SNES Classic coming September 29th

[alienjesus]

I find the inclusion of the two Kirby games on the European model to be bizarre as he was never a popular franchise in Europe and games like Super Tennis or even the Japanese choice of Super Soccer would have been more popular.

I don't think I even knew who Kirby was until Smash Bros for N64 came out.

I guess it's because the European model is really just the US model with the Japanese shell.

Might not have been popular back in the day, but he is now. Plenty of people out there who like Kirby in retrospect and who those games will now appeal to.

[Reprise]

I'd love a HDMI modded N64, but I've looked a couple of times on Ebay and there wasn't any listings (at least in the UK).

Does it work fine with PAL N64s? (I assume it does) I'm in too deep with my PAL collection to start going for a NTSC collection.

[Xeogred]

Anyone want to break down the versions of Street Fighter 2? I'm always curious, lol.

[alienjesus]

I'd love a HDMI modded N64, but I've looked a couple of times on Ebay and there wasn't any listings (at least in the UK).

Does it work fine with PAL N64s? (I assume it does) I'm in too deep with my PAL collection to start going for a NTSC collection.

The HDMI mod kits are rare and expensive, and only sold through certain providers, so I'd recommend going to a site like VideoGamePerfection (where I got mine) and registering your interest there. I had to sit on a waiting list for almost a year before I got mine though - they're in high demand and low production.

They're compatible with PAL units, but you obviously still have to deal with 50hz gameplay and there's no 60hz mod for N64. I went with a modded PAL unit because I don't really mind the 50hz issue on 3D games anyway - it's only a problem on the 2D stuff for me. Plus, y'know, I own like 35 PAL N64 games and some of those buggers ain't cheap.

For me it was worth the investment to go alongside my Framemeister as one of the few consoles the Framemeister couldn't do much with. I just need to get my PC Engine RGB modded too now and I think I'll be done for now. Maybe I'll get the NES HDMI mod one day too, but the Retron does the job just fine for now.

Actually, my next big want after the PC Engine mod is to invest in a proper sound system. My games look great, but the sound could be better!

[marurun]

Understocked, underfeatured, overpriced. Sure you can mod it later but you'd just be having the same experience as in the PS2 era of emulation on console. There's also no legitimate moral argument for it, except maybe for Star Fox 2, which should be released on Steam etc. instead. A wasted opportunity like the NES one.

I actually disagree quite a bit with this assessment. Several titles on the collection are longer games and others have good replay value, so I think this is actually a pretty good deal, especially given it comes with 2 controllers. The physical cartridges are all quite expensive to procure for many of these titles, and if you were to buy them all on the VC you'd end up spending more. Some of them you couldn't get at all. This will be Nintendo's first official re-release of Star Fox, for example, and Yoshi's Island was only re-released on the GBA, and not at all since.

Essentially, this is the only legitimate way to own 3 of the 21 games for proper use on a modern, HDMI-capable television. Further, unlike Sega's licensed TV console and handheld systems (usually from Atmark), all of which feature questionable emulation or game reproduction, Nintendo will ensure proper emulation quality and physical build quality.

Also, I'm not sure what you mean by there not being a legitimate moral argument for it. Could you clarify what you mean by that?

[Ziggy]

Anyone want to break down the versions of Street Fighter 2? I'm always curious, lol.

The SNES got three versions of the game. Street Fighter II, Street Fighter II Turbo (aka Hyper Fighting, Special Champion Edition on the Genesis) and Super Street Fighter II.

There's probably a zillion differences, and I'm not really a SF fan. SF2 Turbo made the boss characters playable and has faster (hyper) fighting. Super SF2 is SF2T with new playable characters and levels.

The HDMI mod kits are rare and expensive, and only sold through certain providers, so I'd recommend going to a site like VideoGamePerfection (where I got mine) and registering your interest there. I had to sit on a waiting list for almost a year before I got mine though - they're in high demand and low production.

It's not cheap, but it's around the same price as other mods that utilize an FPGA like the Hi-Def NES and NESRGB. Personally, I don't feel like it's too expensive for what it does. But yeah, the most annoying part is not being able to get a hold of one. I mean, it could cost only $20 but it wouldn't matter since it's so hard to get your hands on one.

ATTN: Marshall, I can totally understand not wanting to sell these yourself and having to put up with people's botched installations. But please ramp up production so more of us can enjoy this fantastic product that you made.

[Betagam7]

Well, I was just able to get a pre-order to process with Very.co.uk

I've never heard of them to be honest (EDIT: apparently they used to be Littlewoods catalogue) but they've taken my money and I've had the confirmation email. Of course I'm more than aware that this could mean diddly-squat if they decide that "oh, we have had to cancel due to short supply" but at least I feel I've tried to get one now.

I'd have rather it had been with Argos (a brand I'm much more familiar with as an actual high-street presence, who are apparently the other UK supplier to have added them but they appeared to be saying they had sold out when I checked the website.

Of course, even if they honour my pre-order there is then the matter of then having it shipped halfway around the world to Thailand but still....I've done the best I can dammit!

EDIT: twenty minutes later and they are now out of stock again! Looks like I had some ungodly luck in finding a window. I'm hoping that's a sign that they actually took a limited number of orders to match a figure they were given and haven't just closed orders in panic.

[isiolia]

There's probably a zillion differences, and I'm not really a SF fan. SF2 Turbo made the boss characters playable and has faster (hyper) fighting. Super SF2 is SF2T with new playable characters and levels.

Championship Edition (or just II' in Japan) was what allowed for playing as the bosses, at least in the arcades. It also allowed for same character matches by default, something that you could only do in the World Warrior on SNES via a code.

The SNES/Genesis versions technically include it alongside the Turbo version, which as mentioned is also faster with expanded special moves/capabilities. It also changes the default character colors and such. Like you said though, there are a ton of little differences here and there too.

I think for many home users that resulted in basically skipping straight to Turbo. I remember it being odd with arcades since Turbo (at least) was simply an upgrade kit to CE, and they all used the same base hardware. So it almost seeemd like there were hacks to the game, given how fast the new editions came out.

Super Street Fighter 2 actually shifted to CPS2 hardware and added/retooled a lot more in the home versions too.

[Betagam7]

Just a thought but with Starfox 2 being an unlockable, might Nintendo have hidden other unannounced unlockable games on the device?

I know it would make sense to advertise the full line-up, but it would also appear to make sense to mass produce these things...

[Reprise]

The HDMI mod kits are rare and expensive...[etc.]

Thanks for the tips there. I'll check out VideoGamePerfection. I'm also not bothered about the 50hz issue, like you. I'm more concerned about it for 2D gaming, which is why my Mega Drive is fully modded. So I'll probably try and get a PAL one as well.