PLEASE HELP! I'm new to retro gaming! NES or SNES?

[Bradtemple87]

Hi everyone,
I want to start retro gaming but I have never owned a retro console. I bought Deus Ex on PC recently and, though it's not that retro, it made me think about buying an old console. If older games can be so brilliant, there may be gems out there that I've never played!
I'd like to get a Nintendo console and would prefer to start with 2D graphics, so the NES and SNES are the two I am considering.

I'm sure that the NES vs SNES debate is one that has been fought for many years so I don't want to simply start a debate thread. I'd just like you to recommend to me the best one of the two for a beginner and the best games on them.
And I don't mind whether the Zelda games on one console are better than on another as I've (dare I say it) never played a Zelda game and so don't mind which I play.

Don't worry about having not played a Zelda game before. You can sit down and check them out now.

First off, I happen to be a big SNES enthusiast, so please understand that some of what influences my choice may be personal bias. But I believe you should go with a Super Nintendo as your first choice, for several reasons:

1) NES consoles are nice, but the front loader model may need a pin replacement, and not knowing your proficiency with electronics, I don't want to recommend you something that you're going to have difficulty repairing.

2) NES games tend to be either relatively easy or incredibly brutal. While the SNES also provides games with these tendencies, I feel it has a much better middle ground.

3) If you're interested in a complete collection, both consoles have some games that get expensive, but the NES has some rare gems that skyrocket in price. The SNES on the other hand has a couple of competition cartridges that can cost a pretty penny, but nothing near some of those rare NES games.

4) It's easier to mod a SNES for imports, if you want to delve into games from other regions.

5) If you're at all interested in handhelds, the SNES can play Game Boy games via the Super Game Boy, which drastically increases the size of its potential library.

As for games...well, what genres do you like? The SNES is notable for its RPGs and Fighting games. There's a fair share of platformers too, though nowhere near the amount on the NES. There are also a few FPS, but...well, honestly, if I'm going to recommend console FPS, I'd point you toward the Nintendo 64.

Here's a couple of articles to help get you started:

SNES 101 to help provide background information
Games That Define the Super Nintendo
The Hidden Games of the Super Nintendo
The Best Super Nintendo Games Under $10

well said Ack, big ditto

[BocoDragon]

These guys are right about SNES being more accessible. It has some of gaming's best games. Mario World, Yoshi's Island, Final Fantasy VI, Metroid Prime, Chrono Trigger....

But do pick up a NES later down the line. I was pretty young during the NES's day, but I've really gotten into many of its games during the last year! You can get into them these days. It's also easy to collect for... I just opened my eyes around town for NES games, and within a year I found 80 of them!

I'm curious Winters111... were you too young to have played these consoles? It's cool that you're going back in any case... there are piles of amazing games from that era.

[the King]

I'd start with a NES and then move up to the SNES. Just like back in the day. I think you'll appreciate the "jump up" more. Plus IMO you need to play the first 3 Mario Bros games before you go to Mario World, same with Zelda, Metroid, etc.

[Breetai]

Plus IMO you need to play the first 3 Mario Bros games before you go to Mario World, same with Zelda, Metroid, etc.

That's a good point.

[Ack]

Plus IMO you need to play the first 3 Mario Bros games before you go to Mario World, same with Zelda, Metroid, etc.

That's a good point.

But you can do that with the Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World cart for Mario Bros. Admittedly though, there's no way to my knowledge to play the original Zelda and Metroid on a SNES, though you could play Metroid II via the Super Game Boy.

[sevin0seven]

i would follow what Ack said. SNES is the way to go. Welcome to the forum by the way.

[swiftzx]

I view snes games as upgraded nes games.

[SwooshBear]

These guys are right about SNES being more accessible. It has some of gaming's best games. Mario World, Yoshi's Island, Final Fantasy VI, Metroid Prime, Chrono Trigger....

Metroid prime for snes? That would be sick. Anyway, snes is the way to go. Ack nailed every point I was gonna say lol

[GSZX1337]

I'd go with the SNES as it is more accessible than the NES. Call me a Sega fanboy, but I'd start with the Genesis.

[BocoDragon]

These guys are right about SNES being more accessible. It has some of gaming's best games. Mario World, Yoshi's Island, Final Fantasy VI, Metroid Prime, Chrono Trigger....

Metroid prime for snes? That would be sick. Anyway, snes is the way to go. Ack nailed every point I was gonna say lol

If you're nice, I'd be willing for part with my copy for a few hundred