NTDEC
Encyclopedia
NTDEC was a Taiwanese
manufacturer of video game cartridges and accessories for the NES
and Famicom
. They also manufactured Famicom to NES converters to play Famicom games on the NES.
copies of games between 1989 and 1991, which were sold in Asia
and in the USA
via mail order
. Unusually among pirate cartridge manufacturers, NTDEC cartridges are often identifiable by the company logo on the cartridge and the in-game copyright noticed modified to read "NTDEC", as well as the rear label featuring a green "QUALITY GUARANTY" (sic) stripe. Legal action was brought against the company by Nintendo
in 1993 for its activities in the US, as well as its use of the "Nintendo" trademark in its company name.
and Europe
. Many of these games are credited to Mega Soft, although it is unknown if this a separate entity to NTDEC. Six games previously released by NTDEC/Mega Soft in 1991 were compiled on the Caltron 6-in-1
cartridge in 1992, which was distributed in the US - since this cartridge contains only NTDEC/Mega Soft games and carries the same CN-xx ID as the previous original NTDEC games, Caltron is believed to be the same company as NTDEC.
titles continuing NTDEC's CN-xx numbering. However, is unknown whether this company is in fact NTDEC under a new name, or a separate company that obtained the rights to NTDEC's past titles.
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
manufacturer of video game cartridges and accessories for the NES
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
and Famicom
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
. They also manufactured Famicom to NES converters to play Famicom games on the NES.
Piracy
NTDEC produced a large number of piratedCopyright infringement of software
Copyright infringement of software=The copyright infringement of software refers to several practices which involve the unauthorized copying of computer software. Copyright infringement of this kind varies globally...
copies of games between 1989 and 1991, which were sold in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
and in the USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
via mail order
Mail order
Mail order is a term which describes the buying of goods or services by mail delivery. The buyer places an order for the desired products with the merchant through some remote method such as through a telephone call or web site. Then, the products are delivered to the customer...
. Unusually among pirate cartridge manufacturers, NTDEC cartridges are often identifiable by the company logo on the cartridge and the in-game copyright noticed modified to read "NTDEC", as well as the rear label featuring a green "QUALITY GUARANTY" (sic) stripe. Legal action was brought against the company by Nintendo
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
in 1993 for its activities in the US, as well as its use of the "Nintendo" trademark in its company name.
Original games
Between 1991 and 1993, NTDEC published a number of original games in Asia, some of which were distributed in parts of South AmericaSouth America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. Many of these games are credited to Mega Soft, although it is unknown if this a separate entity to NTDEC. Six games previously released by NTDEC/Mega Soft in 1991 were compiled on the Caltron 6-in-1
Caltron
Caltron 6 in 1 is a multicart published in for the Nintendo Entertainment System in North America, and the only game known to be released by Caltron, a Taiwan-based video game company. In Australia, it was published under the title Real Players Pack by Home Entertainment Suppliers...
cartridge in 1992, which was distributed in the US - since this cartridge contains only NTDEC/Mega Soft games and carries the same CN-xx ID as the previous original NTDEC games, Caltron is believed to be the same company as NTDEC.
Asder
Following the legal action of 1993, the company appears to have ceased operations under the NTDEC name. Another Taiwanese company, Asder Electronic Co., Ltd, has released educational computer systems and TV game joypads containing Mega Soft games, and several original FamicomNintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
titles continuing NTDEC's CN-xx numbering. However, is unknown whether this company is in fact NTDEC under a new name, or a separate company that obtained the rights to NTDEC's past titles.