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The Super Nintendo Entertainment System Is Officially 30 Years Old Today​

Three decades ago, the SNES console officially launched in the US.

On this day in 1991, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System officially launched in North America. While it had arrived in Japan as the Super Famicom in November 1990, the US launch resulted in a console with a radically different outer appearance thanks to Nintendo of America industrial designer Lance Barr. A combination of strong angles, a few rounded areas, and a distinctive color scheme resulted in the console becoming an iconic piece of hardware for its generation.

Nintendo had its work cut out for it though, as unlike the previous 8-bit generation of gaming, Sega had evolved into its biggest challenger thanks to the Sega Genesis console's combination of critically-acclaimed games and a marketing campaign designed to convince consumers that it was the coolest kid on the block. With that strong competition in the US market, Nintendo had to develop heavy-hitting games to convince people that the $200 console was worth investing in.

Nintendo didn't disappoint with this strategy, as the SNES era was home to some of the company's most iconic brands. Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario Kart, F-Zero, and Star Fox all debuted on the SNES, while established franchises such as Super Mario Bros., Metroid, and The Legend of Zelda set new benchmarks within their respective franchises.

The fun didn't stop there, as the SNES was home to a number of terrific third-party games from the likes of Capcom, Squaresoft, and Konami. Street Fighter Alpha 2, Final Fantasy VI, Sunset Riders, and Contra III: The Alien Wars were just some of the highlights amongst many other games that could be picked up during the lifespan of the SNES.




By the time that the SNES was succeeded by the N64 console in 1996, Nintendo's 16-bit machine had sold millions of units. Lifetime sales of the SNES clock in at 49.1 million units, which makes this console Nintendo's eighth best-selling console of all time. It outsold the N64, GameCube, and Wii U by a wide margin, as well as the Sega Genesis by almost 20 million units once the dust from the 16-bit console war had cleared.




These days, the SNES lives on thanks to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service slowly adding games from its library to the Nintendo Switch. There's also the Super NES Classic Edition that was released in 2017 that came with 21 SNES titles pre-installed and has so far done good business, but for a more authentic experience that works on modern-day TVs, you can always try the $190 Super NT console sold by Analog.

In other anniversary news designed to make you feel ancient, this week also sees Deus Ex: Human Revolution turns ten years old, while the first entry in Capcom's Devil May Cry series is officially 20 years old.

Source: Gamespot

 

[West Texas CEO]

Undoubtedly the most overrated console in gaming history, yet it still holds some special memories for me.
Here's to you, SNES,

 

[amigastar]

I never really liked the US Snes design. The European and Japanese one was way more slick lookin. Anyways great console.

 

[rodrigolfp]

Mine still works. S2

The most overrated console in gaming history, yet it still holds some special memories for me.
Here's to you, SNES,

As console = exclusives and possible best versions of multiplatforms, faaaaaar from being the most overrated...

 

[AJUMP23]

The Japanese box is the best box design ever. I would say greatest game line up in the history of consoles.

 

[amigastar]

The Japanese box is the best box design ever. I would say greatest game line up in the history of consoles.

Wow, great box design.

 

[a multicultural team of v]

Undoubtedly the most overrated console in gaming history, yet it still holds some special memories for me.

Yeah, I don't think there is a single genre that the PSX doesn't have a better selection of games, but the SNES is definitely amazing and has so many memorable games. Honestly the PSX feels like a more natural follow up to the SNES in terms of library than the N64, but that's a whole 'nother thread.

I've been watching a lot of Gamecenter CX lately and I really really really need to hook my SNES up and play some Donkey Kong Country.

 

[Syphon Filter]

Best Nintendo console ever by far.

 

[Neff]

Best console

 

[OmegaSupreme]

One of the best consoles ever. Not much else to say.

 

[I Love Rock 'n' Roll]

Best Nintendo console ever by far.

Nintendo at their very best!

 

[Jeeves]

I always thought the little slide switches for power and reset on the NTSC console were so cool. And the postage stamp shaped base.

I do really like the look of the JP and PAL consoles, but I think the US one is better than it gets credit for.

 

[bit_blaster]

Amazing console, Nintendo was at its height with both first and third party games during this era.

Super Metroid, A Link To The Past, Mario World, Donkey Kong Country, Final Fantasy III(6), Chrono Trigger, Earthbound, Castlevania 4, and so much more

 

[AMSCD]

Glad to have been old enough at the time to appreciate its magic.

 

[Deleted member 1159]

Christmas 91 was magical. There’s a VHS home video somewhere of my sister and me being the N64 kid before that shit went viral.

 

[Captain Toad]

Undoubtedly the most overrated console in gaming history, yet it still holds some special memories for me.
Here's to you, SNES,

Like hell it is. Some of the best games ever made, mostly coming from Squaresoft and Nintendo themselves.

 

[Heimdall_Xtreme]

A Legendary console...

30 years... That is too fast.

With Snes, ps2 and ps4 are the Best consoles of the history.

Nintendo switch for me is a spiritual sucesor of SNES.

 

[EverydayBeast]

Very important console in gaming history.

 

[Spukc]

The GBA is basically the SNES 2

 

[BlackTron]

SNES is the most perfect Nintendo system. Back when Nintendo really tried.

They are still riding the coattails of that past success.

