Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Release: September 9, 1991
aka: SNES, Super NES, Super Famicom (Japan)
Nintendo had been planning a second game system since shortly after the NES was released, but when NES sales dropped in early 1991, the project was hurried.
Similar to the Sega Genesis, The system's main competition, it would have a 16-bit microprocessor, could create 32,768 colours and have multiple background layers. These multiple layers created the possibility of three-dimensional gaming.
The Super Famicom had already sold 4 million systems in Japan when its North American version, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, was released. However the system didn't do so well overseas. The Genesis was huge, and the TurboGrafx-16 still had a small hold on the market. Nintnedo needed games—and fast.
Nintendo was forced to drop the strict third-party licensing policies that it had adopted for the NES. Any company was allowed to produce liscenced SNES software, but Nintendo rated the games and promoted the better ones.
The Super Nintendo climbed and met the Genesis. The NEC TurboGrafx-16 fell behind, and the SNES and Genesis stayed neck and neck until the next generation of gaming hit the market.
Upgrades & Accessories
Super Scope
The Super Scope is a bazooka-like light gun that interacts with the screen just like the Zapper gun of the NES. The wireless scope uses 6 AA batteries and includes the Super Scope 6 game cartridge, featuring 6 shooting games. A small library of Super Scope games were released thereafter.
Super NES Mouse
The SNES mouse, which was released with the game Mario Paint is a two-button mouse, like any computer mouse. It came with its own pad, and can move around an onscreen cursor. Not many games were released that use the device.
Super Game Boy
This attatchment allows Game Boy games to be played on the SNES. This makes games larger with a small amound of colour. Game Boy games released after the Super Game Boy feature more colour when used with the device, as well as their own specialized border.
Game Genie
This game altering code machine is similar to the GameShark of the next generation. It changes the way the game is percieved, giving you unlimited lives, altered appearence, power-ups etc. Similar models are available for the NES, Game Boy, Genesis and other systems.
Super Multi-Tap
This unit allows up to 5 players to play on one SNES at a time.
Other Controllers
A barrage of third-party controllers, joypads and controller enhancements are available for the SNES.
NES Adapter
This device was planned from the beginning of the SNES to play NES games. It was never released by Nintendo. However the Innovation SuperEight converter, unliscenced, can play NES games on the Super NES.
CD-ROM
A CD-ROM add-on was planned and develloped for years with Sony and Phillips. Nintendo abandoned the project, and Sony evolved what work they had into the Sony PlayStation. Nintendo instead focused on devellopment of the Nintendo64.
Top Games
- Super Mario World
- Super Mario RPG
- Sim City
- Super Mario Kart
- Donkey Kong Country
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Paperboy 2
- StarFox