Nintendo Power (cartridge)

The Nintendo Power (Japanese: ニンテンドウパワー, Hepburn: Nintendō Pawā) is a Japan-only peripheral produced by Nintendo for the Super Famicom and the Game Boy. The service allowed owners to download Super Famicom or Game Boy games onto a special flash memory cartridge for a lower price than that of the full cartridge.

Nintendo Power
Nintendo Power flash cartridges for Super Famicom (SF Memory Cartridge) and Game Boy (GB Memory Cartridge)
DeveloperNintendo
Release dateSeptember 30, 1997
DiscontinuedFebruary 28, 2007

The Super Famicom version of Nintendo Power was released in late 1996.[1] The Game Boy Nintendo Power was released on March 1, 2000. The service as a whole was discontinued on February 28, 2007.[2]

History

Background

During the days of the Family Computer, Nintendo developed the Disk System, a disk drive expansion for the Famicom with expanded RAM which allows players to use rewritable disk media called "disk cards" at Famicom Disk Writer kiosks. The system was relatively popular but suffered from issues of limited capacity. However, Nintendo did see a market for an economical rewritable medium due to the popularity of the Disk System.

Nintendo's first dynamic flash storage subsystem for the Super Famicon was the Satellaview, a peripheral released in 1995 that facilitated the delivery of a set of unique Super Famicom games via the St.GIGA satellite network.

Release

The Super Famicom version of Nintendo Power was released in late 1996.[1]

The Game Boy Nintendo Power was originally planned to launch on November 1, 1999;[3] however, due to the 1999 Jiji earthquake disrupting production in Taiwan, it was delayed[4] until March 1, 2000.

Legacy

In 2003, Nintendo launched another game delivery kiosk network for the iQue Player in China.[5]

Usage

The flash writer at a Nintendo Power kiosk for adding games to flash cartridges

A user would first purchase the RAM cartridge itself, then bring it to a store which had a Nintendo Power copier.[6] The player would select games to be copied to the cartridge. In addition, the store would provide the purchaser with a printed copy of the manual for the game. Game prices varied,[1] with older titles being relatively cheap, and newer titles and Nintendo Power exclusives being more expensive.

Due to being a proprietary medium, Nintendo Power memory cartridges made copyright infringement by illicit duplication much more difficult than if a standard format (such as a floppy disk) had been used.

Technical details

Each cartridge's flash ROM is divided internally into eight blocks. Unless an 8-block game is loaded onto the cartridge, however, one block is reserved for the game selection menu, leaving only seven blocks for games.

In addition, each cartridge has a small amount of SRAM for game saves, which is divided into sixteen blocks. Games are rounded up in capacity; for example, a 10 megabit Super Famicom game needs three flash ROM blocks totaling 12 megabits, and a Game Boy game that needs 100 kilobits of save space would need two SRAM blocks totaling 128 kilobits.

Games that utilize an enhancement chip (such as the Super FX) cannot be placed on the Nintendo Power cartridge, as the required chip is not present.

Specifications

Super Famicom

"SF Memory Cartridge (SFメモリカセット)" MSRP – ¥3,980

  • Onboard flash ROM (for game data) – 32 megabits total (4 megabits/block × 8 blocks)
  • Onboard SRAM (for game saves) – 256 kilobits total (16 kilobits/block × 16 blocks)

Game Boy

"GB Memory Cartridge (GBメモリカートリッジ) " MSRP – ¥2,500

  • Onboard flash ROM (for game data) – 8 megabits total (1 megabit/block × 8 blocks)
  • Onboard SRAM (for game saves) – 1024 kilobits total (64 kilobits/block × 16 blocks)

Reception

When the Nintendo Power for Super Famicom launched, it was perceived by the press as being in-part an effort to free up retailer shelf space for more Nintendo 64 products.[1]

