website=www.youtube.com |date=April 2015 |access-date=2020-12-12}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/video-game-history-around-world-essay-joshua-rogers/?trackingId=O0XiASoVQquF64c6HRH5HA%3D%3D |title=Video Game History Around The World: An Essay}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://romchip.org/index.php/romchip-journal/article/view/143#link-fn-275d6927f1af75658a02668cb58f30a1 |title=The Bootleg Connection - Micro Genius and the Transnational Circulation of Early Clone Consoles}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://imgur.com/0BbAk6W |title=Interview with Mahesh Toshniwal (extract) | archive-url=https://archive.today/20250930172016/https://imgur.com/0BbAk6W | archive-date=2025-09-30}}</ref> In 2008, Samurai would return in cooperation from HCL Infosystems as Nintendo dealer of Nintendo Wii and DS.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indianvideogamer.com/news/first-party-wii-and-ds-games-will-be-available-in-india/201 |title=First-party Wii and DS games will be available in India}}</ref> | ||
Until the late 1990s, the demand for 8-bit clones became very high in India. There were around 55 brands in the country at the time such as Media Entertainment System (selling ''Little Master'' and ''Wiz Kid''), Mitashi (selling ''Cricket''), Mega, Sameo and others.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/games/features/tracing-the-origins-of-gaming-in-india-8-bit-cricket-sega-and-cloning-640129|title=Tracing the Origins of Gaming in India: 8-Bit Cricket, Sega, and Cloning|website=NDTV Gadgets 360|date=26 December 2014|access-date=2 August 2020|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023185036/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/games/features/tracing-the-origins-of-gaming-in-india-8-bit-cricket-sega-and-cloning-640129|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sunderelectronics.com/about-us.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824010947/http://www.sunderelectronics.com/about-us.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-08-24 |title=Sunder Electronics - About Us}}</ref> | |||
===Indonesia=== | ===Indonesia=== | ||
Many famiclones from various producers, compatible with NES or Famicom, were rebranded and sold by Spica.<ref>{{cite web |title=Image |url=https://images.tokopedia.net/img/cache/900/VqbcmM/2021/9/5/6cbabf27-11bc-46fc-91b4-efb7cd7317ed.jpg |website=Tokopedia |access-date=19 May 2023 |archive-date=22 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322212340/https://images.tokopedia.net/img/cache/900/VqbcmM/2021/9/5/6cbabf27-11bc-46fc-91b4-efb7cd7317ed.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref> | Many famiclones from various producers, compatible with NES or Famicom, were rebranded and sold by Spica.<ref>{{cite web |title=Image |url=https://images.tokopedia.net/img/cache/900/VqbcmM/2021/9/5/6cbabf27-11bc-46fc-91b4-efb7cd7317ed.jpg |website=Tokopedia |access-date=19 May 2023 |archive-date=22 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322212340/https://images.tokopedia.net/img/cache/900/VqbcmM/2021/9/5/6cbabf27-11bc-46fc-91b4-efb7cd7317ed.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref> Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===Iran=== | ===Iran=== | ||
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===Israel=== | ===Israel=== | ||
In early 1990s, besides the original NES,<ref>{{cite journal | title= Nintendo | journal = Wiz | issue= 10 |pages= 16}}</ref> | In early 1990s, besides the original NES,<ref>{{cite journal | title= Nintendo | journal = Wiz | issue= 10 |pages= 16 |url=https://archive.org/details/wiz-magazine-issue-011/page/n23/mode/2up}}</ref> a huge hit was ''Super Megason'', distributed from 1992 by Megason Entertainment Centers Ltd. and produced by Leader Design from Hong Kong. Megason advertised it with 500 different games available in the shops.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://vgfreak.com/megason/index.htm | title=Megason! - מגאסון - אטארי - נינטנדו - סגה - ניאו גיאו - פלייסטיישן | access-date=2023-03-27 | archive-date=2023-03-27 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327191401/http://vgfreak.com/megason/index.htm | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=special301 /> In 1993, existed at least 6 distributors of famiclones<ref name=special301 /> selling ''Micro Genius'', ''Goodboy'', ''Terminator B.S 550'', ''Hitex'',<ref>{{cite journal | title= Suny | journal = Wiz| issue= 20 |pages= 37 |url=https://archive.org/details/wiz-magazine-issue-020/page/n35/mode/2up}}</ref> ''Family Game,'' etc. | ||
===Italy=== | ===Italy=== | ||
Besides clones sold by its original names (like ''PolyStation''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfaohl7v1RU | title=Roberto Artigiani - Televendita Polystation | website=[[YouTube]] | date=8 June 2023 }}</ref>), there are a lot of consoles rebranded by distributors and sold with new names like ''Cartobit''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj-_iFaGYXw&ab_channel=Teleclic | title=Spot _ Console famiclone Cartobit (1998) | website=[[YouTube]] | date=20 November 2020 | access-date=2023-03-22 | archive-date=2023-03-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322163711/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj-_iFaGYXw&ab_channel=Teleclic | url-status=live }}</ref> (known elsewhere as ''Mega Power II''), ''Top Consolle'' (known elsewhere as ''[[Terminator 2 (console)|Terminator 2]]''),<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.eurogamer.net/today-i-learned-about-a-console-called-terminator-2 | title=Today I learned about a console called Terminator 2 | newspaper=Eurogamer.net | date=24 May 2020 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=28 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228171217/https://www.eurogamer.net/today-i-learned-about-a-console-called-terminator-2 | url-status=live }}</ref> ''MegaTronix'',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.catawiki.com/it/l/26077087-1-megatronix-consolle-tv-game | title=1 Megatronix - Consolle TV Game | access-date=2023-03-22 | archive-date=2023-03-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322163714/https://www.catawiki.com/it/l/26077087-1-megatronix-consolle-tv-game | url-status=live }}</ref> ''Argo Video Game System''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pznt5p7PJNY | title=Roberto Artigiani vende un Famiclone | website=[[YouTube]] | date=8 June 2023 }}</ref> (known elsewhere as ''P-60''), ''MARgame'' (known elsewhere as ''Micro Genius IQ-901'')<ref>{{cite web | url=https://vgprintads.tumblr.com/post/177295035507/margame-misc-italy-magazine-1993 | title='Margame' | date=August 2018 | access-date=2023-03-22 | archive-date=2023-03-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322163713/https://vgprintads.tumblr.com/post/177295035507/margame-misc-italy-magazine-1993 | url-status=live }}</ref> and ''Amstrad NN-900'' (known elsewhere as ''PolyStation 2'').<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamesource.it/editoriali/retro-console-dimenticate-il-misterioso-amstrad-nn-900/ | title=[RETRO] Console dimenticate – Il misterioso Amstrad NN-900 | date=15 October 2016 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=22 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322163712/https://www.gamesource.it/editoriali/retro-console-dimenticate-il-misterioso-amstrad-nn-900/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Nintendo was here from 1986,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://genesistemple.com/selling-mario-to-italians-the-untold-story-of-nintendo-in-italy | title=Selling Mario to Italians: The untold story of Nintendo in Italy - | date=3 October 2020 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=22 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322163716/https://genesistemple.com/selling-mario-to-italians-the-untold-story-of-nintendo-in-italy | url-status=live }}</ref> | Besides clones sold by its original names (like ''PolyStation''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gfaohl7v1RU | title=Roberto Artigiani - Televendita Polystation | website=[[YouTube]] | date=8 June 2023 }}</ref>), there are a lot of consoles rebranded by distributors and sold with new names like ''Cartobit''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj-_iFaGYXw&ab_channel=Teleclic | title=Spot _ Console famiclone Cartobit (1998) | website=[[YouTube]] | date=20 November 2020 | access-date=2023-03-22 | archive-date=2023-03-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322163711/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj-_iFaGYXw&ab_channel=Teleclic | url-status=live }}</ref> (known elsewhere as ''Mega Power II''), ''Top Consolle'' (known elsewhere as ''[[Terminator 2 (console)|Terminator 2]]''),<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.eurogamer.net/today-i-learned-about-a-console-called-terminator-2 | title=Today I learned about a console called Terminator 2 | newspaper=Eurogamer.net | date=24 May 2020 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=28 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228171217/https://www.eurogamer.net/today-i-learned-about-a-console-called-terminator-2 | url-status=live }}</ref> ''MegaTronix'' (knoen elsewhere as ''Mastergames Supercom SP-72''),<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.catawiki.com/it/l/26077087-1-megatronix-consolle-tv-game | title=1 Megatronix - Consolle TV Game | access-date=2023-03-22 | archive-date=2023-03-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322163714/https://www.catawiki.com/it/l/26077087-1-megatronix-consolle-tv-game | url-status=live }}</ref> ''Argo Video Game System''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pznt5p7PJNY | title=Roberto Artigiani vende un Famiclone | website=[[YouTube]] | date=8 June 2023 }}</ref> (known elsewhere as ''P-60''), ''MARgame'' (known elsewhere as ''Micro Genius IQ-901'')<ref>{{cite web | url=https://vgprintads.tumblr.com/post/177295035507/margame-misc-italy-magazine-1993 | title='Margame' | date=August 2018 | access-date=2023-03-22 | archive-date=2023-03-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322163713/https://vgprintads.tumblr.com/post/177295035507/margame-misc-italy-magazine-1993 | url-status=live }}</ref> and ''Amstrad NN-900'' (known elsewhere as ''PolyStation 2'').<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamesource.it/editoriali/retro-console-dimenticate-il-misterioso-amstrad-nn-900/ | title=[RETRO] Console dimenticate – Il misterioso Amstrad NN-900 | date=15 October 2016 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=22 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322163712/https://www.gamesource.it/editoriali/retro-console-dimenticate-il-misterioso-amstrad-nn-900/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Nintendo was here from 1986,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://genesistemple.com/selling-mario-to-italians-the-untold-story-of-nintendo-in-italy | title=Selling Mario to Italians: The untold story of Nintendo in Italy - | date=3 October 2020 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=22 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322163716/https://genesistemple.com/selling-mario-to-italians-the-untold-story-of-nintendo-in-italy | url-status=live }}</ref> and took legal actions against importers. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Severe" (25%-50%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===Japan=== | |||
Japan, despite being the Famicom's place of origin, is one of the most active markets for famiclones, although, almost all products are from the modern post-patent era.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/top-10-most-part-85097023?source=storefront |title=Top 10 Most Active Bootleg/Unauthorized Console Markets - Part II}}</ref> | |||
===Latin America=== | ===Latin America=== | ||
[[File:Fam Gam.jpg|thumb|300px|Typical "Family" clone]] | [[File:Fam Gam.jpg|thumb|300px|Typical "Family" clone]] | ||
These systems were released in the early 1990s and were referred to as ''Family''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.diarioconvos.com/2024/06/17/adaptaron-a-los-clasicos-del-family-en-3d-y-el-resultado-fue-alucinante/ | title=Adaptaron a los clásicos del Family en 3D y el resultado fue alucinante | date=17 June 2024 }}</ref> It competed with the original NES provided by C.Itoh.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.retrones.net/articulos/las-revistas-de-videojuegos-de-nes | title=Las revistas de videojuegos de NES | RetroNES }}</ref> These clones remained famous in certain parts of the region and for example, PolyStations proved to be popular in parts of [[Costa Rica]] even in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rivera |first=J. Arnoldo |date=November 7, 2015 |title=La Polystation es la reina de las copias |url=https://www.nacion.com/viva/cultura/la-polystation-es-la-reina-de-las-copias/CP35HWNC2FEMFBYH64B7LKRDEY/story/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210131654/https://www.nacion.com/viva/cultura/la-polystation-es-la-reina-de-las-copias/CP35HWNC2FEMFBYH64B7LKRDEY/story/ |archive-date=10 February 2022 |access-date=10 February 2022 |work=La Nación |language=es}}</ref> | These systems were released in the early 1990s and were referred to as ''Family''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.diarioconvos.com/2024/06/17/adaptaron-a-los-clasicos-del-family-en-3d-y-el-resultado-fue-alucinante/ | title=Adaptaron a los clásicos del Family en 3D y el resultado fue alucinante | date=17 June 2024 }}</ref> It competed with the original NES provided by C.Itoh.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.retrones.net/articulos/las-revistas-de-videojuegos-de-nes | title=Las revistas de videojuegos de NES | RetroNES }}</ref> These clones remained famous in certain parts of the region and for example, PolyStations proved to be popular in parts of [[Costa Rica]] even in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rivera |first=J. Arnoldo |date=November 7, 2015 |title=La Polystation es la reina de las copias |url=https://www.nacion.com/viva/cultura/la-polystation-es-la-reina-de-las-copias/CP35HWNC2FEMFBYH64B7LKRDEY/story/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210131654/https://www.nacion.com/viva/cultura/la-polystation-es-la-reina-de-las-copias/CP35HWNC2FEMFBYH64B7LKRDEY/story/ |archive-date=10 February 2022 |access-date=10 February 2022 |work=La Nación |language=es}}</ref> Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Limited" (5%-10%) in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, "Moderate" (10%-25%) in Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, "Severe" (25-50%) in Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela and "Very severe" (50%-100%) in Argentina and Uruguay. Actions against clone importers were launched in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Mexico and Panama.<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===Mexico=== | ===Mexico=== | ||
