Super Nintendo: The Video Game Console To Rule Them All
Today we live in a world where games are king. Video game sales across the globe are more than movies, TV, and music combined. The Age of Gaming is upon us, and it doesn’t look like it will be ending anytime soon. We have games on our computers, we have games on our phones. We also have video game consoles, still, just like I've had since I was 10 years old. At the time of this writing, we are just two short months away from the release of the next generation of video game consoles: the PS5 from Sony, and the Xbox Series X from Microsoft. This doesn’t include the Nintendo Switch, released in 2017, which continues to sell well.
Video Game consoles, however, are not what they used to be.
Consoles of today, such as the PS4 and the Xbox One X, are more than just video game players, they are home entertainment hubs. Gone are the days where video game consoles did only that; play video games. Now they can stream your favorite movies, music, TV shows, and sporting events. You can access all kinds services via your console through a smorgasbord of apps, including ordering your dinner. It’s all about instant access and instant gratification. While that’s great on a lot of levels, it also takes away from what the core purpose of gaming consoles is: playing video games. Isn’t that why they’re called “video game consoles?”
To understand what i’m talking about we need to go back to the year 1990, the year the greatest “video game” console of all-time was released. Yes, that’s my opinion, but the further you read on, you’ll see my rationale for such a statement.
Nintendo Releases The Super Famicom
On November 21, 1990 Nintendo released the follow-up to their smash hit Famicom (Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES) console in Japan. The Super Famicom (Super Nintendo Entertainment System, or SNES) was designed by Masayiki Uemura, who was also responsible for the design of the original NES. The new 16 bit system was a big upgrade from its predecessor, boasting better graphics and sound. With chip upgrades in game cartridges to compliment the console’s base platform, the Super Famicom was more than a match for its main competitor, the Sega Genesis.
Less than a year later, in August of 1991, the system was released in the North American market as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The system sold for $199, or around $375 in today’s market.
Upon it’s release in Japan, the system basically had two games available for it, Super Mario World and F-Zero. In North America, Super Mario World came with the system, with other games such as F-Zero, Sim City, Pilotwings, and Gradius III also available separately.
Console Wars Heat Up
The 16 bit Sega Genesis video game console had a two year head start on the Super Nintendo, with lots of games and lower cost. They were determined to not let the Super Nintendo out sell them. The marketing team at Sega decided to build the image of their console as the one hip high school and college kids played, not a child’s console like the SNES. It was common to see print and television ads poking fun at Nintendo’s console.
In response, Nintendo went out and secured the rights to the hottest arcade game on the planet, Street Fighter 2. Sega wasn’t able to get it until over a year later. Back and forth the war raged, neither side holding a distinct advantage. That wasn’t until a few years later when Nintendo released Donkey Kong Country for the SNES. The game was ground-breaking, with it’s stellar graphics and sound, the platformer would eventually becoming known as one of the greatest games ever made. This helped to push the Super Nintendo over the top, beating the Sega Genesis in sales.
It’s All About The Games
What ultimately determines the success or failure of a video game console is the games. Better games equals better sales. This was certainly the case for the Super Nintendo. In fact, many greatest games of all time lists even today include many Super Nintendo titles.
Super Mario World (1990)
As one of the launch titles for the SNES in 1990, Super Mario World went on to sell over 20 million copies, making it the biggest selling game for the console. Many still to this day consider it the best Mario game ever, including the creator of the Mario series himself, Shigeru Miyamoto. Not only that, Super Mario World can be found on many greatest games lists, even to this day. IGN in 2018 ranked it as their #1 video game ever.
The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past (1991)
The third game in the Zelda series, and first one on the Super Nintendo. The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past met with great success after its launch in 1991, selling nearly 5 million copies world wide. Depending on who you ask, this is considered by many to be the greatest game in the Zelda series, as well as one of the greatest games ever made. Hyrule brought to life.
Super Metroid (1994)
Like Zelda above, this was the third game in the Metroid series, and the first one on the Super Nintendo. The game saw weak sales in Japan, but did much better in the North American market. Super Metroid is credited as one of the games that gave rise to the concept of “speed-running”, or finishing as fast as you can. The game can also routinely be found on many “greatest ever” game lists today.
Chrono Trigger (1995)
What can be said that hasn’t already about this timeless classic? Get it? Timeless. This game, that see’s the story’s protagonist, Chrono, travel across time to save the universe, has been hailed as the greatest role-playing game ever made. I would be hard pressed to disagree. Released on the Super Nintendo in 1995, the game boasted a “dream team” of creators, including Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of the Final Fantasy series, Yuji Horii, creator of the Dragon Quest series, and Akira Toriyama, renown artist of Dragon Quest and Dragon Ball. The rest is history.
Earthbound (1994)
Known in Japan as Mother 2, it was renamed Earthbound in North America to avoid any confusion for those wondering what it was a sequel to, since Mother had never been released in North America. The game follows the adventures of Ness as he embarks on a quest to save the world from the evil alien Giygas. Quirky, strange, and weird. Those are just a few words used to describe what has gone on to become a cult classic. Fighting tents and piles of vomit? Sign me up!
Donkey Kong Country (1994)
Reboot of the Donkey Kong franchise, Donkey Kong Country was one of the first console games to have pre-rendered graphics. Nintendo pulled out all of the stops to market the game, which they were successful. It went on to sell over 9 million copies, making it the third highest selling game for the SNES. It’s success also helped Nintendo put itself over the top against their main competitor, Sega. Another of the Super Nintendo games to find itself routinely ranked as one of the best video games ever.
Super Mario Kart (1992)
This is where it all began! Kids (and adults) rejoice! The fun of Mario Kart traces its roots back to the original Super Mario Kart, released for the Super Nintendo in 1992. The game spawned many sequels and variations over the years following its release, including the latest Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch. My kids still love the original game and will sit and play it all the time. Racing was never so much fun!
Other Notable Super Nintendo Titles:
Final Fantasy 3 (6 in Japan)
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Super Castlevania 4
Mega Man X
Star Fox
Yoshi’s Island
TMNT: Turtles In Time
Secret of Mana
Contra III: The Alien Wars
F-Zero
Harvest Moon
NBA Jam
Street Fighter 2: The World Warrior
A Lasting Legacy
In 2003, after 13 years on the market, Nintendo ceased production of the Super Nintendo. Over that time, the console had sold over 49 million units world wide, 23 million of those in North America alone. The SNES was succeeded by the Nintendo 64 in 1996, and later the Gamecube in 2001. As a testament to how beloved the Super Nintendo was, sales of both it’s successors combined just barely eclipsed that of the SNES.
With a total of just over 1700 games in it’s library, and many games considered some of the best ever made, along with my fond memories playing them, I will always consider the Super Nintendo Entertainment System as the greatest video game console of all time.
Check out the G3 Show’s Best 20 SNES Games episode:
