After plenty of rumours and assumptions based on common sense, Nintendo unveiled The Super NES Classic Edition (NA) / The Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (PAL / Europe / Australia / New Zealand), though it was an announcement with some surprises.
There's been a lot of excitement around the news, but also a bit of confusion, so this guide is here to bring together the key information; we'll add to it as more details emerge.
What is the Super NES Classic Edition?
Like the NES equivalent of 2016, this is a tiny recreation of the original Super NES, but it doesn't run any cartridges. Instead it comes pre-loaded with a number of games; you simply connect to your TV with a HDMI cable and away you go.
It is not a replica or official clone, in other words, but a standalone piece of hardware that runs a selection of SNES games. You can't use original SNES controllers, either, but have to use those included with the hardware or alternatively any supported Wii Classic Controllers or third-party controllers that use the relevant port. This port is the same as those used for connecting a Nunchuk or classic controller to a Wii Remote.
When is the Super NES Classic Edition going to be released?
It's going on sale in North America and PAL territories on 29th September (30th September in Australia / New Zealand), and on 5th October in Japan.
It's not called the Super NES Classic Edition in my region, why?
Because Nintendo! As with the NES version PAL territories are matching up with the Japanese branding, while Nintendo of America uses a different name. You can see the differences below (with a translation of the Japanese name).
The Super NES Classic Edition (North America)
The Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (PAL)
The Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Famicom (Japan)
A common shorthand that'll be used is 'SNES Mini'.
What do I get in the box with a 'SNES Mini'?
Let's break it down:
- The system, pre-loaded with 21 games
- Two wired controllers (with a 5 foot cable, rather than the 3 foot cable of the NES Mini controller)
- A HDMI cable
- A USB cable for connecting to the AC adapter
- An AC adapter (North America only)
You read that right. While the North American version comes with an AC power adapter, in Japan and PAL territories you only get the USB cable. Most people have multiple USB input AC adapters for charging phones, tablets etc, but it's still a strange omission (it was the same deal with the NES Mini, unfortunately). In Japan Nintendo is even marketing a separate branded AC adapter as an accessory.
What games are included on a SNES Mini?
The North American and PAL listings are the same, for a very good reason. The PAL units will be running the US 60Hz versions, which basically means the full speed / optimal versions of the games. Back in the '90s PAL consoles, due to TV specifications among other things, ran at 50Hz which meant many games actually ran slower than in North America and Japan. You can see a good example of this here, but the key point is that PAL gamers will get to play the games the right way on this system. We're unsure at this stage, however, of how this will affect language support in Europe, for example.
The big news, undoubtedly, is the inclusion of Star Fox 2 on the system - it was never released and has only existed in unofficial ROMs up to now. The game's most recognised development figurehead from the '90s, Dylan Cuthbert, is as surprised as anyone about its inclusion. Cuthbert has made a good point that it'll surely be a 'mastered' version, as ROMs on the internet have all been (according to him) unfinished builds that lack the polish and testing normally associated with Nintendo games. Interestingly, players will need to beat the first level of Star Fox on the system to unlock the sequel.
So, here's the full North American / European list of 21 games.
- Contra III: The Alien Wars
- Donkey Kong Country
- EarthBound
- Final Fantasy III
- F-ZERO
- Kirby Super Star
- Kirby's Dream Course
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Mega Man X
- Secret of Mana
- Star Fox
- 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
Interestingly the Japanese list is a bit different, below.
- Contra III: The Alien Wars
- Donkey Kong Country
- Final Fantasy III (Final Fantasy VI in Japan)
- F-ZERO
- Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem
- Kirby Super Star
- The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Mega Man X (Rockman X in Japan)
- Panel de Pon (known as Tetris Attack in the West)
- Secret of Mana
- Star Fox
- Star Fox 2
- Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers
- Super Formation Soccer
- Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts
- Super Mario Kart
- Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
- Super Mario World
- Super Metroid
- The Legend of the Mystical Ninja
- Yoshi's Island
The key changes to note in Japan are as follows - incoming for the Super Famicom Mini are Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem, Panel de Pon, Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers, Super Formation Soccer and The Legend of the Mystical Ninja. Those missing in Japan that are included in the West are EarthBound, Kirby's Dream Course, Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting, Super Castlevania IV and Super Punch-Out!!.