Like in the rest of Latin America, the official version of NES was sold by C.Itoh/Itochu Mexico,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.levelup.com/blogs/272495/DEL-DICHO-AL-HECHO | title=Del Dicho al Hecho | date=31 March 2011 }}</ref> but in poorer places with less access to supermarkets or shops with toys and electronics, popular way of play were clones called by everyone ''Family'',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gq.com.mx/entretenimiento/articulo/historia-del-origen-del-nintendo | title=El Nintendo surgió gracias a deshacer otras consolas y la llamada de un jefe ebrio | date=14 July 2020 }}</ref> mostly resembling Famicom or sometimes Super Famicom, sold with 72 pins adaptor for NES games. The certain retailers in early 1990s also tried to create a brand and actively promote clones like ''MasterGames'' and games with Spanish manuals.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZLS0e9BFaI&t=67s | title=Comerciales México, Abril-Mayo 1991 MVS Multivision | website=[[YouTube]] | date=10 April 2023 }}</ref> Through the next years, Mexico got many other famiclones like educational computers or consoles mostly resembling the new generation ones, for example PlayStation. | Like in the rest of Latin America, the official version of NES was sold by C.Itoh/Itochu Mexico,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.levelup.com/blogs/272495/DEL-DICHO-AL-HECHO | title=Del Dicho al Hecho | date=31 March 2011 }}</ref> but in poorer places with less access to supermarkets or shops with toys and electronics, popular way of play were clones called by everyone ''Family'',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gq.com.mx/entretenimiento/articulo/historia-del-origen-del-nintendo | title=El Nintendo surgió gracias a deshacer otras consolas y la llamada de un jefe ebrio | date=14 July 2020 }}</ref> mostly resembling Famicom or sometimes Super Famicom, sold with 72 pins adaptor for NES games. The certain retailers in early 1990s also tried to create a brand and actively promote clones like ''MasterGames'' and games with Spanish manuals.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZLS0e9BFaI&t=67s | title=Comerciales México, Abril-Mayo 1991 MVS Multivision | website=[[YouTube]] | date=10 April 2023 }}</ref> Through the next years, Mexico got many other famiclones like educational computers or consoles mostly resembling the new generation ones, for example PlayStation. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Severe" (25%-50%) and stated that distributor took part in actions against piracy.<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===Mongolia=== | ===Mongolia=== | ||
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===North Korea=== | ===North Korea=== | ||
''[[Micro Genius]]'' consoles were sighted being played by children in the [[Songdowon International Children's Camp]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/mytripsmypics/2814143590 |title=Billy Vs Jimmy , video games - Songdowon International Children's Union Camp in Wonsan - North Korea |last=Lafforgue |first=Eric |date=17 April 2008 |access-date=22 March 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323042340/https://www.flickr.com/photos/mytripsmypics/2814143590 |url-status=live }}</ref> | ''[[Micro Genius]]'' consoles were sighted being played by children in the [[Songdowon International Children's Camp]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/mytripsmypics/2814143590 |title=Billy Vs Jimmy , video games - Songdowon International Children's Union Camp in Wonsan - North Korea |last=Lafforgue |first=Eric |date=17 April 2008 |access-date=22 March 2023 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323042340/https://www.flickr.com/photos/mytripsmypics/2814143590 |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
===Norway=== | |||
Chinese Jichang Electronics Co.,Ltd., sent a promotional offer for retailers to produce a famiclones. The offer fell into Unsaco AS hands (distributor of Nintendo), which took actions against piracy. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified Norwegian and Swedish market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Limited" (5%-10%).<ref name=special301 /> | |||
===Paraguay=== | |||
The country was one of the regions on [[Special 301 Report|Special 301 Watch List]] from 1994 due to huge intellectual property issue and authors of the report classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%). The main reason was poorly adopted trademark law which caused other companies to not only buy the rights to the Nintendo brand but also prevent the Japanese manufacturer from advertising its products under that name. Nintendo, reached an agreement with the government, which started slow changes of law. In the meantime, the government began successful raids on game stores to confiscate pirated systems, but the problem continues. The biggest issue, was not the Paraguayan market itself, but its location. The port became one of the most important locations for smuggling pirate stuff, which later found its way to countries such as Argentina and Brazil. It is estimated that by 1994, 10 milion bootleg game cartridges had been transported through the port.<ref name=special301 /> | |||
===Panama=== | |||
Panama was another country on [[Special 301 Report|Special 301 Watch List]] from 1994 due to huge intellectual property issue. Like Paraguay, it was a transit point for many pirated stuff, primarily heading to Argentina. Beside imports, in the country existed special factories that assembled game cartridges.<ref name=special301 /> | |||
===Poland=== | ===Poland=== | ||
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In Poland, Pegasus was marketed by BobMark International., company established in 1991.<ref name=pb>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pb.pl/elektronik-z-meliorantem-187459|title=Elektronik z meliorantem|website=pb.pl|date=29 July 2023|access-date=19 March 2023|archive-date=7 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207180407/https://www.pb.pl/elektronik-z-meliorantem-187459|url-status=live}}</ref> In its lifespan, BobMark sold three models: ''MT-777DX'', ''Super Pegasus'' and ''IQ-502''. | In Poland, Pegasus was marketed by BobMark International., company established in 1991.<ref name=pb>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pb.pl/elektronik-z-meliorantem-187459|title=Elektronik z meliorantem|website=pb.pl|date=29 July 2023|access-date=19 March 2023|archive-date=7 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207180407/https://www.pb.pl/elektronik-z-meliorantem-187459|url-status=live}}</ref> In its lifespan, BobMark sold three models: ''MT-777DX'', ''Super Pegasus'' and ''IQ-502''. | ||
In 1994, changes in Polish copyright law resulted that BobMark get rid of bootleg games and bought | In 1994, changes in Polish copyright law resulted that BobMark get rid of bootleg games and bought license to software published by Codemasters, Sachen and Western Technologies and distribute them in Asian cartridges.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Wieści ze świata grania | journal = Top Secret | issue= 30 |pages= 39 |url=https://archive.org/details/TopSecret30/page/n38/mode/1up}}</ref> In late 1994, [[Nintendo]] entered Polish market<ref>{{cite journal |title=Nintendo jest już w Polsce | journal = Bajtek| issue= 111 |pages= 9 |url=https://archive.org/details/bajtek199411/page/n8/mode/1up}}</ref> so BobMark began to sell official [[Sega]] products.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Sega kontra Nintendo a sprawa polska | journal = Pegasus Extreme | issue= 1/2023 |pages= 16–17}}</ref> From that time Pegasus brand began to slowly lose its importance due to more cheaper clones<ref name="antyweb">{{cite web | url=https://antyweb.pl/ponad-milion-sprzedanych-egzemplarzy-poznajcie-historie-pegasusa-najpopularniejszej-konsoli-w-polsce | title=Ponad milion sprzedanych egzemplarzy. Poznajcie historię Pegasusa - najpopularniejszej konsoli w Polsce | date=15 May 2015 | access-date=19 March 2023 | archive-date=24 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324151353/https://antyweb.pl/ponad-milion-sprzedanych-egzemplarzy-poznajcie-historie-pegasusa-najpopularniejszej-konsoli-w-polsce | url-status=live }}</ref> and new generation consoles with last models sold until late 1990s.<ref name="pb" /> The Pegasus reportedly sold more than 1 million units.<ref name="antyweb" /> | ||
Other popular famiclones in Poland are for example ''BS-500AS'', also known as [[Terminator 2 (console)|''Terminator'']], ''Gold Leopard King (GLK)'',<ref>{{Citation | url=https://muzeumpc.pl/eksponat/gold-leopard-king-glk-2002/ | title=Gold Leopard King GLK-2002 |date=2024-04-25}}</ref> ''[[Polystation]]'',<ref>{{Citation | url=https://www.bankier.pl/wiadomosc/Biznes-na-Pegasusach-wciaz-sie-kreci-Ich-ceny-siegaja-nawet-500-zl-7514288.html | title=Biznes na "Pegasusach" wciąż się kręci. Ich ceny sięgają nawet 500 zł - Bankier.pl | date=2024-04-25}}</ref> ''Fenix'' or ''Family Game''.<ref>{{Citation | url=https://www.pegasus-gry.com/fenix-nt-102.php | title=Fenix NT-102 – recenzja Adamstar| date=2024-05-13}}</ref> | Other popular famiclones in Poland are for example ''BS-500AS'', also known as [[Terminator 2 (console)|''Terminator'']], ''Gold Leopard King (GLK)'',<ref>{{Citation | url=https://muzeumpc.pl/eksponat/gold-leopard-king-glk-2002/ | title=Gold Leopard King GLK-2002 |date=2024-04-25}}</ref> ''[[Polystation]]'',<ref>{{Citation | url=https://www.bankier.pl/wiadomosc/Biznes-na-Pegasusach-wciaz-sie-kreci-Ich-ceny-siegaja-nawet-500-zl-7514288.html | title=Biznes na "Pegasusach" wciąż się kręci. Ich ceny sięgają nawet 500 zł - Bankier.pl | date=2024-04-25}}</ref> ''Fenix'' or ''Family Game''.<ref>{{Citation | url=https://www.pegasus-gry.com/fenix-nt-102.php | title=Fenix NT-102 – recenzja Adamstar| date=2024-05-13}}</ref> | ||
Nintendo took legal actions against small sellers of famiclones and cartridges producers,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://classic.wyborcza.pl/archiwumGW/47982/AKTUALNOSCI?disableRedirects=true | title=Aktualności | date=12 September 1995 | access-date=19 March 2023 | archive-date=19 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319195721/https://classic.wyborcza.pl/archiwumGW/47982/AKTUALNOSCI?disableRedirects=true | url-status=live }}</ref> but they never sued Pegasus distributors. | Nintendo took legal actions against small sellers of famiclones and cartridges producers,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://classic.wyborcza.pl/archiwumGW/47982/AKTUALNOSCI?disableRedirects=true | title=Aktualności | date=12 September 1995 | access-date=19 March 2023 | archive-date=19 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319195721/https://classic.wyborcza.pl/archiwumGW/47982/AKTUALNOSCI?disableRedirects=true | url-status=live }}</ref> but they never sued Pegasus distributors. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very severe" (50%-100%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===Portugal=== | ===Portugal=== | ||
Most of these clones were called ''Family Game''. Games and consoles were very easy to find<ref>{{cite web | url=https://proximonivel.pt/domingo-nostalgico-5-consola-com-mil-jogos-incluidos/ | title=Domingo Nostálgico #5 – Consola com Mil Jogos incluídos?! | access-date=2023-03-22 | archive-date=2023-03-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322163713/https://proximonivel.pt/domingo-nostalgico-5-consola-com-mil-jogos-incluidos/ | url-status=live }}</ref> even after 1991 when Nintendo entered the market.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://marketeer.sapo.pt/concentra-acompanha-geracoes/ | title=Concentra acompanha gerações – Marketeer | date=3 January 2017 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=22 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322163712/https://marketeer.sapo.pt/concentra-acompanha-geracoes/ | url-status=live }}</ref> | Most of these clones were called ''Family Game''. Games and consoles were very easy to find<ref>{{cite web | url=https://proximonivel.pt/domingo-nostalgico-5-consola-com-mil-jogos-incluidos/ | title=Domingo Nostálgico #5 – Consola com Mil Jogos incluídos?! | access-date=2023-03-22 | archive-date=2023-03-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322163713/https://proximonivel.pt/domingo-nostalgico-5-consola-com-mil-jogos-incluidos/ | url-status=live }}</ref> even after 1991 when Nintendo entered the market and fighting piracy.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://marketeer.sapo.pt/concentra-acompanha-geracoes/ | title=Concentra acompanha gerações – Marketeer | date=3 January 2017 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=22 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322163712/https://marketeer.sapo.pt/concentra-acompanha-geracoes/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===Quebec=== | ===Quebec=== | ||
[[Micro-Genius]] versions of Famicom games were a large part of the gaming market in [[Quebec]] throughout 1989-1990, with dozens of games selling thousands of copies in flea markets, independent game stores, and video game rental stores. Notably, Micro-Genius' version of ''[[Super Mario Bros 3]]'' was sold extensively throughout Quebec for months ahead of its official North American NES release. [[Montreal]] was described as a major international thoroughfare for Micro-Genius sales, with a network of Taiwanese importers acting as a distribution nexus for Micro-Genius games and consoles, to such an extent that most of the cartridge labelling was bilingual to respect the Quebec-specific language ''[[Charter of the French Language]]'' laws, despite being illegal pirate games. This culminated in Nintendo issuing injunctions against 68 retailers, and the [[Sureté du Québec]] seizing several tens of thousands of Micro-Genius cartridges in December 1990, as part of a crackdown on the import and sale of illicit Micro-Genius games from Taiwan. As a result of this extensive market history, Micro-Genius games have become a prized collector's item especially in Quebec. Although Micro Genius did sell some ''IQ-501'' Famiclone consoles in Canada, almost the entire pirate market was composed of Micro Genius cartridges with an adapter to play them on a legitimate NES console.<ref>{{cite web |title=Les cartouches pirates, un fléau de la NES au Canada |url=http://noirmagnetique.com/blogue/sujet-technos/les-cartouches-pirates-un-fleau-de-la-nes-au-canada/ |website=Noir Magnétique |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107023920/http://noirmagnetique.com/blogue/sujet-technos/les-cartouches-pirates-un-fleau-de-la-nes-au-canada/ |archive-date=7 November 2023 |access-date=7 November 2023 |language=French |trans-title=Pirate cartridges, the bane of the NES in Canada |date=2 February 2016}}</ref> | [[Micro-Genius]] versions of Famicom games were a large part of the gaming market in [[Quebec]] throughout 1989-1990, with dozens of games selling thousands of copies in flea markets, independent game stores, and video game rental stores. Notably, Micro-Genius' version of ''[[Super Mario Bros 3]]'' was sold extensively throughout Quebec for months ahead of its official North American NES release. [[Montreal]] was described as a major international thoroughfare for Micro-Genius sales, with a network of Taiwanese importers acting as a distribution nexus for Micro-Genius games and consoles, to such an extent that most of the cartridge labelling was bilingual to respect the Quebec-specific language ''[[Charter of the French Language]]'' laws, despite being illegal pirate games. This culminated in Nintendo issuing injunctions against 68 retailers, and the [[Sureté du Québec]] seizing several tens of thousands of Micro-Genius cartridges in December 1990, as part of a crackdown on the import and sale of illicit Micro-Genius games from Taiwan. As a result of this extensive market history, Micro-Genius games have become a prized collector's item especially in Quebec. Although Micro Genius did sell some ''IQ-501'' Famiclone consoles in Canada, almost the entire pirate market was composed of Micro Genius cartridges with an adapter to play them on a legitimate NES console.<ref>{{cite web |title=Les cartouches pirates, un fléau de la NES au Canada |url=http://noirmagnetique.com/blogue/sujet-technos/les-cartouches-pirates-un-fleau-de-la-nes-au-canada/ |website=Noir Magnétique |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107023920/http://noirmagnetique.com/blogue/sujet-technos/les-cartouches-pirates-un-fleau-de-la-nes-au-canada/ |archive-date=7 November 2023 |access-date=7 November 2023 |language=French |trans-title=Pirate cartridges, the bane of the NES in Canada |date=2 February 2016}}</ref> Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===Romania=== | ===Romania=== | ||
