Looking for a Famicom? Got one already? Here are some things you should know.

Original Family Computer (or Famicom)

Japan's Family Computer, released in modified form stateside as the NES, changed the face of gaming. From Mario to Mighty Bomb Jack, the games released for this console have carved out a place for themselves not only in history, but in the hearts of those who grew up with them. 

However, compatibility issues make it impossible to play Japanese Famicom games on the American NES. There are some adapters available that will allow you to play a selection of Famicom games on the Super Famicom or SNES, but nothing really compares to actually owning one of these pieces of gaming hardware history. 

So Where Should I Look for One?

The easiest answer is "online." Unless you happen to be in Japan at the moment, you'll be very hard-pressed to find a local business that deals in old import hardware. If you happen to be lucky enough to have such a place where you live, feel free to share in the comments below. 

Super Potato Flier and Map

At the time of writing, Ebay has listings ranging anywhere from $50 - $100 for used Famicoms. As always, buying used hardware on Ebay is a bit of a risk, so be sure to test it as soon as you receive it. A new, unopened Famicom will set you back at least $500, so it remains an option only for the most avid of collectors.

If you happen to be in Japan or planning a trip soon, you can save money by picking one up at a retro game store. While they can sometimes be hard to find, there are still a decent number of these stores across Japan. Some of the larger options include Super Potato in Akihabara, MANDARAKE in Nakano, and ゲーム探偵 (Geemu-Tantei) in Den-Den town Osaka.

Super Potato even carries special modified consoles with A/V output added instead of just the usual RF. This may not sound like a big deal, but to American buyers, it makes setting up the Famicom much easier.

How Do I Make this Thing Work?

Famicom Cleaning Guide from Super Potato

First thing's first: In stores like Super Potato, the power cables and RF adapter are sold separately from the consoles themselves. If you want your Famicom to work on anything other than an old Japanese CRT television, then you have to jump through a few hoops. Do Not Buy the Japanese RF Adapter. This modulates incorrectly for American TVs, and will only work on a Japanese one. If you do not buy the AV modified console, you will need an American NES RF adapter to get this to work. You will also need a TV that hits some pretty high channels; channel 95 to be specific. Here's a quick run-down:

• Buy an AV modded console if you can find one. Then it's just plug and play.
• To use the RF version (or un-modded console), you will need to plug it in using an American NES RF adapter.
• Set the channel to 95, and set the Famicom's channel switch to CH1. If this doesn't work, try scanning through your channels to see if it works on another one.
• While you must use an NES RF adapter, you SHOULD NOT use an NES power cable. The NES runs at a higher voltage than the Famicom, so using the power cable can burn out your Famicom.

If all else fails, you can try consulting any of the user-generated guides here.

We hope this helps, and wish you luck in your endeavors. Feel free to use the comments section below to share your thoughts/experiences/rage/etc. Now I'm going to get back to playing the Star Wars game where Darth Vader turns into assorted animals.