Super Famicom vs Super Nintendo: Differences and Pros/Cons?

[Ikaruga11]

Do you guys prefer the design of the Super Nintendo or the Super Famicom? What are the pros and cons of each system? Can you use SF controllers on an SNES?

[bobrocks95]

Other than looks, the only other thing really worth considering (AFAIK) is that it's easier and better-looking to cut the tabs on a SNES than it is to widen the cartridge slot on the SFC.

[Ikaruga11]

Other than looks, the only other thing really worth considering (AFAIK) is that it's easier and better-looking to cut the tabs on a SNES than it is to widen the cartridge slot on the SFC.

So American SNES cartridges are bigger than Japanese SNES carts? What about PAL Region? I really want to play North American games on a PAL/Japanese console. Are they the same?

[bobrocks95]

Other than looks, the only other thing really worth considering (AFAIK) is that it's easier and better-looking to cut the tabs on a SNES than it is to widen the cartridge slot on the SFC.

So American SNES cartridges are bigger than Japanese SNES carts? What about PAL Region? I really want to play North American games on a PAL/Japanese console. Are they the same?

US SNES cartridges are bigger than PAL/JPN carts, which are the same size. If you want to play US games on a JPN console you'll have to widen the cartridge slot (or take the top off), and if you want to play US games on a PAL console you'll need a 60Hz mod and/or region switch, and again you'll need to widen the cartridge slot.

There was talk of a new 3D-printed top for the SFC, but it hasn't come to fruition yet I don't think.

[Ikaruga11]

Other than looks, the only other thing really worth considering (AFAIK) is that it's easier and better-looking to cut the tabs on a SNES than it is to widen the cartridge slot on the SFC.

So American SNES cartridges are bigger than Japanese SNES carts? What about PAL Region? I really want to play North American games on a PAL/Japanese console. Are they the same?

US SNES cartridges are bigger than PAL/JPN carts, which are the same size. If you want to play US games on a JPN console you'll have to widen the cartridge slot (or take the top off), and if you want to play US games on a PAL console you'll need a 60Hz mod and/or region switch, and again you'll need to widen the cartridge slot.

There was talk of a new 3D-printed top for the SFC, but it hasn't come to fruition yet I don't think.

How much is the 60Hz mod? Is it easy to do? How do I region switch? Are the results the same?

Is widening the cartridge slot on JPN/PAL systems as easy as prying off the tabs on a US SNES?

[bobrocks95]

How much is the 60Hz mod? Is it easy to do? How do I region switch? Are the results the same?

I've never dealt with a PAL console in my life, so I don't really know anything about all that, sorry.

Is widening the cartridge slot on JPN/PAL systems as easy as prying off the tabs on a US SNES?

As I said, the tabs on a US console are a much easier cut and of course are hidden from view if you're looking at things from an aesthetics angle, which it sounds like you are. From pictures I've seen it seems difficult to get a nice, straight, good-looking cut for cartridge widening.

[neorichieb1971]

I bought a Japanese Super Famicom.

For US games I am just going to take the PCB's out of the cartridge casing and buy 1 or 2 really dirt cheap Super Famicom games, take out the innards and throw it away and use the shells to put the USA PCB's in. If and when I sell them I'll put them back in their original shells.

I don't play PAL games or consoles unless its in the HDMI/HD era.

[FinalBaton]

I bought a Japanese Super Famicom.

For US games I am just going to take the PCB's out of the cartridge casing and buy 1 or 2 really dirt cheap Super Famicom games, take out the innards and throw it away and use the shells to put the USA PCB's in. If and when I sell them I'll put them back in their original shells.

I don't play PAL games or consoles unless its in the HDMI/HD era.

These converters work great :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331512262993?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

Why trash 2 game carts (1 US 1 JAP) each time you wanna play agame? This makes me cry

[bobrocks95]

Oh duh I forgot about adapters too. They're a perfectly viable option granted you have the height.

[neorichieb1971]

I bought a Japanese Super Famicom.

