Super Nintendo Entertainment System

In the height of the feud between Sega and Nintendo, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System was dropped like a atomic bomb. With graphics and sound capabilities more advance than the competition, the SNES was ahead of them all. The only console that could take it head on was the Genesis. Atari could only stand back and watch as Sega and Nintendo waged war during the 4th generation of gaming.

In reality, the reason why the SNES was created was because of Sega. Nintendo had no intentions of making another console this early, but Sega was being driven to make the Genesis. Also, their grip on the gaming market was slipping, as gamers do appreciate new hardware and software. Masayuki Uemura was asked to lead the team to design a new console worthy of inheriting the crown from the NES. There were plenty of prototype designs and different names to label it as. Ultimately, it was decided that the prefix “Super” best describes what consumers were getting into.

Looking into the hardware, the SNES was utilized a several new technologies to stay ahead of the game. Graphics wise, the 3D factor was stunning. Nintendo used different Modes to present a video game with elements other than sprites. Mode 7 was used to have background layer that could be textured, scaled and rotated. The Super FX chip is was really got things together. It wasn’t in the console, but the game cartridge itself. This was mind-blowing and revolutionary, as priceless games such as Star Fox showcased this new feature, the gaming world was forever changed.

Within hours of the first shipment arriving in Japan, they were sold out. The SNES was so notorious, it is rumored that Nintendo had to alter their shipping patterns to avoid cargo being seized by the Yakuza. Other gaming consoles could not compete with the device, having most being a year or more older. The only system ambitious enough to cause harm to Nintendo’s hold on the market was the Sega Genesis. With commercials and in-game references attacking Nintendo and their plumber mascot, the war waged on. Nintendo would fire some shots of their own, but they couldn’t outshine Sega’s amount of creativity when it came to this. Through roasting each other, both companies became the only companies that mattered in the gaming world.

The spotlight was on Nintendo, so they needed to develop games that no one has never envisioned before. Not before long, there was a string of first-hand titles that made people want the system for more than being “Super”. Not only that, but games from there trustworthy third-party friends helped greatly. Of course you had the Final Fantasy exclusiveness, but Secret of Mana being an RPG that you can play with your friends at home really pushed the limitations on multiplayer games. And Super Mario RPG creating lore behind the Mushroom Kingdom and the Mustached Plumber is praised for it’s outstanding gameplay and story driven plot. There were plenty of smaller diamonds on the platform such as Legend of the Mystical Ninja and Metal Warriors. Still, many gamers experienced better gameplay on the Genesis when it came to several third-party titles.

In the end, the Super Entertainment System is regarded as the best piece of gaming technology by many do to it having such a majestic library of games. Even with it’s cycle of dominance coming to an end and the next wave of consoles close, Rare created Donkey Kong Country using pre-rendered sprites. The SNES was hands down one the, if not the most, influential consoles of all time. However, time does shatter every kingdom, and it was time for Nintendo to pass the torch another of their creations.

Specifications
CPU: 65c816 16-bit 2.68/3.58 Mhz
Co-Processor: 64-bit RISC processor running at 62.5 MHz
Resolution: 256x224 (512x448 pixels max.)
RAM: 128 Kbyte
Video RAM: 64 Kbyte
Sound: 8-bit Sony SPC700

Game Library
Chrono Trigger
Super Mario World
Donkey Kong Country

Super Mario Kart
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Super Metroid
Star Fox
Dragon Quest VI: Realms of Reverie
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time
Super Castlevania IV
Accessories
Super Game Boy
Satellaview
Super Scope
XBAND
SNES Multitap
SNES-CD