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In Romania, several NES clones could be found in toy stores under marketing names such as ''[[Polystation]]'', [[Terminator 2 (console)|''Terminator'']], or variations of Famicom BASIC keyboard compatible consoles and these consoles were shipped with games such as ''<nowiki/>'999999 in 1'' which consisted of around 6 games in one cartridge and the rest were different levels of these games. The games and series consisted mainly of ''Super Mario'', ''Bomberman'', ''Lunar Pool'', ''Double Dragon 3'', ''Star Soldier'', and ''Ninja Ryukenden 3''. | In Romania, several NES clones could be found in toy stores under marketing names such as ''[[Polystation]]'', [[Terminator 2 (console)|''Terminator'']], or variations of Famicom BASIC keyboard compatible consoles and these consoles were shipped with games such as ''<nowiki/>'999999 in 1'' which consisted of around 6 games in one cartridge and the rest were different levels of these games. The games and series consisted mainly of ''Super Mario'', ''Bomberman'', ''Lunar Pool'', ''Double Dragon 3'', ''Star Soldier'', and ''Ninja Ryukenden 3''. | ||
Nintendo entered Romanian market in mid-1990s,<ref>{{cite journal |title= Nintendo Distractia Fara Sfarsit | journal = Mickey Mouse | issue= 4/1997 |pages= 18–19}}</ref> but they | Nintendo entered the Romanian market in the mid-1990s,<ref>{{cite journal |title= Nintendo Distractia Fara Sfarsit | journal = Mickey Mouse | issue= 4/1997 |pages= 18–19 |url=http://www.donald-duck.ro/mickey/1997/04/18.html}}</ref> but they did not bother with famiclone sellers. | ||
===Russia and the former Soviet union=== | ===Russia and the former Soviet union=== | ||
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The [[Dendy (console)|''Dendy'']] (Russian: Де́нди) was a hardware clone of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) popular in Russia and other [[former Soviet countries]]. Dendy is an NTSC console with forced PAL (SECAM on early models) mode, like [[Pegasus (console)|Pegasus]]. Released in 1992 by the [[:ru:Steepler|Steepler]] company, the Dendy was easily the most popular video game console of its time there, and enjoyed a degree of fame roughly equivalent to that experienced by the NES/Famicom in North America and Japan. Business was so successful that the company spawned its own TV show about Dendy on Russian TV, and created stores all across Moscow and St. Petersburg, promoting and selling the console and its cartridges. Also, a cartoon about the "Dendy Elephant", the character on the console's logo, was filmed but not finished. | The [[Dendy (console)|''Dendy'']] (Russian: Де́нди) was a hardware clone of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) popular in Russia and other [[former Soviet countries]]. Dendy is an NTSC console with forced PAL (SECAM on early models) mode, like [[Pegasus (console)|Pegasus]]. Released in 1992 by the [[:ru:Steepler|Steepler]] company, the Dendy was easily the most popular video game console of its time there, and enjoyed a degree of fame roughly equivalent to that experienced by the NES/Famicom in North America and Japan. Business was so successful that the company spawned its own TV show about Dendy on Russian TV, and created stores all across Moscow and St. Petersburg, promoting and selling the console and its cartridges. Also, a cartoon about the "Dendy Elephant", the character on the console's logo, was filmed but not finished. | ||
In 1994, Steepler, Dendy | In 1994, Steepler, the producer of Dendy, reached an agreement with Nintendo to sell consoles in Russia and CIS countries with relinquished its claim to Dendy sales,<ref name=secretmag/> meaning that Nintendo did not take legal action against famiclones. Instead, Steepler began suing other pirates. The company had a registered trademark for Dendy in Russia, which meant that any pirate who used their logo was breaking the law.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/95904 |access-date=1 October 2024 |title= Steepler против пиратских копий Dendy|date=23 November 1994 }}</ref> | ||
The Dendy reportedly sold 6 million units.<ref name="secretmag"/> | The Dendy reportedly sold 6 million units.<ref name="secretmag"/> Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very severe" (50%-100%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
Dendy had competition in form of ''[[Subor]]'', ''Bitman'' and ''Kenga''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gamenotes.ru/history/bitman-consoles/|title=История приставок Bitman | Записки геймера|access-date=19 May 2023|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408021554/http://gamenotes.ru/history/bitman-consoles/|url-status=live}}</ref> After Dendy there were also other clones like ''Simba's'' and ''Magistr''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greatdragon.ru/uploads/posts/2014-03/1394691355_greatdragon39-97.jpg|title=Photo|website=www.greatdragon.ru|access-date=2020-12-12|archive-date=2020-06-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623113752/http://www.greatdragon.ru/uploads/posts/2014-03/1394691355_greatdragon39-97.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://segadreamcast.ru/samye-rasprostranennye-pristavki-na-rossijskom-rynke-do-nachala-2000h/|title=Самые распространенные приставки на российском рынке до начала 2000х|date=March 24, 2019|access-date=June 22, 2020|archive-date=June 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625194213/https://segadreamcast.ru/samye-rasprostranennye-pristavki-na-rossijskom-rynke-do-nachala-2000h/|url-status=live}}</ref> | Dendy had competition in form of ''[[Subor]]'', ''Bitman'' and ''Kenga''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gamenotes.ru/history/bitman-consoles/|title=История приставок Bitman | Записки геймера|access-date=19 May 2023|archive-date=8 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408021554/http://gamenotes.ru/history/bitman-consoles/|url-status=live}}</ref> After Dendy there were also other clones like ''Simba's'' and ''Magistr''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greatdragon.ru/uploads/posts/2014-03/1394691355_greatdragon39-97.jpg|title=Photo|website=www.greatdragon.ru|access-date=2020-12-12|archive-date=2020-06-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623113752/http://www.greatdragon.ru/uploads/posts/2014-03/1394691355_greatdragon39-97.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://segadreamcast.ru/samye-rasprostranennye-pristavki-na-rossijskom-rynke-do-nachala-2000h/|title=Самые распространенные приставки на российском рынке до начала 2000х|date=March 24, 2019|access-date=June 22, 2020|archive-date=June 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625194213/https://segadreamcast.ru/samye-rasprostranennye-pristavki-na-rossijskom-rynke-do-nachala-2000h/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===South Africa=== | ===South Africa=== | ||
In [[South Africa]], clones, known as "''TV Games''", were widely available. One popular clone available in the early 1990s was the ''Golden China''; while another was ''Reggie's Entertainment System'', named after the toy store chain that sold it;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq5rH4LESDo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/pq5rH4LESDo |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Reggie's Entertainment System South Africa Nintendo Famicom |publisher=YouTube |date=2011-11-28 |access-date=2013-10-17}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Older models looked like the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] but newer models resembled the [[PlayStation models|PlayStation]], like the ''TeleGamestation'' which also had a"mini tower" version with keyboard, and black/white monitor, to include educational software. These TeleGamestations have cartridges around half the size of the original Nintendo Entertainment System games, and although most games were cracked from there, some were also taken from the [[Master System]]. The box advertised "dazzling graphics" and the monitor on the box set features a modern-day at the time, [[Association football|soccer]] game. Games could be bought in chain stores or on the market or certain stores. Most cartridges were multi-packs, or many games within one cartridge. In some cases, games have had their names removed, and in some cases the original name of the game (for example, ''[[Dr. Mario]]'' was renamed "Medical Hospital"). | In [[South Africa]], clones, known as "''TV Games''", were widely available. One popular clone available in the early 1990s was the ''Golden China''; while another was ''Reggie's Entertainment System'', named after the toy store chain that sold it;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq5rH4LESDo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/pq5rH4LESDo |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Reggie's Entertainment System South Africa Nintendo Famicom |publisher=YouTube |date=2011-11-28 |access-date=2013-10-17}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Older models looked like the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] but newer models resembled the [[PlayStation models|PlayStation]], like the ''TeleGamestation'' which also had a "mini tower" version with keyboard, and black/white monitor, to include educational software. These ''TeleGamestations'' have cartridges around half the size of the original Nintendo Entertainment System games, and although most games were cracked from there, some were also taken from the [[Master System]]. The box advertised "dazzling graphics" and the monitor on the box set features a modern-day at the time, [[Association football|soccer]] game. Games could be bought in chain stores or on the market or certain stores. Most cartridges were multi-packs, or many games within one cartridge. In some cases, games have had their names removed, and in some cases the original name of the game (for example, ''[[Dr. Mario]]'' was renamed "Medical Hospital"). | ||
Nintendo entered South African market in 1992<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/video-games-around-world-south-africa-joshua-rogers/|title=Video Games Around the World: South Africa|access-date=2021-05-10|archive-date=2022-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925153658/https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/video-games-around-world-south-africa-joshua-rogers/|url-status=live}}</ref> and took legal action against Golden China for importing copied games.<ref>{{cite court|litigants=Nintendo Co Ltd v Golden China TV Game Centre & Others|date=1995|url=http://www.saflii.org/cgi-bin/LawCite?cit=1995%20%281%29%20SA%20229}}</ref> | Nintendo entered the South African market in 1992<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/video-games-around-world-south-africa-joshua-rogers/|title=Video Games Around the World: South Africa|access-date=2021-05-10|archive-date=2022-09-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925153658/https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/video-games-around-world-south-africa-joshua-rogers/|url-status=live}}</ref> and took legal action against Golden China for importing copied games.<ref>{{cite court|litigants=Nintendo Co Ltd v Golden China TV Game Centre & Others|date=1995|url=http://www.saflii.org/cgi-bin/LawCite?cit=1995%20%281%29%20SA%20229}}</ref> Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very severe" (50%-100%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===Southeast Asia=== | ===Southeast Asia=== | ||
In Southeast Asia, the ''[[Micro Genius]]'' was sold as an alternative to the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]]. It originated from [[Taiwan]] in the late 1980s and uses 60-pin cartridges, most of which are [[multicart]]s. The Micro Genius had some original games, including ''Chinese Chess'' and ''Thunder Warrior''. Starting from 1990, Nintendo sued local video games shops for selling unlicensed systems.<ref>{{ | In Southeast Asia, the ''[[Micro Genius]]'' was sold as an alternative to the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]]. It originated from [[Taiwan]] in the late 1980s and uses 60-pin cartridges, most of which are [[multicart]]s. The Micro Genius had some original games, including ''Chinese Chess'' and ''Thunder Warrior''. Starting from 1990, Nintendo sued local video games shops for selling unlicensed systems.<ref>{{citation |title=Nintendo suing 7 shops over fake video game gear |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19900914-1.2.34.23}}</ref> Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Limited" (5%-10%) in Thailand, Vietnam, "Moderate" (10%-25%) in Indonesia, Timor East and "Severe" (25%-50%) in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei. Distributor from Singapore partaken in legal actions against importers<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===South Korea=== | ===South Korea=== | ||
[[File:Comboy.jpg|thumb|300px|Comboy, officially licensed version of NES for Korean market]] | [[File:Comboy.jpg|thumb|300px|Comboy, officially licensed version of NES for Korean market]] | ||
Starting from 1989, | Starting from 1989, to late 2000s, more than 100 famiclones were marketed in South Korea by different companies like ''Batman''/''Family Computer II'', ''Kuk Je Academy K-007'', ''Family Computer GH-100'' (by Gihan Electronics), ''Family Computer'' (by Modowa), ''GamDori'', ''Joycom'', ''Viking'', ''Supercom'', ''Pascal'', ''Noriteul'', ''Little Com'' and many more.<ref name=":10">{{cite web | url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/korea/appendix-consoles2.htm | title=Hardcore Gaming 101: A History of Korean Gaming | access-date=2023-03-24 | archive-date=2023-03-24 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324150928/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/korea/appendix-consoles2.htm | url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
The official NES console was marketed by Nintendo in South Korea under the name ''[[Hyundai Comboy]]''. | The official NES console was marketed by Nintendo in South Korea under the name ''[[Hyundai Comboy]]''. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Severe" (25%-50%), with distributor trying to fight piracy.<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===Southeast Europe=== | ===Southeast Europe=== | ||
[[File:Terminator2game.JPG|thumb|300px|Ending-Man Terminator]] | [[File:Terminator2game.JPG|thumb|300px|Ending-Man Terminator]] | ||
