The magazine was first published in 1986 under the title of Famicom Tsushin, as it was originally focused on news relating to the Family Computer Nintendo system (known outside Japan as the Nintendo Entertainment System). One of its mascots was Necky the Fox. Popular gaming articles in various issues included the Early Warnings, the "Famitsu Express", the Top 30s and their pioneering Cross-Reviews. Other coverage include movie and DVD news.