SNES Online Bluetooth Pad with Analogue Super NT
If like me, you grew up with the Super Nintendo, then the official SNES Online pad was a must buy when it came out for the Nintendo Switch. An official Bluetooth SNES pad, why not?! Although It turns out, I never once used it on my Nintendo Switch or barely use the SNES online app truth be told. So, instead of gathering dust, I wanted to see if I could use it with my Analogue Super NT – which is my absolute favourite way of playing my SNES collection.
The Super NT is true to the original Super Nintendo console, with the same retro controller port. Which means the perfect tool for the job, would be a Bluetooth receiver that 3rd party accessories maker 8BitDo put together, to allow you to use Bluetooth controllers like the PlayStation DualShock 4s with an original SNES. It all worked pretty seamlessly, so check out this video showing set up and gameplay in action.
If you’ve found this page looking for info on the original SNES console. Then yes, this controller & receiver set up will work on the classic Super Nintendo & Super Famicom, no problems.
There has been a lot of questions on YouTube and social around how much latency is being introduced using Bluetooth instead of 2.4GHz set up. I’m no expert in this field and it’s actually very interesting seeing those with different opinions & stats arguing to and against this. What I will say on this topic, is that I have not experienced any when playing my fave SNES games which has even dampened the experience in anyway. If Bluetooth was that flawed to create Lag, I am pretty certain Nintendo wouldn’t have used it for its controllers for the Nintendo Switch. Besides, those using emulation will suffer potentially the same lag anyway, which is negligible.
Links below for reference.
Official Super Nintendo Online Controller – https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Nintendo-Switch-Family/Nintendo-Switch-Online/Exclusive-product-for-members-1437883.html
8BitDo SNES Bluetooth Receiver – https://www.8bitdo.com/retro-receiver-snes/
Analogue Super NT – https://www.analogue.co/super-nt
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To the casual gamer, the recent popularity of the mini classic consoles has been perfect. Cute little boxes with HDMI out to play childhood memories on their cinema sized living room flatscreen TV. Whilst some games are timeless and the likes of Super Mario World will always be a joy, there are some games that perhaps haven’t aged as well and playing on HD screens flags just how crude the technology was back then.
The biggest problem with our digital age, is that everything is defined in pixels. Video games before the 2000’s were primarily designed for those old school box TVs that used CRT technology. They didn’t have pixels as such and the low resolution images of the likes of the SNES and the PSOne, were smoothed off as well as being shown on screens no bigger than 20-24 inches inches. That’s why you are probably seeing those old fashioned box TVs going for a good price in local second hand shops and online marketplaces recently. They are the best way to play the original games consoles like the Mega Drive, NES or N64. Simply, because the old consoles were never designed to work with digital video signals and so look pretty rubbish on our modern high resolution screens – even with the best upscalers.
Analogue is a Seattle based startup, that have made a name for themselves making hardware specifically designed for solving the headaches found. The Super NT & Mega SG are two of those consoles, which are FPGA based versions of the classic Super Nintendo and Sega Mega Drive, that allow you to play the original cartridges in stunning pixel perfect HDMI video. I have both the fore-mentioned consoles as I am a huge 16-bit fanboy and the results are impressive. I think the most impressive feature, is the scaling to round off blocky pixels to make it look more cartoony. Perfect for things like Sonic the Hedgehog, Bomberman or Mario games.
But what, if you have a retro style TV or monitor but still want to keep the benefits of the modern FPGA system. Enter the DAC extension card.
This isn’t an HDMI to analogue converter box, although that’s what it appears to be at first, so it will not work as a standalone product with say a Raspberry Pi or a SNES Mini. It works in collaboration with the Analogue console hardware, hence I say extension card. The Analogue console you’re using it with, will even change its available settings in the menu when connected and show “DAC” as an option. Giving you options of how the component signal is synchronised and other customisations.
