The Super Famicom, the Japanese counterpart of the Super Nintendo (SNES), has seen various prototype versions over the years that offer a glimpse into what could have been. One such pre-production version recently surfaced on the Japanese Yahoo Auctions site, sparking interest among video game collectors and historians alike.
Unlike the final production model released by Nintendo in 1990, the prototype Super Famicom features several distinct differences. These include a headphone jack and volume wheel on the side, a big red power switch, controller ports on the left side of the console, and an expansion port on the front. The yellowed panel surrounding the controller ports adds a touch of nostalgia to the console, reminiscent of classic SNES designs.
When comparing the prototype to the final release, it’s evident that the design choices made for the production model differed significantly. The chunky, boxy design of the US SNES with purple sliding switches on top deviated from the sleeker, more compact prototype version. Nintendo later released a revised SNES, the New-Style Super NES, in 1997, which featured a different design with a pill-shaped power switch and circular reset button.
The Super Famicom prototype is not the only lost Nintendo prototype to have surfaced in recent years. The Nintendo/Sony PlayStation, purchased by Greg McLemore at an auction, also featured a headphone jack similar to the prototype. Additionally, an unreleased wired version of the Wiimote designed to connect to the GameCube was sold in a Japanese auction for a significant sum. These lost prototypes offer a fascinating insight into Nintendo’s design process and the evolution of their gaming consoles over the years.
As of the latest update, the Super Famicom prototype being auctioned on Yahoo Japan has reached over one million yen (almost $7,000 USD), with more than five days remaining in the bidding process. The high interest and bidding price reflect the rarity and significance of this unique piece of gaming history.
The discovery of the Super Famicom prototype and other lost Nintendo prototypes shed light on the iterative design process behind some of the most iconic gaming consoles in history. These rare artifacts provide a valuable glimpse into the creative decisions and design evolution that ultimately shaped the gaming industry as we know it today.