The Nintendo FDS is a home video game console released by Nintendo in Japan in 1982. It was the first cartridge-based version of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and was designed to be backwards compatible with the NES's disk-based games. The FDS had a limited library of games, but it holds an important place in gaming history due to its role as a precursor to the NES.

The Nintendo FDS was initially released in Japan on August 21, 1982, under the name "Famicom Disk System" (FDS for short). It was later rebranded and released in North America and Europe as the "Nintendo Entertainment System Disk System" or simply the "NES Disk System." Despite its initial success, the FDS was eventually discontinued in Japan due to poor sales.

The FDS had a unique architecture that set it apart from other consoles of its time. It used a custom-designed processor called the MBC1 (Memory Bank Controller 1) and supported a maximum of two cartridges at once. The console also featured a built-in disk drive that allowed for smooth playback of games on 3.5-inch floppy disks.

The FDS had an impressive library of games, including many iconic titles like "DuckTales," "Mega Man 2," and "Astro Blaster." These games were developed by renowned studios such as Capcom, Square (now Square Enix), and Sega. The console also supported a range of other genres, including sports games, puzzle games, and educational software.

One of the standout features of the FDS was its support for interactive media. It featured built-in support for audio CD playback, allowing users to listen to CDs on their console. This feature set it apart from other consoles of the time and made it an attractive option for music fans.

Despite its technical capabilities, the FDS had a relatively limited appeal in Japan. The console's games were often more expensive than those released on cartridge-based consoles like the NES, which may have contributed to its poor sales. Additionally, the FDS was plagued by issues such as poor image quality and disc fragility, which further reduced its popularity.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in collecting and playing classic games on retro consoles like the FDS. As a result, many rare and hard-to-find titles have become valuable collector's items. Some of these titles are still available for purchase new from Japanese retailers, while others can only be found through online marketplaces or second-hand stores.

For those interested in exploring the library of games available on the FDS, there are several options for purchasing and playing classic titles. The Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console service has released many FDS games as part of its "Nintendo Age" lineup, which includes a range of classic NES games that were originally released on the FDS. Additionally, some third-party developers have created unofficial emulators and patches to allow players to run certain FDS titles on modern consoles.

In terms of age rating, there is no single universal rating system for video games in Japan. However, the Japanese government has implemented a number of regulations aimed at protecting children from violent or explicit content in video games. The "Game Rating Law" was enacted in 2004 and established a rating system that categorizes games as either "suitable for all ages," "suitable for children over the age of 10," or "not suitable for sale to minors."

According to this system, many FDS games would fall into one of these three categories. For example, games like "DuckTales" and "Mega Man 2" are rated as "suitable for all ages," while titles like "Astro Blaster" and "Bionic Commando" are rated as "suitable for children over the age of 10." However, some FDS games may have been released with a more restrictive rating in Japan than they would receive today.

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) also had its own rating system. The NES had three levels of rating: A (suitable for all ages), B (suitable for children over the age of 10), and C (not suitable for sale to minors). Many FDS games were released on cartridge-based versions of the NES, which would have been rated using this system.

In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards releasing classic games on modern platforms with more nuanced rating systems. For example, the "NES Classic Edition" and "SNES Classic Edition" consoles both include games that would have originally received a higher rating in Japan due to their graphic violence or mature themes.

In conclusion, the Nintendo FDS is an important part of gaming history due to its role as a precursor to the NES. Despite its technical capabilities and impressive library of games, the console was ultimately discontinued in Japan due to poor sales. However, with the release of the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console service and other retro gaming options, it is now possible for gamers to experience the FDS's unique library of games.

As for age rating, while there is no single universal system for video games in Japan, many classic titles released on the FDS would fall into one of three categories: "suitable for all ages," "suitable for children over the age of 10," or "not suitable for sale to minors." The NES also had its own rating system, which included levels such as A (suitable for all ages), B (suitable for children over the age of 10), and C (not suitable for sale to minors).