Topic: SNES buying advice?

I'm going to buy my first retro console soon, and I intend for it to be a SNES. I really don't know what I need to look for though, so far I can see that the average SNES is about 40-50 dollars and things like controllers and the cables will cost an extra 10. I don't know what other peripherals I will need though, because knowing Nintendo, there are probably a few things. I heard something about a Super FX chip or something, and then I heard about a mouse, but I don't know much about them. I know they yellow over time, but will it really affect the system itself or not?

In terms of games, I'm generally going to try getting the older games first and working my way up, to increase the feel of actually owning it during that time. Of course, I won't exclusively follow this, so I don't really know what to start with. I will probably get Super Mario World, but I'll get SMAS + World if I can get it cheap. I'm also interested in the Square and Enix games, maybe I could get a Final Fantasy game or something. The main thing is that my budget is pretty limited so I probably can't go beyond 2-3 games for the summer. I also heard that I might need to do some battery changing to make the saves work on a lot of games.

Finally, where should I look in general? Amazon is where I got most of my data, but I'm not familiar with eBay too much so they might be cheaper. I was hoping I could find a place online that focuses on retro games, but I couldn't find a good one. I know there are several retro retail stores, but I live in a mostly rural area and I'm going to have to look online for these things.

Thanks in advance.

Ok sorry about the confuse. There is this thread here that some people list Retro stores https://www.nintendolife.com/forums/retro/a_good_storewebsite_... that you can check.

I use this site myself http://www.tradengames.com/productcart/pc/home.asp and never had a problem with them.

Another good place to look is thrift stores and garage sales as well.

@bub166 First off, I applaud you sir for making a fantasitc decision! I would say you should be able to find a good shape SNES for 50-60 bucks with everything you need including 2 controllers. The only other peripheral I would say you may want is the Super Scope but that was just "meh" I would say. Unless you are getting Mario Paint or want to play Vegas Stakes don't worry about the SNES mouse. The Super FX is in specific games so that is not a "add-on" to your console. I have my orignal SNES and it has slightly discolored over time even though it has been boxed up when I don't play it. This doesn't effect gameplay, just looks bad. I am one to care about condition and how things look, others maybe do not care.

If you get a Final Fantasy game, both are great, you will be busy for awhile over the summer. Changing the battery for saves is not to difficult, Internet tutorials are easy to find and follow. Ebay is a good place to judge the current market price for games and systems as opposed to a store where they set the price. Good luck in collecting retro video games and systems, it is a lot of fun, but a fair warning to you though it's addicting!

Thanks, Ryno! That about covered everything I needed. And thanks to Tasuki also, as now I have all the resources I need to find the parts and games themselves.

To Ryno, I thought I heard something about Civilization on the SNES needing it and Sim City 2000 (maybe it was 3000, I don't follow the franchise) supporting it. I'm interested in both, although I'd probably get the first Sim City if either. I played the second one on the SNES and found it kind of weird to play with a controller. The first one feels much better in my opinion. It's also good to know that discoloration won't affect anything other than the looks. I also care for the look of my console, but it is quite a bit more expensive to get one that's not discolored. But I brought it up because I thought I heard someone say that if you are looking for a SNES, you should always avoid discolored ones, and I couldn't think how that would actually affect gameplay at all.

As for collecting them, it sure would be a lot more addicting if I had actual retailers to go to and find things. Even just a thrift shop or something. I actually do have one in town, but I'm right in the middle of Nebraska, if that says anything. The rarest thing I ever found there was a Super Mario book based off of the show and a Pokemon Monopoly set. Both were cool finds, but even that was a LONG time ago. I might as well go and check, though.

(I also checked on craigslist, and to put it in perspective, the only retro things I found were a couple overpriced N64's and N64 game lots that were far over 50 miles away.)

I dont believe the SNES mouse works on the first Simcity but I do know besides Mario Paint it works on Simant and T2: The Arcade game as well, but like Ryno said not to many games used mouse.

As for the discoloring it doesnt do anything for the actual performance of the system. I have had my SNES since Christmas 91 and it has turned the yellow coloring but it runs just as fine now as it did the day I got it. The yellowing is actually from the flame retardant they used in the plastic that when it is exposed to air it turns that funky yellow color. If you are looking for a non yellowing SNES than yeah you will probably pay more and unless you are looking for it for a collector piece than its not going to matter but, if you want one just to play the yellow ones work just as good.

Thanks for the information, it's good to know I won't need to pay even more. Other than Earthbound in a while, I don't plan to spend too much on this yet.

You are welcome Bub166
Apparently there were a bunch of SNES mouse games out there including Civilization. More then I thought at least. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SNES_Mouse

I have a couple of retro stores around me, I live near Seattle, so it is fun for me to look but usually I think they are to expensive and end up getting most stuff off Ebay. Swap meets are fun to check out and so are garage sales like Tasuki mentioned earlier.

So Nebraska huh? Cornhuskers fan?

Yup.

Oh well you get to watch the Huskies put another beatdown on the Cornboys in September

I didnt mentioned that cause I didnt know lol. Never used the Super Scope for anything.

I actually don't have an LCD, so no problem for me. What all games use the Super Scope? Or is that game that it came with the only one? I'm a little confused about them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Scope#Games_compatible_wit...

Here's a list. There's not too many games that use it. I hear it takes quite a few AA batteries so if you're going to get one then you'd best get plenty of AA batteries

Huh.. not many games on the list. I'm not really interested in any of them, although I really like the book Hunt for the Red October. Anyone know if it's a good game?

Nice choice. Hope your SNES works! Retro consoles are awesome. I got my first retro console, a Genesis, back in September, and I am constantly building up my collection. Well, not that constantly, but whatever.

On another note, I have a Dreamcast, but don't get me started on all its problems.

I suppose I should note that I have a GameBoy Color, so it's not my first time, but I don't have much use for it considering I have a GBA SP. I don't have an N64 yet, either, so I can't do any linking.

I suppose I got that at a garage sale, though. Maybe it is possible to find something around here.

My advice is to buy a Wii and download SNES games.

I have a Wii and some SNES games on it, but I'm not satisfied with the library or the way the games play; I prefer the original controller, as in my experience, games are always better when played the way originally intended.