SNES Classic Edition Gets A Cuter Design And Different Lineup Of Games In Japan

Nintendo finally unveiled the SNES Classic Edition and its lineup of 21 classic games this morning, but North Americans aren't the only ones getting the new mini console. Japan is, of course, getting their own version, called the Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Famicom, and it's a heck of a lot cuter than ours.

While Nintendo consoles look the same worldwide today, both the NES and SNES were specially redesigned for the American market. While gamers in North America got a somewhat homely boxy SNES design, Japan and Europe got a smaller, sleeker system. Just check out the Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Famicom, above – putting aside nostalgia, you have to admit that's better looking than the American SNES.

In addition to different looking hardware, the Super Famicom Classic Mini gets a slightly different selection of games. Here's the 21 titles Japanese fans can look forward to:

• Super Mario World
• F-ZERO
• The Legend of the Mystical Ninja
• Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
• Super Soccer
• Contra III: The Alien Wars
• Super Mario Kart
• Star Fox
• Secret of Mana
• Mega Man X
• Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem
• Super Metroid
• Final Fantasy VI
• Super Street Fighter II
• Donkey Kong Country
• Yoshi's Island
• Panel de Pon
• Super Mario RPG
• Kirby Super Star
• Star Fox 2

I have to say, I think American wins out when it comes to the actual games. We get five exclusives – Earthbound, Kirby's Dream Course, Street Fighter II Turbo, Super Castlevania IV, and Super Punch-Out!! Meanwhile, the Japanese get The Legend of the Mystical Ninja, Super Soccer, Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem, Super Street Fighter II, and Panel de Pon.

The reasoning behind most of the differences are pretty easy to figure out – the Castlevania and Punch-Out!! series are more popular in American than Japan, and games like Fire Emblem and Super Soccer never even came out here. That said, what's up with America and Japan getting different versions of Street Fighter? And why didn't Japan get Earthbound? They love the series over there! The mysteries of Nintendo decision making.

The SNES Classic Edition launches in North America on September 29 at a price of $80.