Is this a NINTENDO CONSOLE!? - THE FAMICOMBOX STORY - RARE GAMING HISTORY

[@TopHatGamingManChannel]

Enjoy my work? Want an end credit? Do you want your questions answered at the end of these videos? If so consider supporting the show on Patreon.
www.patreon.com/user?u=4432923

[@joeyparkhill8751]

Richard what are your thoughts about Banjo-Kazooie being in Smash?

[@claytonmiller3754]

Im sorry I don't support patereon at all. Do you offer t shirts? Ole chap?

[@goldenfreddy4122]

@Solly vs. The Mole-Men Super Mario Bros2 + Doki Doki Panic Japanese Version = Super Mario USA

[@BlackPopeye44]

I'm still laughing at you coming for WatchMojo like that🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@jim1631]

I played a variant of this system in the U.S. while in the hospital. The hospital had one of these for patients that were bed sick for awhile. It was loaded with megaman so I played up my symptoms so I wouldn't have to leave as soon.

[@Larry]

I literally just got a Super Famicom Box last week!

[@TopHatGamingManChannel]

In that case, I may pop over to visit and feature you and that if you don't mind! I fly back to England in a few days!

[@Larry]

sweet, yeah be awesome to see you again :)

[@sidjtd]

We’re discussing the Famicom box here, not the Shoer Famicom box. Move along, sir! XD

[@flyhigh5908]

There is not escaping the bundy
He is literally everywhere

[@jaythepirateroberts6012]

stop trying to promote your channel Larry and go jogging or something.

[@davidmorin2818]

You should do a video on the super famicom version

[@SomeOrangeCat]

I actually saw one of those M-82 units at a Sears store, when I was a kid.

[@TARDIB]

I recall they had these in a different type shell and had them in limited stores and also had them in hospitals for kids most of the time on a rolling cart

[@nesskeaton]

Great video. A video about the Super Famicom version would be really cool.

[@brostenen]

I remember the Nintendo demo unit that they used to have in the toy store in my home town in Denmark. We used to play on it on our way home from school. I wanted one my self. Still do.

[@0311Mushroom]

When I was in Japan in 1988, I saw some of these in use in storefront arcades with the coinbox.
They seemed quite popular, with a lot of kids gathering around wayching or playing.

[@DJeimaXe]

3:15 What game is this please? Thank you.

[@blakfloyd]

I absolutely adored the digs at buzzfeed and watchmojo.

[@TheRestartPoint]

They had these in Dixons in the UK. We used to go there after school to play NES games for free.

[@give_me_my_nick_back]

They had more sililar devices like this based on various different nintendo platforms. Tthere was even a PS1 streaming machine for hotels.
As for why they used NES carts and controllers I think it was so that they could easily introduce the machine worldwide and did not needto worry about shop owners putting regular games in there and they had a control over what could be played in public.

[@grungyperry7530]

Yoh should make channel "Top Hat Wrestling Man!"

[@TopHatGamingManChannel]

Definitely considering it, I believe you are made to jump through tonnes of copyright hoops though if you put out wrestling content, which is the only thing that puts me off.

[@trelard]

@@TopHatGamingManChannel Do it man, your style of creating would work great covering wrestling.

[@Pittypatmatt]

Definitely my favorite channel on youtube. Thank you for the info on rare consoles and games.

[@Corfield81]

The last gamer has one, it was used in stores to demo the NES

[@jamesburchill7522]

The Last Gamer has everything because he's disgustingly wealthy.

[@Vlad-bu3mr]

@@jamesburchill7522 lol totally get why you think that but not really, got money thjats for sure but hes one of them buy everything twice sell one get yours free people lol

[@jamesburchill7522]

@@Vlad-bu3mr He had a mansion and game themed sports cars. I'm not hating, but it does making collecting a bit more simple when you don't have to hunt for bargains.