First clones were sold as ''Micro Genius''<ref name=":11">{{cite journal |title= Micro Genios Family Computer | journal = Megazin | issue= 4 |pages= 49}}</ref> or simple clones called ''Family Computer''<ref>{{cite journal |title= Elektronexport d.o.o | journal = Megazin | issue= 4 |pages= 51}}</ref> that looked like Famicom.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Konzole | journal = Svet Kompjutera | issue= 123 |pages= 51}}</ref> When Sega released [[Mega Drive]], most pirates wanted to mislead buyers giving a cheaper and similar looking clone, mostly called [[Ending-Man Terminator|''Terminator'']]. The same situation was with Super Nintendo and most known 8-bit ripoff of this one was sold as ''SP-60''.<ref name=joker /> Nintendo created distribution networks in every country of the region between 1992 and 1995.<ref name=joker>{{cite web | url=https://joker.muzej.si/article.php?rubrika=37&articleid=10956 | title=Revija Joker - Laser plusova zgodba | access-date=2020-04-19 | archive-date=2020-05-17 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517230136/https://joker.muzej.si/article.php?rubrika=37&articleid=10956 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title= Nintendo Game Boy | journal = Svet Kompjutera | issue= 112 |pages= 59}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/album-panini-asterix-bas-su-ludi-ovi-gali/page/n33/mode/1up | title=Album Panini Asterix Bas Su Ludi Ovi Gali | year=1994 }}</ref> In some of the countries, Nintendo took legal action against shop that sold | First clones were sold as ''Micro Genius''<ref name=":11">{{cite journal |title= Micro Genios Family Computer | journal = Megazin | issue= 4 |pages= 49 |url=https://retrospec.elite.org/users/tomcat/yu/magshow.php?auto=&page=49&all=MG_93_12}}</ref> or simple clones called ''Family Computer''<ref>{{cite journal |title= Elektronexport d.o.o | journal = Megazin | issue= 4 |pages= 51 |url=https://retrospec.elite.org/users/tomcat/yu/magshow.php?auto=&page=51&all=MG_93_12}}</ref> that looked like Famicom.<ref>{{cite journal |title= Konzole | journal = Svet Kompjutera | issue= 123 |pages= 51 |url=https://archive.org/details/Svet_Kompjutera_1994_12/page/n49/mode/2up}}</ref> When Sega released [[Mega Drive]], most pirates wanted to mislead buyers giving a cheaper and similar looking clone, mostly called [[Ending-Man Terminator|''Terminator'']]. The same situation was with Super Nintendo and most known 8-bit ripoff of this one was sold as ''SP-60''.<ref name=joker /> Nintendo created distribution networks in every country of the region between 1992 and 1995.<ref name=joker>{{cite web | url=https://joker.muzej.si/article.php?rubrika=37&articleid=10956 | title=Revija Joker - Laser plusova zgodba | access-date=2020-04-19 | archive-date=2020-05-17 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517230136/https://joker.muzej.si/article.php?rubrika=37&articleid=10956 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title= Nintendo Game Boy | journal = Svet Kompjutera | issue= 112 |pages= 59 |url=https://archive.org/details/Svet_Kompjutera_1994_01/page/n58/mode/1up}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/album-panini-asterix-bas-su-ludi-ovi-gali/page/n33/mode/1up | title=Album Panini Asterix Bas Su Ludi Ovi Gali | year=1994 }}</ref> In some of the countries, Nintendo took legal action against shop that sold these clones,<ref name=joker/> but in other countries, distributors of Nintendo did not react. | ||
===Soviet Union=== | |||
Before the Dendy craze emerging after end of USSR, a rare famiclone made by [[Bit Corporation|Bit Corp]], called the BIT70, was sold in state-owned stores across the [[Soviet Union]], starting from around 1989. Due to its high price and poor marketing, the clone went practically unnoticed and is now largely forgotten.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/cut-into-number-101285366?source=storefront |title=Cut into the Number of Famiclones Ever Produced - Case #5: BIT Corp.}}</ref> | |||
===Spain=== | ===Spain=== | ||
Nintendo distributed the NES here from 1987,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://retrolaser.es/los-inicios-de-nintendo-nes-en-espana/ | title=Los verdaderos inicios de Nintendo NES en España | date=10 January 2015 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=28 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128052855/https://retrolaser.es/los-inicios-de-nintendo-nes-en-espana/ | url-status=live }}</ref> but clones were | Nintendo distributed the NES here from 1987,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://retrolaser.es/los-inicios-de-nintendo-nes-en-espana/ | title=Los verdaderos inicios de Nintendo NES en España | date=10 January 2015 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=28 November 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128052855/https://retrolaser.es/los-inicios-de-nintendo-nes-en-espana/ | url-status=live }}</ref> but clones were very popular even with good copyright law and legal actions against importers, which was not common in Western countries. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very severe" (50%-100%).<ref name=special301 /> The most common were these from the ''NASA'' and ''Creation'' brands (which are nearly the same, being the console name printed on the front the only difference), compatible with NES and Famicom games. It originally used the same chipset as the Dendy, manufactured by [[United Microelectronics Corporation]], but manufacturers later used the NOAC ASICs. The NASA clones were sold by Gluk Video, a company known for releasing many unlicensed games for NES in Spain. Besides NASA they distributed clones such as ''Micro Genius'', ''Yess'' and ''Silver Shadow''.<ref name=gluk>{{cite web | url=https://glukvideo.info/consolas | title=Gluk Video: Entertainment Systems | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204152535/http://glukvideo.info/consolas |archive-date=4 February 2015 |url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1992/07/11/002.html |title=Ad from 1992 by the Spanish branch of Auchan, selling a NASA NS-90AP famiclone in a hypermarket for 9900 pesetas |publisher=Hemeroteca.abc.es |access-date=2013-10-17 |archive-date=2015-09-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930113438/http://hemeroteca.abc.es/nav/Navigate.exe/hemeroteca/madrid/abc/1992/07/11/002.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | ||
Other known clones sold here are ''MasterGames'', ''Nippon'do'',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.eldiario.es/cultura/videojuegos/abandonamos-recreativas-enchufamos-television_1_1718304.html | title=Videojuegos a 10.000 pesetas y NASA en lugar de NES: Así fue la llegada de las consolas a España | date=3 February 2019 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=13 December 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213232305/https://www.eldiario.es/cultura/videojuegos/abandonamos-recreativas-enchufamos-television_1_1718304.html | url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Terminator 2 (console)|Terminator 2]]'', etc. | Other known clones sold here are ''MasterGames'', ''Nippon'do'',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.eldiario.es/cultura/videojuegos/abandonamos-recreativas-enchufamos-television_1_1718304.html | title=Videojuegos a 10.000 pesetas y NASA en lugar de NES: Así fue la llegada de las consolas a España | date=3 February 2019 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=13 December 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213232305/https://www.eldiario.es/cultura/videojuegos/abandonamos-recreativas-enchufamos-television_1_1718304.html | url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Terminator 2 (console)|Terminator 2]]'', etc. | ||
===Thailand=== | ===Thailand=== | ||
Thailand's best selling famiclones were models from the Family brand - ''FR 102'' and ''FR 202'', introduced by Family TSI Ltd.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sanook.com/game/952019/ | title=ย้อนอดีตกับเครื่อง Famicom ฉลองครบรอบ 30 ปี | date=16 July 2013 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=22 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322213841/https://www.sanook.com/game/952019/ | url-status=live }}</ref> | Thailand's best selling famiclones were models from the Family brand - ''FR 102'' and ''FR 202'', introduced by Family TSI Ltd.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sanook.com/game/952019/ | title=ย้อนอดีตกับเครื่อง Famicom ฉลองครบรอบ 30 ปี | date=16 July 2013 | access-date=22 March 2023 | archive-date=22 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322213841/https://www.sanook.com/game/952019/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Limited" (5%-10%), but some of the commentators stated that could be much more in later years.<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===Turkey=== | ===Turkey=== | ||
The most popular brand of clones is ''Micro Genius'', distributed from | The most popular brand of clones is ''Micro Genius'', distributed from 1988 by Aral İthalat,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://aral.com.tr/micro-genius/ | title=ARAL - Micro Genius }}</ref> with new model being released by them even in 21st century. There were also other brands like ''Home Computer'' (by Emek Elektronik),<ref>{{cite journal | title= Exciting Entertainment System Home Computer | journal = 64ler| issue=45 |pages=27}}</ref> ''Star Trek''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8h_lcFCnko |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/F8h_lcFCnko |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Video |website=www.youtube.com |date=29 January 2019 |access-date=2020-12-12}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ''Game Star'', '' Kontorland''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://eksiseyler.com/90-kusaginin-kucukken-micro-genius-isimli-cakmasini-oynadigi-efsane-oyun-konsolu-nes | title=90 Kuşağının Küçükken Micro Genius İsimli Çakmasını Oynadığı Efsane Oyun Konsolu: NES }}</ref> and ''Fun Time''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-cQKqESZXk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/N-cQKqESZXk |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Video |website=www.youtube.com |date=12 January 2019 |access-date=2020-12-12}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Nintendo products were sold here as well,<ref>{{cite journal | date = 13 July 1997 | title= Nintendo 64,Toys Us'ta | journal = Milliyet | page =5 }}</ref> but it seems that they did not bother with clones. | ||
===Ukraine=== | ===Ukraine=== | ||
One of the most known clone in this country is ''[[Dendy (console)|Dendy]]''. There were also other brands like ''Kenga'' which were very widespread in Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/famiclones/Ken_Boy.htm|title=Ultimate Console Database - Kenga Ken Boy famiclone|website=ultimateconsoledatabase.com|access-date=2020-06-22|archive-date=2020-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224223917/http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/famiclones/Ken_Boy.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Kenga even had a TV show called ''Kenga Predstavlyaet!''<ref>{{cite web|url=https:// | One of the most known clone in this country is ''[[Dendy (console)|Dendy]]''. There were also other brands like ''Kenga'' which were very widespread in Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/famiclones/Ken_Boy.htm|title=Ultimate Console Database - Kenga Ken Boy famiclone|website=ultimateconsoledatabase.com|access-date=2020-06-22|archive-date=2020-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224223917/http://ultimateconsoledatabase.com/famiclones/Ken_Boy.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Kenga even had a TV show called ''Kenga Predstavlyaet!''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/iJxkdCKudJ0| title=KENGA представляет! (Украина ,г. Киев , 1995-1996) | website=Ghost Archive | date=17 November 2021}}</ref> | ||
Within the Donetsk region, Atlantida company sold a Dendy competitor, the ''Jippy'' game console, which was a clone of Ending Man. The console also used a mascot similar to Dendy - a similarly dressed hippopotamus named Jippy. It had headphone jacks and switches to activate the "turbo-pause". According to various estimates, 15,000 copies were sold, including 5,000 in Moscow, Russia. A TV show Jippy Club was produced on the local Donetsk TV station. The project closed in 1994.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2021 |title=N.10 Jippy |journal=DF Mag. Журнал о ретро-играх. |type=magazine |language=ru |page=65}}</ref> | Within the Donetsk region, the Atlantida company sold a Dendy competitor, the ''Jippy'' game console, which was a clone of Ending Man. The console also used a mascot similar to Dendy - a similarly dressed hippopotamus named Jippy. It had headphone jacks and switches to activate the "turbo-pause". According to various estimates, 15,000 copies were sold, including 5,000 in Moscow, Russia. A TV show Jippy Club was produced on the local Donetsk TV station. The project closed in 1994.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2021 |title=N.10 Jippy |journal=DF Mag. Журнал о ретро-играх. |type=magazine |language=ru |page=65}}</ref> | ||
In 1994, Steepler, Dendy | In 1994, Steepler, the producer of Dendy, reached an agreement with Nintendo to sell consoles in Russia and CIS countries with relinquished its claim to Dendy sales,<ref name=secretmag/> meaning that Nintendo did not take legal action against famiclones. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very severe" (50%-100%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===United Kingdom=== | ===United Kingdom=== | ||
Famiclones in the UK were not popular and only a few like the ''Scorpion 8'', sold by Interactive Enterprises,<ref>{{cite web |title=Scorpion 8 |url=https://www.oocities.org/s_h_3/nintendo/scorpion8/scorpion8.htm |website=oocities |access-date=19 May 2023 |archive-date=4 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104102452/https://www.oocities.org/s_h_3/nintendo/scorpion8/scorpion8.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Good Boy'' by DGM Limited<ref>{{Cite journal |date= December 1991 |title= Good Boy |journal= Game Zone |type= magazine |language= en |page=10}}</ref> or ''DAC'' by Digital Audio Corporation<ref>{{Cite journal |date= November 1991 |title= DAC a look at this |journal= Game Zone |type= magazine |language= en |page=8}}</ref> were sold. | Famiclones in the UK were not popular and only a few like the ''Scorpion 8'', sold by Interactive Enterprises,<ref>{{cite web |title=Scorpion 8 |url=https://www.oocities.org/s_h_3/nintendo/scorpion8/scorpion8.htm |website=oocities |access-date=19 May 2023 |archive-date=4 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104102452/https://www.oocities.org/s_h_3/nintendo/scorpion8/scorpion8.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Good Boy'' by DGM Limited<ref>{{Cite journal |date= December 1991 |title= Good Boy |journal= Game Zone |type= magazine |language= en |page=10 |url=https://archive.org/details/game-zone-02/page/10/mode/1up}}</ref> or ''DAC'' by Digital Audio Corporation<ref>{{Cite journal |date= November 1991 |title= DAC a look at this |journal= Game Zone |type= magazine |language= en |page=8 |url=https://archive.org/details/game-zone-01/page/8/mode/1up}}</ref> were sold. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===United States=== | ===United States=== | ||
[[File:Power Player Super Joy III system (filtered).JPG|thumb|300px|Power Player Super Joy III]] | [[File:Power Player Super Joy III system (filtered).JPG|thumb|300px|Power Player Super Joy III]] | ||
