In 1985, Nintendo used leftover 60-pin Famicom boards to meet US launch demand. To make them work in 72-pin NES consoles, they were housed in a secret internal adapter.
60-Pin NES Internal Famicom Adapters
This is what we've learned from buying and selling old Nintendo NES games, including how we spot NES games with rare Famicom adapters.
High-Probability Games
These 1985 launch titles are the most likely to contain the adapter. Gyromite is the gold standard for hunters.
| NES Game Title | Chance of Adapter | First Print Clues |
|---|---|---|
| 10-Yard Fight | Low | 5-screw, no tabs |
| Baseball | Medium | 5-screw, matte label, 4.5oz |
| Clu Clu Land | Low–Medium | 5-screw, no tabs |
| Duck Hunt | Low | 5-screw, matte label |
| Excitebike | Low | 5-screw only |
| Golf | Low | 5-screw, no tabs |
| Gyromite | Very High | 5-screw, no tabs, heavy 4.7oz |
| Hogan’s Alley | Low–Medium | 5-screw, matte label |
| Ice Climber | Low | 5-screw only |
| Kung Fu | Low | 5-screw, glossy label |
| Pinball | Low–Medium | 5-screw, no tabs |
| Stack-Up | Medium | 5-screw, heavy board |
| Tennis | Low–Medium | 5-screw, no tabs |
| Wild Gunman | Low | 5-screw, matte label |
| Wrecking Crew | Medium | 5-screw only |
3 Ways to Spot One (Without Opening the Case)
The Weight Test: A standard NES cart weighs - 3.8oz. A cart with an internal adapter weighs -4.5-4.7oz due to the extra PCB and plastic.
The Screw Count: Look for 5-screw cases (screws in all four corners plus the center). 3-screw cases (using top plastic tabs) almost never contain adapters. We also have a detailed article explaining why Nintendo made 5-screw and 3-screw games, and what sets them apart.
The Pin Symmetry Test: Look at the gold connector pins on the bottom of the cartridge. A standard NES board has perfectly symmetrical pins. If the cartridge has a Famicom adapter, the gold pins look different. Each pin has a small gold "tail" on the bottom left, but not on the right.
Identification Clues
- If there’s no "Rev-A" on the back label or box, that’s a clue. The Nintendo Seal also helps determinewhich games have these adapters.
- No "Made in Japan" or Model Number (e.g., NES-EX-USA) on the front label.
- Matte Labels: Early "First Print Black Box" games with duller, non-glossy labels are more likely to be first-print adapter runs.
Market Reality: How Rare Are These?
I don't find these very often in collections. If I had to guess, 90% of the NES collections we buy don't have Famicom adapters. When we get a box with a bunch of 5-screw games, we feel them to check for weight differences.
- I used to have a customer who would come into my store, and we'd talk shop. He actually used the adapter to play Famicom games on his Nintendo. This customer is really the reason I became educated on the topic. But that was back in the early 2010s. Most buyers I encounter today just collect them for the sake of having them - for example, they'd rather own Excitebike with an adapter than a regular copy.
- I haven't had many memorable finds since they're so infrequent, but my employees always get excited when we get one in. "Hey boss, I found a Famicom adapter today!" These games sell for more money ($40-50 vs. regular prices), but they sit on the shelf longer than copies without the adapter. It takes the right buyer.
How to Use It
Once removed from the donor shell (like Gyromite), you can plug any 60-pin Japanese Famicom game into the adapter's top and insert the assembly into your NES.
- Front-Loaders: Be careful; it can be difficult to remove without a "pull string" or ribbon attached.
- Top-Loaders: Works perfectly with no modification.
The Wrap Up:
Ready to explore NES-to-Famicom adapters? Start by looking through your early NES cartridges. We buy old NES games, systems, and accessories online. Get a quick trade-in quote, fast cash payments, and free shipping for your games.
