Which retro console are you going to buy this time? Will it be SNES or the PS1? Can’t decide, right? Well, we understand what you are going through and we are to help.
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System and the PlayStation 1 still hold their place in today’s generation and it can be quite tricky to decide between the two. That’s exactly why we’ve come up with this guide.
In this article, we will put SNES vs. PS1 and find out:
- About their history
- Hardware specifications
- Some unique features
- Games collection
- And in the end, there will be an FAQs section as well
So, let’s get right into it!
A Little About Their History
Before we dive into details, let’s first talk a little bit about the history of both gaming devices.
SNES
Also known as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, the SNES is a 16-bit home video gaming console manufactured by Nintendo. The device was released in 1990 in South Korea and Japan, 1991 in North America, and 1992 in Oceania and Europe.
Even though all of these versions are basically the same, many forms of regional lockouts prevent the cartridges of one version from being used in others.
Following the Nintendo Entertainment System, it is the second programmable hand console by Nintendo and introduces advanced sound and graphics capabilities as compared to the other gaming devices at that time.
The SNES was a global success and received positive reviews. Therefore, it soon became the best-selling handheld gaming console of the 16-bit era.
PS1
Sony’s PlayStation 1 was among the first few consoles that were capable of delivering 3D visuals. In addition to this, it was also the first CD-based console that gained global popularity. This is what set it apart from its arch-rival, Nintendo, which still used cartridges.
While the CDs at that time had a slower loading time as compared to the cartridges, they offered 700MB of data in contrast to the maximum 64MB storage seen on the Nintendo cartridges. As a result, the developers could cram plenty of in-game content, plenty of hours of voice acting, and tons of video content into their games.
Due to the console’s stronger presence in the market and its fantastic features, it soon became the first home console that sold more than 100 million units.
Hardware
Let’s compare the hardware specifications of both the consoles categorically.
Design
One of the things we liked better about the PS1 when compared to the SNES is the fact that there are ports at the front, and as a result, you can plug the controllers directly into the front of the unit. On the other hand, the Nintendo console has a flap at the front, so, the controller ports are hidden. This makes the device look a bit odd when in use. Therefore, we prefer the PS1 whose ports are placed at the front and look like a real thing once connected.
Other than that, both of the systems are powered by a Micro USB connection. However, none of them come with a power supply in their box. So, the users will have to use the USB power block that they use with their smartphones or the USB sockets on the TV.
Controller
It will not be wrong to call the SNES pad iconic considering it has influenced every single controller after its release. It was the first-ever pad that used shoulder buttons that gave more input options to the players without actually crowding the face of the pad. Other than that, the decision by Nintendo to arrange the buttons in a diamond form was undoubtedly a masterstroke and has become the standard for the industry ever since.
When we picked up the PS1 pad for the first time, we were hit with some real nostalgia feels. Sony has copied the majority of the elements of the SNES pad into its PS1 design but this is hardly a surprise considering where the origin of the whole PlayStation project came from. It includes the same diamond button and the shoulder button but the design of its controller is more ergonomic with the prongs offering a perfect grip.
Adapter
The SNES comes with an AC adapter to power your console. So, there isn’t any need to buy a separate adapter and pay an additional fee. On the other hand, even though the PlayStation 1 doesn’t come with the adapter, Sony made sure you are still good to go.
The PS1 is designed in such a way that it only needs a standard USB charger just like any smartphone. Odds are that almost all the households will already have an adapter at hand that is compatible with their PS1. So, even if it doesn’t come with an AC adapter, it is not a huge deal.
Display
If you play games like Mario Kart on Nintendo SNES, you’ll see the perfect perspective in Mode 7 being implemented. However, the PS1 is notorious for texture wrap. So, how is this possible considering that the SNES is a previous generation machine?
Well, the SNES provides some additional features that make all of this possible. With the help of the HDMA mode and the affine transforms that change at every scale line, the players get a perfect perspective that they cannot get on the PS1.
Rewind Feature
There is a rewind feature on the SNES that allows the gamers to rewind their gameplay for about a minute to rectify their past mistakes. However, there is a catch to this feature as well. It is that you can only rewind your game based on its last suspension point. So, it would be the last save of your game. But, on the brighter side, each game allows up to four suspend points.
According to Nintendo, while the players can go back a few minutes in role-playing games such as Super Mario, action titles would only offer 40 seconds of rewind that are ideal for retrying short segments of the game.
When it comes to the PS1, you are stuck with the mistakes that you make, for better or worse.
Games Collection SNES Vs PS1
Let’s talk about the game collection of the SNES and PS1 below.
SNES
There’s no denying the fact that the retro games live and die by the collection of games they offer to the users. When it comes to the Nintendo SNES, its game lineup is better and offers more enduring titles. Not only this, but it is the only official way to play Star Fox which was scrapped before its launch in the mid-90s. A total of 1757 SNES games were officially released all over the world. Out of this number, 717 were released in North America, 1448 in Japan, 521 in Europe, 13 on Sufami Turbo, and 231 on Satellaview.
Some of the best selling and the most popular titles of the SNES include:
- Super Mario World
- Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
- Street Fighter ll
- Donkey Kong Country
- Star Fox
PS1
On the other hand, the PS1 is a mixed bag of so-so fillers and absolute essentials. The classic console’s game library features many hits but none of them could give competition to the Nintendo SNES. Sony released a total of 7918 PS1 games over its lifespan which were able to generate cumulative sales of 962 million units.
Some of the best selling and the most popular PS1 titles include:
- Final Fantast Vll
- Twisted Metal
- Resident Evil Survivor
- Metal Gear Solid
- Super Puzzle Fighter ll Turbo
So overall, the SNES seems to do a better job when it comes to covering the most essential games of its respective console. However, if you are fond of the 32-bit era, you can find some excellent classics on Sony’s PS1.
FAQs about SNES vs. PS1
Let’s now check out some of the most frequently asked questions on SNES and PS1 below:
Yes, you can play PlayStation games on your SNES Classic. However, you’ll need to install an emulator such as the RetroArch on your SNES device. This will allow you to play games from other eras including the PS1 and other gaming consoles.
On October 31, 2007, Nintendo announced that it will no longer be producing the SNES due to the increased shortage of its necessary parts. However, in March 2016, the company announced that it would bring the classic SNES games to its New Nintendo 3DS.
The high demand and the limited supply of the SNES classic have created an opportunity for third-party retailers that have these consoles in stock to raise their prices. However, major retailers, have kept the prices of these models fairly low depending upon their availability.
The worth of a used PlayStation 1 ranges from $40 to $500. However, it also depends upon its condition and whether the console ships are available or not.
Also known as the Air Combat, the Original Ace Combat was one of the first games that were released for the PlayStation 1. It also has a sequel named Ace Combat 2 that was an improvement in every way.
Conclusion
That’s it peeps! We have presented all the critical aspects of SNES vs. PS1 in front of you. No matter which console you go with, you’ll be able to enjoy an excellent collection of games from any online store.
However, if you still have anything else in mind, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll be happy to assist you with all your queries here.
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