Before You Buy
Things to watch out for when buying
- Confirm the disk drive belt status
Ask directly: has the belt been replaced? If the seller does not know, assume it has not. A failed belt prevents all disk software from loading — but the repair is common, inexpensive, and well-documented. Units sold as 'belt replaced' or 'tested with disk software' are worth the premium over unknown-condition units.
- Identify the model variant
Four variants exist. AN-500R (1986, red) and AN-500B (1986, black): no turbo, no power LED. AN-505-BK (1987, black/green) and AN-505-RD (1987, red/beige): turbo rapid-fire on A and B, power LED added. If turbo is important for action game use, verify you are purchasing an AN-505. The model number is on the underside label.
- Verify composite AV output on screen
The Twin Famicom's primary advantage is clean composite video. Ask the seller to confirm it has been tested on a screen with RCA composite inputs — not just 'powers on.' Oxidized output jacks are fixable, but confirm the seller has verified picture quality before shipping.
- Understand the power supply requirement
The original AC adapter is rated for Japan's 100V. In countries with higher voltages, a step-down transformer is needed. Confirm the adapter is included or that you have a compatible replacement at the correct output specification.
- Confirm what actually comes in the box
The two controllers are hardwired into the chassis, so they are always present — but the AC adapter and the AV (RCA) cable are separate pieces that may or may not be included. 'Console only' listings are common for forty-year-old hardware. Confirm the adapter and an AV cable are part of the lot, or budget to source them, before you assume a unit is ready to play on arrival.
- Is it genuine, and which one is it?
Genuine units carry the Sharp logo on the top and a model number — AN-500R, AN-500B, AN-505-BK, or AN-505-RD — on the underside label, alongside a Nintendo licensing mark. The integrated disk-drive slot on the front panel is the feature that visually separates every Twin Famicom from a cartridge-only Famicom. If the underside label is missing or the markings look wrong, ask the seller for clear photos of the base before committing.
- Has it been tested — and what does "tested" mean here?
A Twin Famicom has two systems to verify, not one. 'Powers on' is not enough. Ask whether the seller has loaded a cartridge AND a disk, confirmed composite picture on a screen, and run the disk drive long enough to know the belt actually reads. A unit tested only on cartridges tells you nothing about the most failure-prone part — the drive. The most honest listings state cartridge, disk, and belt status separately.
- The seller who welcomes questions
Every point on this list is one a careful seller has already checked: belt status, model variant, composite output, what is in the box. When you ask and they answer plainly — and their photos show the actual unit, the underside label, and the disk slot rather than a stock image — that is someone worth trusting with the money and the wait. The quality of a single reply tells you a great deal about the quality of everything else.
Which One?
The variations of the Sharp Twin Famicom
The first Twin Famicom, in red. Combines the Famicom 60-pin cartridge slot with an integrated Disk System drive in one chassis. Composite AV output standard — years before Nintendo's own AV hardware. Controllers are hardwired; no turbo function.
- Composite AV output
- Integrated Disk System drive
- 60-pin cartridge slot
- Hardwired controllers (no turbo)
- Japan 100V power supply
- Red housing
The AN-500 was the first Famicom-family hardware to offer composite video output. The original rubber drive belt is likely degraded or failed on any surviving unit — plan for belt inspection and probable replacement before disk software will load reliably.
The black colorway variant of the first-generation Twin Famicom. Functionally identical to the AN-500R. The darker housing conceals surface wear and yellowing more effectively over time.
- Composite AV output
- Integrated Disk System drive
- Hardwired controllers (no turbo)
- Black housing
Same drive belt maintenance priority as the AN-500R. Some collectors prefer the AN-500B for its lower visibility of cosmetic aging.
Second-generation Twin Famicom in black with green accent styling. Adds turbo rapid-fire on A and B buttons on both controllers, and a power LED indicator. Hardwired controllers retained.
- Turbo rapid-fire on A and B buttons
- Power LED added
- Composite AV output
- Integrated Disk System drive
- Black + green accent housing
The AN-505 is generally preferred by buyers who use the console for action-heavy titles. Turbo is the key hardware upgrade over the AN-500. Drive belt replacement remains the primary maintenance item regardless of generation.
Second-generation Twin Famicom in red with beige accent styling. Functionally identical to the AN-505-BK with the same turbo controller addition and power LED. The AN-505-RD is the rarer of the two AN-505 variants.
- Turbo rapid-fire on A and B buttons
- Power LED added
- Composite AV output
- Integrated Disk System drive
- Red + beige accent housing
Drive belt degradation is universal across all Twin Famicom models regardless of storage history. The AN-505-RD is less commonly found in the used market than the AN-505-BK.
Market Price
Want to know the going rate?
Prices for original Sharp Twin Famicom hardware vary — condition, revision, and servicing history all affect the figure.
Our shop lists hand-tested units with pricing that reflects what each machine is actually worth.
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How to care for a Sharp Twin Famicom →