List of games

Super Famicom

First party
Title Release date
Heisei Shin Onigashima: Kōhen[lower-alpha 1] December 1, 1997
Heisei Shin Onigashima: Zenpen[lower-alpha 1] December 1, 1997
Wrecking Crew '98[lower-alpha 1] January 1, 1998
Kirby no Kirakira Kizzu[lower-alpha 1] February 1, 1998
Super Punch-Out!! March 1, 1998
Famicom Tantei Club Part II: Ushiro ni Tatsu Shōjo April 1, 1998
Super Famicom Wars May 1, 1998
Dr. Mario[lower-alpha 1] June 1, 1998
Zootto Mahjong! July 1, 1998
Sutte Hakkun[lower-alpha 1] August 1, 1998
Derby Stallion '98 September 1, 1998
Mini 4WD Let's & Go!! Power WGP2[lower-alpha 1] October 1, 1998
Power Lode Runner January 1, 1999
Power Sōkoban[lower-alpha 1] January 1, 1999
Picross NP Vol. 1 April 1, 1999
Picross NP Vol. 2 June 1, 1999
Famicom Bunko: Hajimari no Mori July 1, 1999
Picross NP Vol. 3 August 1, 1999
Fire Emblem: Thracia 776[lower-alpha 1] September 1, 1999
Picross NP Vol. 4 October 1, 1999
Picross NP Vol. 5 December 1, 1999
Picross NP Vol. 6 February 1, 2000
Picross NP Vol. 7 April 1, 2000
Picross NP Vol. 8 June 1, 2000
Metal Slader Glory: Director's Cut November 29, 2000
Third party
  1. Was also released on cartridge.

