Star Fox 2 | Cheerful Ghost

New Nintendo and Super Nintendo Games Coming to Nintendo Online!

On December 20th Nintendo Online is adding a handful of retro titles to the Nintendo and Super Nintendo to help ring in the new year. On the NES front players are getting two games such as the classic RPG Crystalis and Journey to Silius. On the Super Nintendo people can enjoy Star Fox 2, Super Punch-Out!!, Kirby Super Star & Breath of Fire II. After the Super Nintendo hit Nintendo online they mentioned that the monthly flow of retro titles wouldn't be coming in favor of a handful every few months and this seems to be the first launch of games to fill that promise. The stand out title of this release pack are Star Fox 2 which originally released on the Super... Read All

The SNES Classic Book Is Reviewing Well

16bitbrit reviews the all new Super Nintendo Classic Playing With Super Power book and it looks to be better than I was anticipating. Not only does 16bitbrit give it two big thumbs up but the Amazon reviews for the book seem to be really solid as well sitting at a 4/5 stars. Looks to be a massive upgrade from the NES Classic Playing with Power but only focusing on the Nintendo games on the SNES Classic.

Let me know if you plan on picking this up and while you are waiting for your shipment check out my review of the NES Classic Playing With Power below.

https://cheerfulghost.com/jdodson/posts/3246/it-s-dangerous-to-go-alone-take-this-playing-with-power-book-review

Should You Mod Your New NES & SNES Classic Mini Consoles?

The SNES Classic launched this week to rapturous nerd acclaim following up the epic NES Classic launch of last year. Immediately after the NES Classic came out people were trying to hack it to run Linux and put more games on it. The hacks came and solidified on Hakchi2, a tool that allows you to mod a ton of stuff with your NES Classic. At least, it claims SNES Classic support, i've heard stories of people bricking theirs so i'd wait a bit until that all settles out*.

That said, the path forward to mod your NES Classic is pretty clear but... why should you mod it at all?

Honestly if you're not very technical then i'd stay out of it entirely. You have the chance to brick... Read All The SNES Classic launched this week to rapturous nerd acclaim following up the epic NES Classic launch of last year. Immediately after the NES Classic came out people were trying to hack it to run Linux and put more games on it. The hacks came and solidified on Hakchi2, a tool that allows you to mod a ton of stuff with your NES Classic. At least, it claims SNES Classic support, i've heard stories of people bricking theirs so i'd wait a bit until that all settles out*.

That said, the path forward to mod your NES Classic is pretty clear but... why should you mod it at all?

Honestly if you're not very technical then i'd stay out of it entirely. You have the chance to brick your system and with how hard they've been to get bricking you NES would suck. That said, it's not hard and a couple features of Hakchi2 make it really compelling.

Forget the fact that you can load on more NES roms with Hackchi2, yeah you can do that but I haven't yet. The biggest reason to mod your SNES Classic is to allow you the ability to press down and select at the same time to return to the home menu. This is a lifesaver if the reset button is an annoying distance from you (and it is for me). Another awesome feature of using Hakchi2 is that you can copy the save states from your NES Classic to a local file for backup purposes. It's possible to accidentally (using save states w RPG's) to wipe out a ton of progress so backing up all your save files from time to time isn't a bad idea.

Hakchi2 also mods the included NES Classic kernel to support more controllers out of the box which is nice but they don't mention which ones. I imagine it's a sort of generic USB controller support which is cool if you have USB to that strange Nintendo controller format.

So even if you don't add more ROMS to your NES Classic, and i'm not sure I will, the controller home mod and save state backup is worth the price of admission alone. That said, use it at your own risk because bricking your NES wouldn't be great.

* After looking more at the Hakchi2 code it seems the author is working on SNES Classic support so i'd wait a bit until a new version is launched with SNES Classic support before you use it.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 10/06/2017 at 04:32am

I have always been on the fence about modding consoles. I think I will probably keep mine unmodded. It would be nice if nintendo released new "packs" that updated the systems with different games. I doubt they will do this, but you never know.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 10/06/2017 at 05:25am

I get that. The "down select" mod is crazy useful BUT if you just play the Classics with the Wii Classic Controller there is a home button that does the same thing.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 10/06/2017 at 05:32am

I sit close enough to my console that “down select” would make me lazier.

