Software
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Pirated Games/Systems
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Dispelling Popular Myths about Nintendo Patents & Copyrights: MYTH #1: Family Computer / NES hardware patents have recently expired, giving the rights for stand-alone unlicensed systems to be made legally. MYTH #2: Nintendo eight-bit software copyrights have expired.
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NES enthusiasts and collectors alike value “pirated” (in other words: “illegally produced”) video games just as much, if sometimes not more, than the licensed ones given the OK from Nintendo. This software differs from “unlicensed” products, such as a video game made by Wisdom Tree or Sachen, in that there is generally no real marketing or standard way of publishing behind the releases. Despite the haphazard incompleteness of pirate software, there is something undefinable about the mysteriousness and quirkiness when one sees and feels in one’s own hands these pieces of Nintendo’s untold history. My diagnosis: it’s the rebel inside us all that’s to blame.
Although in North America pirate pieces are harder to find than in other regions of the world (such as Russia, Hong Kong, Japan, Brazil, and exotic locations like Finland), the pirate market is still greatly made available to us through auction and trading sites and the occasional flea market. Even more mainstream retail systems can be seen on QVC shopping networks around Christmas!
The variety of pirated material is astonishing. Mock controllers and systems of the Nintendo 64, SNES, Playstation, SEGA, and modern systems have been transformed into carrying all-in-one consoles and multi-game instruments. Pirate Famicom cart clones exist with hacked/invented forms of popular game series ranging from Mario Bros. to Sonic the Hedgehog and Street Fighter, for example, that utilize characters from both Nintendo and SEGA’s sides. Original pirate software games are uniquely made, keeping in touch with modern popular media (Harry Potter, for example), and often push the graphical limits of how we perceive the NES is capable of handling.
No matter how you look at it, pirated gaming stuff has always been a fancy with NES fans, and this section focuses on a choice number of in-depth, specific information to help and teach what treasures they hold inside. Use this information as a buying guide if you wish, or just to see how the NES spirit remains alive today. I’ve held back my obvious real pirates simile for too long. But it’s just too much to handle anymore! “ARRRR MATEYS!”
NES Pirated Games
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Super Mario Bros. 3 Pirate
A full Japanese, pirate version of the classic Nintendo game.
An NES game cart featuring 63 games.
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Three carts, made in ’03, are reviewed.
Contains three light gun games in one cartridge.
A really cool multi-cart that has Top Gun II, Street Fighter, and Aladdin from mother Russia.
Includes Contra (level/weapon select), Jackal, Daiva, and Pretty Fighter.
A moderately exciting cart that has a few rare games to offer.
A very extensive look at a multi-game Famicom pirate.
76 different games and a hidden surprise menu screen!
Multicart with a rare rock-paper-scissors porno game made by Hwangshinwei.5000 in 1 Supper Value Collection
Let’s all share a hearty laugh at not only the ridiculous multi-game claim but the spelling of super as “supper”. (Courtesy of Hugo Desmeules.)
Famicom version.
Based on the semi-popular SNES game, flicking snot isn’t so good anymore.
Mortal Kombat III is the standout title in this 15 game multi-cart.
A fighting game starring Nintendo’s famed characters.
A really interesting Mario hack of Jackie Chan’s Action Kung Fu. Kung Fu Mari! (See Video)
Mario hack of Joe & Mac. Dated 1996.
Yoko Software’s Street Fighter 2 clone. (Courtesy of Hugo Desmeules.)
Actually Rockman 6, the Famicom version of Mega Man 6.
Rock Roll 3M is a Mario hack of the Famicom game Armadillo.
Wrong again. It’s Bad Dudes.- .
Donkey Kong Land Gameboy port.- .
A rare Hong Kong pirate treat, this is a 3 level “port” of the SNES classic: Donkey Kong Country 2.
Super Bros. 6 is a Mario hack of Tiny Toons Adventures.
Mario hack of a Famicom side-scrolling action game. Dated 1993 and copyrighted by… Wario?
SMW is a decent port of the SNES version, although missing much of the original.
(Courtesy of Hugo Desmeules.)
A TMNT clone. (Courtesy of Hugo Desmeules.)
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A full Japanese pirate version of the classic Nintendo game.
Weird cover art on a black cart.
More funky cover art.
Very corny and funny art on a black cart.
Black cart with unlicensed cover art.
Solid cream color Famicom cart with Mach Rider, Duck Hunt, Hogan’s Alley, Tennis, F-1 Race, Pac Man, Sky Destroyer.
New, sealed F-1 Race FC pirate cart.
A full Japanese pirate version of the classic Nintendo game.
Sealed Brazilian box in Portuguese. The game is Hogan’s Alley. Manufactured by Gradiente.
Sealed Brazilian box in Portuguese. Manufactured by Gradiente.
Games are: Yie Ah Kung Fu, Pinball, Road Fighter, Pac Man.
Exclusive light gun game.
Spanish writing on cart, game is Gotcha!.
Interesting cart that has 72 pins on one side for NES consoles and 60 pins on the other for Famicom to make it compatible with both systems. Games are: Ice Climber, Pac Man, Clu Clu Land, and Popeye.
Interesting cart that has 72 pins on one side for NES consoles and 60 pins on the other for Famicom to make it compatible with both systems.
A Brazilian pirate original version of SF2.
Factory sealed box in Portuguese of Color Dreams’ Baby Boomer game. Manufactured by Gradiente.
Factory sealed Ghostbusters game manufactured by Gradiente.
A full Japanese, pirate version of the classic Nintendo game.
A full Japanese, pirate version of the classic Nintendo game.
Strange Portuguese box art of Rescue Rangers.
Cool! Blue cart!
One could not ‘avoid the Noid’ in Brazil either apparently.
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A Famiclone from the people who gave us the Snuggie.
A pirate system sold at Dollar Tree stores for $10 with hacks of Super C, Ice Hockey, and Mario Brothers.
Straight from Brazil’s pirate market, this combo system plays both Famicom and NES games. PAL-M, does not work with U.S. TVs.
Japanese sparkle shine! Strange and sleek LED ‘bubble’ (Xbox esque) style.
Imported from Japan, made by GameTech. Round, N64 style unit and sleek PS1 controls. A/V and AC hookup.
An NESclone (NTSC, 72-pin) available in three colors from the makers of the Neo Fami.
A portable Famicom system about the size of a Game Gear.
Another portable Famicom system (a visual clone of the Gameboy Advance) which improves upon the Game Axe with a backlit TFT screen, longer battery life, and a cheaper price.
Imported from Korea, the Joykid is a direct clone of the original Famicom.
A built-in Nintendo 64 controller/NES system with audio jack cables.
Newer Famiclone; provides A/V output.
Neat controller from Shopping Channel Toronto that has a hacked version of Duck Hunt. And important voltage info for everyone!
PSOne Famiclone made in ’03.
Detailed information on this popular PSOne Famiclone.
Wireless IR control and a cartoon penguin design makes this one of the most ambitious, bizarre, and cutest Famiclones we’ve ever seen.
A pirate system that looks like a Gameboy AND delivers the goods? Sign me up!
A stylish clone made by the famous unlicensed publisher/ developer.
A clone of a clone? Looks like the Polystation; 57 games in total.
Nintendo 64 controller unit, light gun, and external controller. Comes attached w/ 150 games.
Famiclone modeled after the SNES.
