The Family BASIC Data Recorder is an official, Nintendo branded tape recorder intended to be used with Nintendo's Family Computer video game console. Released alongside Family BASIC in 1984, it was intended to be used to save/load program data to/from an audio cassette tape. The Family BASIC Keyboard included two 3.5mm jacks (Save Audio Out / Load Audio In) to facilitate this. Under normal circumstances, the Data Recorder cannot be directly connected to your Famicom.

In addition to Family BASIC, the Family BASIC Data Recorder was compatable with a small variety of other games. With it, users could save custom made stages as well as in game progress.

Users are able to save as much information as they’d like to any given tape. The amount of data that each tape can hold is dependent on how long the tape is. For longer tapes, it's best to utilize the counter on the device to ensure you can find the file you're looking for.

As mentioned above, the Family BASIC Data Recorder is nothing more than a Nintendo branded tape player. Any tape recorder can be used as a substitute. Look for 3.5mm (Headphone / "AUX" cable) jacks labeled "EAR" and "MIC".

Before you begin, ensure you have the following items available.

Any Famicom model
• Family Computer Keyboard (or some other interface method)
• Compatable Software (see below if you're not sure)
• Two Mono 3.5mm TS "AUX" audio cables (Male to Male)
• Family BASIC Data Recorder or compatable substitute

These instructions have been written with the assumption that most of you are using some kind of substitute tape recorder.

1) ) Plug your Family Computer Keyboard into your Famicom.

2) ) Using a mono aux cable, plug the jack labeled "WRITE" on the Keyboard into the jack labled "SAVE" / "MIC" on your tape recorder.

3) ) Using a second mono aux cable, plug the jack labeled "READ" on the Keyboard into the jack labled "LOAD" / "EAR" on your tape recorder.

When you're ready to save, insert your tape into the Family BASIC Data Recorder. Press record BEFORE you select "SAVE" within the game.

To load data, select "LOAD" from within the game first. Then, press play on your tape.

If you're unable to load game data, check the volume on your cassette recorder. For most of the cassette recorders I've used, it'll need to be on the higher side of the dial. Not full blast, but close to it.

The following is a complete list of games compatable with the Family BASIC Data Recorder along with what kind of content can be saved

• Family BASIC - Save user written Programs / Background data
• Excitebike - Save user made tracks and the best time associated with it.
• Mach Rider - Saves one user made track as well as high scores for all 3 modes
• Wrecking Crew - Save up to 4 user made levels at one time
• Castle Excellent - Save all in game progress. Essentially a save state*
• Lode Runner - Save user made levels.*
• Arkanoid II - Save user made levels.

Contrary to Wikipedias claims, Nuts & Milk is not compatable with the Family BASIC Data Recorder. The manual Page 13 describes how to play your edit stage. There, it states:

*For Lode Runner, press select on the edit screen. This will not work at all unless the Family Computer Keyboard is plugged in. As such, interfacing the data recorder through another method (SD Station, home built circuitry) will not help you here. You must have the keyboard.

* For Castle Excellent, Press A or B on controller II to access the SAVE/LOAD menu. Select "GAME" to return to the game.

Mach Rider, Wrecking Crew, and Excitebike retained Family BASIC Data Recorder compatability when they were released worldwide. Through the Expansion Port and a passthrough device, it's possible for an NES to interface with the Family Computer Keyboard and utilize this functionality. In the case of the photo above, chykn's ENIO board was used. Unfortunately, this is no longer available. NESHUB exists, and may work for this purpose.

In order for the ENIO to pass audio data through to the NES, You will need to install a jumper wire. The linked image shows R2 as populated. Mine did not have this resistor installed when I purchased it. If your ENIO has this resistor installed, you'll need to remove it.

additionally, you can build and install your own interface.

PAL versions of these three aformentioned games appear to be compatible. (same titles as NTSC-U) Testing was done using an AVS set to PAL video mode, and an Everdrive running PAL ROMs. It seems that the timing differences inherent to PAL and NTSC can cause some issues. However, it does work.

NESdev and it's wiki were invaluable. Just outright. Check them out.

Please note: This page is heavily rewritten from something I originally wrote at Videogamesage. You can view the original document here.