During the life of the NES, famiclones were very rarely distributed and more common was sale of unlicensed video games produced by foreign companies such as [[NTDEC]], which often resulted in lawsuits from Nintendo.<ref name="Nintendo of America Inc v. NTDEC"/> ''Power Player Super Joy III'' was one of the clones sold in the US and was quickly discontinued in 2005, when Nintendo initiated a court case against sellers.<ref>[[St. Paul Pioneer Press]] (January 20, 2005) ''Knockoff games allegedly sold at mall.'' Section: Local; Page B6</ref> | During the life of the NES, famiclones were very rarely distributed and more common was sale of unlicensed video games produced by foreign companies such as [[NTDEC]], which often resulted in lawsuits from Nintendo.<ref name="Nintendo of America Inc v. NTDEC"/> ''Power Player Super Joy III'' was one of the clones sold in the US and was quickly discontinued in 2005, when Nintendo initiated a court case against sellers.<ref>[[St. Paul Pioneer Press]] (January 20, 2005) ''Knockoff games allegedly sold at mall.'' Section: Local; Page B6</ref> Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Limited" (5%-10%).<ref name=special301 /> | ||
===Venezuela=== | ===Venezuela=== | ||
In 1987, a new established company called Nintendo de Venezuela C.A began selling famiclones and bootleg games in self-made packaging. All consoles, games and accessories had the Nintendo logo, the boxes were translated into Spanish and had warranty cards, instructions and stickers to make everything look professional and official. It also registered most of the Nintendo trademarks and claimed to sell more than 1 milion units until late 1993. Venezuela was one of the countries on Special 301 Watch List from 1994 due to huge intellectual property issue and authors of the report classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Severe" (25%-50%).<ref name=special301 /> | |||
As competition, the original Nintendo products were sold by Itochu Venezuela S.A from in 1991 with NES being referred as "Nintendo el Original" to differentiate original one from famiclones.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/t4z9MPDk_SQ | title=Comercial Nintendo (1991) | website=Ghost Archive | date=31 Jan 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/clubnintendo13ano02no11venezuela/page/n51/mode/2up | title=Club Nintendo 14 - Año 02 Nº 11 (Venezuela) | date=November 1993 }}</ref> After several years of legal disputes among themselves, Nintendo filed a lawsuit against the company in July 1995, which was ruled in their favor in 1999 and Nintendo C.A was obligated to pay damages and destroy all copies that were left in warehouses.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sala de Casación Civil |url=http://www.tsj.gov.ve/decisiones/scc/Abril/RH-0016-050401-00993.htm |website=tsj.gov.ve |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040516203941/http://www.tsj.gov.ve/decisiones/scc/Abril/RH-0016-050401-00993.htm |archive-date=16 May 2004 |language=es}}</ref> | |||
== Famiclone list == | == Famiclone list == | ||
| Line 349: | Line 380: | ||
* Simba's (Russia) | * Simba's (Russia) | ||
* Soccer Station | * Soccer Station | ||
* Spica (Indonesia, 1990s) | |||
* [[Subor]] SB-218, SB-286, SB-486, SB-926, SB-2000<ref name=":3" /> | * [[Subor]] SB-218, SB-286, SB-486, SB-926, SB-2000<ref name=":3" /> | ||
* Sup Gaming Famiclone | * Sup Gaming Famiclone | ||
| Line 358: | Line 390: | ||
* Turbo Game (Brazil) | * Turbo Game (Brazil) | ||
* Tristar 64 | * Tristar 64 | ||
* V~Com (Indonesia, 2000s) | |||
* V~Com Portable aka Game Boy Clone (Indonesia, 2010s) | |||
* VG Pocket Max | * VG Pocket Max | ||
* X Play Vintage (Jimmy Ltda., Brazil, 2010s) | * X Play Vintage (Jimmy Ltda., Brazil, 2010s) | ||
Latest revision as of 11:36, 9 December 2025
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Unsubst". In video game parlance, a famiclone (portmanteau of Famicom and clone) is a hardware clone of the Family Computer/Nintendo Entertainment System. They are designed to replicate the workings of, and play games designed for, the Famicom and NES. Hundreds of unauthorized clones and unlicensed game copies have been made available since the height of the NES popularity in the late 1980s.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The technology employed in such clones has evolved over the years: while the earliest clones feature a printed circuit board containing custom or third party integrated circuits (ICs), more recent (post-1996) clones utilize single-chip designs, with a custom ASIC which simulates the functionality of the original hardware,Script error: No such module "Unsubst". and often includes one or more on-board games. Most devices originate in China and Taiwan, and less commonly South Korea. Outside China and Taiwan, they are mostly widespread across emerging markets of developing countries.
In some locales, such as former Eastern Bloc, former Soviet countries (especially Russia), South America, Middle East, several Asian countries and Africa[1] such systems could occasionally be found side by side with official Nintendo hardware, but clones were cheaper and had wider availability of software[2] so such clones were the easiest available console gaming systems. Elsewhere, these systems often prompted swift legal action.[3] Many of these early systems were similar to the NES or Famicom not only in functionality, but also in appearance, often featuring little more than a new name and logo in place of Nintendo's branding. In contrast, in the former Yugoslavia NES clones often visually resembled the Mega Drive, complete with the Sega logo.[4]
Few of these systems were openly marketed as "NES compatible".[5] Some of the packaging features screenshots from more recent and more powerful systems, which are adorned with misleading, or even outright false, quotes such as "ultimate videogame technlology" [sic] or "crystal clear digital sound, multiple colors and advanced 3D graphics".Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Some manufacturers opt for a less misleading approach, describing the system generically as a "TV game", "8-bit console", "multi-game system", or "Plug & Play", but even these examples generally say nothing to suggest any compatibility with NES hardware. They would often be distributed along pirate multicarts.
Types
Because NES clones are not officially licensed, they vary in areas such as hardware quality, available games and overall performance. Most clones are produced extremely cheaply, while a few are comparable to first-party hardware in their manufacture quality. In terms of appearance and basic build, there are four general types of clones:
Console type
Many clones are designed to resemble the original Famicom, but others have been produced to look like almost all other consoles from the NES, SNES, and Mega Drive/Genesis to the Xbox and PlayStation 3, and others simply in a generic console shape. Usually, it is easy to tell a famiclone from the real hardware it imitates by the presence of either alternate coloring, brand names that do not match the real console's, or weak construction. Console-type clones almost always utilize cartridges, and they are usually compatible with real Famicom (60-pin) or NES (72-pin) games, as well as custom-made carts (especially multi-carts, unauthorized game cartridges which hold a multitude of games as opposed to just one, which are often included with console-type clones). Console famiclones are most popular in Asia, parts of Europe and Latin America, with few actively sold in North America due to stronger enforcement of the copyrights in the games typically packaged with a famiclone and of the design patents in the imitated consoles.
Multi-console type
Consoles such as the Retron 3 include multiple consoles in one clone.
Handheld type
These types of systems contain a built-in LCD screen and are usually powered by batteries, therefore acting as a completely portable handheld system.
One of the first handheld clones is the Top Guy, although only a small number are known to exist. More widely distributed was Redant's Game Axe, which was manufactured in several revisions through the 1990s. Game Theory Admiral featured an improved TFT screen and closely resembled the Game Boy Advance or Wintech GOOD BOY - not to be confused with a Famicom clone also called Good Boy - designed to look like a Game Boy Color.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". However, this smaller design included a smaller cartridge port; it was supplied with an adapter to allow the use of standard Famicom cartridges with the system. One of the more recent handheld clones is Gametech's PocketFami, the first to be actively marketed as a portable Famicom by its manufacturers, and one of the most widely distributed thanks to the new legitimate status of Famicom clone products.
There are also a number of famiclones in the shape of a Game Boy or similar, but which can only display NES/Famicom games on a TV, and have a simple LCD game in the screen area. such an example is the NES Clone "GameKids Advance", which resembles an older Game Boy Advance, and has a built-in LCD game, powered by 2 AA batteries, or the included AC adapter. However, the NES games can only be played on TV using the AC adapter. It uses a game cartridge, similar to those from a Game Boy/Game Boy Color, and also includes an adapter to play NES games.
PocketFami
The Pocket Fami, also known as Pocket Famicom (although this name was never used by the manufacturers as Famicom is a trademark of Nintendo) and Pokefami (ポケファミ) is an unlicensed handheld hardware clone of the Famicom produced by GameTech and released in 2004.
The PocketFami features a standard D-pad and six buttons: the four standard NES buttons (A, B, select, and start), plus two additional "turbo" buttons. It features a 2.5 inch backlit LCD screen capable of displaying both NTSC and PAL video. It has one headphone jack, an RCA composite output jack, and can be powered either through 3 AA batteries or AC adapter. Because of the different cartridge pin design of the Japanese Famicom (60 pins) and the international NES (72 pins), international (North American, Australian, European) cartridges cannot be played without an additional converter.
Nintendo sued GameTech over production of the PocketFami, claiming that the device violated their patents on the Famicom's hardware. The courts found in favor of GameTech and allowed the device to be sold in Japan, as the original Famicom was first sold in 1983 and most of Nintendo's essential patents on the system had expired.
Controller type
This type of hardware clone, popular in North America and western Europe, is designed to hold all the console's hardware in the shape of a regular game console controller, usually the Nintendo 64's. Also known as "NES-on-a-chip" due to their extremely miniaturized hardware (relative to the original NES), these controllers usually shun or at least downplayScript error: No such module "Unsubst". a game cartridge interface in favor of storing games directly in internal memory chips. These famiclones can often run on battery as well as AC power, making them popular for portable usage. These clones have become especially popular in the USA thanks to the new "TV-Games" fad of selling legitimately emulated classic arcade games in a traditional-looking controller. (Atari games are especially common.) Controller clones can usually be found in places like flea markets, mall kiosks, or independent toy stores, and most people who sell and buy them are unaware or do not care that they are in fact illegally made. In Brazil this type of console is commercialized with the name GunBoy.
The Power Player Super Joy III consoles (also known as Power Games and XA-76-1E) are a line of unauthorized handheld Nintendo Entertainment System/Famicom clones manufactured by NRTRADE that are sold in North America, Brazil, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The system resembles a Nintendo 64 controller and attaches to a TV set. The second controller resembles a Sega Genesis controller, and a light gun is also included. NTSC, PAL and SECAM versions are available. They all use a custom "NES-on-a-chip" (NOAC) that is an implementation of the NES's hardware (Custom 6502, PPU, PAPU, etc.). The consoles came with 76 built-in games, although marketing frequently claims to have 1,000+ ways of playing them. Most of the included games were originally released for the NES or Famicom, but some have been created by the manufacturer to expand their list of included games. Most of the games have had their title screen graphics removed to save space on the ROM chip, not to mention a company logo removal trick for reduced liability. After this product gained some popularity, the Power Player 3.5, an improved model with more games, was released.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". A wireless version of Power Games was also released.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".[6][7][8]
Playervision or Game Stick is another unauthorized Nintendo Entertainment System hardware clone built into a gamepad and sold in South America, and is just one version of Power Player Super Joy III, nevertheless, the name of the product varies on and in the box, user manual and the gamepad video game console itself. For example, the instruction sheet calls it "Playervision", but the system itself says "Players". This video game console has no cartridge slot, or an input for a second player controller or Zapper. This means that some of the games included cannot be used because of the need of a gun (Duck Hunt, for example). The system includes the same 76 games as Power Player Super Joy III, but some of them are repeated or are graphical hacks (Teletubbies, for example, is just Mario Bros. with graphic changes).
Computer type
These famiclones are designed to resemble either 1980s home computers, modern keyboards, or the real Famicom's BASIC kit. Usually, these clones consist of the same hardware as the console type, but put inside a keyboard instead of a console lookalike. They are usually supplied with a cartridge containing some computer-style software, such as a simple word processor and a version of BASIC (most common are G-BASIC, a counterfeit version of Family BASIC, and F-BASIC, an original but more limited version), and some "educational" typing and mathematics games. Some even include a computer mouse and a GUI-style interface. Note that, while the interface is similar to Nintendo's Family BASIC keyboard, clone keyboards are generally not fully compatible with official software (and vice versa) due to differing key layouts.
Software game titles
Since none of these unlicensed clones contain the 10NES authentication chip, most are capable of running games that an official NES model would not run. In addition, many modern NES clones come with a built-in selection of games, typically stored on an internal ROM which can range from 128 KB up to several megabytes in size.
These built-in games are usually designed to complement, rather than replace, the traditional cartridge slot, although some devices omit such a slot entirely, allowing only the built-in games to be played. Typical numbers for the built-in "distinct" games range from as low as three to as high as fifty or one hundred games for more expensive products. The number of "distinct games" is important, because while many NES clones claim to have thousands of built-in games, most of these games are usually nothing more than hacks that allow the player to start the same game at different levels or with different numbers of lives.
