Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) (ファミリーコンピュータ, Famirī Konpyūta) NES-101 (New-Style, "Top Loader")
NES-101 (New-Style, "Top Loader") (1993-1995)
In the fall of 1993, Nintendo introduced a drastically redesigned and cost-reduced NES console officially known as the New-Style NES, though it is usually known as the "top loader" or NES-101. It is much smaller than the original NES and is closer in size to the original Famicom, a change made possible by having the cartridges load in from the top as in most other game consoles. This alone also gives the top loader much greater reliability than the front loader, and it is now sought after because of this trait. Introduced along with the top loader was a redesigned "dogbone" controller, which closely follows the design of the SNES controller and was designed to be more ergonomic than the original rectangular controller.
To reduce production costs, several features from the front loader were omitted, such as the unused expansion port, lockout chip, and AV output. Much like the original Famicom, the top loader is limited to only RF output. Game compatibility is largely unaffected, though some unlicensed games will have an easier time functioning due to the lack of a lockout chip. Most accessories are still compatible though the then-popular Game Genie cheat cartridge has difficulty fitting into the top loader's smaller cartridge opening.
The top loader was only released in North America, Australia and New Zealand.
NESN-CPU-01 (1993-1994)
The most common revision for the top loader. It bears a very close resemblance to the Famicom motherboard's layout, with the chips located in a similar fashion. It features rather poor video output, marred with prominent "jailbar" patterns which are especially visible on solid-colored backgrounds. Modifying the top loader with a simple AV mod or an NESRGB board will largely eliminate this problem and provide high quality video output similar to a front loader.
NESN-CPU-JIO-01/02 (1994-1995)
This rare revision improves the video circuitry, which largely eliminates the “jailbars" usually seen on the top loader. Both the CPU and PPU were shifted from their normal positions, with the PPU closer to the left-hand side and the CPU on the right-hand side, possibly done to reduce interference issues with the composite video trace. In addition, the two discrete controller buffer ICs and 74LS139 demultiplexer were combined into a single I/O chip known as the "JIO" chip, which was already in use at the time on the AV Famicom.
Top loaders with this board revision were only available as a replacement console from Nintendo, for people who complained about the normal NES-101’s video quality.
The JIO-02 revision is almost identical and is only found in PAL top loaders, which were only released in Australasia. Like all previous PAL NES consoles, they use the 2A07 CPU and 2C07 PPU.
NESN-CPU-AV-01 (1995?)
In effect the ultimate NES-101 revision, the RF port has been completely axed, having been replaced by a normal composite AV out using the same multiout connector as the SNES. This revision is extremely rare, with only a handful of examples popping up over the years. It is alleged that these were sold in some stores such as Radio Shack, though not much evidence has been found of this. The board layout is mostly similar to the CPU-JIO-01 aside from the RF modulator being replaced with the multiout connector.
HVC-101 "AV Famicom" (1993-2003)
Better known as the "AV Famicom", the HVC-101 was the final major variant of the Famicom hardware and was released in December 1993. Its design is largely based on the NES-101, but has a flat cartridge area in order to accommodate the Famicom Disk System RAM Adapter. It is considerably more sought after than the original Famicom as it features AV out (using the same multiout connector as the Super Famicom) and has detachable controllers using NES controller ports. The 15-pin expansion port was also retained and is on the right-hand side of the console. While it came bundled with two "dogbone" controllers, the console itself did not include an AV cable or AC adapter, which could be either purchased separately or shared with a Super Famicom setup. Nintendo continued to sell the AV Famicom well into the 21st century, though production ultimately ended during 2003, 20 years after the Famicom's original debut.
HVCN-CPU-01 (1993-1995)
The first revision of the AV Famicom. It appears similar to the NESN-CPU-01, but both the 74LS139 demultiplexer and controller buffer chips have been combined into a single I/O chip, the "JIO" chip, in order to reduce production costs.
HVCN-CPU-02 (1995-2003)
A very minor revision which relocates capacitor C14 from under the 7805 heat sink to a new position near the work RAM chip. No other significant changes were made and this board revision was produced all the way until 2003.