SNES Model 1 vs. Model 2

[someone3760]

I am wanting to get a SNES, and was wondering which SNES model is better? Model 1 or Model 2? Thanks!

[theclaw]

Model 1 is easier for casual use. s-video and RGB ready out of the box.
Satellaview needs its expansion port. But that add-on is rather useless and won't fit due to Japanese shape.

Model 2 suits advanced users with its much greater potential video clarity. Especially compared to the earlier revision model 1's. Just left disconnected inside, so s-video and RGB take a bit of restoration. Model 2 was also an NTSC only release (though overall I'd recommend NTSC SNES over PAL anyway).

[Ziggy]

It depends.

If you're not concerned about getting the best video quality, I say the model 1 is the better console. It has an eject button and a power LED stock. I don't miss the eject button all that much on the mini, but not having a power LED is annoying.

Also, IIRC, the SNES mini made some Game Genie carts not work (eSlap me if I'm wrong, but I remember hearing about this).

Another thing is that a stock SNES mini will not output S-Video or RGB. Although a simple modification will restore these outputs, you have to know how to solder. Speaking about soldering, if you can, you can easily add a power LED to the mini. So if you know how to solder, a mini might not be such a bad choice.

The SNES mini has certain revisions to the console that result in a better picture quality, as seen here: http://sd2snes.de/blog/archives/category/snes-general

The thing is tho, the last revision to the model 1 SNES was basically a SNES mini. So, you can get the best of both worlds. It'll just take more effort to find a specific model 1 SNES, rather than any one.

BUT, early SNES models have a different video encoder that was recently found to output a YPbPr (component video) signal. The problem there is that you would need to be pretty nifty with a soldering iron to get it.

So, consider all of this when deciding. If you don't know how to solder, and don't have a buddy that can, then I would say go with the model 1. If you wanna go the extra mile, you can try and hunt for a late revision model 1 and get the better picture quality. I remember seeing a thread in a forum some where that could possibly identify a SNES by the serial number, which would make finding a specific revision a lot easier (you wouldn't have to open it up).

[Luke]

^Listen to these guys.

It's all about what you want out of the system. Personally I would pick the Fat SNES. but I believe you can tinker around with the Slim SNES with more ease. But again, listen to ^guys as I'm not a modder-duder.

[BoneSnapDeez]

In my experience, at least 60% of the model 1s in existence have turned piss yellow. Don't know about model 2s. Check the pictures if you choose to order one off the 'net.

[Ziggy]

^ IDK about 60%, I have come across plenty that aren't yellowed. In fact, I've acquired about 3 or 4 of them now without any yellowing, without even trying! The last SNES I got was given to me by a friend. No yellowing at all, and it turned out to be the first revision of the NTSC-U console.

@ someone3760: Forgot to mention, if you wanted to go with a mini and have some one mod it for you, there's people on the forum here that can do it. I can't imagine them charging very much for the S-Video and power LED mod, as those are so simple to do. If doing those two mods, they'd probably remove the region tabs for free.

[Zing]

Eject button, power led, and s-video means the model 1 is the only way to go.

[dsheinem]

Eject button, power led, and s-video means the model 1 is the only way to go.

did you read none of the above posts?

[theclaw]

Eject button, power led, and s-video means the model 1 is the only way to go.

did you read none of the above posts?

It's something of an oddity there. For some reason Nintendo had their engineers waste resources on improved video clarity that isn't used.

[Ziggy]

It's something of an oddity there. For some reason Nintendo had their engineers waste resources on improved video clarity that isn't used.

Assuming you mean they improved the video quality in the mini only not to include S-Video and RGB... That's not the entire story. Consoles are always revised to cost less to manufacture (use less parts, etc). I'm not saying the improved video quality was a happy coincidence, but rather, they new the two PPU design wasn't perfect so when they designed the S-CPUN chip they fixed what was wrong. It's also important to note that the S-CPUN wasn't designed solely for the mini. It appeared first in the last revision to the original SNES. I don't know how common, or rather, uncommon this late revision is tho. But you can find the original SNES, with S-Video and RGB stock, with the S-CPUN (single CPU/PPU) design. It's essentially a mini in the original SNES shell.

Moreover, composite from the mini has the potential to look better than S-Video from the original (with two PPUs) given the right TV and/or setup. If using a great TV, like a Trinitron Wega, the mini via composite will probably look better. Or on a "normal" TV with some devices to clean up the signal, like a comb filter, the mini might look better. I've seen comb filters that input composite, clean it up, and output it as S-Video. So it makes the composite better, then outputs it as S-Video so it stays better.