The games are usually direct unlicensed copies of official NES and Famicom game titles, usually with copyright information removed and sometimes featuring other minor changes. The most commonly found games in NES clones are generally games below 64 K of ROM size and which can be easily split into distinct subgames or levels. As such, Track & Field and Circus Charlie are present in a large percentage of NES clones, usually blown up to count as 6 or 7 "distinct" games each. Duck Hunt (often with its clay shooting mode shown as a separate game) is also a common NES clone feature as they justify the existence of the light gun accessory. Other popular, although less common choices, are Super Mario Bros. hacks, Excitebike, Tetris, Magic Jewelry (an unlicensed clone of Columns), older sports titles and miscellaneous platform games. Additionally, some clones incorporate games that, although they may initially appear to be original, are in fact counterfeit copies featuring extensive graphical (and sometimes audio) modifications. Examples of this include UFO Race, based on Nintendo's F-1 Race, Pandamar (also known as simply Panda), based on Super Mario Bros., Ladangel, based on Hudson Soft's Challenger and UFO Shoot, based on Duck Hunt.
However, some systems include legally licensed games; for example, the Rumble Station's 15 built-in games are licensed from Color Dreams, and Sachen's Q-Boy includes only its own original titles. A growing number of recent clones, such as those marketed by Technologies in the United States, contain large numbers of original games made by developers in China.
Hardware and software compatibility
While most famiclones will run most original licensed Nintendo software and work with most original carts (being even more versatile than an original NES because of the lack of regional lockout chips and sometimes having a dual 60-pin and 72-pin cartridge compatibility), the degree of hardware compatibility with original NES accessories and miscellaneous hardware equipment may vary, and even software level compatibility is not always perfect.
The most common software-level incompatibility in the built-in games that some sport, is the lack of save RAM, causing the few games that use it to fail when trying to save or load data.
Since most modern Famiclones are based on the NES-on-a-chip ASIC, they automatically inherit all of its limitations, which includes graphical glitches and compatibility issues.
At a hardware level, the most common incompatibility is the lack, in some famiclones, of the original Famicom's expansion port (although it is always present, at least at a logical level, and in some clones it is internally hardwired; e.g. in computer-type famiclones it is hardwired to the built-in keyboard, even if not externally accessible).
Some famiclones also use standard Atari 9-pin shaped or even 15-pin joypad connectors instead of the proprietary NES connectors, and their controllers usually offer all of the functionality of a standard NES controller and sometimes features such as "slow motion" or several autofire keys with different speeds, which are not present on the standard out-of-the-box NES joypads. Despite being physically identical to Atari 9-pin, the protocol is different: Atari uses a parallel protocol where each wire carries the status of a single button,[9] whereas famiclones use the same 4021-based serial protocol the original NES used.[10] Connecting standard controllers to them may result in malfunction or damage of the controller or the famiclone itself.
Lastly, like many modern consoles and other devices meant to be connected to a TV, many modern famiclones lack an RF modulator and instead only have separate audio and composite video outputs (sometimes S-Video), also to cut on the (already low) production costs.
Some manufacturers have added new backward-compatible features to their NOAC ASICs, which allow developers to add new features like an improved processor (a 65C816 compatible), better graphics, stereo sound (by adding another audio unit), PCM audio, and a unified bus (OneBus) which lets manufacturers use a single ROM to store games instead of the two (one for program and other for graphics) the original NES and Famicom used.[11] This hardware was primarily designed by Taiwanese companies V.R. Technology and UMC.[12][13]
Post-patent famiclones
Some of Nintendo's patents on the Famicom expired in 2003, followed in 2005 by NES-specific patents such as those covering the 10NES lockout chip. While Nintendo still holds various related trademarks, NES hardware clones are no longer necessarily illegal on the basis of patent infringement. This matter is complicated by the effect of different patents awarded in different countries, with different expiration dates. Nintendo sued Gametech in 2005 for selling the PocketFami, despite the patent expiration. Nintendo lost this suit. However, famiclone manufacturers who incorporate copyrighted games into the unit may still be subject to legal liability on that basis, due to copyrights having much longer terms than patents (in most countries creative works such as games are automatically in copyright for many decades, sometimes up to 95 years after their creation).
While the old-style famiclones continue to be found, the newly legitimized market has seen several clones that openly advertise support for original Famicom or NES games (or sometimes both), a feature not usually publicized by previous clones, which were often marketed as cheap gifts rather than Famicom-compatible systems. Examples of these newer efforts include the Generation NEX, which resembles a flattened version of the original NES and supports both NES and Famicom games, Gametech's Neo-Fami (also released in both Famicom and NES compatible versions as the "FC Game Console" by Yobo Gameware), and the handheld PocketFami, a more ambitious, albeit still slightly flawed, successor to the older TopGuy, Game Axe, and Game Theory Admiral. However, these more legitimate clones are still based on the same NES-on-a-chip architecture as the older systems, and as such still suffer from many of the same compatibility problems.
Generation NEX
Generation NEX is a Nintendo hardware clone released in 2005.[14][15] It is compatible with Japanese Famicom and North American/European NES cartridges. A front-loading slot is used for NES games, like the original console, while a top-loading slot handles Famicom games.[16] Messiah Entertainment Inc., a company based in Los Angeles,[17] announced the Generation NEX in May 2005.[18] The console was shown at the Classic Gaming Expo that August, and was scheduled for release in September 2005.[19][20][21] The NEX is a slimmer version of the original NES, measuring an inch and a half in height.[16] The console uses a custom-designed integrated circuit based on NES-on-a-chip, which is used by most Nintendo clone consoles.[22] The ASIC used is known as the VT03, and is part of the OneBus family of NOACs.[23] The NEX is compatible with approximately 95 percent of NES games,[24] excluding games such as Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse.[14][16] The console includes stereo sound capabilities for homebrew games.[14]
The NEX retailed for $59.99,[15] and included one wired controller. Wireless 2.4 GHz controllers were also produced, and were sold in sets of two at a cost of $50 per set.[16][25] The wired and wireless controllers were redesigned from the original NES controller, having an appearance more similar to the SNES controller.[16] The console includes controller ports that allow the user to plug in and use original NES controllers instead, and the wireless NEX controllers are also compatible with the original NES. The NEX is also compatible with all other NES accessories, such as the Zapper gun.[16][20] Messiah also produced a wireless arcade stick controller.[17]
The Generation NEX initially received a negative reception from user reviews and some game websites.[25] Complaints were made regarding the console's compatibility with NES/Famicom games, which exhibited graphical and audio issues in some cases when played on the NEX.[15][22][26] Critics also disliked the soft, squishy buttons on the redesigned controllers.[15][16][22][25] The NEX's importer, Lik Sang, canceled its pre-orders in November 2005, following the console's poor reception.[27] Reviewers for IGN gave a positive review. They considered the console an improved version of the original NES, while writing that the new counterpart did not present any noticeable graphic issues.[16] Christopher Grant of Engadget was critical of IGN's review, noting that it did not address the compatibility issues brought up in other reviews. Grant wrote, "IGN devotes the majority of the review to the pretty packaging, nice design, and wireless controllers, glossing over the compatibility. Don't they know: it's the games, stupid."[26]
Shane Hirschman of CraveOnline reviewed the console a year after its release, and he also considered it an improvement over the original NES: "Given the Generation NEX's inexpensive price, high-quality, and efficient game play, gamers of all types will be pleased to see the NES is back and better than ever."[17] Ben Kuchera of Ars Technica also reviewed the console a year after its release, and gave a mixed review. Kuchera found few issues involving graphics and audio, but he also considered the console's $60 price too high. Kuchera preferred the feel of the original NES controllers, and considered the wireless controllers too expensive as well.[25] Kuchera subsequently wrote that the Generation NEX "muddies the image so badly" that "you're doing yourself a disservice by playing the games so compromised."[28]
My Arcade Micro Player
Micro Player is a series of famiclone-based miniature arcade cabinets[29] sold by dreamGEAR, a video game accessories company based in Torrance, CA,[30] under the My Arcade brand.[31] Several examples of game cabinets sold under this brand are Pac-Man, Dig Dug, Galaga, and Bubble Bobble.[32]
The cabinets feature artwork from the originals, and utilize licensed NES ports of the games included on them, with Nintendo copyright information removed.[29] The mini arcade cabinets were relatively popular due to their low price. They also released consoles containing these games with a handheld form factor.[33]
DreamGEAR also manufactures several handheld consoles containing multicarts. However, since the consoles are sold in the US, they contain few pirated games, as to avoid legal action. The consoles instead contain various shovelware games by Chinese companies such as Nice Code Software, JungleTac, and Waixing Technology. Several variants contain licensed Data East games.[34]
Patents
These are Nintendo Entertainment System related patents:[35]
- Utility patents
- U.S. patent 4,687,200
- U.S. patent 4,799,635
- U.S. patent 5,070,479
- U.S. patent 5,207,426
- U.S. patent 5,426,762
Clones by region or country
Arabian Peninsula
The most popular famiclone in the 1990s were Rinco Home Computer and Al Sagr distributed by Ramar International Ltd, that previously sold Atari 2600 clones in the region, which also proved to be popular. Ramar translated some of the games into Arabic and published few unique bootleg games like The Dragon.[36][37] In the same time, Nintendo officially distributed its products here,[38][39] but it is unknown if they took legal actions against famiclones sellers.
Argentina
The Family Game was manufactured by the Argentine company Electrolab S.A.[40][41] They distributed Super Family Electrolab Ending-Man (based on Ending-Man Terminator clone) and Electrolab Family Game with official distribution of Supervision.[42] At the peak of its popularity, its sales amounted 95% of the argentinian console market.[43]
According to an interview with Eddy Kiersz, CEO of Electrolab, they paid royalties to Nintendo both to sell the "famiclones" and to import the games, with the condition that they would not export them outside of Argentina. He also mentioned that Nintendo itself put them in contact with the Taiwanese company NTDEC which built the Famicom, to design the "Family Game.[44] This is not true and Eddy Kiersz confused Nintendo of America with the American subsidiary of NTDEC, whose full name was Nintendo Electronic Co.[45]
Other known consoles are NTD Family Game (distributed by NTD Electronica Argentina),[46] Son Son,[47] Froggy Family Game (distributed by BTE Electronics SA[48]), Rasti (distributed by Rasti SA[49]), Micro Genius, Family Game and Goodboy (distributed by Tec Toy Argentina),[50] Edu Family Game (distributed by Videogames EDU S.A),[51]Turbo Game (distributed by La Roque S.A),[52] Super Game City (by Top Games),[53] Asder PC-95 (distributed in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay by M.S Trade and Commerce)[54] and Hyper Boy (by Honson Games).[55]
Another popular brand of famiclones were made by Bit Argentina and that is Bitgame,[56] Super Bitgame and Video Racer.[57] In 1992, Nintendo entered the Argentina market with H.Briones Argentina S.A. as representative[58] and Bit Argentina was awarded as official distributor with the rights to still sell famiclones.[59]
In 1993, more than 180,000 8-bit systems sold in the country were famiclones and only 12,000 units authentic NES systems. Nintendo took legal actions against distributors of clones. Argentina was one of the countries on Special 301 Watch List from 1994 due to huge intellectual property issue and authors of the report classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very Severe" (50%-100%).[45]
Australia
Since 1989, Centronics Systems distributed the Spica IQ-701 along with games and multicarts in custom-made boxes.[60] Nintendo sued the distributor and the consoles were withdrawn from further sale.[61] Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).[45]
Baltic States
The most known clone in these countries is Zhiliton which looks like the Sega Mega Drive model I. Due to the small market of these countries, there are also other clones such as Dendy, UFO, Subor, Liko, Terminator 2 and Fei Hao.[62][63][64] Since 1993, Interpons company has been the supplier of Nintendo products (NES, SNES, Game Boy) in the Baltic countries, but these products were described by the local press as too expensive for the average citizen.[65][66]Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very Severe" (50%-100%).[45]
Belarus
One of the first clones that arrived to Belarus was Zhiliton. Later, the Dendy was released, which was the most popular clone in this region.[67] In 1994, Steepler, the producer of Dendy, reached an agreement with Nintendo to sell consoles in Russia and CIS countries with relinquished its claim to Dendy sales,[68] meaning that Nintendo did not take legal action against famiclones. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very Severe" (50%-100%).[45]
On April 18, 2025, the Belarusian government banned the import of the Dendy Junior DJ-300, one of the Russian clones of the original Dendy, due to the risk of electric shock.[69]
Benelux Union
According to Special 301 Watch List from 1994, Benelux shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems were classified as "Severe" (25%-50%). Famiclones sold in region were Mastergames Supercom SP-72, replaced in early 2000s by educational computers. Mastergames proudly wrote to retailers around the Europe, about selling 200,000 units only for 1 year in Germany, Benelux, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, Algeria without trouble from Nintendo. Regional distributors worked with police and custom service to search for clone retailers.[45]
Brazil
Since 1989, Famicom- and NES-compatible consoles were made and sold in Brazil by local companies, some of which also imported and sold original NES cartridges and consoles. The first Famicom-compatible system, called Dynavision 2, was released in 1989 by Dynacom and used joysticks similar to the Atari 2600.[70] The next system, Dynavision 3, had gamepads similar to Sega Mega Drive gamepads and had a dual slot that allowed both 60-pin and 72-pin cartridges. This was followed in the mid-1990s by Handyvision, a portable system that allowed video to be broadcast to the TV with a UHF transmitter.[70] Another company, Geniecom, produced a black-colored clone with headphone jacks on gamepads, and Game Genie code input. The NASA clone was similar to the original NES, but had two slots, a 72-pin on the front and a 60-pin on top. Brazilian manufacturers also produced cartridges, but ran into the problem of having two formats. Hydron company solved the issue by making two-sided cartridges - one side 60-pin, the other 72-pin.[70]
In 1993, Nintendo themselves arrived in Brazil and released the NES with the American cartridge slot. This official version was manufactured by Playtronic, a joint venture between the toy company Estrela and Gradiente.[71] Nintendo worked with customs service from Brazil to stop imports of famiclones and took legal actions against clones distributors. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).[45]
PolyStation, another popular clone was distributed from 2000 by Western businessman Ali Ahmad Zaioum, of Paraguayan-Lebanese origin. He also owns around 400 patents and trademarks supposedly created by him.[72] However, he was accused by the Paraguayan court of falsifying documents and information in order to obtain registration with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Paraguay.[73]
Caribbean
Though the official NES was distributed in most Caribbean countries by Itochu de Venezuela,[74] the Family clones were popular for those who could not afford it.
