Key Takeaway: In 1985, Nintendo stuffed leftover 60-pin Famicom boards inside 72-pin NES cartridges to meet US launch demand. Gyromite is the most likely game to have one. You can identify it without opening the case by weight alone: a cart with an adapter weighs 4.5 to 4.7 oz versus the standard 3.8 oz.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a NES Famicom adapter?
A NES Famicom adapter is an internal converter Nintendo built into a small number of 1985 US launch cartridges. Because Nintendo didn't have enough 72-pin NES boards ready in time, they used leftover 60-pin Famicom boards from Japan and housed them inside a plastic adapter that fit the NES cartridge shell. The adapter made the Famicom board function normally in a US NES console.
Which NES games are most likely to have a Famicom adapter inside?
Gyromite has the highest probability by far — it's the gold standard for adapter hunters. Stack-Up, Baseball, Wrecking Crew, and Pinball have a medium chance. Most other 1985 launch titles like Duck Hunt, Excitebike, and Wild Gunman have a low chance. About 90% of NES collections we buy don't have a single Famicom adapter in them.
How can I tell if my NES game has a Famicom adapter without opening it?
Three ways. First, weigh it — a standard NES cart is 3.8 oz; a cart with an adapter is 4.5 to 4.7 oz. Second, check the screw count — adapter carts are always 5-screw with no plastic tabs. Third, look at the gold connector pins on the bottom — adapter carts have a small gold tail on the bottom left of each pin that standard boards don't have.
Are NES games with Famicom adapters worth more?
Yes, but not dramatically. Adapter copies typically sell for $40 to $50 compared to standard prices for the same title. The catch is they sit on the shelf longer because it takes the right collector to want one. Most buyers today collect them for the novelty of owning a piece of the NES launch history rather than for any gameplay reason.
Can I use a NES Famicom adapter to play Japanese Famicom games?
Yes. Once removed from the donor cartridge shell, you can plug any 60-pin Japanese Famicom game into the top of the adapter and insert the assembly into your NES. Top-loader NES consoles work perfectly. Front-loaders work too but can be difficult to remove without attaching a pull string or ribbon first.
