News Tributes Pour In For Near, The Developer Behind One Of The World's Best SNES Emulators
"They always wanted to help others and show them a path to the future"
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online SNES Game Ranked
All the SNES games, ranked by you
News Nintendo Plugs Its NSO Zelda Games Ahead Of Skyward Sword HD's Release
Experience Link's classic adventures while you wait
SNES - News
September2021
News Don't Worry, Nintendo Isn't Abandoning Switch Online's SNES And NES Libraries
People who "don't upgrade" can still look forward to new additions
Nintendo's new tier for the Switch Online service has raised some concerns about future support for the SNES and NES libraries. Will games continue to be added to this service, or is Nintendo done with these older retro libraries for good? It seems there's no need to worry. Axios...
News Retailer Appears To Have Uncovered New And Sealed '90s SNES Games, And They're Up For Sale
What a find!
It's not often you stumble across brand new stock of games released in the '90s when browsing your favourite game store, but here we are with one of the most intriguing retail listings you're likely to see all year. German retailer Galeria Kaufhof has today added a brand new listing for Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals, known simply as...
Video The History Of The 'Silhouette' Super Nintendo Emulator Might Be An "Elaborate Hoax"
MVG takes a closer look
The Switch generation has seen Nintendo call on emulation for games such as the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection, but long before this, there was apparently an official emulator that could run Super Nintendo titles. Starting out life as 'Mirage', project 'Silhouette' was a SNES emulator for MacOS and Power PC that...
News Two Classic '90s Games Are Being Reprinted On SNES, And Pre-Orders Are Open
Sega Mega Drive and NES options also available
Stone Protectors Piko Interactive, which you'll likely know for its strategy of hoovering up old gaming IPs to re-release them on old hardware, has two more titles for your retro-loving consideration. Both Jim Power: The Lost Dimension and Stone Protectors, two games that were first brought to life in...
August2021
Random SNES Title HyperZone's Hidden 3D Mode Can Be Played With 3D Glasses
Anyone got a spare Famicom 3D System they don't need?
HAL's HyperZone is one of those SNES titles which didn't set the world alight at the time of release but has nonetheless built up a cult following in the years following its release. Much of the game's appeal is down to its innovative use of Mode 7 effects to present a realistic impression of 3D...
News The Designer Of The NES And SNES Has Retired From Nintendo After Almost 40 Years
"I am retiring and moving onto 'other' projects"
Lance Barr, the man who famously designed the NES and SNES consoles, has retired from Nintendo. Barr has made the announcement via his personal LinkedIn account, stating that "after almost 39 years at Nintendo, I am retiring and moving onto 'other' projects." He has served as Design & Brand...
Guide Best Super Nintendo (SNES) Games
As rated by you
On the 30th anniversary of the Super Nintendo's North American launch, what better time to revisit this list of the best SNES games ever? Originally published this to coincide with the Japanese version of this milestone, below you'll find a sparkling lineup of 16-bit classics — as ranked by you, dear readers. Remember, this list...
Anniversary The SNES Launched In North America 30 Years Ago
Excuse us while we crumble to dust
On this day 30 years ago, the Super Nintendo launched in North America. Does that make you feel old? Because we feel positively ancient. The release followed hot on the heels of the Japanese launch of the Super Famicom in November 1990, with American gamers getting a redesigned console which swapped the lush...
News Street Fighter II Doc 'Here Comes A New Challenger' Gets New Trailer And Crowdfunding Drive
Now available to pre-order on Indiegogo "due to demand from fans"
Street Fighter II documentary Here Comes A New Challenger raised over £27,000 when it was crowdfunded on Kickstarter recently, but the team behind the project have now announced that another funding dr
Gallery Nintendo Shares Absolutely Stunning High-Res Super Metroid Artwork
Take a trip back in time
Samus will return this October in an all-new outing on the Nintendo Switch titled Metroid Dread. It's being co-developed by the talented team over at MercurySteam - the same developer who worked on Metroid: Samus Returns for 3DS. In the lead-up to this new adventure, Nintendo has been sharing Metroid history on a special we
Feature 20 Super NES Classics Nintendo Should Bring To Switch Online
16-bit gems we'd love to see on Switch
Nintendo has been steadily adding to its Nintendo Switch Online NES and SNES offerings since the service launched, and although it was a slow start, we have to say we're impressed with the breadth of titles available to anybody paying for a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. It's pleasing to see lesser-known...
News Analogue Is Restocking The Super NT And Mega SG Later Today
Set your alarms, retro fans
Analogue — the company behind luxurious retro consoles such as the NES-based Analogue NT Mini and the upcoming Analogue Pocket and PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16 console, the Duo — have announced a restock of two previous systems, plus its DAC converter which makes a digital signal play nice with analogue displays. The...