Colombia
In Colombia consoles named Creation, Super Creation, Nichi-man (manufactured by Micro Genius) and later on PolyStation were popular. Nintendo arrived in Colombia in early 1990s with help of ab compufax.[75] Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Limited" (5%-10%).[45]
Also, a recent famiclone, and of the Nintendo Switch, is the Nanica Smitch. It has 800 NES games built in, and has removable controllers, but the controllers look like Joy-Con, but instead the thumbsticks are replaced with d-pads. It was also sold as the Game Magic. However, this famiclone is available just in Colombia.
Czech Republic/Slovakia
Most known clones sold in this country are Terminator 2, Bel Game, PolyStation, Pegasus IQ-502, Video Game-GT3300 and Micro Genius.[76][77][78][79] Nintendo entered Czechoslovakian market in 1992 with Game Boy,[80] and in the next year, after split into two countries, Nintendo released SNES and NES.[81] It is unknown if distributor took legal actions against famiclones resellers. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).[45]
Denmark
In the mid-90s, many Danish markets sold Mastergames Supercom SP-72, but as in other Western countries, Nintendo quickly tracked down the distributors, sued them, and won in 1996. Most of the stock was destroyed by a bulldozer and the event was broadcast on TV as a warning to other pirates.[3] Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Limited" (5%-10%).[45]
Egypt
Originally, famiclones sold in Egypt were the same as the ones sold on the Arabian Peninsula- primarily the Rinco Home Computer 3600. Many games by Sachen were sold there, as well as in other parts of North Africa.[82] Later on, famiclones designed to look like later generation consoles such as the PlayStation series began to be sold. There were also ones designed to look like home computers. These were often packed with multicarts.[83]
Finland
Some of the games shops marketed a few famiclones with yellow carts like Terminator 2[84] or promoted unlicensed NES games like Action 52.[85] Nintendo took legal actions against distributors, and in 1994 the biggest seller of pirate games and consoles had to pay damages of $75,000.[86] Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).[45]
Some misunderstanding was also caused by a joke article on April 1 in a Finnish and Swedish magazine about the new Scandinavian console called Viking X, whose design was taken from the Micro Genius IQ-301, which is why some journalists believed it to be real.[87]
Germany/Austria/Switzerland
Few famiclones were released in the region like VidiTex VT-720, sold by Ultra-Sat Vierhaus and Master Games Supercom SP-27.[88][45] Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified markets shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).[45]
Greater China
The market of People's Republic of China opened to the console in late 1980s, but high customs made imported consoles such as the Famicom very expensive. This is why local companies began producing cheaper clones which created a large grey market for unlicensed consoles and games.[89] Counterfiet Nintendo was sold in great quantities primarily in large cites of Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and cities of Guandong Province. In 1994, Beijing was the place where more than 10,000 stores sold famiclones and 50% of families used to have one. Some of the stores claimed that record sales were 10,000 units of cartridges in just one day. At that time, there were already factories producing clones of Game Boy games and consoles, and the first cases of pirated games for the Super Nintendo.[45]
One of the most popular was Xiǎo Bàwáng or Little Bawang (Chinese: 小霸王; lit. 'Little Emperor or Little Tyrant') by Subor, which claimed to be one of the largest producers of video games in China.[90] They marketed Super Mario Bros as Super Brothers II, and Tetris as Russian Bricks II. Another company called New Star, also claimed to be market leader with 15% shares of the Chinese market, largest distribution network of 300 retailers and more than 300 cartridges. Many brands and producers existed like Nanbeng Co. Ltd, Jichang Electronics Co.,Ltd and more. Most of the local manufacturers began distributing console to other countries, which made China one of main hubs of famiclone production.[45] Certain models were officially advertised by Jackie Chan.[91]
Nintendo saw the market potential and decided to enter China in 1994, with Game Boy and Super Nintendo but it did not include NES, because according to company it was commercially impossible to market it. Due to lack copyrighy enforcements and border control it could not fight piracy.[92] Until late 1993, pirates manage to sell 20 million units of all type of famiclones across China and by late 1995, the number increased to 30 million.[93] China was one of the countries on Special 301 Watch List from 1994 due to huge intellectual property issue and authors of the report classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very Severe" (50%-100%).[45]
The popularity of these devices continued in the People's Republic of China in the 2000s, due to the fact that in June 2000, the Chinese government decided to ban all video game consoles.[94] Since the mid-1990s Chinese manufacturers have been selling the latest Famiclone models as an educational computer with a keyboard and a cartridge with simple educational games. It turned out Chinese authorities allowed the further sale of that devices, not recognizing it as console, which resulted in next clone models from other manufacturers as well as new unlicensed games, miscellaneous programmes like Windows 98 or ports of newer games for 8-bit Nintendo such as Resident Evil (Bio Hazard), Tomb Raider or Final Fantasy VII.[95][96][97] The full number of clones and units sold in China is still unknown. At the same time, Nintendo adapted to new regulations and entered the market with remodeled consoles through iQue.
In Taiwan, Famicom release was pretty limited.[98] Many companies, such as NTDEC or Micro Genius, were established in Taiwan and sold famiclones locally and internationally. According to Special 301 Watch List from 1994, around 130 manufacturers and trading companies were breaking the law and next 70 was suspected of doing that. Many Taiwan producers move their assembly operations to Mainland China in order to import into the country key video game components. This made Taiwan one of the most important hubs for the production of clones. In order to stop it Nintendo made dozen lawsuits against producers and retailers. It also tried to work with custom servic, but system was not effective[99][45]
Hong Kong had legal Famicom distribution as first,[100] but piracy was spreading here, because companies from China and Taiwan had here its sells agent or manufacturing plants. Infringement actions and support from customs services were present here. Both Hong Kong and Taiwan were one of the countries on Special 301 Watch List from 1994 due to huge intellectual property issue and authors of the report classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very Severe" (50%-100%).[45]
Greece
From 1990, Greek Software marketed BIT 72 and Redstone (which used NES cartridges) as a competitor to officially distributed Master System.[5][101] In 1991, Nintendo entered the Greek market,[102] and took legal actions against importers, but clones were still sold in video game stores like Action Set - Family 52 from 1991 by Computer Market,[103] Crazy Boy distributed from 1993 by Multi Logi[104] and Mastergames Supercom SP-72. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Severe" (25%-50%).[45]
Hungary
Nintendo entered the Hungarian market in 1991 with Game Boy and NES,[105] and every clone was referred to as Sárga Kazettás Nintendo (Nintendo with yellow carts).[106]
Iceland
Nintendo was in this region from the early 1980s,[107] but stores distributed clones like Crazyboy,[108] Redstone,[109] NASA (compatible with NES),[110] Action Set,[111] NTDEC[112] etc. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).[45]
India
In 1987, Nintendo released the NES under the name Samurai marketed by Samurai Electronics.[113] According to company owner Mahesh Toshniwal, despite initially good sales, China and Taiwan introduced clone consoles, priced 25% lower than Samurai, and multicarts priced 10% lower than games. Sales went down, and Samurai initiated legal action against the "Samurai" Micro Genius and informed Nintendo representatives, which did not made it better due to poor Indian law, resulting official NES sales dying out in 1993. Another version of events claims that Samurai registered the Micro Genius name by itself in 1991 and sold the clones as its own alongside the legitimate NES, but Mahesh Toshniwal refused to confirm this.[114][115][116][117] In 2008, Samurai would return in cooperation from HCL Infosystems as Nintendo dealer of Nintendo Wii and DS.[118]
Until the late 1990s, the demand for 8-bit clones became very high in India. There were around 55 brands in the country at the time such as Media Entertainment System (selling Little Master and Wiz Kid), Mitashi (selling Cricket), Mega, Sameo and others.[119][120]
Indonesia
Many famiclones from various producers, compatible with NES or Famicom, were rebranded and sold by Spica.[121] Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).[45]
Iran
The most popular brand of clones were these, made by Micro Genius (simply called here Micro) and distributed from 1992.[122] One of the most popular games were Super Mario Bros. (called locally Mushroom Eater[123]), Contra, Duck Hunt, Double Dragon, Mega Man etc.[122] Other clones include consoles like Super Semtoni,[122] Terminator 2, etc.
Israel
In early 1990s, besides the original NES,[124] a huge hit was Super Megason, distributed from 1992 by Megason Entertainment Centers Ltd. and produced by Leader Design from Hong Kong. Megason advertised it with 500 different games available in the shops.[125][45] In 1993, existed at least 6 distributors of famiclones[45] selling Micro Genius, Goodboy, Terminator B.S 550, Hitex,[126] Family Game, etc.
Italy
Besides clones sold by its original names (like PolyStation[127]), there are a lot of consoles rebranded by distributors and sold with new names like Cartobit[128] (known elsewhere as Mega Power II), Top Consolle (known elsewhere as Terminator 2),[129] MegaTronix (knoen elsewhere as Mastergames Supercom SP-72),[130] Argo Video Game System[131] (known elsewhere as P-60), MARgame (known elsewhere as Micro Genius IQ-901)[132] and Amstrad NN-900 (known elsewhere as PolyStation 2).[133] Nintendo was here from 1986,[134] and took legal actions against importers. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Severe" (25%-50%).[45]
Japan
Japan, despite being the Famicom's place of origin, is one of the most active markets for famiclones, although, almost all products are from the modern post-patent era.[135]
Latin America
These systems were released in the early 1990s and were referred to as Family.[136] It competed with the original NES provided by C.Itoh.[137] These clones remained famous in certain parts of the region and for example, PolyStations proved to be popular in parts of Costa Rica even in 2015.[138] Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Limited" (5%-10%) in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, "Moderate" (10%-25%) in Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, "Severe" (25-50%) in Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela and "Very severe" (50%-100%) in Argentina and Uruguay. Actions against clone importers were launched in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Mexico and Panama.[45]
Mexico
Like in the rest of Latin America, the official version of NES was sold by C.Itoh/Itochu Mexico,[139] but in poorer places with less access to supermarkets or shops with toys and electronics, popular way of play were clones called by everyone Family,[140] mostly resembling Famicom or sometimes Super Famicom, sold with 72 pins adaptor for NES games. The certain retailers in early 1990s also tried to create a brand and actively promote clones like MasterGames and games with Spanish manuals.[141] Through the next years, Mexico got many other famiclones like educational computers or consoles mostly resembling the new generation ones, for example PlayStation. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Severe" (25%-50%) and stated that distributor took part in actions against piracy.[45]
Mongolia
Famiclones were brought to Mongolia from China and the most popular is Subor.[142]
North Korea
Micro Genius consoles were sighted being played by children in the Songdowon International Children's Camp in 2008.[143]
Norway
Chinese Jichang Electronics Co.,Ltd., sent a promotional offer for retailers to produce a famiclones. The offer fell into Unsaco AS hands (distributor of Nintendo), which took actions against piracy. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified Norwegian and Swedish market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Limited" (5%-10%).[45]
Paraguay
The country was one of the regions on Special 301 Watch List from 1994 due to huge intellectual property issue and authors of the report classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%). The main reason was poorly adopted trademark law which caused other companies to not only buy the rights to the Nintendo brand but also prevent the Japanese manufacturer from advertising its products under that name. Nintendo, reached an agreement with the government, which started slow changes of law. In the meantime, the government began successful raids on game stores to confiscate pirated systems, but the problem continues. The biggest issue, was not the Paraguayan market itself, but its location. The port became one of the most important locations for smuggling pirate stuff, which later found its way to countries such as Argentina and Brazil. It is estimated that by 1994, 10 milion bootleg game cartridges had been transported through the port.[45]
Panama
Panama was another country on Special 301 Watch List from 1994 due to huge intellectual property issue. Like Paraguay, it was a transit point for many pirated stuff, primarily heading to Argentina. Beside imports, in the country existed special factories that assembled game cartridges.[45]
Poland
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In Poland, Pegasus was marketed by BobMark International., company established in 1991.[144] In its lifespan, BobMark sold three models: MT-777DX, Super Pegasus and IQ-502.