As it only works with users of Analogue consoles that want to use a retro CRT or LCD screen, it’s a super Niche add-on for an already niche and fairly pricey way to play your retro game cartridges. Some would be happy just playing on a RetroPi or emulation device on their HD screen. But there is definitely a target market out there for such specific hardware. I am one of them for a start.
It is in my opinion, the ultimate way to play these classic games. Absolutely crisp and clean video – especially if you are nerdy enough to have in your hoard a professional monitor like the Sony PVM series. I’ve opted for one of the LCD based monitors due to available space in my set up, which are known as LMD series. Yes, I can play these games on my living room TV, or my 4K Ultrasharp monitor, or even my portable ZenScreen HDMI monitor I bang on about. But it just doesn’t compare, it’s not as accurate, it’s not displaying the sprites, pixels and backgrounds as the games were designed for. Is everyone I know who is passionate about retro games going to buy into this set up, no way. But, I am a hugely passionate 16-bit collector and gamer, looking for ways to optimise my set up.
I have tested now with both the Super NT (SNES) & MEGA SG (Mega Drive) + all the SEGA adapters like Master system and Game Gear.
If you’re still reading this and thinking “What the F are you talking about Tom?” Then stay tuned, as I am putting together a video to show what this is all about.
For more info on this, take a look at Analogue’s webste.
Here’s a custom console box design I did for the Game Boy Advance in the style of the Super Nintendo console. Taking design input from the SNES Mini, the SNES Edition 3DS XL and of course the original Super Nintendo PAL console box design.
This was created to complete the SNES themed custom GAme Boy Advance console, with IPS screen mod, grey shell, colour matching buttons and of course, a SNES logo glass lend. More commonly found is the Super Famicom version, which looks equally awesome too.
I’ve even started to create an included A4 poster to go inside, like all the original Nintendo games and consoles used to come with. This poster is meant to show the range of actual Super Nintendo games officially ported to the Game Boy Advance. Following the official NES Classics line up of games, I changed the left aligned logo with the “SNES Classics”. i say “actual… ports” but largely most of the games are optimised in some way, so the list of official games is debatable.
This is an ongoing project of mine, so this page will be updated as the artwork improves. I intend to get these made and printed with some small batches being available for purchase.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me on social media.
What additions I have this week for my collection? Well, here’s a weekly overview of some of the pieces I’ve been able to find and add to the Randall museum of retro hardware and gaming.
ZELDA: link to the Past SNES BOX Only (eBay BuyitNow)
One of my saved searches on eBay is for “Nintendo Box Only”, so everyday I get an email to let me know about any new listings with these keywords. This is a great tool for finding specifics like this and highly recommend anyone else to use this system. This Zelda box is not exactly mint, but it is a condition step up from my current boxed copy and for the price I got it for, not a crazy purchase at all. Whilst there is plenty of copies of this game floating around, it’s definitely not a rare item, it is in this condition. My older box only I guess will be going on eBay too.
ZELDA: Link’s Awakening DX (eBay Auction)
It would seem I am quite the fan of the ZELDA series and that is true in some way, I am more of a fan specifically of Link’s Awakening. One of my favourite Game Boy games of all time and potentially my fave Zelda title for many reasons. I already have the non DX version in my collection but since playing the colour dungeon on the Switch release, I wanted to go back and try the Dx version.
I won this on action at a decent price. To me though, it’s not about grabbing a bargain or saving pennies (although that’s a bonus), I like to know exactly what condition a game is like. eBay is great for this. If the photos are blurry or missing an image of the back, I will stay clear. If I see an item at a decent 7/10, I will go for it. This particular one is just about a 7/10 but I am very happy to add it to my collection for sure.
Game Boy Play it Loud Hard Case
As luck beholds, only a week after I got the Play it Loud DMG, one of these empty cases came up as an auction listing and of course I went for it. The case itself is a really good case and display solution. The Game Boy has a raised platform so it sits proud at the top, plus space underneath for the booklets. Two compartments to the left side that can house 5 carts (3 at the top and 2 on the bottom) and a rigid holder for the 4x AA batteries. There’s even an embossed Nintendo Logo on the back.