[@Vlad-bu3mr]

@@jamesburchill7522 its true and I was not saying that at all, but you earn it you get to spend it :) , iPeople who are born rich are kinda annoying but you start of poor or average and end up rich through work then fair play is all I can say

[@jamesburchill7522]

@@Vlad-bu3mr I'll give an example of why I don't buy half of that dude's shit. Let's assume that we are roughly the same age. 40. When I started working $4.25 an hour was minimum wage. So even if he worked (it was lower in Australia) 40 hours a week, that was only 400 a week. The prices he states he paid for tech and games via export, exceed his wages, especially considering he worked part time. He came from money, he continues to generate money. Again. I'm not hating. He's extremely passionate about gaming and has an awesome collection he shares with his family. I just hate all the "in my humble beginnings" shit he drones on about in his Story Mode videos.

[@afish2281]

I remember some systems in a local game shop in Montreal with almost the same idea. You pay the guy and give him the game you want to play, then you go into a back room to play the game for about 30 minutes. There was seemingly no system, the guy didn't insert the game, he just does a thing behind the counter and shows you what station to use.

[@djcarld]

I worked for a company called TrySoft in Bellevue, WA USA, and we had mall stores & Kiosks in the shopping malls in the area. We used the M82s for demo games for people to try. Our corporate office was at the Nintendo building in Redmond,WA. This brought back the good memories I had working there in 89-90!!

[@nicholascarson2554]

Shots fired at Watch Mojo and BuzzFeed! Lol! I love it!

[@nowhereman4217]

Yes of course you should make a follow up on the super famicom box. Might just have to become a patron of this fine channel

[@Arthrimus]

I'm digging the rate of output these days. I feel like I have a new Top Hat Gaming Man video every day.

[@TopHatGamingManChannel]

I love the grind!

[@tardistime6857]

I thought I knew the whole of Nintendo because of other UA-camrs . I found this video so informational, I loved it.

[@Winter_337]

My uncle used to manage a chain of stores in Southern New England in the States called Anne & Hope. When the chain closed, he got to take home a bunch of the display items and leftover merch. Aside from a bunch of the Kenner Star Wars toys he got to take, he left with an M80 Demo Unit and used that as their primary NES for many years. Unfortunately by the time I figured out what it was he'd sold it at a yard sale, not being much of a gamer so he had no idea what he had. Sad, but a cool memory I figured I'd share

[@ninedragons1]

I've seen the Nintendo M82 demo unit at Sears back in the 80's. I used to come to play on it all the time.

[@nicholascarson2554]

We actually had two different versions here in the US as well they are called the M8 and M82 display demo units.

[@GardevoirBoy]

You should do something about Princess Daisy in the 1990's! Daisy was ridiculed for having a Peach-like design and that's why many American gamers mistaken Daisy for Peach. She has made appearances in the manga during that decade.

[@RetroHamer]

I remember our local store in Ballymena having an M-82. I remember seeing how far we could get in SMB or high score in Gunsmoke before it would reset every 60 secs

[@Dex99SS]

It wasn't a cost cutting measure per say, but because they were for demonstration use, an owner would need the ability to swap out a compromised controller, gun, etc. . . So the newer, replaceable, non hard wired type made the utmost sense. In the end though, this was a NES/Famicom demo unit, though you aren't wrong... with bespoke cartridges, etc... In the states we basically had this as well, but they were a bit more transparent. With bespoke retailers having their own demo stands, etc, with the console housed inside. Usually running a demo cartridge. At times it was a bit more elaborate, with large arcade like buttons to select games. I never did see a multi cartridge device like any of these before though, not in any visible manner.

[@MagesGuild]

I used to have one of these--the Sharp model.
They were common in Japanese hotels in the mid 1980s to early 1990s, hence the coinboxes.
It was a fun toy, but short of making custom cartridges, that's about all, and my flashcards + Sharp Twin eventually made it a bit of a large doorstop. Still, it was always a joy to watch someone as their eyes crossed, seeing it for the first time.
Of course, I swapped the controller shells with those of a normal Famicom, so it lacked those uncomfortable, boxy corners. Why the hell did Nintendo decide that sharp corners would be more comfortable than the soft, rounded sides of the Famicom controllers?! Even the Sharp model had that design, albeit with their logo on them.

