- Pronouns
- He/Him
Release Date
Japan: November 21st 1990
North America: August 23rd 1991
Europe: April 11th 1992
Features
-16-bits, which is also exploits the newfound way of marketing consoles during the bit war.
-Mode 7, which is essentially an effect that can zoom in/out of sprite, think of F-Zero.
-Cartridges can be equipped with special chips such as the SuperFX chip (3D effects. ex: Star Fox, Stunt Race FX) or the A1 chip (Additional CPU power. ex: Super Mario RPG, Kirby Super Star) which can enhance various features, the cartridge format was even adapted to play Game Boy games with the Super Game Boy and Super Game Boy 2 (Japan only), which are pretty much GB hardware in a SNES cart.
-Home to some of the greatest 2D franchise entries ever.
-STILL has one of the best controller out there.
-The misunderstanding of the American market as it was given a square & purple console.
How can I access the SNES library during these modern days?
-SNES consoles are still accessible and maintenance is still minimal, however times are going fast and the capacitors in those are getting older. Intermittent problems and issues are possible the more we go forward. As for cartridges, most popular games such as Super Mario World and the likes can be bought for a fair price, however, the moment you delve into more obscure and limited games, even some still popular releases, the prices can get absurd real quick. Hope you're rich if you're looking for CIB copies nowadays.
-You can also discover the SNES library with its original cartridges in glorious HD with Analogue's Super NT, an FPGA based console that replicates the SNES perfectly in glorious 1080p! It can also backup your cart's ROM and save files on an SD card when using SmokeMonster's firmware.
You can find the Super NT at the below link, when available.
Analogue
We make products to celebrate and explore the history of video games with the respect it deserves.
store.analogue.co
-The SNES Classic Edition comes with two controllers and 21 included games which is ideal for anyone who'd like to have an idea of what the SNES was or anyone who wishes to taste that era again. It also includes the never-before-released Star Fox 2.
-Nintendo offer a selection of SNES games on their Nintendo Switch Online platform. Multiplayer games can be played online with friends. The list below represents the SNES game selection as of the date this post was last edited (October 20th, 2021). All info on the link below.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System™ - Nintendo Switch Online - Nintendo Official Site
Play retro SNES games like Star Fox™, Super Mario Kart™, Donkey Kong Country, and many more on the Nintendo Switch system with Nintendo Switch Online.
www.nintendo.com
-The still-alive Wii U E-Shop also has 51 SNES games available to buy, which you can have for the price of 7.99$(USD) each.
Is there a way to dump my SNES cartridges to enjoy those on the devices of my choice?
-As I often recommend, the Retrode is the easiest way to proceed to that goal. You plug the Retrode on your PC, cartridge in, and it'll show as a stockage device in which you'll find the ROM file of your cartridge. It is also a useful device if you wish to backup your save files in case the save battery fails, issue for which the odds are getting higher with time. You can back your save, change the battery, and drop in back to be good for another couple of decades. If you're an emulation enthusiast, you can also use it to play with original SNES controllers as it has two SNES controller ports on each sides.
The retrode can be found on the below sites, when available.
Retrode 2
stoneagegamer.com
-If you do have have a Analogue Super NT with SmokeMonster's Firmware, you can use the COPYSNES feature which will dump any cart you throw at it directly on your SD card, ROM and save file!
Show your collection!
Sure, your turn!
Maintenance & Mods
Thanks to Mazzle, once again, for the contribution!
Controller
Rubber replacement
Even tho the SNES Controller doesn't have a control stick that destorys itself over time, it still has components which will get worse.
I'm talking about the rubber pads inside the controller, that are important for a good feel and accurate inputs.
Kaizo-Speedrunner Dode made a list about rubber replacements you can buy, easily replace and see how good they are.
Check this list out here: CLICK
A new controller
8BitDo does create some very neat modern solutions and controllers for retrogaming. They even have wireless receivers for their line of controllers, if you are sick of being all wired up. Check them out HERE
RGB
Unlike the NES or N64 your bgo standard SNES will feature RGB. For your consumer CRT television, Cinch is enough and S-Video will
already bring a huge improvement, but RGB is the king and needed for upscalers like the OSSC and RetroTINK X5.