Slowly I will restore this as close to the original glory. Manuals, included accessories and the artwork that slips inside. This hard case edition is not that common as the traditional carton boxes, so finding a source for the card inserts will be a tough step, I will possibly have to make them myself for decoration purposes.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System Controller: Switch Online (Nintendo.co.uk)
This official Bluetooth controller in the shape of the original SNES pad, is a little short on supply and spends most of its time “out of stock”. But if you can grab one, it’s well worth it. An official SNES pad for the Switch generation. Although the 8BitDo alternatives are awesome as well, it’s always great to have the official version.
It’s designed to work with the Nintendo Switch, but I am keen to see what other devices I can get to work with it. My hopes, is that I will be able to get a Bluetooth receiver for the original SNES and pair with my Analogue Super NT, for the closest to genuine experience in HD. I will of course, be sharing my findings on social, on here and maybe even a video if I think it’s worth it.
What stuff have you lot been busy collecting? Anything I clearly am missing and wanna show off? Give us a shout on social media to chat retro.
Here’s a weekly round up of what bits I have added to the Randall Media retro museum of all things gaming and technology. Not an actual museum obviously, but our own treasure trove and collection of awesome hardware, software and products, that are worth talking about.
Official Donkey Kong Country 2 & 3 Strategy Guides – eBay Buy it Now
I only wanted to get my hands on DKC3 guide to complete my SNES trilogy, I have the first one and second one is in my big box edition. I took a gamble on this double listing from the US, but the seller not only undersold how good condition they were on the listing, but they also went above and beyond with making sure they turned up pristine. Huge shout to eBay seller Elceepher for their great service here.
PS One Console Box Only – Facebook marketplace
Some of you know the heartache that is of having original hardware unboxed. But buying complete in box stuff can be way more expensive. So it’s always a win when you find some box only listings for a decent price. Saw this on one of the Facebook seller groups and managed to snag this decent condition box for my PSOne console for less than a tenner. Bear in mind that I picked up the console 5 years ago for a fiver, this is now a huge winner and a great addition to my collection. Stephen Smith is not only a great person on social media to follow, but also the organiser of many north-east retro gaming and collector events. Check out his Collectorabilia website for details on his upcoming events.
PS3 Console Box Only – Facebook Marketplace
Another bundle of console boxes only. Beauty of Facebook groups is that sometimes someone just wants rid of extras they built up quickly and you can jump on them quick and grab some particulars, or in this case two at once. For me, that’s a box for the 40GB chunky PS3 and White Nintendo Wii. Neither of them particularly collectibles yet really, but another set of unboxed consoles of mine that can now go proudly on display in the original packaging. I’m unsure what to do with the Switch box, apart from wonder who’s un-lovingly, discarded their boxes for this great piece of hardware. I might just have to eBay those off for someone, like me, with unboxed hardware and a concerning level of OCD.
Super Famicom Style Game Boy Advance SP – Deadpan Robot
Lastly, a little Game Boy modifying. Now, it’s a bit of a cheat as I bought all the bits necessary for this mod months ago. But due to work commitments, it’s been sitting in a box, waiting to be done. Well, last week I finally took the plunge into doing my first SP re-shell and even installed an IPS screen whilst I was there. The finished result is pretty tasty and perfect for my SNES themed portables and the GBA series I did recently. There were some learnings doing the SP versus other consoles, the two biggest challenges come from the hinge design. First, the ribbon cable has to loop as if to follow the hinge from one side to the other. Then, there’s the hinge caps, jeez… I should have read a tutorial before I started. Anyways,below is a quick time-lapse and video I did of this transition. I guess, I’ll have to design a custom box for this little guy now.
What awesome treasures have you been collecting recently? Any favourites you wanna share? Come join us on social media to talk about retro collecting.