Feature Artist Kamui Fujiwara Talks Terranigma Amid Drive To Resurrect Classic SNES RPG
"It means the quest is not over, right?"
Terranigma is a SNES title that holds a special place in the heart of many an RPG fan, which is remarkable when you consider that it was only released in Japan and Europe, and bypassed North America entirely. Part of Quintet's loose RPG trilogy (which also includes Soul Blazer and Illusion of Gaia),...
Video Remembering The Super Game Boy For SNES
Look at all those custom borders!
Back in the days of the SNES era, there was a device known as the Super Game Boy. If you're as old as some of us are here at NL towers, you might have some fond memories of the device. Basically, it was an adapter cartridge for the SNES that allowed you to play Game Boy and dual-mode GBC titles on the big screen...
News Limited Run Games Is Publishing SNES And Virtual Boy Retrospective Books
Download samples now
Well, this is a surprise. Limited Run - the company known best as a physical game distributor - has announced it will be publishing two retro gaming books. Both are by Jeremy Parish and will be available to pre-order on 10th August. Super NES Works Vol. 1 Hardcover Book Super NES Works Vol. I looks back at the early days of...
July2021
News Switch Online NES And SNES Controllers Are Back In Stock, NES Bundle 50% Off (Europe)
A Switch Online exclusive
If you're a Nintendo Switch Online subscriber who hasn't yet taken the opportunity to pick up the NES and SNES-inspired controllers for Switch (which just so happen to be perfect for playing the NES and SNES games available as part of your subsciption), you now have another chance. Both controllers are once again available...
Guide Every Nintendo Switch Online SNES Game Ranked
All the SNES games, ranked by you
Update: Now includes Claymates, Jelly Boy and Bombuzal, which are the most recent arrivals on Nintendo Switch Online's SNES app. Remember, this list evolves as users rate the games within, so head to the game profiles and rate them out of 10 if you'd like to see the rankings below alter. All of the above additions...
News Nintendo Expands Its Switch Online SNES Service With Three More Titles
Update: Out now!
Update [Wed 28th Jul, 2021 08:25 BST]: These games are now available on the Switch Online SNES service. An SP version of Super Mario Bros. 3 has also been added to the NES library. Original article [Wed 21st Jul, 2021 02:45 BST]: It's now the month of July and that means Nintendo is adding even more classic games to its Switch...
Random What Happens When You Remove Charles Barkley From His Own Video Game?
You get "Joe Hoops"
"Sir Charles" Barkley is one of basketball's all-time greats. He was voted the NBA's 'Most Valuable Player' in 1993 and has been named as one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. Like so many popular sports personalities, "Chuck" got his own video game in the '90s in the form of 1993's Barkley Shut Up and Jam! for the SNES...
News Some Of The Original Terranigma Team Want To Revive The Classic SNES RPG
Digital re-release or remaster, we don't mind...
Despite only seeing release in Japan and Europe, 1995's Terranigma is regarded as one of the highlights of the SNES RPG library, and copies change hands for startling prices on the secondary market these days. Sadly, the game has never been re-released in any form, but that's something that some of...
News Four Lost NES, SNES And N64 Games Have Been Brought Back To Life, Pre-Orders Now Open
But only for a limited time
If you're big on your video game preservation and history, this latest batch of pre-orders will be right up your retro-collecting street. Piko Interactive, an American publisher that specialises in grabbing the rights to forgotten, never-released games from years gone by and giving them the development time they...
Random Fancy A 'New' Copy Of F-Zero On The SNES? PixelHeart Has You Covered
500 units only
We're pretty used to seeing retro games getting reprints these days, but if you have a craving for 100% authenticity, then you might be more excited by the news that French publisher PixelHeart has 500 'new' copies of F-Zero on the SNES for sale. While some overly optimistic individuals might assume these are officially sanctioned...
News Chip's Challenge Is Making Its Console Debut On SNES And SEGA Genesis
It's never too late
Though many gamers are focused on the latest shiny new games from Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft, there's a market for 'new' releases on retro systems too. Now another one is going up for pre-order, in this case a game that'll be making its console debut on Super NES and SEGA Genesis / Mega Drive; yes, it is indeed 2021! This time...
News Nintendo Plugs Its NSO Zelda Games Ahead Of Skyward Sword HD's Release
Experience Link's classic adventures while you wait
Next week sees the release of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD on the Switch. Although it's only an updated version of a 2011 Wii title, Nintendo has been promoting it non-stop since it was originally announced. It's now using the lead-up to the game's release to promote Link's classics...
