A look at the SNES Classic Mini and Super Famicom Classic differences

A look at the SNES Classic Mini and Super Famicom Classic differences

Back in the 1990s, the SNES launched in Europe and Japan with a color scheme different from North America. The SNES Classic Mini follows this tradition – a purple color scheme exclusive for North America, and a rainbow color scheme for Europe and Japan.

Besides differences in design and color, other differences such as packaging and games exist between the SNES Classic Minis in three regions. This results in three different variations for collectors to worry about. In this article we’ll have a full comprehensive look at the three variations and their differences.

Name

In North America, the SNES Classic Mini is known as “Super NES Classic Edition” or “SNES Classic Edition”. In Europe, it’s called “Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System”. The system is named “Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Famicom” in Japan.

Release date

While North America and Europe are getting the SNES Classic Mini on September 29th 2017, Japan is getting the Super Famicom Classic Mini a week later on October 5th. This makes the SNES Classic Mini the first in the “classics” product line not to have a simultaneous worldwide launch. The NES Classic Mini was launched in all major markets on the same day (November 11, 2016).

Price

Pricing is pretty much the same across all three major regions. But if you’re living in a country served by an “official Nintendo distributor”, be prepared to fork out extra for scalper prices at retail.

United States: USD79.99

Japan: 7,980 yen

Europe: Varies

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Packaging

All three regional variations feature unique packaging that cannot be found in other regions. This is because they are designed after the SNES/Super Famicom’s original packaging, which were designed differently to better appeal to customers.

Official packaging for the SNES Classic Edition in North America
Official packaging for the Nintendo Classic Mini: Super NES in Europe
Official packaging for the Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Famicom in Japan

Content Differences

All three variations come with the same items in the box – a SNES Classic Mini system, 2 SNES Classic Mini controllers, instruction manuals, HDMI cable, and a USB cable for power input. There’s a minor difference – the North American version also comes with an USB AC adapter for players to connect their USB cable for power. The USB AC adapter is not available in the European and Japanese variations.

There will be a USB AC adapter released separately in the Japanese market for 1000 yen. This is something for collector’s to take note of as the packaging is super stylish! Own the Famicom Classic Mini USB AC Adapter? You’ll be happy to know it’s compatible with the Super Famicom Classic Mini if you don’t want to shell out extra cash.

Games

Here comes the fun part – games. All three variations will have the same number of 21 games, but there are differences in the game lineup. We’ll have them separated into two lineups – Western and Japanese. The Western lineup is shared by the North American and European SNES Classic Mini, while the Japanese lineup is exclusive to the Super Famicom Classic Mini.

Western Exclusives

  • Earthbound
  • Kirby’s Dream Course
  • Street Figher II Turbo
  • Super Castlevania IV
  • Super Punch-Out!!

Japanese Exclusives

  • Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem
  • Panel de Pon
  • Super Soccer
  • Super Street Fighter II
  • The Legend of the Mystical Ninja
For the full list of games, please click here (Western) and here (Japanese).
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Conclusion

And that comes to the end of our article. We’ll have a couple more differences to add in once the SNES Classic Mini is out (most probably the user interface).

After looking at all three SNES Classic Minis, which do you like the best, and why? Let us know in the comments below.