For US games I am just going to take the PCB's out of the cartridge casing and buy 1 or 2 really dirt cheap Super Famicom games, take out the innards and throw it away and use the shells to put the USA PCB's in. If and when I sell them I'll put them back in their original shells.

I don't play PAL games or consoles unless its in the HDMI/HD era.

These converters work great :
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331512262993?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

Why trash 2 game carts (1 US 1 JAP) each time you wanna play agame? This makes me cry

Only trashing games that cost $2 on ebay (The cheap SFC games). The original PCB's will go back into their original shells when not in use.

I'd rather play the SFC with the top cover off than buy a converter. In fact i'd rather have a SNES and a SFC than buy a converter.

[cfx]

.

[FinalBaton]

I'd rather play the SFC with the top cover off than buy a converter. In fact i'd rather have a SNES and a SFC than buy a converter.

Why?

[neorichieb1971]

I don't like buying 3rd party equipment, and it looks ugly.

Its not if the consoles are worth tons of money, you might as well buy two of them and be done with it.

[FBX]

My current favorite is the NTSC Junior model. I was initially on the fence, but after snagging one with the full compliment of mods (digital audio, 7374-amped RGB) and my SD2SNES, I have to say I'm thrilled with the little guy. So much so in fact that I've been making complete soundtrack game rips using the TOSLINK for direct digital recordings. I finished Super Castlevania IV and Dracula X, and will probably do Chrono Trigger next. Now, I know there are SPC players, but I like the authenticity of making digital FLAC recordings from the real hardware.

As far as the original consoles, I sort of prefer the cartridge design of the SNES over the SFC (the curved shape isn't exactly appealing on shelves, though now I use custom cases anyway). I once ordered an SFC from Japan, and I found a bit of culture shock when I discovered the controller cords were literally only 3 feet long. I got to thinking "what do the Japanese play with the damn console in their laps?", but then I realized that space is a premium in that country, and rooms are likely tiny.

[Shoryukev]

As far as the original consoles, I sort of prefer the cartridge design of the SNES over the SFC (the curved shape isn't exactly appealing on shelves, though now I use custom cases anyway). I once ordered an SFC from Japan, and I found a bit of culture shock when I discovered the controller cords were literally only 3 feet long. I got to thinking "what do the Japanese play with the damn console in their laps?", but then I realized that space is a premium in that country, and rooms are likely tiny.

The main thing for me with SNES carts is that the label is visible from the top of the cartridge. I am in the process of moving all my carts to custom cases (probably similar to yours), but until that happens the end labels make my life much easier. I bought a full set of custom N64 cartridge end labels on ebay for the same reason LOL.

I did the same thing about 10 years ago importing a SFC from japan (along with Mega....errr "rockman" 7 and X2), and was shocked at the controller cord length. I ended up liking the buttons a lot and swapping them into my favorite two SNES controllers. It's a small difference, but I liked the shape of the buttons on the SFC controllers all being convex...not to mention the colors look much better IMO.

EDIT: I re-read the original post and saw that he asked if you can use SFC controllers on a SNES. You can! I just swapped the buttons on mine so that I had the best of both worlds to me (long cord, colorful buttons that are all shaped the same)

[FBX]

As far as the original consoles, I sort of prefer the cartridge design of the SNES over the SFC (the curved shape isn't exactly appealing on shelves, though now I use custom cases anyway). I once ordered an SFC from Japan, and I found a bit of culture shock when I discovered the controller cords were literally only 3 feet long. I got to thinking "what do the Japanese play with the damn console in their laps?", but then I realized that space is a premium in that country, and rooms are likely tiny.

The main thing for me with SNES carts is that the label is visible from the top of the cartridge. I am in the process of moving all my carts to custom cases (probably similar to yours), but until that happens the end labels make my life much easier. I bought a full set of custom N64 cartridge end labels on ebay for the same reason LOL.