Soapbox Super Metroid Showed Me I Had The Right To Exist
Samus & Me
My first experience with the Metroid series was relatively unremarkable: I just bought Super Metroid for my SNES, back when a brand new SNES game was something you could just walk into a local shop and buy. I took its oversized box home, flipped through the glossy Player’s Guide, and noticed something odd — Samus Aran, the...
News After Almost 3 Decades, You Can Finally Read The Comic For SNES Classic 'Skyblazer' Online
Originally published in UK magazine 'Manga Mania'
Skyblazer is one of those 'AA' SNES titles that no one seems to talk about enough these days. Developed by Ukiyotei – the same studio which produced the equally underrated Hook for the same console and would later create the two excellent Metal Slug games for the Neo Geo Pocket Color – Skyblazer...
June2021
News EarthBound YouTube Videos Keep Getting Flagged For Copyright By Sony
"I find it horribly disheartening"
If you're a YouTube content creator hoping to share let's plays or other videos on EarthBound, SNES' cult classic RPG, you might want to think twice. Over the past couple of weeks, reports have come flooding in from YouTube users who say that their EarthBound-based videos are being flagged for copyright by Sony...
News Tributes Pour In For Near, The Developer Behind One Of The World's Best SNES Emulators
"They always wanted to help others and show them a path to the future"
It has been reported that Near, the developer behind the excellent SNES emulator BSNES (also known as Higan), has tragically taken their own life. Near – who also went by the names 'byuu' and 'Dave' in the past and identified as non-binary – posted a Twitter thread over the...
Random SNES Hacker Working On Widescreen Support For Super Mario World
Doing what Nintendon't
As much as we appreciate Nintendo's efforts with the Switch Online SNES and NES service, these games are for most parts basic emulations of the original classics. While there are some enhancements, we're still stuck with a 4:3 screen display. If you've always dreamed of what older games like Super Mario World would look like...
News Super Mario Kart Hacker Restores Nintendo's Official Track Editor
Code uncovered in recently leaked prototype
A "hacker guy" known as ‘MrL314’ has successfully restored the track editor used by Nintendo to construct Super Mario Kart. The original discovery stems from last year's Nintendo leak which contained an early prototype of SMK from 1991. Here, he found references to a track editor in the code -...
News What Are Your Favourite Switch Online SNES And NES Games? Nintendo Wants To Know
There are now over 100 classics to enjoy
At the end of last month, Nintendo rolled out another batch of retro games for the SNES and NES Switch Online service. Japan also got another Fire Emblem game and a bonus for everyone was
Never-before-seen content, cut ideas and much more...
New secrets about the SNES game EarthBound have been uncovered thanks to efforts of the Video Game History Foundation. In 2018, former Nintendo of America employee Marcus Lindblom (and the guy responsible for the English-language script in EarthBound) discovered an old floppy disk which were...
May2021
News Nintendo Reminds Us The Switch Online Service Now Has Over 100 Classic Games
We're ready for Mother now, Nintendo
Nintendo has just added five more games to the Switch Online SNES and NES service for the month of May, as well as a bonus version of Super Mario Kart. Interestingly, this means there are now more than 100 retro games available in North America and Europe. As a reminder of this milestone, Nintendo has shared the...
Reminder Five NES And SNES Games Hit Switch Today, Plus A Special Version Of Super Mario Kart
A retro wonderland
As promised, five new games have arrived on Nintendo Switch Online's NES and SNES apps today. But hang on a minute... What's this bonus game we see before us? Yes, as we shared last week, SNES titles Caveman Ninja (otherwise known as Joe & Mac), Magical Drop II, Spanky's Quest, Super Baseball Simulator 1.0
News 30 Years Later, SNES Street Fighter II Confirms One Of The Franchise's Biggest Myths
You spin me right round
Another of video gaming's greatest myths has been confirmed, 30 years after it first did the rounds in a pre-internet world. The myth relates to Capcom's insanely popular Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, and the notion that the original version of the game, first released in arcades in 1991 and later ported to the SNES,...
Hands On Book4Games' "Precision Game Storage" - Fancy Warehousing For Your Loose SNES Carts
We go hands-on with the fanciest alternative to a shoebox yet
Many years ago, some wise penny-pincher at Nintendo decided that shipping games in flimsy cardboard boxes was a sound business decision, and as a result, NES, Game Boy, SNES and even N64 owners had to endure packaging that was annoyingly delicate when compared to that seen on rival...
News A Rare SNES SA1 Demo Cartridge Has Been Found And Preserved
Power preservation
The Bit Wars were an intriguing time in gaming, particularly in the era of one-upmanship between the Super NES and the SEGA Mega Drive / Genesis. While there could be arguments over sound chips, BLAST processing etc, we also saw special enhancement chips produced that'd go within the game cartridges to improve performance or make...