Travis Admin wrote on 10/06/2017 at 03:35pm

There's a controller from 8bitdo coming soon that will allow down+select even on unmodded classics, so that's an option if you don't want to mod but don't want to get up for the reset button. I admit to using a foot to do that. :D

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The Super Nintendo Classic Launch Train Keeps Rolling With This Definitive DF Retro Review

I've been watching a lot of Super Nintendo Classic video reviews and most of them say basically the same thing. The Super Nintendo Classic is a great, if imperfect way, to play a really incredible collection of Super Nintendo Games. That said, most reviews don't dig into the differences between the Classic and the original hardware and how the SNES Classic compares to it in terms of graphics, sound and framerate. The video review above by DF Retro is an incredibly complete look at the SNES Classic including all it's quirks such as minor artifacts, sound issues and the like.

His wrap up? The Super Nintendo classic improves on the NES Classic quite a bit to make a really... Read All

The Super Nintendo Classic Drops Next Week!

The Super Nintendo Classic drops next week and i'm pretty excited about it. Even though i'm going to get my pre-order and immediately put it away to open for Christmas, it's still cool that it's coming. Most people that pre-ordered it won't be waiting until Christmas to play it so i'm really eager to read their reviews of the system... *ahem* Travis.

Nintendo has said stock will be increased so... it's possible you might be able to find them in stores September 29th. If you are planning on going to one opening day let me know, I think I will just to see how many people show up to get one.

Interviews With The Original SNES Game Developers

If you need to fill your face... Read All The Super Nintendo Classic drops next week and i'm pretty excited about it. Even though i'm going to get my pre-order and immediately put it away to open for Christmas, it's still cool that it's coming. Most people that pre-ordered it won't be waiting until Christmas to play it so i'm really eager to read their reviews of the system... *ahem* Travis.

Nintendo has said stock will be increased so... it's possible you might be able to find them in stores September 29th. If you are planning on going to one opening day let me know, I think I will just to see how many people show up to get one.

Interviews With The Original SNES Game Developers

If you need to fill your face with more Super Nintendo themed glory you can head over to the Super Nintendo Classic page to read all the interviews with the SNES Classic game developers. The interviews cover Star Fox, Star Fox 2, F-Zero & Super Metroid and from the looks of it there will be three more to come.

https://www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic

Prima's Playing With Super Power Guide Got An UnBoxing Video

Prima made the guide for the NES Classic and if you love classic gaming Magazines and have a soft spot in your heart for Nintendo Power you really should check it out. I bought the softcover Playing with Power and it's a really special book that covers the origins of the NES and how the games evolved over time. Playing with Power only covers the Nintendo first party games on the NES Classic but if you didn't memorize the location of every item in Metroid it's pretty nice to have it all laid out in something made of dead trees.

Because the NES Classic book did well Prima is doing another for the SNES Classic and recently they released a unboxing video for it. Surprisingly the video has no audio, which is weird but manageable. The unboxing video is for the hardcover version which actually comes in a Super Nintendo Style box and the book looks like a Super Nintendo Game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcYV11NAo04
https://www.primagames.com/games/nintendo-snes-classics/products/playing-super-power-nintendo-snes-classics-collectors-ediiton

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 09/23/2017 at 12:34am

I may try to get one at Toys R Us. We will see how long the line is if I get there an hour before opening.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/24/2017 at 12:02am

Right. I guess if there is are angry villagers outside with pitchforks you could always come back later.

Travis Admin wrote on 09/24/2017 at 02:04am

Wow, this snuck up on me. This month is flying! I can't wait to get my mitts on this thing.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/24/2017 at 02:55am

> Wow, this snuck up on me. This month is flying! I can't wait to get my mitts on this thing.

Review when it does?

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/24/2017 at 02:55am

Will, check this: https://twitter.com/Wario64/status/911785945464061952

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 09/24/2017 at 03:31am

Awesome. Hopefully I will be able the snag one.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/24/2017 at 10:49pm

TechCrunch initial impression https://techcrunch.com/2017/09/22/i-have-an-snes-classic-edition-and-it-rules/

Travis Admin wrote on 09/25/2017 at 01:58am

That TechCrunch first impression is such a tease! :D

Still super stoked. And yeah, I'll definitely do a review of it!

