Now and then, we stumble upon a retro treasure so odd and wonderfully bootleg that it takes our breath away—and today’s find fits the bill perfectly.
While exploring the fascinating realms of retro gaming online, we discovered an incredibly rare system: the Batong BT-686 Multimedia Computer, also known as the Famicom CRT Unit. And let us tell you, it’s absolutely bonkers.
At first sight, it appears as though a miniature 1980s classroom computer and a Famicom were combined, then dipped in a blend of 8-bit eccentricity. It’s bulky, beige, and simply stunning.
What is the Batong BT-686?
The Batong BT-686 comes from the enigmatic East Asian clone era, crafted by Batong Electronics (八通电子), a company that seems to have specialized in unlicensed or “educational” Famicom-based computers.
But here’s the twist: this isn’t just any ordinary Famiclone. It’s an all-in-one educational computer and gaming hybrid, featuring:
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Integrated CRT display
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Famicom cartridge slot
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RAM and OS cartridge slots
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Full-sized mechanical-style keyboard
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NES-to-Famicom 62-pin converter
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Bundled bootleg Famicom multi-cart featuring classics like Super Mario Bros.
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All encapsulated in one, delightful beige unit.
What’s more, it boots up to a cosmic-themed loading screen that feels like “computer class in a Cold War bunker.” What’s not to love?
How Does It Work?
Thanks to an incredible video by Russian Video Game Comrade, we got an up-close look at this machine in action. The BT-686 seems to work off a proprietary OS cartridge (similar to BASIC interpreters), with additional RAM cartridges available for memory expansion.
But the main highlight is its Famicom compatibility: it runs bootleg multi-carts smoothly, and with the included NES-to-Famicom pin converter, you can even play your NTSC NES games—provided you have the right power supply and plenty of patience.
Even crazier? The keyboard is fully operational. While many educational clone machines have keyboards that are non-functional or limited, the BT-686 allows for typing and BASIC-style commands, making it technically a hybrid computer-console.
Why You Might Not Have Seen One
The BT-686 is not just obscure; it’s incredibly undocumented. Aside from a few collectors and YouTube showcases, there’s nearly no digital footprint for this rarity—no marketing materials, no official specifications, and no pricing history.
Our best guess is that it was sold in China or Southeast Asian countries in the early 1990s as an “educational” device, cleverly disguising Famicom gaming as a learning tool.
Finding a complete working unit—with keyboard, display, OS, and RAM cartridges—is virtually unheard of.
Final Thoughts
The Batong BT-686 is a retro enthusiast’s dream from a parallel dimension—part Famicom, part classroom computer, and part wild imagination. It’s these strange, boundary-defying consoles that make retro collecting so fulfilling. You’re not just acquiring a gaming system; you’re uncovering a lost chapter of tech history.
Do you have one hidden away? Or know more about it? Contact us—we’re eager to learn more about this electronic marvel!
Stay quirky, stay retro.
image source: Facebook Marketplace
Original article by ausretrogamer.com