April2021
Random Someone Really Wants Ant-Man To Sign Their Super Nintendo
Will donate $1000 to charity, if anyone can make it happen
Long before the American actor Paul Rudd joined the Avengers as Ant-Man, he actually starred in a commercial for the Super Nintendo - showcasing games like F-Zero, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Pilotwings and even SimCity. With this in mind, Twitter user
Random If You're Curious About How They Made SNES Music, This Is Worth A Watch
It was a free-for-all
Many of us have favourite SNES-era soundtracks, especially as they have that distinct sound of Nintendo's 16-bit machine. Of course, the actual technicalities of how those soundtracks came together can be fascinating, as composers and sound designers were working with resources a thousand miles removed from the range of tools...
March2021
News Super Coder Speeds Up Yet Another SNES Classic
Konami's Axelay benefits from the FastROM treatment
Remember Brazilan coder Vitor Vilela? He's been making it his quest to fix SNES games that are plagued with slowdown, and he's already worked his magic on titles such as Contra III, Super R-Type and Super Mario World. The issue is that th
News PlayStation's Ken Kutaragi "Never" Considered Nintendo To Be A Competitor
"We were workmates"
Before the existence of the PlayStation, Sony worked with Nintendo on a CD-ROM drive for the Super Famicom. Nintendo decided to pull the plug on the device, and so Sony entered the console business by itself - becoming a direct rival and industry powerhouse. With this in mind, “The Father of PlayStation” Ken Kutaragi...
Guide Best SNES / Super Nintendo RPGs
Flame spells at the ready!
The expansive software library of Nintendo’s 16-bit powerhouse wasn’t short of any of the most popular genres of the '90s, and perhaps least of all RPGs. Intense strategy, whimsical adventure, tear-jerking goodbyes to characters you’ve spent months with… the SNES has it all. And that makes compiling a list of ten...
Anniversary It's Super Mario RPG's 25th Birthday!
Don't get too excited - Nintendo likely won't do anything for this one, either
Let's just ignore the woeful approach of the end of Mario's 35th anniversary, or the completely-ignored 35th anniversary of the Zelda series for a moment. 2021 is also a big year for Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
News Store Your SNES Games In Style With These Rather Fetching Book-Like Cases
"No more shoeboxes or shady repros"
Ah, the SNES. What a machine, eh? Home to some of the greatest video games of all time, this legendary 16-bit console still gets plenty of action in the Nintendo Life office – but, after more than 30 years, we have to admit that many of the games we load up are loose carts, largely because SNES software...
February2021
Random Talented Hacker Bumps The Frame Rate Of SNES Race Drivin' From 4fps To 30
A significantly improved experience
Race Drivin' is considered an arcade classic in some quarters, which made its SNES port extremely disappointing back in 1992. Offering a meagre 4 frames-per-second, that edition was widely slated, but now, one software engineer has reverse-engineered it to run at a significantly enhanced 30fps. This comes from...
Mini Review Doomsday Warrior - A Street Fighter II Clone That's Doomed From The Start
Welcome to your doom
The Super Famicom port of Street Fighter II was released in June 1992. Telenet’s Doomsday Warrior then hit the market later that year in November. It’s unknown how long it was in development, but based on the final product, one could easily surmise that it was slapped together as quickly as possible to capitalize on the...
Review Psycho Dream - The Flawed Yet Fascinating Cult Classic Finally Comes To The West
Import Inception
To best understand Psycho Dream – which has finally come to the west thanks to its addition to the Nintendo Switch Online SNES line-up – you first need to understand Nihon Telenet. It was a prolific company throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, and while its games often had some interesting concepts (and some legitimately...
News Irem's SNES Brawler Undercover Cops Is Getting A New Physical Release
And it comes with loads of goodies, too
One of Irem's 1990s classics is getting a fresh physical release this year, thanks to American company Retro-Bit. Undercover Cops originally launched in arcades in 1992, and built upon the legacy of Kung-Fu Master, which Irem had released way back in 1984. Set in a post-apocalyptic 2043, it's a...
Random Dataminers Use Original Uncompressed Samples To Restore Super Mario World's Soundtrack
And it sounds glorious!
The Super Nintendo game Super Mario World is already amazing, but what might have changed if there were no file size limitations back then? For starters, the iconic music might have been even better. The truth is, we've been listening to "heavily compressed" music in this game for many years now. Today, though, we can...
