Review: Is the Super NES Classic Edition still worthwhile in 2024?

Many gamers have a particular place in their hearts for the SNES, and the Super NES Classic Edition(sometimes referred to as the SNES Classic Mini) offers the ideal opportunity to relive the glory of this vintage system or play its games for the first time. Although many SNES games are also playable via the Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) service, the Super NES Classic Edition offers a more genuine experience (and you'll really own them too).

Even though Nintendo discontinued producing this vintage system after it was first introduced in 2017, there are still a lot of units in use. Of course, in the next years, this will most likely alter. However, apart from finding the original cartridges, this is now the only method to legally purchase the most of the games in it. Considering that this wasn't the case when it was released, it's probably a better deal today than it was then.

Super NES Classic Edition design

Many gamers will find the console's look to be quite appealing, especially because it is a nostalgia-focused device. Thankfully, we don't believe this console's design will let anybody down since it resembles the original SNES identically, although somewhat smaller (and, thus, cuter).Naturally, the SNES's appearance varied depending on where you were. The US had a (literally) much edgier style with plenty of straight lines and angles, while the PAL regions featured rounded edges. The Super NES Classic Edition comes in two styles, so you may choose one that corresponds with your recollections of the system from back in the day, which is great news if you want to relive the excitement of your early gaming days.A true completionist may want to own both designs, but what about those who are content to import and want to purchase one but aren't feeling nostalgic about any one particular design? Though I may be prejudiced, I believe the PAL design to be cozier and more welcoming.Super Nintendo Classic Edition games"What games does it have?" will be a major concern for many enthusiasts. For your reference, here is the whole list:

• Super Mario World
• F-Zero
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
• Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts
• Super Castlevania IV
• Super Mario Kart
• Contra III: The Alien Wars
• Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting
• Star Fox
• Secret of Mana
• Mega Man X
• Super Metroid
• Final Fantasy VI
• Super Punch-Out!!
• Kirby’s Dream Course
• Donkey Kong Country
• EarthBound
• Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island
• Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
• Kirby Super Star
• Star Fox 2

That is a very excellent choice. Classics like Super Metroid, Donkey Kong Country, and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past are among them. There are many games in the 2D platformer genre, but that was the main game type on the SNES in the past.The addition of Star Fox 2, a game that was finished in the 1990s but was never published, is probably going to delight fans of the Star Fox series the most. Although it has now been added to the NSO subscription service, there is presently no other option to purchase this game. However, it is uncertain how long this will be available.Another intriguing game is Super Mario RPG, which is glaringly missing from the NSO collection. You already know that we loved the remake (in fact, it's arguably one of the finest Switch RPGs if you've read our review of the Switch Super Mario RPG). However, due to its presence, the original version is unlikely to be added to the NSO's SNES collection.The strange, alien role-playing game EarthBound is also a terrific addition to this collection. It's still fantastic to have this one available even if it's on NSO (because there often appear to have been complications with re-releasing it). Everyone should play it at least once, with a tale that alternates between deadpan humor and real emotional depth, and one of the best casts in gaming history.It's also encouraging to see Rare's Donkey Kong Country included among the titles that have sometimes had re-release problems. It's a masterpiece of platforming, and it's fortunate that Rare's takeover by Microsoft didn't prevent its release on this system since it features stunning pre-rendered visuals that still look amazing today and an incredible soundtrack by renowned composers David Wise and Eveline Novakovic.Speaking of Donkey Kong Country, it's unfortunate that none of its two sequels was included. Even though I like the third game, I could probably live without it, but it seems like a major mistake to not include the much-loved Donkey Kong Country 2—and that's not the only title missing from the collection.Notable titles that are left out include Chrono Trigger, Super Mario All-Stars, Castlevania: Dracula X, Wario's Woods, Tetris & Dr. Mario, Pilotwings, Aladdin, and a host of others. I understand that no matter what they included, a fan's favorite would always be left off, but you would think they could have packed a couple more of the best SNES games on one item—after all, they could probably fit every single one on there with ease. I wish there were a few more games, but obviously copyright concerns would prevent them from being played (particularly since you can't legally add additional titles to your collection).It's important to note that the Japanese edition of this system offers a somewhat different lineup of titles, which may entice those who are willing to import to choose it instead. It lacks Super Castlevania IV, Kirby's Dream Course, Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting, EarthBound, and Punch-Out!!, but it does feature the following games:

• Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem
• The Legend of the Mystical Ninja
• Panel de Pon
• Super Soccer
• Super Street Fighter II: The New Challenger

I would have liked it if Fire Emblem had been included in the Western edition, particularly if it had been translated into English (imagine). Overall, I believe the Japanese selection isn't nearly as fantastic, and I'd especially not want to lose EarthBound or Super Castlevania IV. In order to own both the Japanese and American libraries and the two external designs of the Super NES Classic Edition, ardent collectors may choose to purchase both versions.One more peculiarity specific to the area is that only US game ROMs are available for the PAL version of the system. You'll have to settle with Star Fox, Kirby Super Star, and Contra III: The Alien Wars (with the original humans) if you thought Star Wing and Kirby's Fun Pak were pretty fantastic titles or if you liked controlling the robots in Super Probotector.

Controllers for the Super NES Classic Edition

Controllers for the Super NES Classic Edition are almost exact replicas of the original SNES controllers. It's extremely great because it feels precisely like the original in terms of what you hold in your palm.I'm a devoted fan of Donkey Kong Country, having played the game on all of its rereleased platforms (Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, Wii, Wii U, 3DS, and Switch), and I can confidently state that using the controller on this system brought the experience much closer to my early years than any other console has ever been able to. The amount of difference a controller can make is amusing.Amazingly, the Super NES Classic Edition came with two controllers from Nintendo. You won't need to spend extra money on controllers if you have many happy memories of racing your friends in Super Mario Kart or taking them down in Street Fighter 2 (which, despite compilation rereleases, still made it onto our list of the best Switch fighting games).A part of me believes that a wireless SNES controller would have preserved the real sensation, even if I can see why they added corded controllers. One of the few negative things I can say about the Super NES Classic Edition is that it was a little irritating to use a wired controller once again, but maybe I'm just too used to my contemporary conveniences.

Modern characteristics of the Super NES Classic Edition

You can play a number of classic games in their original form with the Super NES Classic Edition, along with a few more contemporary features like:

• Menu screen: This lets you browse through all of the games on the console, with a lovely piece of original music that sounds very much like a genuine piece of 90s SNES music.
• Save states: Though purists can easily choose to ignore them, they’ll make a world of difference to anyone trying to get through trickier older games for the first time.
• Rewind: If the save states aren’t enough, you can even rewind your progress to reverse any mistakes you may have made mid-game.

Although I don't have any issues with its primary menu, I must admit that the rewind and save state functions aren't the most user-friendly. You have to click the console's reset button in order to access these choices from the main menu since you're only using a SNES controller, and every button will have a specific purpose in the original game and none spare for these fancy new features. It's a little awkward, but it makes some sense.

Nintendo Switch Online vs. Super NES Classic Edition

The Super NES Classic Edition and an NSO subscription are the two choices accessible to current players who want to play SNES games. Thus, which is the best option to choose?Considering that the Super NES Classic Edition costs around the same as 10 years of the SNES game-inclusive NSO subscription plan, playing through a subscription would undoubtedly be more affordable. However, it is obviously merely a subscription. Nintendo will most likely stop it eventually and take away your ability to play these games.Other than shelling out hefty sums for the original cartridges, the only option to get SNES games these days is via the Super NES Classic Edition. Nintendo used to let users purchase SNES games via the Wii U and New 3DS eShops when this vintage platform first launched, but those stores have now closed, and Nintendo no longer permits users to purchase their beloved titles.Although the Super NES Classic Edition lacks several games that NSO does, the opposite is also true. NSO won't hack it if you want to make sure you can play this collection of vintage games whenever you want for years to come. Super NES Classic Editions come with a ton of added features that, in my view, make them the best way to play SNES games, including controllers that are included in to offer you an even more genuine experience.

Final judgment on the Super NES Classic Edition

The Super NES Classic Edition is actually worth more now than it was when it was initially introduced more than five years ago. It has a nice appearance, comes with two excellent replicas of vintage SNES controllers, and offers a collection of 21 amazing games to squander your time away on, many of which are as entertaining now as they were when they were first launched in the 1990s.It is unfortunate that there isn't a genuine method to increase the number of games available on this system. Wouldn't it be great if you could, for instance, insert used cartridges and have the ROM preserved? Furthermore, I'm sure that some fans will be a little let down by the lack of their favorites. However, there are so many amazing games in this collection that you will be content with what is included even if you are disappointed about certain titles being absent.Save states and rewind capabilities are great additions that will assist increase the accessibility of these games for players who aren't used to the harsher gameplay of previous titles (Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts, for example). These allow you to save where you are, stop playing, and pick up where you left off the following day—even if you think that's cheating. That way, you don't have to finish classic games in one sitting.I can only advise you to get one before they become very uncommon and ridiculously costly. This system is perfect for everyone, whether you're a new fan looking to learn more about the SNES era or a lifelong enthusiast like me.Read our Game & Watch: Legend of Zelda Anniversary Edition review if you like vintage console re-releases. It has classic Zelda games integrated into a very realistic Game & Watch replica.