[@wisteela]

I think the black one may be the one I saw in a UK store.
Looking forward to the Super version.

[@WhatHoSnorkers]

Great video as always THGM. I'd have thought that the Famicombox would accept Famicom shaped cartridges! Superfamicom MORE interesting? Tell me more!
The coin-op aspect and the demo capability was really cool.

[@TsukiCondor]

As a long time Nintendo fan I knew this existed,I even remember people selling these cartridges on Ebay back in 2013 or 12

[@mattelder1971]

"In all technicality". Glad to FINALLY hear someone else use that phrase. I've used it for years and people have always looked at me funny for saying that!!

[@thegenerousdegenerate9395]

Excellent job containing that burgeoning tangent at the end there... I imagine that could have been quite long. Lol

[@betasequence4885]

Super famicon box video please :) thank you for your wonderful content, I genuinely love it when i see one of your videos pop up in my feed

[@matthewhauxwell9716]

I seem to remember the John lewis in Bristol having a M82 Machine in about 1991/1992. I don't know how common these where in the UK.

[@timothylewis2527]

Played a device like this when I was a kid. It was actually in a mall in Georgia. It made me want an NES and I was kinda shocked to only have super Mario Brothers and duck hunt when I finally got one.

[@physalis17]

Do the Super Famicom Box next please. That was very interesting. I remember playing Nintendo arcade machines that were basically NES in arcade cabinets.

[@MatthewOceanXVX]

"Big Daddy Top Hat" gets me every time ahahaha

[@kevingray5017]

My guess is that the removable NES controllers is likely so that if the controllers get broken by kids, you wouldn't have to replace the whole unit.
Great vid, would love to see some info on the Super Famicom box.

[@tenchuu007]

Yes, yes, YES! I tell people this about mega cities every time they ask where to visit. Get out of the main city, go to smaller cities and the countryside.

[@Artzei]

What i understand, that in the US there was something similar to this one, but obviously for the NES. EMEA countries i have no clue what so ever when it comes to this demo kiosk machine.

[@MrPoestyle]

Wow . Again , I never knew this existed . I think I want one . I definitely want a Super Famicom Box video !!!!

[@scottp.548]

Educate me Big Daddy Top Hat Gaming Man!

[@jpjokela1]

You forgot to mention the most important difference (at least some of) these demo units have: RGB output. Much better than Composite or RF that NES/Famicom can output natively.
On the other hand, iirc, the palette is slightly different, so some might prefer composite (or newer RGB solutions) instead.

[@Raphael_De_La_Ghetto]

Nice video THM👌🏾 I believe Gamester81 has one of these. These games you showed look amazing tho! Wish they were released stateside😓

[@TopHatGamingManChannel]

Thank you, I made a video two years ago on my picks for the Top 50 Famicom exclusives, if you want to know more about the games in this video. ua-cam.com/video/WlLhua9vjt0/v-deo.html

[@lionnelc13]

It's almost like at some point Nintendo had plans to release the Nintendo Entertainment System in japan, probably replacing the Famicom.
That would explain the "Nintendo Entertainment System" branding instead of "Famicom", the 72 pins cartridges and NES accessories, the specific lockout chip (probably a new variant meant to be used on Japanese NES games)
Also, in 1986, the original famicom design cloud have been already seen as "outdated" comparing to the others consoles on the market: The master system, the Atari 2800 and the upcoming Pc engine. All of them had a more "modern" design than the Famicom.
Also, the hardwired controllers severely limited the use of "accessories", unlike in the Us where they were booming.

[@leeg4116]

Awesome vid, dlI remember the nes one in my local Dixon's, do the super Famicom one though as never seen one of them and those cartridges look interesting

[@deaneireann4769]

Grew up in Ireland watching WCW on TNT, nitro and thunder... Then TNT became TCM and WCW moved to bravo a channel that I didn't have and then my childhood ended... I couldn't switch to watching the WWE. Just like the way I couldn't switch from Sega to Nintendo.. story of my Life.

