Aaaaahhhhhhh, the Super Nintendo.
This was my first gaming system in which i owned. Although the design may not be too aesthetically pleasing to many other systems today, the Super Nintendo (Or SNES) was once the pinnacle of gaming.
This design is one of my favourites as the idea of the aesthetics was for a pure function rather than an eye catcher. With the solid exterior and gaming slot operated entirely through forceful acts (by having to slam the games in, and to eject by punching the buttons), the SNES has been an iconic martyr of my childhood with such games as 'Super Mario' and 'Donkey Kong Country' glueing me to the television for hours at a time.
Operating on a 32-bit system (giving very basic graphics), the SNES is a typical design of 90's popular culture with its bland grey appearance and operations clearly un-masked by its shell. The SNES sold for about $200 when first released, but the sentimental value of my machine surpasses the retail value.
Although people may not agree with me, the SNES, I still believe, is a gaming system which none other have lived up to. Without the hi-tech graphics and lifelike characteristics of the games, there was a clear line drawn between the gamer and the system.
So why is the SNES my favourite design? Simple. The gaming system brought out by Nintendo was where the leaders of design had gone by creating a simple design without anything unnecessary; everything which appeared on the SNES was purely for a functional purpose rather than just aesthetic looks, and paved the way for other designs over the rest of the 1990's.
Jared Dettmann.
Just the use of the 4 bright colours, contrasting against the grey appeal to me! It's brother, Nintendo 64 was a step up in the aesthetics of the gaming console itself. So many countless hours spent sitting in front of the TV. Great choice Jared.
ReplyDeleteChris K
Nice choice Jared, I was thinking of using a NES controller as my favourite design. The SNES really is good looking, especially compared to the Sega consoles of the time, which look like they have had next to no time spent on design. Such a simple, clean design. I like the controller especially, so simple and easy to read with the color coded buttons. Am i right in saying this was the first console to have that design feature? Its really common now but they really help when you are learning to play.
ReplyDeleteScott Everitt
Looking at this brings back so many happy memories. I agree, the simplicity does it for me. And when you think about it, the design was made to suit its target audience: kids. If you could compare the massive eject button on the SNES to the heat sensored eject on the PS3, you kind of ask yourself "which one would you buy for a child?". Obviously you can't stop modern technology from progressing but this design reminds me of a simpler time when things were more cherished and enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteKaren Ly