Episode 28 – The Namco 163 Famicom Expansion Chip

Namco, a long time developer and publisher in the video game industry, wanted to take their Famicom development to the next level. They created the NAMCO 163 expansion chip, which enhanced audio capabilities on the Famicom; making the system sound like a PC-Engine at points. A small set of games had this chip installed in it, and while not all of the games we’re talking about took advantage of all 8 additional sound channels, the music is still phenomenal. That’s why Mike and Justin are deep diving into the sound of the NAMCO 163 chip. Listen to some interesting facts about the chip and it’s development, hear Mike try to pronounce Wagan Land, and hear the XVGM gents talk about gold-digging mice brides…all on this very interesting episode of XVGM Radio!

Shout out to Nerdly Pleasures blogspot article and the NESDEV Wiki page for the information.

LINKS: https://nerdlypleasures.blogspot.com/2017/08/famicom-expansion-audio-overview.html

https://wiki.nesdev.com/w/index.php/Namco_163_audio

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TRACK LISTING:

Intro : Erika To Satoru No Yume Bouken (FC – 1988) “Title Theme” Hirohiko Takayama (8 channels), Tsukasa Masuko (sound driver uncredited)

1 – Family Circuit ‘91 (FC – 1991) – “BGM 05” Nobuyuki Ōnogi

2 – Wagan Land 3 (FC – 1992) – “Space Station Stage 3” Yoshinori Kawamoto

3 – Sangokushi – Chuugen no Hasha (aka Romance of the Three Kingdoms) (FC – 1988) – “BGM 09” Yoko Kanno (Uncredited)

4 – Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei 2 (FC – 1990) – “Daedalus” Tsukasa Masuko (uncredited)

5 – Hydlide 3: Yami Kara no Houmonsha (FC – 1989) – “Gayzac” Shigeru Tomita (Original Music), Hiroshi Sakaguchi (Arrangement)

6 – Mappy Kids (FC – 1989) – “Stage 3 Theme” Atsuko Iwanaga

7 – Sangokushi 2 – Haou no Tairiku (aka Romance of the Three Kingdoms 2) (FC – 1992) – “Ending” Shinji Amagishi (as Banjirō Amanishi)

8 – Rolling Thunder (FC – 1989) – “Stage 1 Theme” Junko Ozawa,