If you were lucky enough to snag a SNES Classic on launch day, you're most likely swimming in nostalgia right about now. Or perhaps you never had the opportunity to play a SNES and you're experiencing all of the amazing Nintendo games made popular in the 90s. Either way, you're probably having a ton of fun with the adorable little system. We were fortunate enough to get our hands on one and we've had a blast so far.
Because of all the SNES Classic hype, we thought it would be fun to feature some articles based on the original SNES. After all, there wouldn't be a SNES Classic without the predecessor that started it all.
This list delves into the artistic side of the SNES, mainly focusing on the wonderful (and sometimes terrible) world of case modding. There are a lot of creative people out there that have taken a crack at developing custom skins and paint jobs for this beloved Nintendo icon. Be warned, though, for every amazing case creation, there is an equally unappealing console mod lurking in the shadows. Take this Mega Man SNES for example, he's obviously seen some pretty bad stuff.
If you own a SNES, maybe you'll find some artistic inspiration here to craft your own custom case modification. Or maybe you're so enamored with the SNES Classic that you want an original SNES to enjoy the full library of games. Whatever the reason, you're sure to enjoy this gallery of 10 Terrible Custom SNES Consoles (And 10 That Are Dope).
Which is your favorite (or least favorite)? Let us know!
20 It's Dangerous To Go Alone (DOPE)
Everyone always salivates over how good Ocarina of Time was. We love the Nintendo 64 classic just as much as the next gamer, but we also hold a special place in our hearts for The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. This little gem ruled the Super Nintendo, long before Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask amped things up with their fancy-schmancy 3D.
To us, there's no better way to start off a Super Nintendo custom case list than with a beautifully crafted Legend of Zelda version. Creator Mat Dorf doesn't disappoint with this incredibly detailed work of art. A lot of custom SNES cases feature cheap paint jobs or sloppily applied decals. This sculpted fabrication is in a league all its own. It's not enough to simply skin the console, Dorf went as far as to craft a custom Link to the Past cartridge (that lights up when the console is on).
19 Introducing The SNES XXXL (NOPE)
Have you ever looked at a beautiful piece of functioning technology and imagined ways in which you could absolutely destroy its elegance and purpose? Twitter user huxarufaxara did just that, by turning an old Super Famicom into what appears to be an early predecessor to the Nintendo Switch. If you think that sounds bad on paper, you're right. It's a fantastic shower thought but looks like a monstrosity when it's actually pieced together.
To be fair, the creator did a great job in slotting in the controller and embedding an LCD screen. Everything looks smooth and seems to operate effectively. Unfortunately, we just can't get past the fact that it's roughly the size of a cereal box. It can't be comfortable (in terms of weight) and probably eats through batteries like a vampiric Pikachu.
18 A Rough And Tumble SNES (DOPE)
Portability isn't all bad, especially when it's done right. The Portable Super Famicom may have been a bust, but one Redditor (robotairz) set out to craft a transportable SNES that offers retro fun no matter where you go. This is the kind of genius crafting that transforms a beloved console into something even better than it once was. What makes this particular design even better is that the outer-shell is tough as nails, which will ensure your SNES survives any abuse.
We know there are compact versions of the SNES floating around the internet. You can grab handheld consoles if you're planning a long trip, but there is something rather charming about this creation. We also like the fact that it feels more like a multiplayer console than a single player handheld.
17 The 90s Called (NOPE)
Some gamers opt to keep the original elegance of a particular console by simply painting over the molded plastic that's already there. Creating new shapes and angles can be fun, but a fantastic paint job can be just as stunning if done correctly. This entry is an example of what NOT to do when custom painting a SNES case.
A lot of people have late 80s/early 90s nostalgia, so it's easy to understand why this peculiar paint job was chosen. Unfortunately, rather than take some of the cooler designs to spawn from those time periods, the creator decided to slather their beloved system in the pattern equivalent of vomit. We do appreciate the fact that the artist put a lot of detail into this splattery design but we can't help but shield our eyes everytime we see it.
16 This SNES Can Outrun Imperial Starships (DOPE)
If you're looking for a SNES that is also capable of making the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs, this is the case mod for you. This incredible case mod falls into one of our favorite categories. One of the coolest ways to mod a case is to implant your system into an object that was never originally meant to house a console. This old Millennium Falcon toy was prime real estate for a SNES to fit snuggly inside.
A decent amount of work went into the creation of this functional eye candy. The creator didn't simply toss the SNES box into a shell and glue it all together. Many of the parts were rearranged to fit correctly inside the space freighter. If you don't fancy yourself the artistic type, you could always take this route and cram your system into something pre-made. It's hard to argue with results like this.
15 Creation Is An Act Of Sheer Will (NOPE)
This one really had us on the fence but finds itself in the NOPE category. So, because of that, apologies to creator Michael Morales for having to suffer through our pretentious art critic-like review.
