Super NES Classic Edition
The Super NES Classic Edition is a dedicated home video game console developed and published by Nintendo as a miniature replica of its 16-bit Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), preloaded with 21 classic games and featuring emulation software to recreate the original hardware experience.[1] Released on September 29, 2017, in North America, Europe, and Australia (and October 5 in Japan), it retailed for a suggested price of $79.99 USD and included two wired replica SNES controllers, an HDMI cable for modern TV connectivity, and a USB cable for power.[2] Among its notable features are in-game save states (up to four per title), a rewind function allowing up to 30 seconds of gameplay reversal, and customizable display borders mimicking original SNES packaging art.[3] The bundled game library highlights iconic SNES titles such as Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid, Donkey Kong Country, and Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting, with a standout inclusion being the never-before-released Star Fox 2, which Nintendo completed but shelved in 1995. Intended as a limited-run product following the success of the 2016 NES Classic Edition, the Super NES Classic faced high demand and scalping issues at launch, prompting Nintendo to extend production into 2018 before officially discontinuing manufacturing at the end of that year.[4] Despite its short lifespan, the console sold over 5.28 million units worldwide by March 2018, cementing its status as a nostalgic hit that revived interest in retro gaming while paving the way for Nintendo's ongoing Super NES library on the Nintendo Switch Online service.[5]Development
Background and Conception
The Super NES Classic Edition emerged as a direct follow-up to the Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition, which launched in November 2016 and quickly became a commercial hit, selling over 2 million units globally by April 2017. Nintendo conceptualized the project in late 2016, shortly after the NES Classic's initial success, with the aim of extending its mini-console strategy to the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), originally released between 1990 and 1992 in various regions. This move was driven by the growing demand for retro gaming experiences that evoked the 16-bit era's iconic titles and gameplay.[6][7] The primary goals of the Super NES Classic Edition were to make classic SNES games easily accessible without requiring original hardware, peripherals, or physical cartridges, thereby appealing to millennials who grew up with the system as well as longtime owners seeking a modernized revival. By miniaturizing the console and preloading it with emulated titles, Nintendo sought to tap into nostalgia while simplifying entry for new players, positioning the device as an affordable entry point to its retro library. This approach aligned with broader industry trends toward nostalgia-driven products, where revivals like the SNES Classic helped sustain interest in legacy hardware amid the rise of digital re-releases.[8][9] Game selection played a central role in the conception, with Nintendo curating 21 titles based on factors such as historical popularity, player familiarity, and original sales figures to ensure broad appeal and straightforward purchasing decisions. The lineup prioritized iconic franchises like Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda, while navigating licensing considerations for third-party games to create a balanced, representative collection of the SNES library. This hand-picked assortment was intended to highlight the console's enduring legacy without overwhelming users.[10] Lessons from the NES Classic Edition's severe supply shortages, which led to widespread scalping and fan frustration, directly influenced production planning for the Super NES Classic. Nintendo committed to manufacturing significantly more units—though exact numbers were not disclosed—to meet anticipated demand from launch through the end of 2017, aiming for better availability at retail. This proactive adjustment reflected a strategic pivot to avoid repeating past logistical missteps and maximize the project's nostalgic momentum.[11]Announcement and Promotion
The Super NES Classic Edition was officially unveiled by Nintendo during its Nintendo Spotlight presentation at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) on June 26, 2017.[12] The announcement highlighted the console as a miniaturized replica of the original Super Nintendo Entertainment System, preloaded with 21 classic games, and included the surprise reveal of Star Fox 2, a long-canceled title that had never before been commercially released.[7] This reveal generated immediate buzz among gaming enthusiasts, positioning the product as a nostalgic successor to the successful NES Classic Edition. Nintendo set the manufacturer's suggested retail price at $79.99 USD, a $20 premium over the NES Classic Edition's $59.99 price point, reflecting the inclusion of additional games and enhanced features.[7] To build pre-launch excitement, the company launched marketing campaigns centered on trailers that showcased the console's authentic retro design, HDMI connectivity for modern displays, and the emotional pull of reliving 1990s gaming memories.[13] These promotions, including a features trailer released in August 2017, emphasized the lineup's diversity and the console's plug-and-play simplicity, appealing to both original fans and new audiences.[14] Further hype was fueled through partnerships with major retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, Target, and Walmart, where pre-orders opened on August 22, 2017, and sold out rapidly despite Nintendo's assurances of increased production volumes compared to the NES Classic.[15][11] Promotional efforts extended to events like Gamescom 2017, where additional trailers reinforced the nostalgic theme, and widespread media coverage portrayed the console as a celebration of Super NES heritage.[16][8]Hardware