[@TheRealKoltoroc]

not wtached it yet, That's the japanese version of the M82 demo unit, isn't it?

[@Utellglass]

Main facts start at 2:30

[@punkydudester3]

I remember seeing the M82 in Fres Meyer & ZCMI stores in the 80's

[@syntaxerror9994]

I got kicked out of a Target once for disabling the timer on a demo unit (just set the dip switches to 0)

[@mephosto]

love your obscure content, and love the british video game history.
is there any relationship to the nes arcade machines?
aew's biggest problem was a lack of refined gentlemen in top hats.

[@anonamatron]

That Pro Wrestling music is constantly stuck in my head, and I haven't even played the game probably since the 80s.

[@jrme4216]

the famicom box was also used in hotels and love hotels

[@tardistime6857]

I can’t wait for your video on the SNES box . I’ve learned so much from you videos then Wikipedia in the few years you have been doing UA-cam.

[@OnlyEpicEmber]

Hope this video goes well, I'm interested in the super Famicom box. Obviously I hope all of your videos do well because it's just nice, isn't it?

[@Mikey-zj8bn]

Sega really soulda worked with Sony once Nintendo turned them down edit when it said famicon box i figured u where talking about that Sony Nintendo thing in 93 that had the 7th guest running on it

[@jamiecampbell8855]

I love the madonna of the gaming world comment. As I child of the 8os, i love madonna and Nintendo (plus pet shop boys). Bizarrely, I was thinking about this today: these things are the great constants of my life, then watched this video and heard the comparison. Talk about synchronicity!

[@derekshropshire2513]

Never heard of this one. I do remember seeing the 12 cartridge nes one. Agreed with your soapbox wrestling talk. I took a few months off got a little burned out.

[@dr666demento]

The coin box version was intended for hotel use. Drop in a 100 Yen coin and you could buy (often 60) minutes of gaming.

[@djlamar2]

I can't wait to see your video on super famicom box because of this video :)

[@Gayestskijumpever]

You're right about wrestling, not really thought about it like that.

[@NimhLabs]

I'm just enjoying the 8bit Fire Emblem "Together We Ride" track being played.

[@warriorstar2517]

Hello, THGM. I had never heard of this console until I looked at the thumbnail, so it's an amazing retail secret!

[@AngelSeeker69]

Love the information you put there

[@BlackPopeye44]

How savage can Top Hat Gaming Man be? 2:24 Lmao WatchMojo look out

[@dyscotopia]

I don't care about wrestling at all but enjoyed your passion on the patron question. I think a better word for what you're describing is globalization tho. I do agree tho, that there can be more fire in any sport or art when it comes out of smaller communities, regardless of the background and makeup of the people in them.
We evolved to live in small groups so, ironically, everyone being connected can be disconnecting and alienating and what's put out there can feel the product of committee rather than community.

[@Jikyuu]

Super Potato in Ikebukuro has this, but alas it is not for sale.

[@hdofu]

OMG a new famicom box video!

[@SoftOtaku]

I *believe* these games can be played on an NTSC NES, though as you mentioned NES games won't play on this behemoth. I have multiple NES consoles and I own one of these, but I don't remember if I ever tried it. I think I was saving it for a video someday....
Do you have access to a Super Famicom Box for your next video? They are far easier to "procure" than the subject of this video.
Thanks!

[@TopHatGamingManChannel]

I do indeed, my friend Guru Larry has one!

[@SoftOtaku]

Top Hat Gaming Man I saw that in the comments after I posted mine. Good stuff. Carry on!

[@510newguy]

I wonder why they didn't just set it up to play regular famicom games so that retailers could swap them out based on what games they were trying to sell at the time. This seems like an odd decision.

[@x-crisis]

Only the most hardcore of gamers have the breath to blow hard enough on all 15 cartridges to get them working.

[@76ingit]

You remind me of the villain Marty Scurll. And that was before I even knew you were a wrestler.

[@TopHatGamingManChannel]

I know Marty personally, we even tagged once.

