Muramasa Entertainment is now selling a version of the Famicom Disk System RAM Cartridge, but in a standard-sized *NTSC Nintendo Entertainment System cartridge. There are two versions available, but both are essentially the RAM cartridge only – You’ll still need to connect an original Famicom Disk System floppy drive, or an FDS emulator like the FDS Key to play games. One version is $200, has the cable built right into the cartridge and is meant for the **Top Loading NES, RetroUSB AVS, Analogue NT Mini and any other NES-alternative that’s built with enough accuracy to be compatible with hardware accessories. If you own a front-loader, Muramasa is also offering a $250 version that has an “Expansion Bridge” that routes the signals internally through the NES (no mod required!) and you can run both the FDS cable, as well as a cable for Famicom expansion accessories. It also enables Famicom expansion audio. More info and a demo video below the links:
NES Cart: https://www.muramasaentertainment.com/product/muramasa-disk-system-cartridge-cable-version/
NES Cart + Bottom Adapter: https://www.muramasaentertainment.com/product/muramasa-disk-system-cartridge-and-nes-expansion-bridge/
I strongly recommend watching the video below for all the details you’d need, but here’s a few more things to note. *First, this is for NTSC NES’ only, as the BIOS for the disk drive has hard coded timings that don’t work once you switch to PAL timings; It doesn’t run slower, it simply won’t work at all.
**Next, if you’re using a top-loader, you’ll need to make sure to do the Famicom expansion audio mod to it, for all the audio channels to pass through. That’s something you’d have to do, even if you were using all-original FDS hardware (and a Famicom to NES cartridge adapter), so that should be no surprise…I just wanted to remind you.
Next, the version with the cable built in is technically still compatible with the front-loader, but you’d also need an aftermarket cartridge tray that doesn’t push down. Plus, you’d have a cable sticking out the front of your NES. And you’d miss out on the expansion port options. So unless you want one to use on multiple NES revisions, I’d always get the full kit for front-loaders.
Lastly, the expansion port has the same connector as the Retro Time adapter, so you can also use their controller adapters with this! Muramasa is planning more accessories, including a wireless adapter and we’ll let you know when those are ready. Here’s the full video if you’d like more info and want to see it in action:
