FDS Key
Image: Cluster_M

An Armenia-based programmer named ClusterM announced on Twitter earlier this month that they have designed a new open-source, low-cost, and (relatively) easy-to-build drive emulator for Nintendo's Famicom Disk System.

The FDS Key lets players run games from a micro SD, as well as dump and write disks without the need for a ton of extra cables or any additional hardware (beyond the Famicom Disk System itself, a Disk System RAM adaptor, and a micro SD card). It even has a sleek OLED display to let you easily navigate and switch between different disk images on the fly.

If you happen to own a Famicom Disk System, it, therefore, looks to be quite an interesting accessory and a potential alternative to the pre-existing FDSStick.

The Famicom Disk System was a Japan-exclusive peripheral for Nintendo's Famicom home video game console, which let players use floppy disks to enhance certain aspects of the original hardware, including most notably the sound capabilities. It was released in 1986 and was home to classic games like The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and Castlevania, as well as various games that never saw a Western release.

Unfortunately, at the moment, there's no way to buy an FDS Key directly, but thanks to its open-source nature, if you want to try your hand at building your own, you can find all the information you need over on the GitHub page.

[source github.com, via twitter.com]