[@megagrey]

I feel ashamed, I could only recognize half of those Famicom-only games shown...

[@AcornElectron]

Obscure and brilliant! Keep up the good work fella!

[@Anutechtrwebgodz]

I still think you should do the super famicombox video anyway. Like for me. I had never known anything about this. I think this will give me good leverage with nintendo. I do need to come up with a game idea for nintendo.

[@davalddert5359]

Someone should make a one off that holds every physical nes game. Just because.

[@revjim123]

I believe Pat the NES Punk has one of these

[@ThickpropheT]

Can't believe I've never heard of the famicombx. Hoping to see that superfamicom box video. Very cool that you used to be a wrestler btw. Agree 100% on gaming becoming homogeneous. None of my friends understand why I'm so into retro games, but I'm like BRO shits all the same these days!

[@eugeneng1978]

What is the game at 3:38-3:43 ? Have been trying to find that game for ages, but do not know that game’s name.

[@SkyCharger001]

I remember seeing a system like this in some hotels (couldn't afford the rooms that had them though)

[@martinevans1206]

That’s the second time I’ve heard you refer to yourself as Big Daddy.

[@martinakesson4003]

Hello from sweden ,this is nice

[@kuricosmos]

Super Famicom Box next please :D

[@DeathPrevails77713]

Please make a video about the super famicom box.

[@claytonmiller3754]

Japenese m88 huh? Kool.

[@hwogrillo]

I'm completely with you on the state of wrestling. I don't think there's ever been any point in my life where I watched less of it. I want managers and gimmicks back. I've already had my fill of flippy indy matches. The Young Bucks ruined wrestling.

[@chikknlipps2058]

Great video!

[@maxwelsh6121]

A vintage wrestling focused channel would garner quite a bunch of views....Any chance you could list some of the games you used? I recognize kid Dracula, parodius, recca carnival 92. Goemon, a game ive seen rom hacked as "mario 11" , 3 eyes boy, wai wai world 1 and two and a couple more , but there are a few I'd be dying to know what they were...whats the fighter that looks like vectorman at 122? What at 2:35 that looks great in the enemy's look really familiar to me but not the player character. (236-2:41 is wai wai world 1 and 2, i highhhhly recc 2...)254, that shooter looks great...what is it? 3:41 , what game is that before Goemon ? Which two at 557/559? And the beautiful shooter at 8:03 (after it is recca)?
Anyone who answers , bless you.

[@TopHatGamingManChannel]

Find the video on my channel, Top 50 Famicom Exclusives - I talk through all of them in here!

[@maxwelsh6121]

@@TopHatGamingManChannel fantastic , no idea how i missed that one...

[@calibudz916]

What is the music playing the background

[@StojanOdVeles]

Will You do The SAM COUPE ?
Please :)

[@tardistime6857]

Very well made video.

[@derektorres6260]

Please do the super famicombox and what about the playchoice arcade machines

[@DaR-Cee]

I would be very interested seeing that Super Famicombox

[@rexxxx1984]

I had seen such a device few month ago on a flee market. Thy called for 3k €.

[@adarkstarborn]

what is the game in the video at 3:12

[@Loader2K1]

So...the Famicombox was a glorified Famicom which could be used to switch between games not unlike the Neo-Geo MVS, but instead of using FC cartridges, it used exclusive FC carts in the shape of NES carts, but didn't allow actual NES carts to be played on it. I'm not sure if that's retarded or genius. In any case, hypothetically, if I were to ever win the lottery, I'd definitely buy one of these off E-Bay, if not the Nintendo M-82 Demo Unit. Nice video, Top Hat. Keep up the good work.

[@kemy6775]

Wrestling talk. I have a new respect for you. Awesome.

[@TopHatGamingManChannel]

I was an Indy Wrestler for a decade and still take the odd booking here and there. I even had a short contract with TNA as part of their TV show - British Bootcamp season 2.

[@clover831]

Can anybody identify and list the titles of all the famicom game footage shown?

[@TopHatGamingManChannel]

They are all featured within the Top 50 Famicom exclusives video I made.