Super Nintendo Emulator
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Super Nintendo Entertainment System Technical Specifications First Released in 1990 (Japan) and 1991 (USA) and 1992 (Europe) Machine
Name: Super Nintendo Entertainment
System CPU
Type: 65 c 816 (16 Bit) CPU Speed: 2.68 and 3.58 Mhz (Changeable) RAM Memory: 1 Mbit (128 Kbyte) Video
RAM: 0.5 Mbit (64 Kbyte) Picture
Proc. Unit: 16 Bit Max.
Resolution: 512 x 448 Pixels Colors
Available: 32,768 Colors Max. Colours At Once: 256 Colors Max. Sprites: 128 Sprites Max.
Sprites Size: 64 x 64 Pixels Minimum
Cart Size: 2 Mbit Maximum
Cart Size: 48 Mbit Sound Function: 8 Bit Sony SPC700 Sound Channels: 8 Channels
BACKGROUND - When the SNES was first released, it came bundled with Super Mario World - one of the major selling points of the console. Much like the NES, it was this time nicknamed the Super Famicom. In 1997 Nintendo relaunched the SNES in time for Christmas. The new SNES looked much fresher, and cost around 99 dollars in the US. Among the new titles released at the same time were Arkanoid, Space Invaders and Kirby's Dreamland 3. SUPER NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM HARDWARE COMPONENTS: C4 CHIP - The C4 Chip allowed games to adopt semitransparent graphics, and was developed by Capcom. Strangely Mega Man X2 and Mega Man X3 were the only games to use this technology. MODE 7 - The SNES is far more powerful than it's competitors thanks to this little chip. The Mode 7 chip allows the SNES to work in seven different 'stages'. The seventh of which is the most impressive. It allows scaled backgrounds to be rotated and moved at different speeds, creating a more 3D look to games. Donkey Kong Country is a good example of game which used the Mode 7 capability well, as well as the awesome Starwing. MULTITAP - The Multitap was a great invention because it allowed four-player battles in games such as Bomberman 2 and Super Tetris 3. It was always brilliant fun inviting some friends around for a frantic game of four-player action, and perhaps this is where the inspiration came for the N64's four controller ports without the need for one. SATELLAVIEW (BS-X) - The Satellaview is a modem add-on for the SNES which was broadcast by the Japanese Satellite System called 'St Giga'. With the B-SX, gamers could download demo's of games, and play games over a network at certain times. You needed to wait until the game was being 'broadcast' before you could play, but once it was up the system would compare your highscores with other people that were playing too. The BS-X comprised of four different 'stations' when it was turned on including the 'Electronic Magazine' which allowed players to download new games, and the 'Data Present' which was packed with high-scores, cheats, tips and maps. The system had loads of games released for it including BS F-Zero 2, BS Zelda, BS Super Mario Bros. 3, BS Dr. Mario and Mario Excitebike. It cost 14,000 Yen, but the system did not sell or perform as well as expected. SNES CD-ROM EXTENSION - The SNES CD-ROM Extension was one of the biggest flops of Nintendo's history. Developed on from 1991 until 1993, the CD-ROM fitted onto the bottom of the SNES and CD's could slide in and out. Unfortunately there were hardly any games announced for the system and after Nintendo decided on an early 1994 release date, the machine strangely disappeared completely without a single trace. SNES MOUSE - In 1992 Nintendo released a two-buttoned mouse for use in conjunction with Mario Paint. Mario Paint was not only a painting package though, it also allowed gamers to animate their pictures, and even compose their own music to go with. The Mouse was also compatible with Sim Ant and Lemmings 2 among others. SUPER FX CHIP - An invention from the people at Argonaut, the SFX Chip is implanted into the SNES cartridge and was able to create complex 3D worlds by using shaded polygons and texture mapping. The chip was so powerful it increased the SNES' speed from 3.58 Mhz to 10.5 Mhz. The Chip has been used in games such as Starfox (Starwing in Europe) and Vortex. Also it was used in the fantastic Stunt Race FX. SUPER GAME BOY 1 & 2 - The Super Game Boy basically allows you to play your Game Boy games on the SNES in colour via a game pak which slots into the SNES like any other game. On the top is another slot which the Game Boy carts fit into. The SGB also featured some extras such as the ability to create your own borders and colour scheme. SUPER SCOPE - The Super Scope is Nintendo's version of the NES Zapper Gun, except this one is 2.5 feet long and shaped just like a giant bazooka. The Super Scope sits on your shoulder, and has one fire button and one pause button. It came bundled with 6 games, although not really many other games took the idea and used it in their own games, so the Super Scope eventually got very boring and tiresome. Here is the entire list of games that work with the Super Scope: Battle Clash Click here for Pictures of the SNES motherboard |
