Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
How It Works • Games & Tech

Super Nintendo Entertainment System

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), also called the Super NES, is a 16-bit home video game console developed and marketed by Nintendo.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) is a 16-bit home video game console by Nintendo. Released in 1990 in Japan and 1991 in North America, it succeeded the NES and became a defining system of the fourth generation.

What it is

The SNES is Nintendo’s second programmable home console, following the Nintendo Entertainment System. It is a 16-bit system that uses game cartridges as its primary media format. The console was first released in Japan as the Super Famicom on November 21, 1990, then in North America on August 23, 1991, with broader international releases in 1992.

Key details

The SNES introduced a controller layout that influenced later gamepad designs. In Japan it was called the Super Famicom; in North America and other markets it was branded as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The console is part of the fourth generation of video game systems and competed with other 16-bit platforms of the era.

Why it matters

The SNES is widely regarded as one of Nintendo’s most important consoles, home to many influential games. In Canada, it was sold as part of the North American release and became a familiar system for players throughout the 1990s. Its legacy endures through re-releases and continued appreciation among retro gaming enthusiasts.

In short

  • Nintendo’s second home console, 16-bit, cartridge-based.
  • Launched as Super Famicom in Japan (1990), then SNES in North America (1991).
  • Part of the fourth generation of video game systems.
  • Influential controller design and a strong library of games.
Canadian angle

The SNES was sold in Canada as part of Nintendo’s North American release and became one of the most recognizable console systems for Canadian players during the 1990s.

Quick questions

What does SNES stand for?
SNES stands for Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
What is the Japanese name for the SNES?
The Japanese name is Super Famicom.
When was the SNES released?
It first launched in Japan on November 21, 1990, in North America on August 23, 1991, and in other regions during 1992.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Nintendo_Entertainment_System
    Supports: Developer, system type, Japanese name, release dates, successor relationship, 16-bit classification
  2. Nintendo — https://www.nintendo.com/en-za/Hardware/Nintendo-History/Super-Nintendo/Super-Nintendo-627040.html
    Supports: European release in 1992 and official Nintendo history context
  3. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Nintendo_Entertainment_System
    Supports: 16-bit classification, successor status, cartridge-based media, regional naming