List of Family Computer misconceptions

The following is a list of common misconceptions about the Family Computer.

All Famicom software is in Japanese

 * While there are plenty of examples of commercial Famicom software releases releasing in Japanese, there are also plenty of examples of releases being in English with a select few having the option to switch between both languages.

Famicon vs Famicom

 * It's pronounced Famicom since Famicom is short for Family Computer.

The Famicom Disk System is the Japanese version of the NES

 * The Famicom Disk System is an add-on for the Famicom and not its own console. The Famicom and Famicom Disk System are separate platforms.

The Famicom is a home computer

 * While Family Basic and Family Basic V3 can turn the Famicom into a computer, it is a video game console despite the name Family Computer.

The Famicom is just a Japanese NES

 * The Famicom and NES are different consoles. Both saw releases in different territories and Hong Kong is the only region to get both consoles. While they fall under the same general platform they are not the same console.

The Famicom is red because it was the cheapest plastic color to manufacture at the time

 * This is not true. The reason for the choice of the particular red color was due to an order from former Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi. At the time, Yamauchi was often seen with a scarf with a similar red color.

The Famicom released during The Video Game Crash of 1983 (or Atari Shock)

 * The video game crash of 1983 was primarily an issue in the United States. The Famicom did not suffer through the effects of this crash due to the console releasing in Japan where no such crash existed. The crash is the main reason for the Famicom to be redesigned as the NES when it released 2 years later overseas.

The Famicom released on April 15, 1983

 * This is incorrect, the Famicom released on July 15, 1983.

The Famicom used disks instead of cartridges

 * The Famicom used cartridges just like the NES. Famicom disks came from an add-on Nintendo released in 1986 called the Family Computer Disk System which only saw a release in Japan and Hong Kong.