This US variant of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) outputs NTSC and runs at 60Hz instead of the 50Hz of the European machines (17.5% faster). It is often claimed that the US console outputs superior picture quality.

The cartridge slot was redesigned to be wider than both the European SNES and the Japanese Super Famicom, as the cartridges are larger and more angular.

The colour of the controller fire buttons was changed, from multi coloured to plain purple. The reset and power buttons were made much larger and also the same colour.

Super Famicom cartridges are compatible with the US machine, although in an attempt to regionalize the machine, two plastic prongs were built into the cartridge slot, to prevent Japanese cartridges from being physically inserted, though these were easily removed, making this a very desirable variant of the SNES, as it could then play all US and Japanese games, at full speed and full screen, with no need for an adapter.

 The US console was designed by Nintendo of America industrial designer Lance Barr, and is slightly larger than the Super Famicom, and European machines, which used identical cases, but different branding, it is generally regarded as far more ugly than the Super Famicom and European SNES, having none of the curved lines, or coloured buttons.

Another difference is the power connector, the US machine has a very different one to the other versions and is DC, rather than the European, which were AC.

 The console is even more vulnerable to turning yellow than the other regions, our machine is very yellow on the bottom half, but thankfully, the top half is still it's original grey colour, this was due to the plastic oxidizing with air.

This would be the last time that Nintendo released a machine that was in a different case for a certain region.

 This version of the SNES was also released in Canada, and certain parts of South America.

Has a third party PSU and two controllers.

Manufacturer: Nintendo
Date: 21st November 1990

This exhibit has a reference ID of CH39976. Please quote this reference ID in any communication with the Centre for Computing History.