The NES mini was a huge success, but very much a first effort from Nintendo ripe for improvement. Fine for more casual gamers, the experience for enthusiasts was let down by flaws including subpar video scaling, ultra-short controller cords, audio lag and a range of minor emulation issues. The good news is that Nintendo has improved the quality of its emulation, successfully simulated a range of custom, cart-specific hardware in the process and done it all using the same cheap mobile chipset as its predecessor. It's an ambitious effort for sure, but to what extent does it accurately match original hardware?
The Super NES is Nintendo's second major home console and even today, boasts one of the best gaming line-ups to ever grace a piece of gaming hardware. Not only that, but it also features a fascinating hardware spec. With support for an expanded color palette, an advanced sample-based sound chip and rich tile manipulation features, the SNES offers capabilities that no other competing system could match - even if its core CPU was undoubtedly under-powered.
Then there is the design of the console itself. The original Super Famicom is a beautiful piece of kit and this design is shared with the European model. The North American unit, however, features a different chassis that many would argue is less attractive. We still have some nostalgia for the old purple beast but it's difficult to deny the beauty of the European and Japanese models. Like the NES mini before it, the miniaturised Super NES follows the same distribution model with designs corresponding to that of the original units in each territory. We're reviewing a European model here, which for our money offers the best combination for Western gamers - the Super Famicom casing, paired with 60Hz US versions of the games on offer. No PAL borders, no speed reductions: thankfully Nintendo has spared us from the 50Hz 90s nightmare.
0 comments:
Post a Comment