Today Nintendo fans around the world finally got to get some sweet 16bit action with the release of the SNES Classic Mini. Iāve been playing on mine all day and to bring you an early review.
SNES Classic Mini Review
The SNES was Nintendoās second generation games console. It came after the original 8bit NES and features an all-new design, top-loading cartridge slot, and new controls that brought shoulder buttons to the gaming world.
The SNES Classic Mini is visually identical to the original SNES games machine, but itās a tiny little device that is dwarfed even by todayās much larger gaming machines. Even the relatively small Nintendo Switch looks huge in comparison.
Nintendo has been faithful to the original design of the SNES, and as you can see from my photos I have the European version of the 16bit console has round edges rather than the blocky design of the U.S spec console.
While the SNES Mini Classic looks identical it doesnāt have all of the same SNES features. For starters, the cartridge slot is just for show and the only games you can play on are those 21 pre-installed on the machine out of the box.
Up front, youāll notice that the ports for the controllers look identical to the original SNES plugs, but again this is just for show.
The real controller ports are hidden behind a plastic cover and are actually identical to those on the NES Classic Mini.
On the rear, the SNES has HDMI out for connecting to modern TVās and a mini USB for power. Nintendo doesnāt supply a USB power plug with the SNES Classic Mini but youāll probably find one from a phone that will work, Iāve actually used a Xiaomi Powerbar to run mine.
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So itās smaller and some parts on the SNES Classic Mini arenāt quite the same as the retro version, but the rest of the package is all functional.
The power switch turns the SNES Classic Mini on with a satisfying click, and thereās a reset button which will allow you to quite games and get back to the systems āhomeā menu.
Nintendo supplies two classic joypads with the console and Iām happy to see that the length of cable is way more generous than they were on the NES Classic Mini. I can actually sit back on my sofa to play the SNES without worrying about yanking it off the desk.
Setting up the SNES Classic Mini is super easy. Connect the supplied HDMI cable to your TV and SNES, plug in a USB cable and power, connect the control pads and switch on.
After a few moments the system boots up and youāll get to choose what language you want to see the system in. This is a one-time deal and each time you boot up from then youāll go right into the main menu.
From the main menu, you have access to 21 top games from the 16bit era including Star Fox 2 which was never actually released! Top Tip: You canāt actually play Star Fox 2 until you have unlocked it. This is simple and requires you to complete the first level of Star Fox.
As for gaming? Well, itās just as good as I remember it was the first time around. 16bit Nintendo games not only look and sound way better than the 8bit games on the NES, but they stand up to the test of time better too and are much more playable.
My top game picks on the SNES Classic Mini so far are;
- The Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past
- Super Marion World
- Super Metroid
- Star Fox 2
But, those are just the standout games, all the games on the SNES Classic Mini are amazingly good fun and all of them are emulated perfectly. Nintendo has been wise enough not to fiddle with the games or enhance them in any way, so they all behave and misbehave as they should.
If youāre a lover of retro gaming and Nintendo the SNES Classic Mini is a must-have, but even for the casual gamer who remembers these classic titles, the SNES Classic Mini is sure to delight.
“The SNES was Nintendoās second generation games console. ”
Technically it was the 3rd generation for Nintendo. Their first console was Color-TV Game (yes that was the actual name).
As cool as these throwback systems are though you are much better off building a Raspberry Pi Emulator that will give you nearly every game from every classic system. You can even buy a Pi Case and controller that resembles the older systems.
Hey Balco, I fully agree with you on the Pi thing. There is a trick to these though, apparently the internals are the same as the NES classic and the guys have hacked them to put any rom you want on it(even combos of NES and SNES). There is actually software for doing it, my guess would be when the N64 mini comes it will be the same as well.
“The SNES was Nintendoās second generation games console. ”
Technically it was the 3rd generation for Nintendo. Their first console was Color-TV Game (yes that was the actual name).
As cool as these throwback systems are though you are much better off building a Raspberry Pi Emulator that will give you nearly every game from every classic system. You can even buy a Pi Case and controller that resembles the older systems.
Hey Balco, I fully agree with you on the Pi thing. There is a trick to these though, apparently the internals are the same as the NES classic and the guys have hacked them to put any rom you want on it(even combos of NES and SNES). There is actually software for doing it, my guess would be when the N64 mini comes it will be the same as well.
The great thing is standard authentic Nintendo controllers and the system just works when children or friends or yourself sit to play.
Heh, fuck nintendo. They make you buy the same games over and over and over again. So now they want to do the same with consoles, because they know Nintendo fans are suckers.
There is nothing bad about ppl have some nostalgia, our good memories were a part of snes and specially super mario.
He’s totally right!! You can find all that for free on an emulator come on!!
This is a ripp off. A fraud, a single internet research give us access to all the snes library. So hell no!!!
Im totally agreed , but if you and me can use an emulator and roms on pc, some ppl can’t
The great thing is standard authentic Nintendo controllers and the system just works when children or friends or yourself sit to play.
Heh, fuck nintendo. They make you buy the same games over and over and over again. So now they want to do the same with consoles, because they know Nintendo fans are suckers.
There is nothing bad about ppl have some nostalgia, our good memories were a part of snes and specially super mario.
He’s totally right!! You can find all that for free on an emulator come on!!
This is a ripp off. A fraud, a single internet research give us access to all the snes library. So hell no!!!
Im totally agreed , but if you and me can use an emulator and roms on pc, some ppl can’t
Guess this only appeals to Nintendo fans since I personally enjoy playing games thou I never cared about old Nintendo games.
So you’ll only play 21 games with this $80 console ?
While you can play every game available with an emulator ?
They could at least have put a real cartridge reader…
So you’ll only play 21 games with this $80 console ?
While you can play every game available with an emulator ?
They could at least have put a real cartridge reader…