Utilizing standard compact cassette tapes, Nintendo began with the Famicom Data Recorder.

In addition to Family BASIC, this compatible game library is Nintendo's Programmable Series with Excitebike (1984), Mach Rider (1985), and Wrecking Crew (1985)—and the third party games Castle Excellent (1989), Arkanoid II (1988), Lode Runner (1984), and Nuts & Milk (1984).

[1] As production costs decreased over the years, Nintendo later developed the floppy disk based Famicom Disk System, and ASCII Corporation created an external battery-backed RAM-disk called the Turbo File.

The Famicom Data Recorder is powered either by a 6 volt adapter or 4 AA batteries.

When used as a data storage device the phone cables connected to the corresponding "write" and "save" ports on the Family BASIC keyboard.