Sharp Twin Famicom — Famicom + Disk System in One Machine (Buying Guide)

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

1986

AN-500R (Red, 1986)

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.

1986

AN-500B (Black, 1986)

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.

1987

AN-505-BK (Black/Green, 1987)

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.

1987

AN-505-RD (Red/Beige, 1987)

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.

Ready to Buy

Looking for a Twin Famicom of your own?

Prices for original Sharp Twin Famicom hardware vary — condition, revision, and drive belt condition all affect the figure. Each unit we sell has been disassembled, cleaned, fitted with a new Japanese-made drive belt, and confirmed working before it ships from Japan.

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Buying a Sharp Twin Famicom — A Practical Guide