Gameboy

Title Release Date Publisher Price
Genuine Hanafuda GB December 1 2000 Artron 1,050 yen
Match Up Shogi July 1 2000 Athena 1,050 yen
Trick Border Grand Prix December 1 2000 Athena 1,050 yen
Professional Mahjong Goku GB March 1 2000 Athena 1,050 yen
Professional Mahjong Goku GB2 June 1 2001 Athena 1,050 yen
Purikura Pocket
Incomplete Schoolgirl Manual
March 1 2000 Atlus 1,050 yen
Purikura Pocket2
Boyfriend Remodeling Operation
March 1 2000 Atlus 1,050 yen
Purikura Pocket3
talent debut masterpiece war
March 1 2000 Atlus 1,050 yen
Hamster Paradise June 1 2001 Atlus 1,050 yen
Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible March 1 2000 Atlus 1,050 yen
Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible II March 1 2000 Atlus 1,050 yen
Guru Guru Characters March 1 2000 Atlus 1,050 yen
Super Genie Heroes Wataru
Mazekko Monster 2
August 1 2000 Banpresto 1,050 yen
Kakutou Ryouri Densetsu Bistro Recipe: Wonder Battle October 1 2000 Banpresto 1,050 yen
Kakutou Ryouri Densetsu Bistro Recipe - Gekitou Foodon Battle Hen December 1 2000 Banpresto 1,050 yen
Bionic Commando March 1 2000 Capcom 1,050 yen
Gargoyle's Quest 2 March 1 2000 Capcom 1,050 yen
Gargoyle's Quest March 1 2000 Capcom 1,050 yen
Street Fighter II March 1 2000 Capcom 1,050 yen
Rockman World March 1 2001 Capcom 1,050 yen
Rockman World 2 March 1 2001 Capcom 1,050 yen
Rockman World 3 March 1 2001 Capcom 1,050 yen
Rockman World 5 April 1 2001 Capcom 1,050 yen
Rockman World 4 April 1 2001 Capcom 1,050 yen
Sword GB May 1 2001 Kemco 1,050 yen
Batman Beyond May 1 2001 Kemco 1,050 yen
Spy vs. Spy May 1 2001 Kemco 1,050 yen
Authentic 4-person Mahjong Mahjong King April 1 2000 Child 1,050 yen
The mysterious dungeon Kurenai Shiren GB
Tsukikage village monster
March 1 2000 Chunsoft 1,050 yen
Doraemon's Game Boy,
Deluxe 10
August 1 2000 Epoch 1,050 yen
Doraemon cart August 1 2000 Epoch 1,050 yen
Dragon Slayer Gaiden
The Crown of Sleep
March 1 2000 Epoch 1,050 yen
Dragon slayer 1 July 1 2000 Epoch 1,050 yen
Bomberman GB 3 March 1 2000 Hudson 1,050 yen
Momotaro Dengeki 2 March 1 2000 Hudson 1,050 yen
GB Prototype 2 March 1 2000 Hudson 1,050 yen
Adventure Island 3 June 1 2000 Hudson 1,050 yen
Game Boy Wars Turbo March 1 2000 Hudson 1,050 yen
Super Momotaro Electric Railway 2 March 1 2000 Hudson 1,050 yen
Momotaro Electric Railway jr-Rolls
around Ramen in Japan
December 1 2000 Hudson 1,050 yen
Same Game March 1 2000 Hudson 1,050 yen
Bomberman Quest August 1 2000 Hudson 1,050 yen
Fairy Kitty Good Luck Dictionary-
Fortune-telling of Fairy Land-
March 1 2000 Imagineer 1,050 yen
Medarot (Kabuto version) March 1 2000 Imagineer 1,050 yen
Medalot (stag version) March 1 2000 Imagineer 1,050 yen
Sanrio time net future edition May 1 2000 Imagineer 1,050 yen
Sanrio Time Net Past May 1 2000 Imagineer 1,050 yen
Medarot Parts Collection December 1 2000 Imagineer 1,050 yen
Wave Rider! July 1 2001 Jujube 1,050 yen
Kid Dracula March 1 2000 Konami 1,050 yen
Ganbare Goemon: Hoshizorashi Dynamites Arawaru!! July 1 2001 Konami 1,050 yen
Yu-Gi-Oh! Monster Capsule GB February 1 2001 Konami 1,050 yen
Survival Kids Feb 1 2001 Konami 1,050 yen
Nemesis II March 1 2000 Konami 1,050 yen
It's a World Rally August 1 2000 Konami 1,050 yen
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters March 1 2000 Konami 1,050 yen
Konami GB Collection Vol.1 March 1 2000 Konami 1,050 yen
Konami GB Collection Vol.2 March 1 2000 Konami 1,050 yen
Konami GB Collection Vol.4 March 1 2000 Konami 1,050 yen
BeatmaniaGB May 1 2000 Konami 1,050 yen
Hanasaka Tenshi Tenten-kun's
Beat Breaker
April 1 2001 Konami 1,050 yen
Bakuchou Retrieve Master March 1 2000 Konami 1,050 yen
God Medicine : Birth of a Fantasy World March 1 2000 Konami 1,050 yen
Ganbare Goemon: Tengu-tō no Gyakushū! May 1 2000 Konami 1,050 yen
Azure Dreams August 1 2000 Konami 1,050 yen
Pac-Man March 1 2000 Namco 1,050 yen
Namco Gallery VOL. 1 March 1 2000 Namco 1,050 yen
Namco Gallery VOL. 3 March 1 2000 Namco 1,050 yen
Mr. Driller June 1 2001 Namco 1,050 yen
Great Greed March 1 2000 Namco 1,050 yen
Balloon Kid March 1 2000 Nintendo 1,050 yen
Super Mario Bros Deluxe March 1 2000 Nintendo 1,050 yen
Metroid II: Return of Samus March 1 2000 Nintendo 840 yen
Game & Watch Gallery March 1 2000 Nintendo 1,050 yen
Game & Watch Gallery 3 March 1 2000 Nintendo 1,050 yen
Donkey Kong Land March 1 2000 Nintendo 1,050 yen
Super Mario Land March 1 2000 Nintendo 840 yen
