NAMCO163
| Namco 163 | |
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|
| Developer: | Namco |
| Released: | 1988-04-05 |
| Type: | Chip |
| Channels: | 1.) Wave Table |
The NAMCO163 chip (also known as the NAMCO106) chip was an expansion sound chip for the Nintendo Famicom. The chip is one of the most impressive for the Famicom soundwise, right next to the VRC7; up to eight wavetable synthesis channels can be used in conjunction with the 2A03, the internal audio unit of the Famicom. The wavetable synthesis gives the chip a similar sound to their early arcade games.
Only Tsukasa Masuko's driver used all eight channels, but Arc System Works was the first company to use the technology, which used four channels. Ironically, even though Namco developed Nintendo games, they never used this chip themselves and instead only published the titles which used the chip. Unfortunately, expansion chips weren't released on any US and Europe consoles, so western gamers weren't able to hear it.
Games
| Released | Title | Sample | Developer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988-04-05 | Dokuganryu Masamune (FC) (独眼竜政宗) | Nova | |
| 1988-07-29 | San Goku Shi: Chuugen no Hasha (FC) (三国志 中原の覇者) | TOSE | |
| 1988-08-12 | Final Lap (FC) (ファイナルラップ) | |
Arc System Works |
| 1988-12-09 | King of Kings (FC) (キングオブキングス) | Atlus | |
| 1989-02-17 | Hydlide 3: Yami Kara no Houmonsha (FC) (ハイドライド３ 闇からの訪問者) | T&E Soft | |
| 1989-03-17 | Rolling Thunder (NES) (ローリングサンダー) | (Japanese version only) |
Arc System Works |
| 1989-12-22 | Mappy Kids (FC) (マッピーキッズ) | Arc System Works | |
| 1990-04-06 | Digital Devil Monogatari: Megami Tensei II (FC) (デジタルデビル物語 女神転生Ⅱ) | Atlus | |
| 1991-07-19 | Family Circuit '91 (FC) (ファミリーサーキット’９１) | Included, but not used. | Namco |
| 1992-03-13 | Namco Classic II (FC) (ナムコットクラシックⅡ) | TOSE | |
| 1992-06-10 | San Goku Shi II: Haou no Tairiku (FC) (三国志Ⅱ 覇王の大陸) | TOSE | |
| 1992-12-08 | Wagyan Land 3 (FC) (ワギャンランド３) | Namco |
Emulation Status
Most quality NES emulators and NSF players support NAMCO163 emulation. FamiTracker also emulates the chip.