January2021
Video 27 Years Later, Early Donkey Kong Country Concept Sketches Are Revealed To The World
Rambi, Kremlings, and other characters also shown
Back in the '90s, Rare had quite a reputation for being secretive about its internal practices. Though it has opened up significantly since being acquired by Microsoft, it's one of the reasons why we get interesting stories still
News The SNES Almost Got A Zelda-Style Back To The Future II RPG
Great Scott!
The Back To The Future movie franchise is one of Hollywood's most famous products of the '80s, and it should come as no surprise to find that it had its fair share of licenced video games. The original movie got a home computer adaptation in 1985 for the likes of the C64 and ZX Spectrum – as well as a later NES game in 1989 – and...
News Arcade1Up Is Releasing Its Very Own Killer Instinct Arcade Cabinet
Includes Killer Instinct 1 & 2, Battletoads and Battletoads & Double Dragon
Arcade 1Up - known for recreating classic arcade cabinet titles such as Mortal Kombat and NBA Jam - has revealed a cabinet for Rare's 1994 release, Killer Instinct. This is the same game that was ported to the Super Nintendo a year later - although there are notable...
News The PocketGo S30 Is Basically A SNES Pad That Plays Retro Games
Nintendo will be pleased
Update: A custom update is now available which solves many of the issues mentioned in this review. It smooths out the visuals, making them look less distorted (but sadly not pixel-sharp), and adds in better menu icons. There's a thriving market for emulator-based handhelds these days, with factories in China pumping out...
News How One Man Is Fixing The SNES' Biggest Weakness
Slowdown, be gone
The SNES is a legendary console, of that there can be absolutely no doubt. However, it did have one considerable weakness when compared to its main rival, the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis: the clock speed of its CPU. The Ricoh 5A22 which powers the console runs at 3.58 MHz, while Sega's 16-bit system has a Motorola 68000 running at...
December2020
Poll Box Art Brawl #72 - Tuff E Nuff
Had E Nuff yet?
Welcome all to the Box Art Brawl, our regular contest where we vote on regional cover art variants from the dim and distant past when you could only buy games in physical form. Last time, we observed an old-fashioned Pokémon battle with Pokémon Stadium 2 for the N64 in honour of its
News Super Mario RPG Character Designer Shares Original Concept Art For Geno
To celebrate the return of his Mii Fighter costume in Smash
Geno, as you've likely heard by now, has returned to the Smash Bros. series once again as a Mii Fighter costume. It might not necessarily be the news every Geno fan wanted to hear, but hey - some acknowledgment is arguably better than nothing. To celebrate this special occasion, Super...
Anniversary ActRaiser Turns 30 Today, And There's Still Nothing Quite Like This SNES Classic
Raise this game!
Another day, another significant anniversary for another celebrated video game. The Super Famicom launched in Japan three decades ago last month and knowing the incredible catalogue of classics birthed in the bloody 16-bit console wars, you should brace yourself for a barrage of 30th anniversaries over the next few months/years (all...
Random Watch Out Next-Gen, Real-Time Ray Tracing Is Now On The SNES
Well, with a little bit of extra help...
Ray tracing is more than a buzzword, it's actually a big deal for next-generation gaming. Although we likely won't be seeing it on a Nintendo platform any time soon, game developer and software engineer Ben Carter has at least found an unofficial way to get this rendering technique up and running on Super...
News Yuzo Koshiro's Sumptuous ActRaiser Soundtrack Is Getting A Vinyl And CD Release
Includes previously unreleased tracks
The gorgeous soundtrack for Quintet's ActRaiser – one of the SNES' most unique and iconic third-party releases – is getting a special re-release on vinyl and CD, courtesy of Paris-based Wayô Records. Composed by the legendary Yuzo Koshiro, who has also created the music for Streets of Rage,
November2020
Poll Box Art Brawl #68 - Super Mario World
It's a Mario, Mario, Mario, Mario World
Welcome back, you beautiful bunch, to Box Art Brawl — our regular poll to find out which of two or more vintage video game cover variants from around the globe is the best, better than all the rest (diew, diew, diew-diew, diew), better than anyone we ever met. Last time we watched F-Zero take itself to the...
Video A Look At Ocean Software's Cancelled SNES Game Green Lantern
That never got the green light
Green Lantern might not be remembered for much other than a failed movie starring Ryan Reynolds over the past decade, but long before this in the early '90s, British developer Ocean Software was working on a licensed Super Nintendo video game for the DC Comics hero. This unreleased project has been largely shrouded in...
Hardware Classics Super Famicom
Still super after all these years
To many, it's the greatest video game console ever made. The Super Famicom — or Super Nintendo Entertainment System as it is more commonly known outside of its native Japan — is host to some of the finest pieces of interactive entertainment ever made. It was on this console that Nintendo refined so many of the...
