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What is the SNES Mini good for and how does it fare against the original?

2.10.2017

Translation: machine translated

The mini version of the Super Nintendo is here. Find out here what it can do, whether you need one and whether the original isn't better after all.

Oh, it's so cute. My eyes glaze over as soon as I unpack it. The Super Nintendo Classic Mini looks good enough to eat. After the success of the NES Classic Mini, it came as no surprise when Nintendo announced the mini version of the extremely successful Super Nintendo. Now it's finally available - at least for the quickest pre-orderers.

Short update on availability: We received significantly larger quantities than for the NES Classic Mini, but the rush was also massively greater. Nintendo has already announced that they've really ramped up production. We hope that we will soon receive new deliveries so that you too can get your hands on the baby SNES.

Looks confusingly similar

The SNES Classic Mini is almost identical to the original - just four times smaller. Its grey is also still young and fresh and not as ugly and yellowed as my old Super Nintendo. The controller connections on the front are dummies. The same goes for the game module slot on the top and the eject button. However, the on/off switch works as before and the reset button can also be pressed. Nothing to do with soulless, haptic buttons. You can still press them properly here. You'll find HDMI and micro-USB ports on the back. Which brings us to the next point

How to connect?

Instead of outdated Scart, there is a modern HDMI connection. This allows the SNES Classic Mini to be connected to any new TV or monitor. Sound is also transmitted at the same time. The device is powered via a micro USB cable. Once again, there is no mains adapter. However, you can use any mobile power supply and simply plug the micro USB cable into it. Conveniently, my receiver has a USB port on the back.

What is included in the delivery?

The games console
2 controllers
HDMI cable
USB cable for power supply (without power adapter)
21 pre-installed games

Two controllers included

That's what I call fan service. Since everyone bought a second controller for the NES Classic anyway, Nintendo is now supplying it as well. They look and feel just as good as the originals. So you can get started straight away and shoot your mates with turtles in "Super Mario Kart". At least if you can figure out where to connect the controllers. I have to admit that I actually had to consult the instructions. But why don't you take a look? Where do I plug in the controllers? A quick glance at the instructions finally reveals that the dummy connections are a removable cover. The real connections are hidden behind it. Sneaky Nintendo. Really sneaky.

Original controller

You can't connect the original controller without an adapter. However, the connections are compatible with both the wired Wii controllers and those of the NES Classic Mini.

Cable length?

Hurrah, the cable is longer than the NES Classic Mini. Shoot, it's still shorter than the original. I don't know why Nintendo is only doing things by halves here, but at least the cable is a bit longer. It's still nowhere near long enough for me to sit on the sofa. But somehow it's a bit like the old days when you sat far too close to the telly. Unfortunately, my sitting flesh is no longer as firm as it was back then.

Great selection of games and even a new game

Nintendo has made a very decent selection of games. Even if it is significantly smaller than the NES Classic Mini. Most of the classics are included. Including even a previously unreleased one. "Star Fox 2" was developed long ago, but never released - until now. This even surprised the developers at the time. They are all the happier about the belated honour. To unlock "Star Fox 2", you simply have to play through the first level of "Star Fox".

These games are included

Contra III The Alien Wars (European title: Super Probotector: Alien Rebels)
Donkey Kong Country
EarthBound
Final Fantasy III
F-ZERO
Kirby's Fun Pack
Kirby's Dream Course
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Mega Man X
Secret of Mana
Star Fox (European title: Starwing)
Star Fox 2
Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting
Super Castlevania IV
Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts
Super Mario Kart
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Super Mario World
Super Metroid
Super Punch-Out!!!
Yoshi's Island

If that's not enough, you can be almost certain that the device can be hacked, just like the NES Classic Mini. And then you can install as many games on it as you like. The hardware doesn't seem to be much different from its predecessor anyway

These titles are designed for two players

Contra III The Alien Wars
Donkey Kong Country
Final Fantasy III
Kirby's Fun Pack
Kirby's Dream Course
Secret of Mana
Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting
Super Mario Kart
Super Mario World

There is one small drawback. Although the menu can be set to German, the games are all in English.

Some tricks in store

As with the NES Classic Mini, you can use the reset button to return directly from the game to the menu and save your game state there. This is independent of the save status in the game. This means you can save at any time. Something that wasn't possible in the original versions and that I often sorely missed.

Another extremely practical function is rewinding. You can rewind at the same place where you save. How exactly and for how long differs from game to game. In Super Mario World, you can easily prevent deaths by replaying the corresponding location. It's a shame it doesn't work directly from the game, but it's still practical. Sure, it's cheating, but if you're short on skills or time, you'll be happy about it.

Image quality and sound

The image of the SNES Classic Mini (left) has significantly better colours and is much clearer.

As with the NES Classic, the picture quality is exactly as you remember it - in other words, better than it actually is. If you connect the original SNES via Scart for comparison, you'll get instant eye cancer. Regardless of the picture setting (game mode was the worst), the picture looks extremely pixelated and a little blurred. The SNES Classic is a much better trap thanks to its dedicated HDMI output. The picture is razor sharp despite 720p. The colours are right and the refresh rate is just right. A real pleasure. Older consoles such as the Super Nintendo should ideally be played on an old CRT screen or with a signal converter such as the Framemeister, but these things are expensive. You can also choose between the three screen modes CRT filter, 4:3 and original resolution via the menu. Whereby the preset 4:3 already looks the best.

The sound is also better than the original. Wonderfully clear sounds and an upbeat menu sound, even if it doesn't quite match that of the NES Classic Mini. I could sit in front of the telly for hours and listen to the groovy Mario sound. It really never gets old.

This is what I want for the N64 Classic Mini

The SNES Classic Mini is a little bundle of joy. It looks deadly chic, comes with two controllers and has a decent selection of games. Thanks to the HDMI connection, it can also be connected to modern televisions without any problems and the picture quality is simply fantastic. Together with the great sound, it really took me back to my childhood. What more could you want?

Ok, there are a few things. So if Nintendo launches the N64 Classic Mini next year - and there's already a lot to suggest - I have a few requests to make. Please make even longer cables next time. Preferably with integrated Bluetooth. That's kind of blasphemy, but we'll take the better picture quality without complaining. There should also be a key combination to access the menu so that I don't always have to get up to press the reset button. And an enclosed mains adapter would be the icing on the cake. But even so, I can recommend the SNES Classic Mini to everyone - now I just hope that these things will be available again very soon.

Retro gaming

EUR409,79

Nintendo Classic Mini

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Philipp Rüegg

Senior Editor

Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.ch

As a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.

Your data. Your choice.

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