Revisions
The SNES underwent several internal revisions. The most significant was combining the two video chips into one, which reduced the
horizontal blur but also made the picture too bright. Overall the picture quality of a 1-CHIP SNES is better (if you ask me), but if you wanna
learn more, you can read some stuff here:
SNES Version Compare
The SNES Mini and 1CHIP consoles output a much higher quality signal then the older SNES revisions, however all SNES consoles can be modded for high quality output. This video walks you through everything you need to know in detail, with https://youtu.be/fi7csYj00BU A Brief History of the SNESwww.retrorgb.com
2-CHIP or 1-CHIP?
But how can I check if my SNES is 1-CHIP or 2-CHIP? Well you could screw it open But if you don't have a Gamebit you can
open the expansion slot on the down side of your console and either see 3 solder bumps or some sort of ring.
If you have a ring, your console is a 1-CHIP.
SNES Mini
Now... there is another revision, the so called SNES Mini, which unlike those other two also looks different from the outside.
It even has the best picture-quaulity... but you would need to mod it. More on this, here:
SNES Mini DIY RGB Mod
SNES Mini RGB Mod - Onboard S-RGB Amp This guide shows you how to enable RGB output on a SNES Mini / Jr using its built-in RGB amp. If you'd like this mod performed for you, you can hire the following services: Modding Services: Retrofixes SNES Mini RGB Mod - USA Voultar's
De-Jitter my Signal
The SNES is not known for the greates picture. Out of the box, the Genesis (or Mega Drive) has a wayyyyy better RGB signal. The SNES is even
known for a jittery signal, which can lead to TVs or upscaler not properly recognizing it and not shwoing a picture. But there is a so called de-jitter which you can install to fix this. (Does only work with NTSC consoles tho).
Here is an Installation guide for all known SNES/SFC version, made by the fantastic marqs85:
snes_dejitter/installation at master · marqs85/snes_dejitter
NES/SNES 240p de-jitter mod. Contribute to marqs85/snes_dejitter development by creating an account on GitHub.github.com
Cables
Scart
Just with the N64 I can only reccomend the great guys from RetroGamingCables from the UK with their top-quality cables.
If you can't get a grip on one of the official Nintendo GameCube RGB cables, check them out:
Super Nintendo
www.retrogamingcables.co.uk
YPbPr
But besides them, I can also vouch for the HD Retrovision cable, which doesn't have a SCART-plug at the end, but uses YPbPr or so called Component.
It's easy to adapt to HDMI and the great thing is, this cable comes with a brightness-switch, so that your 1-CHIP SNES isn't too bright and creates vertical bars on dark pictures (not to confuse with the white vertical line, due to an old voltage regulator)
I want it all...
Original
borti4938 from SD2SNES created a board/mod for one to install you every SNES version can play every version. So PAL can play NTSC and vice versa (if you mod your slot a bit) It looks like this:
(there is also an older mod where you replace on of the quartz and sloder several wires, but who want's do this today?)
Analogue
The guys from Analogue make great products with high accuracy and if you don't have an original SNES anymore or want a pure digital signal that goes right into your TV, then you can of course use their Super NT. It is the best solution for out of the box 1080p signal with no region locking.
Super Nt - Analogue
www.analogue.co
That's all from me. But you can dive even deeper into everything around the SNES. Like making your Super Famicom play NTSC-U cartridges, replacing the sound-chip and so much more. A great starting point is still RetroGRB or the guys from MyLifeInGaming. Check them out.
P.S.: All SNES Cartridges that have a safe function need their battery replaced to function again. So no handy list here from me. Sorry!
Youtube Section
Let's start properly with a compilation of official SNES ads shall we?
CGQ's coverage of the launch of the Super Nintendo.
Some GameSack because I love these folks.
Coverage by My Life in Gaming, awesome folks as well.
When did you get a SNES? What are your favorite games? Are you still playing with SUPER POWER? Share your most cherished memories, your best deals, emulation, everything around the SNES! It is the place for this!
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Other FamiRetro Threads:
Nintendo Entertainment System |ST| Appreciation & Collecting Thread
Nintendo 64 |ST| Appreciation & Collecting Thread
Retro Gaming on Switch |ST| True Preservation
Emulation Discussion Thread |ST| Reliving our Favorites through Software, Hardware, and FPGA!
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