Poll Rate Your Favourite SNES Games
Help us assemble the top 50 Super NES games ever
It varies from person to person, of course, but your favourite console generation is often the one you played most in childhood — in that impressionable pre-to-early teen sweet spot where a foundation of gaming memories are formed. That's when you play the classics you return to later in life for...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel #67 - F-Zero
From zero to F-Zero
Welcome to Box Art Brawl, the weekly vote to find out which of two or more regional box art variants has what it takes to win your hearts and minds. Last time we boarded the Halloween train with a trio of Resident Evil 0 covers. While Japan and North America scarpered to lock themselves in the WC when the ticket man came, the...
October2020
News The SNES Encyclopedia Is An Exhaustive Resource For Nintendo Fans
Penned by Chris Scullion, no less!
As long-time readers of this very site will be aware, Chris Scullion really knows his stuff. That's why we get him to fill these hallowed pages with lovely words; he's something of a boffin when it comes to the world of Nintendo, having worked at Official Nintendo Magazine during its heyday. Scullion has been...
September2020
News Nintendo Shares Mario’s Super Picross Tutorial As The Game Arrives On Switch
Appearing for the first time in the US
One of the four new games available on the Nintendo Switch Online service next week is Mario's Super Picross, a puzzle game that launched for the Super Famicom back in 1995. This is actually the first time it's ever appeared in the US; European fans were lucky enough to try it out through the Virtual Console...
News Nintendo Switch SNES Controllers Are Back In Stock In "Limited Quantity" (Europe)
Get on it quick!
Update (10th Sep, 2020 15:05 BST): The SNES controllers for Nintendo Switch are available once again in Europe. Nintendo notes that it only has "limited availability", so make sure to act fast if you want one: Super Nintendo Entertainment System Controller for Nintendo Switch (£26.99 / 29.99€) Delivery is expected between the...
News Evercade's Next Two Cartridges Come Loaded With NES And SNES Titles
Fancy a brawl, bro?
The Evercade handheld console is getting two more cartridges soon, both packed with retro titles from back in the day. If you're a fan of Rival Turf – also known as Rushing Beat – then you're in for a treat. Jaleco Collection 1 is perhaps of most interest; it comes with Bases Loaded, Astynax, Brawl Brothers, City Connection,...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel #58 - Super Mario All-Stars
Super Mario 2D All-Stars
And welcome back, box art enthusiasts, to the latest entry in Nintendo Life's Box Art Brawl canon. Yes, this week we'll be taking another look at some retro game covers and it'll be up to you to pick the best of them. Last time we took a look at Blue Ninja Shadow of the Kage Dragon as Natsume's variously-named 2D...
News Super Mario All-Stars Is Now Available On Nintendo's Switch Online SNES Service
Featuring "enhanced 16-bit graphics"
One of the many Mario announcements during today's Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary Direct was that Super Mario All-Stars would be joining the Nintendo Switch Online SNES library. Well, it's now available! Yep, you'll actually be able to play something right away to celebrate Mario's 35th! It's worth...
August2020
Random Playing Super Mario Run With An Official SNES Mouse Looks Quite Fun, Actually
The smartphone game transformed
Super Mario Run was a pretty decent leap to smartphones for everyone's favourite gaming plumber, but even the great pulling power of Mario himself couldn't convince every Nintendo fan to give it a go. Perhaps more would have tried it out if a more traditional control setup were available? You know, like the official...
Random Finally, Sonic The Hedgehog Spins Onto The Super Nintendo
To be this good takes AGES!
Ah, the good old playground arguments of the '90s. Which camp were you in? Even if you were a dedicated Super Nintendo owner with all of the wonderful exclusives that the system offered, it was hard not to be a little bit jealous of the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive's impressive library of games. And of course, the Mega Drive...
Poll Box Art Brawl: Duel #55 - Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Crying in a bubble
And we're back for another edition of Box Art Brawl, the weekly poll where you vote for your favourite classic (or sometimes not-so-classic) retro video game box art variant from around the world. Last week we checked in with Dr. Mario on the Game Boy (and NES) 30 years on from
Guide The 35 SNES Games On Nintendo Switch Online, Ranked By Us
Which Super NES games should you start with?
It took a while but after months of rumours, speculation and player wishes, Nintendo eventually put SNES games on Nintendo Switch back in September last year. Since then it has been adding to the roster of Super NES games on the system. Just like
July2020
News Classic Nintendo Source Code And Prototypes Allegedly Leaked
For SNES games and much more
Following on from those "massive" Nintendo leaks earlier this year, it has now reportedly happened again. Alleged prototype versions of classic Super Nintendo titles such as Yoshi's Island, Super Mario Kart, and
Poll Box Art Brawl #51 - Super Aleste / Space Megaforce
A Megaforce to be reckoned with
Welcome to Box Art Brawl, our weekly contest that pits three box art variants from around the world against each other in a fight for your vote. Last week observed three versions of ActRaiser 2 locked in combat. While Japan trailed from the very beginning, it was an exceptionally close fight between North America and...