Great! Now where can I buy a SNES Mini?
Here's the potential problem. Nintendo never got close to meeting demand for the NES Mini in 2016. The company has stated that it will manufacture more of the SNES units in an effort to meet demand, but won't commit to doing so beyond the end of 2017.
The pre-order situation is problematic already. Some UK retailers opened pre-orders but Amazon (for example) stopped taking orders less than an hour after going live, with other retailers also rapidly selling through their initial allocations. In North America, meanwhile, we only have holding pages where buyers can register interest at present; we've compiled links to major retailers in this pre-order guide.
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
At the moment it's extremely tough to secure a unit, then, but hopefully the situation will be manageable by the time the console launches.
So there you have it, the details of what we know so far about this system. Let us know of any queries or areas we've missed in the comments, and we'll be updating this guide as more information emerges.
Comments 76
@InternetBowser I like the MyNintendo suggestion, far too sensible for Nintendo though
The NES Mini had a separate branded AC adapter as an accessory in the UK, so I imagine there'll be one for the SNES Mini at some point too.
Thank you for the guide. Are we allowed express what games we'd like excluded/included instead? Or will we be bashed by certain members for having an opinion?
The original SNES controller cord length is a little over 6 and a half feet by comparison to the SNCM controller. A lot of us have the controller extender cords from the NES Classic Mini should they be needed.
@Jack_Goetz Did it? I probably tried to deny its existence because, well, it shouldn't really be a thing.
@ThomasBW84 Yeah, it's still available here: https://m.store.nintendo.co.uk/nintendo-classic-mini-accessory/nintendo-classic-mini-nintendo-entertainment-system-power-adapter/11363926.html
I agree though, it's totally unnecessary.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE I'm sure there's no problem with giving a wish list, but I can imagine some people might be rubbed the wrong way if you suggest that a game they like shouldn't be included.
Personally I'm very happy with the 21 games with the SNES mini, especially Star Fox 2. I would have liked the other Donkey Kong Country games on there though as I've never played them.
@Jack_Goetz £8 for a plug adapter, crikey.
Hm. The US and EU actually get the better games over Japan. In my personal opinion at least.
As Mario RPG and Earthbound, were never released (except in Virtual Console) in the UK, and the inclusion of StarFox 2 (and it being called the original name is a small miracle instead of Starwing) this is quite an impressive piece of kit. Of course as long as Nintendo has learned it lesson with the NES Mini, which i doubt, and make enough for the demand. Well, if they did make too many, then the scalpers would buy the surplus anyway.
I wish we were also getting Panel de Pon/ Tetris Attack
I want the SNES classic. That being said, its too bad they didn't include DKC2 and 3. I wish they had put Super Street Fighter II on there instead of Turbo, just a personal preference and owning it in 3 other formats and USFII for Switch, I won't cry about it. I wish this had awesome Enix games like Illusion of Gaia, EVO Search for Eden, and Terranigma, but the RPGs they did put on there are definitely good choices. Hope I can get one preordered or get one camping outside my Target on launchday. I'm very excited, but somehow not quite as excited as for the NES mini.
@Incognito_D Me too but it seems that since our version of the game use the Tetris name, that prevents it from being released for the SNES classic mini.
No Super Tennis
Shamefully robbed from elsewhere.
Of course, it'll be less funny if this in fact happens. AGAIN!
So after a half dozen articles yesterday I finally just realized it isn't called the Mini in the US. And looking at the box on my son's shelf the NES wasn't called the Mini either. I'm still calling it SNES Mini anyway.
I think we're still undecided on this one. It is 2 weeks after my son's birthday, maybe him and a bunch of his friends can skip a day of high school and go wait on line for the day.
Maybe that should be the SNES Mini ad - "Where were you when the SNES Mini launched? It's how memories are made."
