Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System

Description

The Super NES Mini followed-up the hugely successful NES Mini. A compact replica of the original SNES, pre-loaded with 21 classic games.

Inside sits a semi-custom ARM SoC with a completely satisfactory interface and emulation. The two controllers are excellent recreations of the original and provide immediate multi-player opportunities. The unit is powered by Micro USB, 5V and very low wattage. HDMI is the only other port, which outputs at 720p. All quite minimal but perfectly acceptable.

Nintendo did well to provide a good selection of first and third party games across a range of genres. Notably it also included the previously unreleased Star Fox 2. With such an extensive library however, inevitably some favourites were always going to be mixed. Fortunately existing tools to easily transfer ROMs over USB, developed for the NES Mini, were compatible making it incredibly easy to add more games to this nice and accessible package.

Reception was generally positive. Really the only issue was a limited supply at launch, echoing what happened with the NES Mini. Nintendo was more prepared this time and willing to run additional productions, but so were consumers who were more inclined to pre-order multiple units, expecting shortages. Ultimately these classic consoles came in a period where Nintendo was starting to rebound following the difficulties of the Wii U and the developing critical success of the first Switch.