Design and Technical Specifications
The Super NES Classic Edition is a miniaturized replica of the original Super Nintendo Entertainment System console, featuring a compact gray plastic shell with curved edges that evokes the 1990s design while reducing the overall footprint for modern setups. Measuring 1.6 inches in height, 4.2 inches in width, and 5.2 inches in depth, the unit is significantly smaller than its predecessor, allowing it to fit easily alongside contemporary hardware.[17] Its build quality emphasizes durability through lightweight molded plastic, prioritizing portability without compromising the nostalgic aesthetic.[18] Internally, the console employs an Allwinner R16 system-on-chip (SoC) with four ARM Cortex-A7 cores and a Mali-400 MP2 graphics processor to emulate the original Super NES hardware, running the emulated 65c816 CPU at 3.58 MHz for NTSC regions to faithfully replicate classic performance. It includes 256 MB of DDR3 RAM and 512 MB of NAND flash storage for loading the pre-installed library of 21 games. Video output is handled via HDMI at up to 720p resolution with 60 Hz refresh rate for NTSC, upscaled from the original 256x224 pixel games, while PAL versions support 50 Hz compatibility.[19][20] The rear panel features a single HDMI output port for connection to modern televisions, two proprietary controller ports compatible with original SNES-style inputs, and a micro-USB port that serves dual purposes for powering the device and receiving firmware updates via a PC connection. Unlike the original console, it lacks a cartridge slot or any expansion ports, streamlining the design for plug-and-play use. Power is supplied through a 5 V USB connection using the included 1 A AC adapter, with actual consumption measured at approximately 2.3 W during operation to ensure efficient, low-heat performance across NTSC and PAL standards.[21][22][23]Controllers and Peripherals
The Super NES Classic Edition ships with two wired controllers that replicate the design of the original Super Nintendo Entertainment System gamepad, featuring a directional pad, four face buttons (A, B, X, Y), and L/R shoulder buttons in the classic layout. Each controller measures approximately 5 feet (1.5 meters) in cable length, an improvement over the shorter cords of the preceding NES Classic Edition, allowing for more flexible placement during gameplay.[24][25] These controllers enable two-player simultaneous input for supported games but lack wireless connectivity, relying solely on direct wired connections to the console's two dedicated ports. The system is also compatible with the Wii Classic Controller and Wii Classic Controller Pro via these ports, providing additional input options. Original Super NES controllers can be connected using third-party adapters sold separately, though they require modification of the original 7-pin connector to fit the modern port design.[26] The included accessories comprise an HDMI cable for video output and a USB AC adapter for power supply, ensuring straightforward setup with modern displays. Third-party options, such as vertical stands for console display and HDMI-to-composite adapters, support compatibility with older televisions without native HDMI inputs.[27]Software
Included Games
The Super NES Classic Edition features 21 pre-installed games from the Super Nintendo Entertainment System library, selected to represent a diverse array of genres including platformers, role-playing games (RPGs), action-adventure titles, fighting games, and shooters.[28] This curation emphasizes iconic releases primarily from the North American region, supplemented by ports of select Japan-exclusive titles to broaden the appeal.[28] The fixed library does not include expansions, downloadable content, or options for adding more games, though some titles retain minor region-specific elements in their emulation. The complete list of included games is as follows:| Game Title | Genre | Original Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| Contra III: The Alien Wars | Run-and-gun shooter | 1992 |
| Donkey Kong Country | Platformer | 1994 |
| EarthBound | RPG | 1995 |
| F-ZERO | Racing | 1990 |
| Final Fantasy III | RPG | 1994 (NA; 1992 JP) |
| Kirby Super Star | Platformer | 1996 |
| Kirby's Dream Course | Golf/platformer | 1994 |
| Mega Man X | Action-platformer | 1994 |
| Secret of Mana | Action RPG | 1993 |
| Star Fox | Rail shooter | 1993 |
| Star Fox 2 | Rail shooter | 2017 (previously unreleased) |
| Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting | Fighting | 1993 |
| Super Castlevania IV | Action-platformer | 1991 |
| Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts | Action-platformer | 1991 |
| Super Mario All-Stars | Platformer compilation | 1993 |
| Super Mario Kart | Racing | 1992 |
| Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars | RPG | 1996 |
| Super Mario World | Platformer | 1990 |
| Super Metroid | Action-adventure | 1994 |
| Super Punch-Out!! | Sports/fighting | 1994 |
| The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past | Action-adventure | 1992 |
| Yoshi's Island (Super Mario World 2) | Platformer | 1995 |