Super Famicom controller cord length..... really?

[Curlypaul]

I had this shock when I re-aquired a Mega Drive last year, the original pads that came with it have a very stingy amount of cable. I remember getting my first Saturn and being very impressed with the huge cable the controllers had - for the first time I could sit on my bed and play!

[Riqz85]

I will never understand the hate for the NTSC SNES design. I love those concave X/Y buttons and the purple/grey look

I guess it all comes down to our childhood memories mate. We were 8-10 years old if not less and it was a beautiful machine. Not because it looked good but because it was magical in what it did.

So in turn, it looks beautiful the way we remember it.

I remember mine PAL you remember yours NTSC. We're both right

[ujnhunter]

Even long cables tend to be a problem for me these days... now that TV sizes are huge! I have a 57" DLP and I need a SNES extension cord too!

[MrPopo]

I will never understand the hate for the NTSC SNES design. I love those concave X/Y buttons and the purple/grey look

It's interesting to look at the Nintendo Power issues from those days. The change in design of the buttons was based on problems they saw with the JP Super Famicom launch; players had problems remembering the controller layout. Remember that in those days everyone was used to 1 and 2 button controllers (not counting start/select). Even the Genesis 3 button was all in a line. With the SNES one can conceivably imagine that A and B were in their actual place, or are in the B and Y position. So NoA made the concave/convex change to give a tactile difference.

[Hobie-wan]

I will never understand the hate for the NTSC SNES design. I love those concave X/Y buttons and the purple/grey look

It's interesting to look at the Nintendo Power issues from those days. The change in design of the buttons was based on problems they saw with the JP Super Famicom launch; players had problems remembering the controller layout. Remember that in those days everyone was used to 1 and 2 button controllers (not counting start/select). Even the Genesis 3 button was all in a line. With the SNES one can conceivably imagine that A and B were in their actual place, or are in the B and Y position. So NoA made the concave/convex change to give a tactile difference.

Yup. Even the Genesis controller has a little bump on the B button like keyboards so you know when you're in the 'home' position.

[BocoDragon]

Being italian and being used to the European Pal version of the snes i find it a LOT more beautiful that the american version. Especially because of the coloured buttons like the famicom version eheh!

I really like the idea of owning both. They're both classic designs to me. The different cart sizes and exclusive games gives me a good reason to own both NTSC machines (cart adaptors be damned!)

If I were to choose which one is "better"... well I guess I do prefer the SFC/PAL SNES design... but there was a lot to love about the American SNES. It was kind of the "playstation 3" of its day.. they were really trying to mature it up by limiting the colors on it, reducing rounded edges, etc. And at the time, in the early-90s, it really worked. I remember how classy I thought the look and branding was. It probably was right for American tastes, back in the day.

And, like the NES, US SNES games had end labels!

But the SFC/PAL SNES is, in retrospect, far more "Nintendo". The little touch of the colors added a hint of whimsy. I'm glad to acquire the Super Famicom after all these years (well... starting with the controllers )

[Yukima]

Hehehe... just thinking about the short controller cords makes me crack up... I guess it's ideal in Japan because of the smaller living space, and the short cords reduce clutter when playing? At any rate, I'd be concerned about my eyesight if I had to keep playing close enough to the TV to use the controllers without extensions...

I guess it all comes down to our childhood memories mate. We were 8-10 years old if not less and it was a beautiful machine. Not because it looked good but because it was magical in what it did.

So in turn, it looks beautiful the way we remember it.

I remember mine PAL you remember yours NTSC. We're both right

I agree. And actually, in my case it was a little weird... My very first experience with the SNES was during a trip to California to visit relatives, and I spent a lot of time playing on my cousin's Super Famicom. I had never even seen the US SNES before, since I wasn't interested in gaming at the time, and somehow my friends and family went from the NES directly to the N64. I ended up really liking the SFC, and when I actually decided to buy one I was appalled at how the US SNES looked and sad that I couldn't get a SFC. I eventually did get one (along with some much-needed controller extension cables!) so now I'm happy.

[jeffesaurusrex]

I hate to bring this from the grave, especially my first post but I have a solution. The cords are a simple swap from the US to the Japanese controllers. They just plug in on the back of the boards. All you need to do is remove all 5 screws and take the back off, then unplug and swap your cords. Do it with the controller with the buttons facing your table because you don't want all your rubber pieces falling out. Be careful with the shoulder buttons; they are on pins and it is easier if they stay where they are so try and hold them down as you remove the back of the controller.

I did this with mine today, and it works perfectly.

[BlackDS]

how short is the cord anyway? Like 2 feet?

[CRTGAMER]

But I'm curious.. how exactly was this good enough for the Japanese? I know their homes are small, but this is madness. I'd have to sit far too close to the TV for it to make sense. I guess I am curious how the average person played this. Did everyone play sitting at a desk with the console right in front of them? Did they drag their Famicom out onto the floor and sit huddled around it?

I tend to agree, the Famicom was dragged out with the short corded controllers. Look at the first Pong consoles.
The idea is not having to get up to change carts. I have all my game consoles on my coffee table for the same reason.

"You mean I have to lean forward from the couch to switch games?"

It's interesting to look at the Nintendo Power issues from those days. The change in design of the buttons was based on problems they saw with the JP Super Famicom launch; players had problems remembering the controller layout. Remember that in those days everyone was used to 1 and 2 button controllers (not counting start/select). Even the Genesis 3 button was all in a line. With the SNES one can conceivably imagine that A and B were in their actual place, or are in the B and Y position. So NoA made the concave/convex change to give a tactile difference.

Another side track point. Could never figure out why on PSX Japanese default button is CIRCLE and U.S is X.
Carried thru from the first digital only PS1 games thru PS2, probably also in PS3.