@Alikan I'm glad they put Street Fighter II Turbo on there instead of Super SFII as the sounds, music, and endings were horrible in Super SFII. Since Street Fighter II Turbo is basically two games (Champion Edition and Hyper Fighting), there are really 22 games in this classic mini.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Only if its presented as a personal preference whilst acknowledging the need to offer a varied variety of games and accepting there will be those who like the selection available. Most importantly, the lack of your preferred choice in no way makes the selection a "bad" selection and one that should be universally panned as if everyone is in agreement.
I would have preferred SFII Turbo, F-Zero and Super Punch Out replaced with some other titles but there's enough for me to be happy about and there are people who'd like those titles so can't be greedy.
The million-dollar question is: Will it be hacked like the NES Classic and if so... how much space is available on it compared to the NES Classic?
@FX102A "Most importantly, the lack of your preferred choice in no way makes the selection a "bad" selection and one that should be universally panned as if everyone is in agreement."
And has someone said that?
I'm rather excited for this! I didn't have an SNES as a child, and always wanted one, so it'll be cool to get the handful of games I've repeatedly played over the following years - Super Mario World, Final Fantasy III - while also getting to enjoy so many games I missed - Yoshi's Island, Earthbound, Kirby Super Star, Super Mario RPG, and Starfox. Hopefully I can get my hands on the system!
As far as wishlist stuff goes, I'd swap Super Punch Out and Street Fighter for Chrono Trigger and Super Mario All-Stars. It would, of course, also be nice to have later games in the Donkey Kong and/or Mega Man series, but I'll be content with what we're getting.
@retro_player_22 no problem here. I'll definitely put it through its paces and I understand Turbo is much more popular in the west. People often tell me Capcom took the game "too far" by adding four more characters. I bet those same people have been paying to get more characters in Street Fighter V....but need to stop myself, I like all incarnations of SFII.
Pretty sure we'll have no problems getting it here in Moscow. The NES Mini was relatively easy to come across until January, I believe. The second controller was a real nightmare to buy, though.
BTW, I believe a guy named Cluster found a way to sideload ROMs in the NES Mini. Should it be possible with the SNES Mini as well, I'd get my childhood collection runnning, complete with Lion King, Dinsney's Aladdin, DKC 2 and 3, Pitfall and Jurassic Park.
I want the European version of the SNES classic but do not want to get screwed
They could easily release a part 2 and part 3 SNES mini and still have great games left over. I wonder if they'll do that given the vast choice of great games on the SNES, or if indeed there is an eShop hiding in this and waiting to be announced? I suspect neither! 😀
PS I hope there is an equally catchy tune on the UI for this like there is on the NES mini
I assume that the PAL one will run identical with US version? I mean at 60Hz, since it's output is via HDMI.
Really hope i can get one of these. I'm pretty happy with the games line up for the PAL version although would have preferred super sf2 over turbo as its the best in the series IMO. The lack of an ac adaptor does seem pretty tight though...
I was lucky and managed to get a preorder in with Amazon uk pretty much straight away.
Whether they can fulfil that order remains to be seen...... I guess we'll just have to wait and see
Most of these games are on New 3DS so I am not compelled to buy this but if there's a way to play Fire Emblem 4 and 5 on it, you have my attention. However, these can still be played through Homebrew on Wii.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
I figured it out. People have misjudged you because you (and ALL of us) were negative about the way Nintendo treated the Wii U and lackluster releases like Star Fox ZERO. Then, you were negative (like SOME of us) when the Switch announcements were made and had nothing major to sell besides upgraded waggle and a wii U port (imho).
However, because you post so frequently, it sounded like all negativity when people who actually read ALL of your posts would find that you are actually very POSITIVE about Nintendo AND the future of the Switch, you're just down on ports and stock shortages. um, most of us are! haha
You have been positive about the upcoming SNES mini, but people have already pigeonholed you so now they only hear the negative ones and it becomes confirmation bias.
...
how'd I do? On the whole, you share negatives and positives, post frequently, and nearly always with respect.
as for me? I'm pumped for Star Fox 2, but I would cut both Kirby games. They are garbage. And I would add DKC2 at the very least, Chronotrigger, and Megaman X2 or X3. Not to mention $10 more for 9 less games...
Not sure I'll get one because I have carts or VC of almost everything here, but that StarFox 2... old is new again gives me retro hope for other things like Seiken Densetsu III.
...