Random Rather Than Pay A Fortune For The Legendary SNES PlayStation, One Man Built His Own
The dream of the '90s is finally here!
The discovery of the SNES PlayStation sent shockwaves through the gaming community back in 2015. A collaboration between Sony and Nintendo, the unit was intended to meet the challenge of CD-based systems like the Mega CD and TurboDuo, but it was never released; Nintendo infamously left So
Poll Box Art Brawl #50 - ActRaiser 2
Raise your act
Welcome back to Box Art Brawl, the weekly contest between box art variants from around the globe to find out which is the best, better than all the rest. Last week Puzzle Bobble, or Bust-a-Move as it's known in North America, graced us with its presence. It wasn't a contest, really - Japan absolutely stormed it with over two thirds...
June2020
Random Turns Out NBA Jam Has Been Cheating The Chicago Bulls All This Time
"Make sure you pick the Pistons over the Bulls"
If you're a Netflix subscriber, you'll no doubt have seen the excellent basketball documentary series, The Last Dance. It charts the incredible story of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls during one of the most exciting periods in the history of the sport. It also spends a bit of time covering the...
News Fan Turns Broken SNES Into A Working Switch Dock
Even the eject button (kind of) works
If you fancy a new project to take on while you're stuck at home, or if you happen to have a broken SNES already lying around, perhaps it's time to turn one into a custom, fully-working Switch dock? Remember last month when we shared Reddit user IMOKRUOK's work on a broken NES, which transformed the faulty...
Poll Box Art Brawl #49 - Bust-A-Move / Puzzle Bobble
Bust-a-Bobble
Welcome once again to Box Art Brawl, our weekly poll to discover which of three regional box art variants sits at the top of the tree. Last week we scrutinised Natsume's Wild Guns on Super NES. Following a classic Western-style gunfight, North America emerged from the smoke victorious, growling at second place Japan and third place...
Poll Box Art Brawl #48 - Wild Guns
Wild world
Welcome to Box Art Brawl, our weekly dust-up to find out which of three regional box art variants is the best. Last week it was Shadowrun's turn to battle itself. Japanese Shadowrun obliterated the competition with over 70% of your approval, leaving second-place North America and third-place Europe to mop up the remainder. This week...
News The Super Game Boy Is Now 26 Years Old
Only for Super Nintendo
If you're as old as some of us here are at Nintendo Life, you might have fond memories of the Super Game Boy. It was an adapter cartridge for the Super Nintendo that allowed you to play Game Boy and dual-mode Game Boy Color cartridges on the big screen - aka your television. Some games, like the Pokémon titles, even had...
Anniversary EarthBound Turns 25 In The USA, And A Whole Generation Feels Old
Mother!
As time continues to march on relentlessly, it's time for another significant video game anniversary - and today's is a particularly nostalgic one. It's 25 years to the day since Shigesato Itoi's lovely EarthBound first arrived on US shores and gamers in the West got to take on Giygas with Ness and his band of young heroes on the SNES. They...
Poll Rate Your Favourite Nintendo Switch Online SNES Games
Help us rank the 29 SNES games on Nintendo's online sub service
They might have taken a while to arrive, but the library of 29 SNES games available as part of Nintendo's Switch Online subscription service adds considerable value to Switch's online offering for many retro gaming fans. Throw in authentic-feeling wireless controllers that mimic the...
May2020
News Blimey, Donkey Kong Country 2 Looks Lovely In HD
The SNES classic gets a new lick of paint
Thankfully, fans of the Donkey Kong Country series have been treated rather well over the past few years, with Donkey Kong Country Returns and its sequel Tropical Freeze launching across all of Nintendo's latest systems. We can't sing the praises of Tropical Freeze enough - se
News Nintendo Expands The Switch Online SNES And NES Service With Four More Titles
Update: Out today!
Update: Here's your friendly reminder that these games are out today! Original Story [Fri 15th May, 2020 02:05 BST]: It's been quite a while since Nintendo updated its Switch Online service. Fortunately, it's now announced three SNES games and one NES game will be arriving next week, on 20th May. The three SNES titles include...
News Sega's Blast Processing? We Did It On The SNES First, Says Former Sculptured Software Dev
"That was before Sega adopted the slogan"
During the epic console war of the early '90s, Sega and Nintendo used every weapon in their arsenal to gain the upper hand on each other. Any feature or technique that was seen as an advantage was quickly turned into a marketing point, and when Sonic the Hedgehog arrived on the scene, Sega was quick to focus...
