© Some pictures here / Shutterstock.com
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.
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.
©robtek/Shutterstock.com
Genesis vs SNES: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Sega Genesis | Nintendo SNES | |
|---|---|---|
| Also Known As: | Mega Drive | Famicom |
| Released: | 1988 in Japan, 1989 in North America | 1990 in Japan, 1991 in North America |
| Discontinued: | 1997 | 1999 |
| Units Sold: | 18 million in North America, 30 million worldwide | 20 million in North America, 49 million worldwide |
| Best Selling Games: | Sonic the Hedgehog, Disney’s Aladdin, Mortal Kombat, Streets of Rage, NBA Jam | Super Mario World, Donkey Kong Country, Super Mario Kart, Street Fighter II, The Legend of Zelda |
| CPU: | Motorola 68000, Zilog Z-80 | WDC 65816 |
| CPU Speed: | 7.67MHz, 3.58MHz | 3.58MHz |
| RAM: | 64KB | 128KB |
| Audio Channels: | up to 10 | 8 |
| Resolution: | 320×224 | 256×224 / 512×448 |
| Colors: | 512 | 32,768 |
| Simultaneous Colors: | 64 | 256 |
| On-screen Sprites: | 80 | 128 |
| Maximum Sprite Size: | 32×32 | 64×64 |
Genesis: The No. 1 Competitor
©The Image Party/Shutterstock.com
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 Aladdin
- Mortal Kombat
- Streets of Rage
- NBA Jam
- Jurassic 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.
By the time of its discontinuation, the SNES would regain control, but not without fierce competition. When Sega stopped its production of the console in 1997, it had sold nearly 18 million consoles in the US.
SNES: The Reigning Champion
©P.Cartwright/Shutterstock.com
History
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.
Graphics
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.
Controller
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.
Best Games
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 Country
- Super Mario Kart
- Street Fighter II
- The Legend of Zelda
- Starfox
Sales
Genesis vs SNES is one of the most heated console wars in history. With both systems performing at their max potential, Nintendo was pushed to deliver gaming experiences that had yet to be explored. By the Mid-90s, the company persisted, if only marginally.
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.
However, it’s not exclusively Nintendo’s reputation that made the SNES the better console. The Sega Genesis was released two years earlier, setting the standard for 16-bit gaming. When Nintendo answered the call, Sega found itself circling back to catch up in areas that it lacked. Particularly in regards to fighting games, the Genesis needed to update its controller. By the time it managed to release a new one, the company lost the opportunity.
Up Next…
- The History of Warcraft Find out all there is to know about the legendary game that revolutionized the gaming industry.
- 2023 Hyundai Kona EV vs 2023 Kia Niro EV: How Do They Compare? We’ve taken two cutting edge cars by competitors Hyundai and Kia and compared them. Check out what we found.
- How to Permanently Delete Your Twitter Account in 4 Steps (with Photos) An increasing number of Twitter users are exiting the platform. Here’s how to make a clean break.
