Identifying your model

Identifying your model

Before any mod, work out exactly which console you own. The SNES family spans several shapes and many board revisions, and each one behaves differently.

The main variants

• Original SNES / Super Famicom — The familiar large case. Internally these range from early multi-chip boards to the later 1CHIP revision.
• SNES Jr (SNS-101) — A smaller, rounded redesign with clean video but no RF output and no expansion port underneath.
• Super Famicom Jr — The Japanese equivalent of the Jr redesign, also a clean-video board.

How to check

1. Read the case label
   The model number on the underside distinguishes an original (SNS-001 / SHVC-001) from a Jr (SNS-101).
2. Note the region
   NTSC and PAL machines are labeled differently and differ electrically. Confirm before buying region mods.
3. Open to read the board
   The PCB silkscreen names the revision; a 1CHIP board is marked SNS-CPU-1CHIP.