Anyway, I'm gonna go make a youtube vid called "LEAVE SLIGGY ALONE!!!" and see how far that gets us!
Just snagged a pre-order on the official store for £69.99.
Just pre ordered mine! Yay 😎
Really wish they had released Chrono Trigger as from someone from the U.K it was never released and is hard to obtain so would have been a great addition as would 25 games then they could have had 20 N64 games next year rather than the 15 where going to probably get.
@Jack_Goetz me too! 😎
@techdude Yes, it says on the official page that all games will run at 60 Hz. I hope we will still get non-english text for the RPGs.
@SLIGEACH_EIRE
"We're all shocked. Some of us in not a good way."
Personally this sounded like "We were all pretty surprised Star Fox 2 is being included, but frankly we wish it wasn't."
We all have our preferences but frankly the tone of that statement lay somewhere between mean-spirited and ungrateful with almost a hint of childishness. Especially that in what could be insinuated as a response to one of the game's creators who's only now seeing his work being released to fans.
Another underpowered Nintendo machine with no AAA support. Great.
Still no news on a possible e-shop function then.
More like presumptions based on common sense.
The more often I look at it, the more intriguing it gets...
Super Formation Soccer? Oh, that game! That game I often played as a child but never knew its name of.
Well if the Japanese edition had contained ISS Deluxe, I would've actually thought about getting the Japanese version. Luckily that's not the case. ^^
@SLIGEACH_EIRE Lol that one was funny! 😆 Could you please provide the link to the original source?
I will wait for the games coming out for the Switch with the new Nintendo Network.
Great little article bringing everything together in one place.
PS. I'm probably going to be worse at playing all these games now that they are running at 60Hz (I'm used to the PAL 50Hz versions). Or maybe that increased framerate will actually allow me to respond a little quicker and I'll end up being better than I ever was. . . .
If it has the Wii end on the controllers, where are the controller ports.
Preordered one but the store only get 50 but im hoping, but their price was 150 euro so little bit expensive for my taste.
Yes, there's that one simple thing I'd like to know.
WHERE DO I PREORDER THIS BLOODY THING
Either only 20 copies will be shipped to Poland, or everybody has supersonic reflexes. I tried three different shops (frantic refreshing included), but nope, they've been sold in, I dunno, 7 seconds?
@Waninoko
It's the bots, man. They've already got them trained on the pages where pre-orders will happen. And when they open, they fire that buy button and take as much stock as they can get...
I've just noticed that Chrono-Trigger isn't on the list of included games, which is surprising considering it's one of the highest rated and more revered games on the system, and it usually ranks in the Top 10 of every Best SNES Games of All Time list.
I think Kirby's Dream Course could have been removed to make way for such a seminal and beloved title.
Still, it's a pretty stellar list overall, and I can't really complain about it--other than the fact I'd have liked there to 30 games.
With 30 games Nintendo could have included the likes of Chrono-Trigger, Killer Instinct, Super Bomberman, Turtles in Time, Actraiser, Super Aleste, Mortal Kombat 2, Super Tennis, U.N. Squadron and Sim City.
@impurekind I had a 60Hz SNES from the get go, when I finally tried a 50Hz SNES it felt like I was wading through treacle. It was the other way round with the MD, I started off with a PAL 50 edition then bought a Japanese model with switches, it was like a breath of fresh air...so fingers crossed with this.
@WiltonRoots Hopefully the emulation delivers and it works out great all-round. As I recall, the NES Mini's emulation was regarded as pretty great for the most part.
Yeah Tetris Attack totally should have been in the PAL release as well. The list screams for a puzzle game like that.
That aside seing FF3 (6) on the list is a gift beyond belief.
Super Ghouls' N' Ghosts is perhaps the one we could do without if it's anywhere near the unforgiving Ghost's N' Goblins. That game was just pure evil. Might enjoy yourself on a similar level walking barefooted through nettles.
@Aneira Oh, it's hard as nails (Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts). But, it's worthy of being on the list. Kirby's Dream Course is probably the title that could have been shunted for something a bit more critically acclaimed and beloved.
Will the U.K. Version work in the US? I like the look a lot better. I had the snes back in 91, wish I had kept it and all the games I had for it.
