Five Tips to Buying a Super Nintendo

The Super Nintendo was released in 1991 and quickly became a success. It sold almost 50 million consoles and was the home to great exclusives like Mario World, Zelda, and Final Fantasy. The Super Nintendo console can be hard to find now though because Nintendo hasn't manufactured them for almost a decade. So how do you find one? How much will it cost? And what should be included? Below are five easy tips to help you save money and time shopping for your SNES console.

1. Console's Cost $35 or Less: The prices vary quite a bit from store to store, but you can find SNES consoles with everything included for less than $35. I have seen systems listed for as much as $200 brand new so be sure you look around before over paying. If you shop around you can save a lot of money.

2. Buy Used: Nintendo stopped selling Super Nintendo consoles in 1996 and because of this new systems are hard to find. A new SNES is next to impossible to find, and if you do find one you will pay dearly for it. Thankfully, the Super Nintendo is very durable so buying pre-owned consoles is a great option. The Super Nintendo isn't like the original Nintendo where you have to blow into all old systems and have just the right technique to get it working.

3. Don't Shop in Retail Stores: You will most likely be wasting your time. All major retailers and most video game stores no longer sell SNES consoles or games. They have moved on to the newer systems and don't have room for it anymore. Only independent video game shops have a chance of carrying the system anymore. Even most Gamestops and EBGames stopped carrying Super Nintendo games a long time ago.

4. Shop Online: The best place to find a Super Nintendo console and games is in online stores or ebay. You can search google or shopping comparison websites and find quite a few available. And like everything else in the world, you can find Super Nintendo systems on Ebay too. Be careful you don't over pay for shipping online though, especially on Ebay. Many retailers have a low list price for the system, only to charge really high shipping rates.

5. Watch What is Included: Out of the box the Super Nintendo came with two controllers, an Cable adaptor, and an AC Adaptor. You will need all three of these items for your console to work, so be sure you buy from a shop that explicitly states what is included. You don't want to think you got a good deal on a console only to find it didn't include a controller, which will cost you more money to buy separately.

BONUS: A Super Nintendo console is just a paper weight without games. So try to buy from a retailer that carries a large selection of games too. There is no sense in spending more time finding the games somewhere else when you can buy them all in one location. And you will usually get discounted shipping on the games too!

If you keep these five things in mind when shopping for your Super Nintendo you should be able to find a great deal and save yourself a lot of hassle. Now go buy your SNES console and start enjoying one of the greatest systems ever made.

Copyright (c) 2007 JJ Hendricks