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DW FACTS
by Dark Watcher

The Twin Famicom from Sharp was released around 1986 in Japan as a product licensed by Nintendo. It was basically a combination Nintendo Famicom and Family Computer Disk System. The console was released in two versions (2 models each), which are nearly identical. The 505 series feature longer controller cords, a rapid fire function built into the controllers and a power LED mounted into the power button (thanks Frank!).

The console shared the same successes as both single units, but was also suddenly killed in 1988 when Nintendo literally took them off the shelves due to rampant illegal copying of game disks. With the combined library of 180 disk games, and the enormous amount of carts released, this console was definitely a keeper. It was never released outside of Japan and sold for 32,000 Yen.

MODELS Officially licensed releases
Sharp Twin Famicom AN-500R	Sharp Twin Famicom AN-500B
Sharp Twin Famicom AN-505-RD	Sharp Twin Famicom AN-505-BK

CLONES Non-licensed hardware releases
No clones were released for this system.

CONSOLE RATINGS
by 98PaceCar

Consoles are rated based upon the available technology at the time of its release. A 10 point scale is utilized, with 10 being excellent.

CRITERIA	RATING	NOTES & COMMENTS
Console Design	06	Having a Famicom with a built in Famicom Disk Drive should be a great way to cover your Famicom needs, but short controller cords and a larger footprint than a normal Famicom with the drive attached detracts from an otherwise very attractively designed package.
Console Durability	06	Just like the normal Famicom Disk, the Sharp Twin is susceptible to the band not eh drive breaking. Outside of this, the console seems sturdy.
Controllers	06	The controllers for the Sharp Twin are almost as good as the stock Famicom controllers, but short cables make them a bit uncomfortable to use.
Graphics	07	The whole of the Famicom library can be played on the Sharp Twin. This gives the player access to some amazingly good graphics.
Audio	08	Some of the games available pumped out very memorable tunes that still stand up to game music of today. The Sharp Twin is just as capable as the Famicom in this regard.
Media	08	Famicom carts are well built and seem to be in generally good shape when you find them. Smaller than NES carts, I think they are more attractive and interesting.
Game Library	09	There are too many great games on the Famicom to list. Everybody should spend some time with the library at some point in their gaming career.
Gamer Value	05	The Sharp Twin can cover your Famicom needs in a single box with a single AC adaptor which is nice, but it suffers from the same typical failure as the Famicom Disk. It's usually possible to get a base Famicom and Famicom Disk for less than the cost of a Sharp Twin, making it hard to recommend for a gamer.
Collector Value	07	The Sharp Twin is certainly more uncommon than a normal Famicom, which adds some value to the collector. For the Famicom collector, the Sharp Twin is a must own.

SPECS & MANUALS
For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.

Processor Type	Processor Speed	Other Processor Information	RAM \ Video RAM
Ricoh 2A03 (modified 6502)	1.79 MHz	Ricoh RP2C02 PPU (5.37 MHz)	2 KB (34 KB in FDS Mode) \ 2 KB (10 KB in FDS Mode)
Screen Resolution	Color Palette	Polygons \ Sprites	Audio
256 x 240	54 (25 at one given time)	64 sprites	5 channel (two square wave, one triangle, one noise, one PCM)
Media Format	Media Capacity	Games Released	Other Supported Formats
Cartridge \ Famicom Disk Card	Varies	Famicom (1,040+), Famicom Disk Cards (220+)	None
Internal Storage	External \ Removable Storage	Game Controllers	Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
None	Via FDS Disk Cards	D-Pad, 2 Action Buttons, Start \ Select buttons	None
Controller Ports	Network Ports	Other Ports	Audio \ Video
Two (2) hardwired	None	Expansion Port	RF, Composite
Power Supply - External	Other Outputs	Other Details \ Notes
Input: AC 100V, 50\60Hz, 21 VA Output: DC 7.6V, 1.25a - C +	None	Cassette \ Disk switch
Manuals
Sharp Twin Famicom AN-505 Owners Manual (PDF) - 51.9 MB Graciously provided by eltiojose. Thank you!