April2020
Video Secret Of Mana Fan Creates Stunning 2D Animation Tribute
Straight outta the '90s
If you've been following the Mana series ever since Secret of Mana came to the SNES in the early '90s, you might want to prepare yourself for a wonderfully nostalgic trip down memory lane. YouTube user Benoit Tranchet has created a lovely 2D animation based on the classic RPG, releasing it on the platform just as the series'...
News The Japan Retro Game Association Offers Super Famicoms To Avoid Lockdown Boredom
Donkey Kong Country saves the day
Despite all the difficulties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation has also brought out some amazing acts of human kindness. Now we can add the Japan Retro Game Association to our list of lovely people, as they have offered to loan out 100 slightly yellowing Super Famicom consoles to Japanese residents...
News Developer Creates New SNES Game In Just 10 Hours
And you can play it for free
It's not often you hear about developers working on new SNES games these days, and it's even rarer to hear about one that was fully created in just ten hours. 'Keeping SNES Alive' is a brand new game from developer Dr. Ludos, who recently released another game for the SNES called Yo-Yo Shuriken - which came on a...
Random Nintendo's Hotline Guided Super Metroid Players With This Forbidden Map
Featuring an extra room
Before we had the internet at our fingertips, players had to call up companies and ask for some assistance when they got stuck in a video game. One Nintendo game a lot of people found a little confusing at times was the 1994 title, Super Metroid. Back in the day of the Nintendo Power hotline, gameplay counselors were using a...
March2020
News The Winner Of The Nintendo PlayStation Isn't Oculus VR Founder Palmer Luckey After All
"I'm looking to not have this machine just buried in a closet somewhere"
As you might have heard, earlier this week the elusive Nintendo PlayStation was sold for $360,000 USD. A tad underwhelming after the owner previously knocked back a $1.2 million offer. Who ended up buying it, though? While it was believed to be Oculus VR founder Palmer Luckey,...
February2020
Review Pop'n TwinBee - Konami's Colourful 16-Bit Shmup Shines With Couple Mode Co-op
Colour me glad
The TwinBee series enjoyed relative success in Japan throughout the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Pop’n Twinbee was the sixth game in the series, and the last proper shoot ‘em up entry before Konami took it in a different direction with things like spin-off platformer Rainbow Bell Adventures. Because it was never released in...
Reminder Four Classic SNES And NES Games Have Launched On Switch Today
Two for each system
Just in case you'd forgotten what with all the sudden Animal Crossing Direct excitement, today sees the launch of four new games on Nintendo Switch Online's NES and SNES apps. Pop'n Twinbee and Smash Tennis have now joined
Review Smash Tennis - One Of The Best Sports Games Of The 16-Bit Era
A stroke of genius
There have been plenty of underrated games over the years, but every now and then you get an entire series that hasn’t enjoyed the level of success and attention it deserves. That’s the case with Namco’s Smash Court Tennis franchise, which has consistently served up (ahem) some top-quality arcade-style tennis action, but –...
Reminder Nintendo's Wireless SNES Controllers Are Back In Stock (North America)
Get 'em while you still can
Arguably the best way to experience Nintendo's SNES library on the Switch is with one of the original controllers. Unfortunately, getting hold of one within North America in recent times has been quite tough due to ongoing demand. Now, though, after an update last week, the wireless Super Nintendo controllers designed...
News News On Nintendo Switch SNES Controller Stock Expected This Month (North America)
More on the way?
Update (Fri 14th Feb, 2020 16:30 GMT): After reappearing online for a terrifyingly short amount of time towards the end of last month, the official SNES controller for Nintendo Switch has once again been completely out of stock for the last couple of weeks. If you missed out last time, you might want to keep an eye on Nintendo's...
News Nintendo Expands The Switch Online SNES And NES Library With Four More Games
Arriving February 19th
The first update of the year for the Switch Online SNES and NES service has been announced and it will add four more games. First up, we have the classic cute-'em-up shooter Pop'n Twinbee and the 16-bit competitive sports title Smash Tennis. Both of these Super Nintendo titles have never been released in the United States...
January2020
News The Switch Has Overtaken The SNES In Lifetime Hardware Sales
It's now Nintendo's third-best-selling home console
The Nintendo Switch's robust performance over the Christmas 2019 period has given it the momentum to overtake the SNES in terms of total lifetime sales. Thanks to sustained demand and the timely arrival of the cheaper Switch Lite, the Switch enjoyed its strongest quarter so far during the festive...
SNES - Features
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