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins March 1 2000 Nintendo 840 yen
Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land March 1 2000 Nintendo 840 yen
Donkey Kong '94 March 1 2000 Nintendo 1,050 yen
Donkey Kong Land 2 March 1 2000 Nintendo 1,050 yen
Kirby's Dream Land March 1 2000 Nintendo 840 yen
Kirby's Dream Land 2 March 1 2000 Nintendo 1,050 yen
Kirby's Block Ball March 1 2000 Nintendo 1,050 yen
Alleyway March 1 2000 Nintendo 840 yen
Game Boy Wars March 1 2000 Nintendo 840 yen
Radar Mission March 1 2000 Nintendo 840 yen
Solar Striker March 1 2000 Nintendo 840 yen
Tennis March 1 2000 Nintendo 840 yen
Golf March 1 2000 Nintendo 840 yen
F1 March 1 2000 Nintendo 840 yen
Kaeru no Tame ni Kane wa Naru (The Frog for Whom the Bell Tolls) March 1 2000 Nintendo 840 yen
Kirby's Pinball Land March 1 2000 Nintendo 840 yen
Usefulness March 1 2000 Nintendo 840 yen
Kirby's Star Stacker March 1 2000 Nintendo 1,050 yen
Dr. Mario March 1 2000 Nintendo 840 yen
Mario's Picross March 1 2000 Nintendo 1,050 yen
Mario's Picross 2 March 1 2000 Nintendo 1,050 yen
Mole Mania March 1 2000 Nintendo 1,050 yen
Yoshi's Cookie March 1 2000 Nintendo 840 yen
Tetris Attack March 1 2000 Nintendo 1,050 yen
Tetris DX September 1,2000 Nintendo 1,050 yen
Tetris September 1,2000 Nintendo 840 yen
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening March 1 2000 Nintendo 1,050 yen
The Shutoko Racing April 1 2000 Pony Canyon 1,050 yen
Shogi 2 April 1 2000 Pony Canyon 1,050 yen
Karamuchou Ha Oosawagi! August 1 2001 Starfish 1,575 yen
Super Black Bass Pocket 3 March 1 2000 Starfish 1,050 yen
Kuzume Monster Parfait June 1 2001 Starfish 1,050 yen
Pachi Pachi Pachisuro New Pulsar June 1 2001 Starfish 1,050 yen
Karamuchou Ha Oosawagi! March 1 2000 Starfish 1,050 yen
Fossil Genesis Reborn II March 1 2000 Starfish 1,050 yen
Kogururu Guruguru
~Gurugururu Nakayoshi~
July 1 2001 Sting 1,050 yen
Loppi Puzzle Magazine
first issue of puzzle
August 1 2001 Success 630 yen
Loppi Puzzle Magazine
Inspirational puzzle first issue
September 1 2001 Success 630 yen
Loppi Puzzle Magazine
Thinking puzzle No. 2
October 1 2001 Success 630 yen
Loppi Puzzle Magazine
Inspirational Puzzle No. 2
November 1 2001 Success 630 yen
Loppi Puzzle Magazine-
thinking puzzle No. 3
December 1 2001 Success 630 yen
Petit Carat July 1 2000 Taito 1,050 yen
Bubble Bobble July 1 2000 Taito 1,050 yen
Space Invaders March 1 2000 Taito 1,050 yen
Sagaia July 1 2000 Taito 1,050 yen
Puzzle Bobble GB March 1 2000 Taito 1,050 yen
Quick's adventure September 1 2000 Taito 1,050 yen
Nettou Toshinden March 1 2000 Takara 1,050 yen
Chibi Maruko-chan 4
This is Japan! Prince
November 1 2000 Takara 1,050 yen
Chibi Maruko-chan
Maruko Deluxe Theater
November 1 2000 Takara 1,050 yen
Life Game March 1 2000 Takara 1,050 yen
Othello World May 1 2000 Tsukuda original 1,050 yen
Dogtato December 1 2000 [[Victor<br />Interactive<br />Software]] 1,050 yen
Harvest Moon GB August 1 2000 [[Victor<br />Interactive<br />Software]] 1,050 yen
Legend of the River King 2 March 1 2000 [[Victor<br />Interactive<br />Software]] 1,050 yen
Legend of the River King 3 March 1 2000 [[Victor<br />Interactive<br />Software]] 1,050 yen
Aretha March 1 2000 Yanoman 1,050 yen
Aretha II March 1 2000 Yanoman 1,050 yen
Aretha III March 1 2000 Yanoman 1,050 yen
gollark: You know, I could make *micro*communisms.
gollark: Plus concrete roads.
gollark: Keansia is at least wellplaced.
gollark: No.
gollark: Disable all inputs.

See also

  • SFC game list on Nintendo's website (Japanese) on Wayback Machine
  • GB game list on Nintendo's website (Japanese) on Wayback Machine


References

  1. Svensson, Christian (February 1997). "Nintendo's Download Dream". Next Generation. No. 26. Imagine Media. p. 28.
  2. "NINTENDO POWER". Nintendo (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 25 February 2007.
  3. "平成11年11月1日、ゲームボーイ書き換えサービススタート!!". Nintendo Online Magazine (in Japanese). No. 14. Nintendo. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  4. "NINTENDO POWER". Nintendo (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 23 October 1999.
  5. Robinson, Andy (February 8, 2007). "Nintendo Closes Nintendo Power". Computer and Video Games. Archived from the original on May 9, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  6. "Tidbits...". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 90. Ziff Davis. January 1997. p. 26.
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