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 09/25/2017 at 03:58pm

So the controllers have the same connector as the NES classic? If so, I think I will use my extension cord from the nes classic controllers on this (if I get one).

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 09/25/2017 at 06:30pm

Man, it is super hard to pass on this! I want all these games, but I just don't think I'd play it much more than for a couple weeks and then forget about it (that's what happened to my NES Classic at least)

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/25/2017 at 09:49pm

The controller connectors are the same and I plan on using my NES Classic extensions on it too!

Here are some numbers to what Best Buy stores are getting supply wise(so far, looks like a good amount):

https://twitter.com/Wario64/status/912396251181678592

Travis Admin wrote on 09/26/2017 at 01:25pm

I guess with the extension cords you could also use the Wii Classic controller too, which is handy. It's nice of them to standardize those connections across their systems.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 09/26/2017 at 06:04pm

I took Friday off from work, so I can hunt for a system. :)

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/26/2017 at 06:16pm

Good luck Will!

Travis Admin wrote on 09/26/2017 at 06:22pm

I have Monday off so I’m hoping the Walmart preorders go out early. Doubtful though

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Nintendo Stocking Many More SNES Classics & Bringing Back The NES Classic In 2018!

Looks like Nintendo is recommending people don't pickup a SNES Classic for more than $80 on the third party market. Hopefully they can stock many more units of the SNES Classic so things don't come to that but my guess is they will still have some supply issues.

"“I would strongly urge you not to over-bid on an SNES Classic on any of the auction sites,” Fils-Aimé said. “You shouldn’t pay more than $79.99.”"

Good point but again, that's really up to Nintendo if people can get one or not. All that said, Nintendo does seem to plan on stocking more SNES Classic units this holiday season.

"Certainly the demand is there and the supply chain is there. Can we do more? It depends... Read All

Travis Admin wrote on 09/12/2017 at 01:11pm

And thanks again for that tip! I think I got my preorder in literally seconds before they were out of stock.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/12/2017 at 01:57pm

Yeah man, I was glad you got one.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 09/12/2017 at 03:42pm

I better get a SNES classic. I have a few trackers that I am monitoring.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 09/14/2017 at 11:43pm

Most important question: How long are the controller cords?

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 09/15/2017 at 02:23am

I think 5 feet this time around.

jaelte wrote on 09/15/2017 at 11:57pm

Oh good. In a moment of weakness, I did attempt to pre-order an SNES Classic from ThinkGeek, but the site timed-out on me when I tried to submit the order. It's good to know that I may have another chance to fail my will save.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/16/2017 at 02:17pm

I almost got it from a Think Geek bundle too but couldn't because of the demand. Kind of glad that didn't work out, it was expensive and I didn't want that other stuff.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 09/16/2017 at 02:17pm

Well.. I tried to get one on Think Geek. The site was crushed immediately.

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Prima Is Releasing a Super Nintendo Classic Strategy Guide

https://www.primagames.com/media/images/products/snes_classics_se_sm.jpg/PRIMA/resize/600x

February of this year I picked up "Playing With Power" a strategy guide for the NES Classic games. It didn't review each game but hit the main ones and provided a really great history of the NES along with reprints of the original Nintendo Strategy Guides and Nintendo Power issues. It was a inexpensive and fun guide for people that like that sort of thing, which I do.

Recently Prima has let us know that it is going to release "Playing With Super Power" which is a strategy guide for the upcoming Super Nintendo Classic. It's going to feature game play tips and walkthroughs for many of the games including Star Fox 2 and more. And some of the "and more" looks well worth... Read All

Watch This Japanese Super Famicom Classic Trailer While We Wait For More Details on the US Release

There is a brand new trailer out for the Super Famicom Classic that you need to watch. Firstly the trailer is incredibly charming even though I don't understand most of it. That said, it's still fun to watch and it's a bit sad to notice how many games we didn't get released in the states that look like fun. At the end of the trailer they go over some new features to the Super Famicom Classic that I imagine will be in the Super Nintendo Classic such as a setting to select different borders for games AND the ability to live rewind a game. There also appears to be some kind of feature where you can control Mario in the menu to select a game.

I hope when Nintendo said... Read All