I did the same thing about 10 years ago importing a SFC from japan (along with Mega....errr "rockman" 7 and X2), and was shocked at the controller cord length. I ended up liking the buttons a lot and swapping them into my favorite two SNES controllers. It's a small difference, but I liked the shape of the buttons on the SFC controllers all being convex...not to mention the colors look much better IMO.

EDIT: I re-read the original post and saw that he asked if you can use SFC controllers on a SNES. You can! I just swapped the buttons on mine so that I had the best of both worlds to me (long cord, colorful buttons that are all shaped the same)

In regards to the buttons, I always use asciipads, so I got the best of both worlds + turbo functions without having to import anything.

Here's where my collection stopped when I got the SD2SNES:

[Shoryukev]

Awesome collection, that is a lot of great titles! UGC's are a great option, I love looking at the boxart and marketing material....but I'd rather own 10 loose SNES carts than 2-3 boxed ones.

Eventually I want to get UGC's for all my games, but it's kinda hard to justify it sometimes when I'd probably need 3-400 of them LOL.

I've never used an asciipad, how do they compare to the original controller?

[Einzelherz]

Awesome collection, that is a lot of great titles! UGC's are a great option, I love looking at the boxart and marketing material....but I'd rather own 10 loose SNES carts than 2-3 boxed ones.

Eventually I want to get UGC's for all my games, but it's kinda hard to justify it sometimes when I'd probably need 3-400 of them LOL.

I've never used an asciipad, how do they compare to the original controller?

They've the most first party that a third party controller ever was in the 90s. I'm not sure, but I believe they actually used similar manufacturing to the OEM Nintendo pads.

I don't really use mine because I have no use for turbo.

[C64c]

I have an American SNES and it is so more convenient to own this console and use American SNES and SFC games on it.
The only MOD required is to cut out the tabs inside the cartridge slot and TaDa! SFC games fit nicely in.

Owners of SFC would have to cut the slot further open to allow America SNES games to physically fit. Not worth the hassle.

The only thing I dislike is that the American SNES is not as nice looking as the SFC, but that is a CON I will accept. More PROs than CONS via my setup.

[FBX]

I've never used an asciipad, how do they compare to the original controller?

Feels identical to an SFC controller, only with the added option of turbo switches. The SNES asciipad is in fact my all-time favorite controller from any console era.

[neorichieb1971]

I have an American SNES and it is so more convenient to own this console and use American SNES and SFC games on it.
The only MOD required is to cut out the tabs inside the cartridge slot and TaDa! SFC games fit nicely in.

Owners of SFC would have to cut the slot further open to allow America SNES games to physically fit. Not worth the hassle.

The only thing I dislike is that the American SNES is not as nice looking as the SFC, but that is a CON I will accept. More PROs than CONS via my setup.

Looking for a US SNES on ebay right now since I sold mine a few years ago. It seems its very hard to find a good condition model that hasn't yellowed. But, the SFC listings there are plenty of good looking models that haven't yellowed.

I'm happy to change the shells of the carts, you only need a screw bit and 30 seconds of time to do it. Its not exactly rocket science.

[mvsfan]

there are a lot more Sfcs out there. they built them a few more years after they stopped production on the US snes.

[C64c]

I have an American SNES and it is so more convenient to own this console and use American SNES and SFC games on it.
The only MOD required is to cut out the tabs inside the cartridge slot and TaDa! SFC games fit nicely in.

Owners of SFC would have to cut the slot further open to allow America SNES games to physically fit. Not worth the hassle.

The only thing I dislike is that the American SNES is not as nice looking as the SFC, but that is a CON I will accept. More PROs than CONS via my setup.

Looking for a US SNES on ebay right now since I sold mine a few years ago. It seems its very hard to find a good condition model that hasn't yellowed.

Buy a cheap one and De-Yellow the casing perhaps.

[FinalBaton]

To me, if I have to pick just one (and that's what I usually do, for space saving reasons, and also for money reasons because buying two 1Chip consoles is not cheap), it's the SFC, hands down. Looks so much nicer to me. And I have no problem using a converter for my SNES cartidges.

But if someone is willing to buy both consoles, than i commend that *thumbs up*