@Danpal65 Well, the first Donkey Kong is the best one by far. They included the best at least.
Someone has to address the elephant in the room that is: 3 player coop Secret of Mana. Is it happening?
@th3r3ds0x It's already been confirmed, it's NTSC.
@neufel It's obvious that there won't be any official way to buy additional games for these SNES minis.
Five foot cable? Come on Nintendo! Longer gamepad cables please!
All versions should have Super SF2 The New Challengers. While Turbo might be the purest version of the game, I'd rather have all the characters.
Why isn't Super Mario RPG on the 3ds eShop?
Looks tempting. But the Switch has spoiled me. I need these games on the go. I'll just wait until they release the VC version of these games. If they ever do release the VC
@Aneira
It's a great game. Few can beat it without save states but it's not as unforgiving as the original. The controls are spot on and the graphics are top notch for the snes. It's a worthy inclusion. Just wish there were more games. So many classics on the snes.
I REALLY want one of these but I'm afraid I won't even see one.
Managed to get preorders for me and a friend, but having missed out on NES Mini, I understand the agony of scarcity.
I do wonder, though, if the timing of the SNES means that the Virtual Console on Switch won't be coming anytime soon.
@NIN10DOXD
The ports are on the front, the ones you see are fake. The front flips down showing the real ports for the Wii connection. Look at the last image close to the end of the article. They show it there.
It just needed chronotrigger to be perfect....
Anyone else forget the Switch exists??
@WaveBoy this thing will get hacked in time and then you can have whatever you want. But yes i agree it does, Ninja Warriors or captain Commando would of been cool.
I believe the game selection is a bit on the strange side because of licenses. IPs owned by Nintendo passed easily, while 3rd-party apps are having some hard time, obviously.
Actually it's a really nice selection of games. And SNES is really the first console I really fell in love with. NES was nice, but not much more. And with two controllers and 21 games it's a tremendous value. Let's hope the controllers are similar in quality to NES mini. Cause those were almost as good as the original NES controllers.
This is a far better list of games than I had on my SNES so I'm very pleased with it.
It has a good balance of the games I played to death, Super Mario World, Super Metroid, Zelda and Streetfighter as well as a lot of games that I never got round to playing.
For me the NES mini was a novelty but I think I will actually play this a lot.
Managed to get a preorder in on the Nintendo Store. Despite already owning quite a few of these games on the original SNES or 3DS Virtual Console, I'm more excited for this machine than the Switch ATM (which I'll probably get for Mario Odyssey).
Games wise, I never played Secret Of Mana, Mario RPG or FFIIII so looking forward to getting stuck into those. And I think I only played the original Starfox once, over at a friend's place. While I've played all the others, they're mostly classics that I can't wait to play again. Although I could have done without the two Kirby games (I picked up Dream Course on 3DS VC and couldn't get to grips with the controls or viewpoint) and have added either Chrono Trigger (although the line-up is already quite JRPG focused, and I do own the DS port), Turtles In Time (although I can understand why it's not there), Super Parodius (because there should be a shoot-em-up on there, and I always wanted to play that one) or Zombies Ate My Neighbours (which I loved as a kid and had a great 2-player co-op mode).
But overall happy.
It's definitely gonna be a great buy. Sad that we still won't get a localised Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem game...
If you look at it, this might also be a way of how Nintendo will offer VC if you ask me. The Switch has the AAA titles (or so), the 3DS gets the portable titles, the mobile devices get mobile games from Nintendo and VC will possibly take a form of a Classic Mini console. Can't wait for the Wii U classic edition then...
Looks great to me, I have my brothers old Snes but only a few games on it, so this will let me enjoy what I missed.
I would have loved to have been able to play Chrono Trigger on it as I have never played it. Although I can just pick it up on the 3DS.
Okay, I'm very happy with the Games we'll get in EU. BUT it would be far more Original if the System would come with Super Probotector instead of Contra III. ...the Robots were far more charming in my opinion. And 2nd, why don't we get Super Street Fighter 2 (like in Japan) instead of SF2 with more speed.
@Shinnos Turtles in Time would be like mega super awesome!!!
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