In 1994, changes in Polish copyright law resulted that BobMark get rid of bootleg games and bought license to software published by Codemasters, Sachen and Western Technologies and distribute them in Asian cartridges.[145] In late 1994, Nintendo entered Polish market[146] so BobMark began to sell official Sega products.[147] From that time Pegasus brand began to slowly lose its importance due to more cheaper clones[148] and new generation consoles with last models sold until late 1990s.[144] The Pegasus reportedly sold more than 1 million units.[148]
Other popular famiclones in Poland are for example BS-500AS, also known as Terminator, Gold Leopard King (GLK),[149] Polystation,[150] Fenix or Family Game.[151]
Nintendo took legal actions against small sellers of famiclones and cartridges producers,[152] but they never sued Pegasus distributors. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very severe" (50%-100%).[45]
Portugal
Most of these clones were called Family Game. Games and consoles were very easy to find[153] even after 1991 when Nintendo entered the market and fighting piracy.[154] Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).[45]
Quebec
Micro-Genius versions of Famicom games were a large part of the gaming market in Quebec throughout 1989-1990, with dozens of games selling thousands of copies in flea markets, independent game stores, and video game rental stores. Notably, Micro-Genius' version of Super Mario Bros 3 was sold extensively throughout Quebec for months ahead of its official North American NES release. Montreal was described as a major international thoroughfare for Micro-Genius sales, with a network of Taiwanese importers acting as a distribution nexus for Micro-Genius games and consoles, to such an extent that most of the cartridge labelling was bilingual to respect the Quebec-specific language Charter of the French Language laws, despite being illegal pirate games. This culminated in Nintendo issuing injunctions against 68 retailers, and the Sureté du Québec seizing several tens of thousands of Micro-Genius cartridges in December 1990, as part of a crackdown on the import and sale of illicit Micro-Genius games from Taiwan. As a result of this extensive market history, Micro-Genius games have become a prized collector's item especially in Quebec. Although Micro Genius did sell some IQ-501 Famiclone consoles in Canada, almost the entire pirate market was composed of Micro Genius cartridges with an adapter to play them on a legitimate NES console.[155] Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).[45]
Romania
In Romania, several NES clones could be found in toy stores under marketing names such as Polystation, Terminator, or variations of Famicom BASIC keyboard compatible consoles and these consoles were shipped with games such as '999999 in 1 which consisted of around 6 games in one cartridge and the rest were different levels of these games. The games and series consisted mainly of Super Mario, Bomberman, Lunar Pool, Double Dragon 3, Star Soldier, and Ninja Ryukenden 3.
Nintendo entered the Romanian market in the mid-1990s,[156] but they did not bother with famiclone sellers.
Russia and the former Soviet union
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The Dendy (Russian: Де́нди) was a hardware clone of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) popular in Russia and other former Soviet countries. Dendy is an NTSC console with forced PAL (SECAM on early models) mode, like Pegasus. Released in 1992 by the Steepler company, the Dendy was easily the most popular video game console of its time there, and enjoyed a degree of fame roughly equivalent to that experienced by the NES/Famicom in North America and Japan. Business was so successful that the company spawned its own TV show about Dendy on Russian TV, and created stores all across Moscow and St. Petersburg, promoting and selling the console and its cartridges. Also, a cartoon about the "Dendy Elephant", the character on the console's logo, was filmed but not finished.
In 1994, Steepler, the producer of Dendy, reached an agreement with Nintendo to sell consoles in Russia and CIS countries with relinquished its claim to Dendy sales,[68] meaning that Nintendo did not take legal action against famiclones. Instead, Steepler began suing other pirates. The company had a registered trademark for Dendy in Russia, which meant that any pirate who used their logo was breaking the law.[157]
The Dendy reportedly sold 6 million units.[68] Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very severe" (50%-100%).[45]
Dendy had competition in form of Subor, Bitman and Kenga.[158] After Dendy there were also other clones like Simba's and Magistr.[159][160]
South Africa
In South Africa, clones, known as "TV Games", were widely available. One popular clone available in the early 1990s was the Golden China; while another was Reggie's Entertainment System, named after the toy store chain that sold it;[161] Older models looked like the Famicom but newer models resembled the PlayStation, like the TeleGamestation which also had a "mini tower" version with keyboard, and black/white monitor, to include educational software. These TeleGamestations have cartridges around half the size of the original Nintendo Entertainment System games, and although most games were cracked from there, some were also taken from the Master System. The box advertised "dazzling graphics" and the monitor on the box set features a modern-day at the time, soccer game. Games could be bought in chain stores or on the market or certain stores. Most cartridges were multi-packs, or many games within one cartridge. In some cases, games have had their names removed, and in some cases the original name of the game (for example, Dr. Mario was renamed "Medical Hospital").
Nintendo entered the South African market in 1992[162] and took legal action against Golden China for importing copied games.[163] Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very severe" (50%-100%).[45]
Southeast Asia
In Southeast Asia, the Micro Genius was sold as an alternative to the Famicom. It originated from Taiwan in the late 1980s and uses 60-pin cartridges, most of which are multicarts. The Micro Genius had some original games, including Chinese Chess and Thunder Warrior. Starting from 1990, Nintendo sued local video games shops for selling unlicensed systems.[164] Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Limited" (5%-10%) in Thailand, Vietnam, "Moderate" (10%-25%) in Indonesia, Timor East and "Severe" (25%-50%) in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei. Distributor from Singapore partaken in legal actions against importers[45]
South Korea
Starting from 1989, to late 2000s, more than 100 famiclones were marketed in South Korea by different companies like Batman/Family Computer II, Kuk Je Academy K-007, Family Computer GH-100 (by Gihan Electronics), Family Computer (by Modowa), GamDori, Joycom, Viking, Supercom, Pascal, Noriteul, Little Com and many more.[165]
The official NES console was marketed by Nintendo in South Korea under the name Hyundai Comboy. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Severe" (25%-50%), with distributor trying to fight piracy.[45]
Southeast Europe
First clones were sold as Micro Genius[166] or simple clones called Family Computer[167] that looked like Famicom.[168] When Sega released Mega Drive, most pirates wanted to mislead buyers giving a cheaper and similar looking clone, mostly called Terminator. The same situation was with Super Nintendo and most known 8-bit ripoff of this one was sold as SP-60.[169] Nintendo created distribution networks in every country of the region between 1992 and 1995.[169][170][171] In some of the countries, Nintendo took legal action against shop that sold these clones,[169] but in other countries, distributors of Nintendo did not react.
Soviet Union
Before the Dendy craze emerging after end of USSR, a rare famiclone made by Bit Corp, called the BIT70, was sold in state-owned stores across the Soviet Union, starting from around 1989. Due to its high price and poor marketing, the clone went practically unnoticed and is now largely forgotten.[172]
Spain
Nintendo distributed the NES here from 1987,[173] but clones were very popular even with good copyright law and legal actions against importers, which was not common in Western countries. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very severe" (50%-100%).[45] The most common were these from the NASA and Creation brands (which are nearly the same, being the console name printed on the front the only difference), compatible with NES and Famicom games. It originally used the same chipset as the Dendy, manufactured by United Microelectronics Corporation, but manufacturers later used the NOAC ASICs. The NASA clones were sold by Gluk Video, a company known for releasing many unlicensed games for NES in Spain. Besides NASA they distributed clones such as Micro Genius, Yess and Silver Shadow.[174][175]
Other known clones sold here are MasterGames, Nippon'do,[176] Terminator 2, etc.
Thailand
Thailand's best selling famiclones were models from the Family brand - FR 102 and FR 202, introduced by Family TSI Ltd.[177] Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Limited" (5%-10%), but some of the commentators stated that could be much more in later years.[45]
Turkey
The most popular brand of clones is Micro Genius, distributed from 1988 by Aral İthalat,[178] with new model being released by them even in 21st century. There were also other brands like Home Computer (by Emek Elektronik),[179] Star Trek[180] Game Star, Kontorland[181] and Fun Time.[182] Nintendo products were sold here as well,[183] but it seems that they did not bother with clones.
Ukraine
One of the most known clone in this country is Dendy. There were also other brands like Kenga which were very widespread in Ukraine.[184] Kenga even had a TV show called Kenga Predstavlyaet![185]
Within the Donetsk region, the Atlantida company sold a Dendy competitor, the Jippy game console, which was a clone of Ending Man. The console also used a mascot similar to Dendy - a similarly dressed hippopotamus named Jippy. It had headphone jacks and switches to activate the "turbo-pause". According to various estimates, 15,000 copies were sold, including 5,000 in Moscow, Russia. A TV show Jippy Club was produced on the local Donetsk TV station. The project closed in 1994.[186]
In 1994, Steepler, the producer of Dendy, reached an agreement with Nintendo to sell consoles in Russia and CIS countries with relinquished its claim to Dendy sales,[68] meaning that Nintendo did not take legal action against famiclones. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Very severe" (50%-100%).[45]
United Kingdom
Famiclones in the UK were not popular and only a few like the Scorpion 8, sold by Interactive Enterprises,[187] Good Boy by DGM Limited[188] or DAC by Digital Audio Corporation[189] were sold. Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Moderate" (10%-25%).[45]
United States
During the life of the NES, famiclones were very rarely distributed and more common was sale of unlicensed video games produced by foreign companies such as NTDEC, which often resulted in lawsuits from Nintendo.[99] Power Player Super Joy III was one of the clones sold in the US and was quickly discontinued in 2005, when Nintendo initiated a court case against sellers.[190] Special 301 Watch List from 1994 classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Limited" (5%-10%).[45]
Venezuela
In 1987, a new established company called Nintendo de Venezuela C.A began selling famiclones and bootleg games in self-made packaging. All consoles, games and accessories had the Nintendo logo, the boxes were translated into Spanish and had warranty cards, instructions and stickers to make everything look professional and official. It also registered most of the Nintendo trademarks and claimed to sell more than 1 milion units until late 1993. Venezuela was one of the countries on Special 301 Watch List from 1994 due to huge intellectual property issue and authors of the report classified market shares of counterfeit 8-bit systems as "Severe" (25%-50%).[45]
As competition, the original Nintendo products were sold by Itochu Venezuela S.A from in 1991 with NES being referred as "Nintendo el Original" to differentiate original one from famiclones.[191][192] After several years of legal disputes among themselves, Nintendo filed a lawsuit against the company in July 1995, which was ruled in their favor in 1999 and Nintendo C.A was obligated to pay damages and destroy all copies that were left in warehouses.[193]
Famiclone list
This is a non-exhaustive list of Famiclones:
- Active Game Master
- Arcade Action
- Asder PC 95
- Bitman (Russia)
- BitSystem (Dismac, Brazil)
- CherryBomb 2
- Classiq N
- Creation (Pakistan, India, made in China)
- Dendy:[68] Dendy, Dendy Classic, Dendy Junior, Dendy Junior II, Dendy Classic II (Steepler, Russia) and some post-Steepler famiclones, Dendy Megaboy (NewGame) - famiclone with LCD display
- Dr.Boy
- Dynavision (Dynacom, Brazil)[70]
- Family Boy
- Family Computer[165]
- Family FR102 / FR202
- Family Game[40][41]
- Fc Compact
- Flashback
- Fugi Home Game Computer
- Game Player
- Game Axe
- Gamax
- Game Station - Oiny One
- Game Theory Admiral
- Generation NEX
- Geniecom
- Gold Leopard King
- GunBoy (Brazil, 2000s)
- Handy FamiEight
- Hi-Top Game
- Intellig (Intelligence)
- Kenga KenKid, Kenga KenKid II (Russia)
- Kibord K-001, Kibord 003 (Simba's, Russia)
- Little Master (India, 1990s)[119]
- Mastergames Ending Man
- Mastergames Mega Power II
- Magic Computer (Dynacom, Brazil)
- Magistr: Matrix, Sniper, Kids, Geniy, Geniy 2, Bakalavr (NewGame, Russia)
- Mega Kid MK-1000
- Micro Genius[76][77][78][166]
- Mega Joy (I & II)
- Mitashi Game In Champ
- My Arcade Micro Player
- NASA Entertainment Computer System[70][110]
- Neo-Fami
- NES Video Game System
- N-Joypad/CD3900
- PC Game
- Pegasus[144]
- Phantom System (Gradiente, Brazil)
- Pocket Famicom
- Polystation
- Power Player Super Joy III
- Retrocon
- Retro Duo
- Rumble Station
- Simba's (Russia)
- Soccer Station
- Spica (Indonesia, 1990s)
- Subor SB-218, SB-286, SB-486, SB-926, SB-2000[90]
- Sup Gaming Famiclone
- Super 8
- Super 8 bit game
- Super Com 72
- Terminator 1, 2, 3 and Ending Man[84]
- Top Game (Brazil)
- Turbo Game (Brazil)
- Tristar 64
- V~Com (Indonesia, 2000s)
- V~Com Portable aka Game Boy Clone (Indonesia, 2010s)
- VG Pocket Max
- X Play Vintage (Jimmy Ltda., Brazil, 2010s)
- WizKid (India, 1990s)[119]
- Wi Vision
- Yobo FC Game Console
Gallery
- Some popular Famiclones
-
Dendy Classic
-
Dendy Classic-2
-
Dendy Junior
-
Dendy Junior II
-
Ending-Man Terminator / Terminator 2
-
Family Game
-
GA-3060
-
Magic Computer PC-95
-
Nichi-man
-
Subor SB 978
-
FC Twin
-
FC Compact
-
FC Compact with built-in 500 games
-
Super Com SP-60 called also Super Com SP-72
See also
- Analogue Nt
- Micro Genius
- Power Player Super Joy III
- PolyStation
- PlayPower
- Video game console emulator
References
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- ↑ Da li ste "pržili" lažnu SEGU Megu? Template:Webarchive, Mondo.rs. Retrieved 2015–4–9.
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Gearty, Robert. (April 14, 2005) New York Daily News Video game pirates sunk. Section:News; Page 32
- ↑ Nintendo Applauds the FBI -- Four Arrested for Allegedly Distributing Pirated Nintendo Products. Business Wire (April 15, 2005)
- ↑ St. Paul Pioneer Press (November 19, 2005) Man gets five years in video game fraud. Section: LOCAL; Page 5B
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ ¿El PADRE del FAMILY GAME en ARGENTINA? ENTREVISTA a EDDY KIERSZ, ex dueño de Electrolab.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Historia "Pegasusa z klawiaturą" -- GLK-2004 et al. | (Mini) Time Warp
- ↑ Final Fantasy VII... na NES-a?! -- Famicomowy Bootleg
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Nintendo of America Inc v. NTDEC
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Template:If all (1995), [Script error: No such module "If empty". Text].Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ St. Paul Pioneer Press (January 20, 2005) Knockoff games allegedly sold at mall. Section: Local; Page B6
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".