Genesis vs SNES: Eight Must-Know Facts

Sega Genesis 

  • Released in 1988 in Japan as the Mega Drive.Featured two CPUs with over 11GHz of combined processing power.Struggled with its controller design for fighting games, which the console was designed for.Sold 18 million units in North America and 30 million worldwide.

Nintendo SNES

  • Released in 1990 in Japan as the Super Famicom.Had twice the RAM as the Genesis, allowing for better graphics and more colors.Its controller design became the foundation of console controllers for years to come.Sold 20 million units in North America and 49 million worldwide.

Genesis vs SNES: Full Comparison

In July 1983, Nintendo released the Famicom and established itself as one of the most influential gaming companies in history. Having revitalized the gaming industry in North America, no company could touch formative releases such as Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda. However, in 1988, one company would give them a run for their money.

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Finding success in the arcade industry and trying their hand at home entertainment systems, Sega released the Genesis. With state-of-the-art processors, this new console could display stellar movements quicker than any other system on the market. How did Nintendo respond? Continue reading for more on Genesis vs SNES, one of history’s greatest console wars.

Genesis vs SNES: Side-by-Side Comparison

Genesis: The No. 1 Competitor

History

The Sega Genesis (also known as the Mega Drive) came out in 1988 in Japan and 1989 in North America. It was the fourth generation console from the hardware company, which originally got its start designing arcade systems. While getting off to a rough start, the Genesis would eventually outpace its competitors and become Nintendo’s primary rival in that period.

Graphics

The entertainment system’s strategy for success was to boost its graphics to the max. The console featured two CPUs (with 7.67MHz and 3.58MHz respectively), allowing for quick and bursty images. This allowed the Genesis to dominate game categories such as action and sports.

Because Sega frontloaded its processing power, however, it had a smaller memory capacity. With only 64KB of RAM, its images were a little blockier and its colors were less vibrant. 

Controller

On its release, the Sega Genesis featured a large, three-button controller design that made controls easy. However, with the advent of prominent fighter games, three buttons weren’t enough, and the developers released a six-button design. The new controller opted to place its buttons above the original instead of on the shoulders, which made them cramped to use. 

Best Games

Playing to its strengths, the Sega Genesis dominated fast-paced action games. Sonic the Hedgehog, the console’s most popular game, featured a platform style that scrolled across the screen in a blur. The Genesis also found success with other titles, including:

  • Disney’s AladdinMortal KombatStreets of RageNBA JamJurassic Park

Sales

On its initial release, the Mega Drive struggled to gain a foothold in Japan. With consecutive releases from Nintendo (Super Mario Bros. 3) and NEC (PC Engine) immediately following Sega’s debut, the company only sold 400,000 units in its first year. 

Its success in North America, however, shifted the tides. Switching their pack-in game from Altered Beast to Sonic the Hedgehog, the Genesis outsold the SNES by almost double. In 1992, Sega was the market leader, dethroning Nintendo.

SNES: The Reigning Champion

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) was released in Japan in 1990, nearly two years after its contender. Its previous success with the Famicom gave the entertainment company the extra time to design its premier 16-bit console. The time was well used, and the SNES debuted with distinct features and optimized accessories.

Sticking to a modest processor (the CPU was only capable of 3.58MHz), Nintendo opted to maximize its memory. This allowed the console more diversity in its graphics and color resolutions. The SNES could handle 256 colors simultaneously and larger sprites compared to the Genesis.

Nintendo found a lot of success in its controller, which featured six buttons (two on the shoulders). Their design was perfectly optimized for its adaptation of Street Fighter II, which launched the fighting genre for home entertainment systems. The controller’s design was so successful, that it would become the foundation of many future consoles.

Nintendo’s success with Super Mario in previous generations exploded with the SNES. Their flagship game, Super Mario World, would go on to sell over 20 million copies. The SNES also found success with titles such as:

  • Donkey Kong CountrySuper Mario KartStreet Fighter IIThe Legend of ZeldaStarfox

The console was discontinued in 1999 as Nintendo directed its focus to 3-D gaming. At the end of its time, over 20 million SNES were sold in the US, despite the two-year lead its competitor had on its release.

Which One Should You Choose?

The two consoles approached 16-bit gaming in two completely different ways. While the Genesis had much greater computing power and could handle magnificent action scenes, the SNES could provide smoother and more visually appealing graphics. They both had their strengths, but Nintendo’s ability to tell a compelling story ultimately brought victory to their console.

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