 

[Kokoloko85]

Love my Snes. The nostalgia
Top 3 best JRPG machine and so many legendary games.

ps Pal version looks so much better

 

[Orenji Neko]

My childhood SFC from release still work perfect。Do not take it out much though these days and emulate but still love as my most favorite next to Mega Drive。(｡♥‿♥｡)

 

[Phunkydiabetic]

Undoubtedly the most overrated console in gaming history, yet it still holds some special memories for me.
Here's to you, SNES,

Get a load of this guy saying the snes is the most overrated console in history while the Dreamcast exists.

 

[BennyBlanco]

 

[Soltype]

tell me about it, got one in September 91, definitely doesn't feel like 30 years ago.

 

[Shifty1897]

I'm pretty sure my testicles descended while playing Earthbound as a child and that's why I have such fanboyism (fanmanism?) for that game and the SNES.

 

[p_xavier]

The Japanese box is the best box design ever. I would say greatest game line up in the history of consoles.

 

[amigastar]

 

[alabtrosMyster]

Undoubtedly the most overrated console in gaming history, yet it still holds some special memories for me.
Here's to you, SNES,

Cancer?

 

[NeoIkaruGAF]

Yeah, I don't think there is a single genre that the PSX doesn't have a better selection of games, but the SNES is definitely amazing and has so many memorable games. Honestly the PSX feels like a more natural follow up to the SNES in terms of library than the N64, but that's a whole 'nother thread.

What platformers on the PSX are better than the SNES‘s best?
Please don’t say Rayman.

I’ll always love the SNES, even if some of its most touted games aren’t that great when you play them for the first time today.

 

[SpiceRacz]

Undoubtedly the most overrated console in gaming history, yet it still holds some special memories for me.
Here's to you, SNES,

So overrated.

Dreamcast and PS2 hold that title.

 

[Sleepwalker]

My first ever console, loved it to bits

 

[West Texas CEO]

So overrated.

Dreamcast and PS2 hold that title.

I'm not impressed in the very least.

The box art for those games are cool, but the actual games themselves are shit.

Maybe the exceptions being Mega Man X and Final Fantasy VI.

 

[MacReady13]

Along with the 360 and PS2, my fav console of all time. So many memories of this amazing console!

 

[zcaa0g]

Then less than a year later, Wolf 3D was released on PC and it was curtains for my SNES.

 

[a multicultural team of v]

What platformers on the PSX are better than the SNES‘s best?
Please don’t say Rayman.

I’ll always love the SNES, even if some of its most touted games aren’t that great when you play them for the first time today.

Well 2D not as many are up there in quality, really just Rayman, Tomba 1/2, Klonoa, and maybe Pandemonium (which is probably horrible to play these days), but if you factor in 3D then the list gets pretty large.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Great system... except for sports (NHL Stanley Cup worst hockey game I ever played). But fighters, shooters and it's shoulder buttons were awesome.

My Genesis was great too, but lets just say SMW + Contra 3 was 10x better than Altered Beast and Thunder Force 2.

 

[Celcius]

The snes was my first console and I still have mine. I wish I hadn’t sold my snes mini. Great system!

 

[Quasicat]

I never really liked the US Snes design. The European and Japanese one was way more slick lookin. Anyways great console.

Agreed. In fact, when the classic consoles were released, I bought the Super Famicom version and hacked it completely into English. It’s just had an overall better aesthetic to it.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

I never really liked the US Snes design. The European and Japanese one was way more slick lookin. Anyways great console.

Agreed. In fact, when the classic consoles were released, I bought the Super Famicom version and hacked it completely into English. It’s just had an overall better aesthetic to it.

I don't know why, but some reason system makers back then liked making different looking consoles in different regions. Must be some kind of market research/survey shit they did to make it worth doing around the world. PC Engine/T-16 was like that too.

 

[jshackles]

This was my favorite console of all time.

It's now been overthrown by the Switch (mostly because the Switch can play SNES games as well as having it's own outstanding library of titles).

 

[mansoor1980]

the street fighter 2 port being timed exclusive was important for the success of this console

 

[Ozzie666]

Filled with memories of Mario, Ghost and Goblins, Castlevania IV during the launch period.
Not sure it's overrated, but that generation of games resonates with me more than others. First Year was pretty dam good and carried on the successful NES franchises well.

 

[Naked Lunch]

SNES is still Nintendo's best console - by quite a wide margin. My original console's outer shell yellowed a bit, still works like a champ.

Now this thread on the other hand...
Overrated? Saying PS1 is better? Just absolute nonsensical crazy talk.

 

[RoboFu]

Undoubtedly the most overrated console in gaming history, yet it still holds some special memories for me.
Here's to you, SNES,

I’ll kill you !!

 

[NecrosaroIII]

90s gaming was the best. Started off with the SNES and ended with PS1. What a hell of a one two punch. Gaming started its descent into mediocrity after that

 

[Grand Theft Scratchy]

My first video game console was the Super Nintendo. Lots of great games with Super Mario World being my favorite.

Anyone remember Kirby's Avalanche? That was another good one.

 

[eNT1TY]

Best console ever, it ain't the Dreamcast, its the mufuggin SNES.

 

[Sgt.Asher]

I brute forced my way through a link to the past before i could read, on my brothers file. I could never get far in donkey kong though. Later, he sold most of the games for pot and/or the neighbor kid stole them.

 

[nush]

a radically different outer appearance thanks to Nintendo of America industrial designer Lance Barr.

Thanks to? Special No Thanks to more like.