Super Nintendo: The Complete Buyer's Guide
Nintendo released the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in North America in August 1991 as the successor to the NES. It is remembered for its Mode 7 graphics effects, its Sony-designed sound chip and a library that includes Super Mario World, A Link to the Past, Super Metroid and Chrono Trigger.
Quick facts
| North American launch | August 1991 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Nintendo |
| Media | Cartridges |
| Controller ports | 2 |
| Best-selling game | Super Mario World |
| Worldwide sales (with Super Famicom) | 49.10 million |
| Discontinued in North America | 1999 |
Models and what changed
The original SNS-001 is the larger gray and purple console with an eject lever, a power LED and an expansion port on the bottom. Its multi-out port supports composite, S-Video and RGB with the right cable, and many units have yellowed over time because of the plastic used in the shell.
The SNS-101, sometimes called the SNES Jr., launched in 1997. It is smaller and lighter, drops the eject lever, power LED, expansion port and built-in RF output, and outputs only composite video through its multi-out port without modification.
Later SNS-001 consoles with a single combined chip on the motherboard (known as 1CHIP units) are popular with enthusiasts because they produce a sharper RGB image.
Tips for buying one today
- You need the console, a Nintendo AC adapter, a multi-out AV cable and at least one controller. The SNES uses the same multi-out connector as the N64 and GameCube, so those AV cables work.
- Yellowed plastic is cosmetic and does not affect how the console runs. Check instead that the power and reset switches work and that the cartridge slot holds games firmly.
- Controllers wear at the shoulder buttons, so press L and R a few times to confirm they register cleanly.
- For a modern TV, use composite or S-Video into a converter or upscaler. An SNS-001 with an RGB SCART cable gives the cleanest picture through a good upscaler.
- North American cartridges have a different shape from Super Famicom and PAL cartridges and are locked out by a region chip, so imports usually need an adapter.
Games to play first
- Super Mario World
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Super Metroid
- Chrono Trigger
- Final Fantasy III
- Donkey Kong Country
- Super Mario Kart
- EarthBound
Shop by genre
SNES Action & Adventure Games · SNES Platformers · SNES RPGs · SNES Shooters · SNES Fighting Games · SNES Sports Games · SNES Racing Games · SNES Simulation Games
Guides
- How to Connect an NES, SNES or Sega Genesis to a Modern TV
- Every Zelda Game in Order: Release Dates, Timeline and Where to Start
- Games Like Chrono Trigger: 10 RPGs to Play Next
- Games Like Mario Kart: 10 Kart Racers to Play Next
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the SNS-001 and SNS-101?
The SNS-001 is the original, larger model with an expansion port, a built-in RF output and support for S-Video and RGB. The SNS-101 is the smaller 1997 redesign that outputs composite only (RF needs an external modulator) and has no eject lever or power light. Both play the same games.
Can a Super Nintendo play Super Famicom games?
Not out of the box. Super Famicom cartridges have a different shell shape and a regional lockout chip, so they need a pass-through adapter or a modified console.
How do SNES games save?
Games with save files, such as A Link to the Past and Chrono Trigger, store them on battery-backed memory inside the cartridge. Those coin cell batteries can die after decades and may need replacing to keep saves.
Does the SNES connect to HDMI?
Not natively. Use the multi-out port with a composite, S-Video or RGB cable and connect it through an HDMI converter or upscaler.