New-Style Super NES

New-Style Super NES


Top: New-Style Super NES
Bottom: Super Famicom Jr.
Also known as
  • JP: Super Famicom Jr.
Manufacturer Nintendo
Type Home video game console
Generation Fourth generation
Release date
  • NA: October 20, 1997
  • JP: March 27, 1998
Introductory price JP¥7,800
US$99.95
Discontinued
Media ROM Cartridge
CPU Ricoh 5A22 @ 3.58 MHz
Sound Nintendo S-SMP

The New-Style Super NES[2] (commonly referred to as SNES Mini, SNES Jr., or its model number SNS-101[3]) is a compact redesign of the original Super Nintendo Entertainment System video game console released by Nintendo in 1997. In Japan, the system is called the Super Famicom Jr. (Japanese: スーパーファミコン ジュニア, Hepburn: Sūpā Famikon Junia). The New-Style Super NES continued Nintendo's practice of releasing low-cost, redesigned systems towards the end of a platform's lifespan.

Background

The New-Style Super NES was designed by Lance Barr, who also designed the NES-001, NES-101, and the SNS-001.[4] Released at a lower price point, Nintendo marketed it as an entry-level gamer's system[5] for customers who were on a budget and who may have been put off by the higher price of other more modern systems such as the Nintendo 64, Sega Saturn and PlayStation. Nintendo marketed the system in North America simply as the "Super Nintendo Entertainment System", just as the company had done the original SNS-001 model. It was released in North America on October 20, 1997[3] and retailed for US$99.95.[6] The system was available as a stand-alone package or in a variety of bundles, each including one pack-in game such as:

The system was released in Japan as the Super Famicom Jr. on March 27, 1998 and retailed for ¥7,800.[8] It was given the model number SHVC-101 and is very similar to the New-Style Super NES in both appearance and functionality. It was manufactured until September 2003.[9]

Hardware changes

Rebranded Super NES controller.

The design of the SNS-101 is a large departure from that of the original North American Super NES. The system features a smaller footprint than the older model and contains a much less angular design language. To reach an affordable price point, several features were removed. The system lacks the expansion slot on the bottom of the console featured on the SNS-001, making it incompatible with the Japan-exclusive Satellaview add-on. The power and reset buttons were moved to the left hand side, and the cartridge eject button has been removed entirely. Additionally, it lacks a power LED to indicate when the unit is on. The internal RF modulator was also removed; however, an external RF modulator can be used.[2]

The SNS-101 features the same AV multi-out port used on the original model.[10] However, the SNS-101 only supports composite video through this port, whereas the SNS-001 supported composite video, S-Video and RGB. The video encoder used in the system still supports S-Video and RGB, but these pins were left unused. Users are able to modify the system to restore the removed functionality.[11]

Small cosmetic changes were also made to the included controllers. The silk screened SNES logo was removed and replaced by the Nintendo logo molded into the casing. The controller itself was assigned the model number SNS-102.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Don Reisinger (January 21, 2009). "Does the Xbox 360's 'Lack of Longevity' Matter?". CNET. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Nintendo Support: New-Style Super NES RF to TV Hookup". Nintendo. Retrieved March 2, 2010.
  3. 1 2 "SNS-101". Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  4. ↑ Chad Margetts & M. Noah Ward (May 31, 2005). "Lance Barr Interview". Nintendojo. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
  5. ↑ Ohbuchi, Yutaka (January 16, 1998). "Super Fami Gets Face-Lift". GameSpot. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  6. ↑ Johnston, Chris (October 29, 1997). "Super NES Lives!". GameSpot. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Yoshi's Island Package Shot". Archived from the original on May 18, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  8. ↑ "Nintendo Japan - Super Famicom Jr page". Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  9. ↑ Niizumi, Hirohiko (May 30, 2003). "Nintendo to end Famicom and Super Famicom production". GameSpot. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Nintendo Support: Super NES AV to TV Hookup". Nintendo. Retrieved March 2, 2010.
  11. ↑ "SNESjr RGB Mod". Retrieved February 21, 2009.

Media related to Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNS-101) at Wikimedia Commons

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