Jurassic Park is a classic. The movie was fantastic, quotable, and ahead of its time. When it comes to films about dinosaurs breaking out of cages and eating people, it's definitely near the top. The video game wasn't any of those things. Yet, it was still entertaining and challenging enough to develop a serious cult following. Because of this, a custom Jurassic Park paint job makes a lot of sense.
Don't get us wrong, the artist did a great job with the painting itself. The lines are clean and it looks great at first glance. Unfortunately, the "wrong" colors completely ruin it for us.
14 Better Than Sliced Bread (DOPE)
Implanting a SNES into an old toy or an unconventional case is great, but camouflaging it inside an everyday household item is next-level artistry. We're suckers for anything hidden and unexpected, so it's astonishing to find out that an otherwise inconspicuous item is actually functional, or in this instance, a beloved video game console.
Creator STUPIDFINGERS (known as VomitSaw on Youtube) has graced us with the ultimate homage to hidden consoles. The Super Nintoaster looks like an ordinary bread toasting device until you get close enough to realize that it's actually a fully functioning SNES. All of the appropriate parts and ports are packed perfectly into a simple toaster shell. Just imagine how badly you could scare your friends by plugging this bad boy in and proceeding to drop a copy of their favorite SNES title in as if you were going to charr it to a crisp.
13 Plain Like Mother Brain (NOPE)
Ask anyone to give you a list of their favorite SNES titles and you'll most likely hear Super Metroid a few times. The original release (NES) was solid, but Super Metroid launched Samus into the limelight. The SNES classic had it all, awesome platforming sections, entertaining mechanics, and challenging gameplay. It's no surprise that we'd see a few custom SNES cases that pay homage to everyone's favorite bounty huntress.
Sadly, the first one on our list isn't as dope as you'd hope. We applaud the attempt, but there is something so overwhelmingly plain about this paint job. The Screw Attack logo is solid, though the Metroid on the bottom looks a bit too much like a Mario mushroom. This simply missed the mark for us.
12 A Case Fit For A Bounty Huntress (DOPE)
Don't worry, we wouldn't talk about Super Metroid without giving you at least one stellar case mod. This one comes from CreativeBoxGaming, which has quite a few amazing retro case mods in their DeviantArt gallery. This is the type of case you would expect to see in the hands of a dedicated Super Metroid fan. It's not just a hastily slapped together paint job. It oozes creativity and features an array of visual goodies.
We love how 3D everything looks. It's not enough to simply hot glue a statue to the top of the case. The creator went as far as to create intricately detailed moldings on the box, creating a terrain similar to what you would encounter during a Super Metroid playthrough. We especially like the addition of Ridley and the Morph Ball.
11 We Woodn't Want This (NOPE)
So remember the person that turned their Super Famicom into a "portable version" by stuffing the controller into the case and creating a cereal box-sized Game Boy? If you thought that looked heavy, just imagine how bulky this wooden variant must be. This SNES case mod has all of the intricated inner workings crammed into a sleek wooden case.
From the outside, it looks rather appealing. In fact, from an aesthetic standpoint, it's downright beautiful. We really appreciate all the craftsmanship that went into this mod. Unfortunately, that's where our adoration stops. The case itself is insanely thick, and the finished product is a huge block of wood. Sure, it has its own built-in sound system but you'll have to pump iron if you want the core strength to hold it for more than five minutes.
10 He's Worth A Lot To Me (DOPE)
There are too many amazing Star Wars SNES case mods to include only one on this list. We loved the prospect of the Millenium Falcon SNES but this creation from CreativeBoxGaming takes the cake for Star Wars collectibles. We feel like Boba Fett is a bit of an overrated character (please send hate mail accordingly) but we are absolutely in love with this bounty hunter-inspired SNES.
Like the Super Metroid case, this CreativeBoxGaming creation features a paint job layered with custom created items and objects inspired by the environments of the Star Wars universe. Boba Fett's Slave I ship steals the spotlight from its perch at the back of the case. We also love the fact that the creator spent so much time crafting an array of burnt and tarnished details.
9 Well Excuse Me, Princess! (NOPE)
You probably thought you'd make it through this entire list without having to suffer a terrible Legend of Zelda case mod. Sadly, you were wrong. We started off this list with an incredibly well-made custom A Link to the Past SNES case. We figured it was only fair to glance at the other side of the fence since A Link to the Past was such a prominent part of the SNES collection.
You won't find any molded goodies or specialized lights on this plain SNES case. The only thing adorning this custom creation is a shoddy paint job that features a multitude of green shades and a small Triforce. While the idol itself is well crafted, it's missing its trademark gold coloring. This thing is a mess from top to bottom.
8 Arcade Feel, SNES Appeal (DOPE)
One of our favorite childhood memories is bursting through the doors of the local arcade and spending the entire afternoon feeding quarters into brightly colored machines. It's a sad truth that arcades have diminished over the years. There are still places that are dedicated to the arcade feeling, but they're few and far between. Although, if you take the nostalgia glasses off for a moment you'll realize all of those old arcade games were absolute money sinks.
Yet, there is still a magical allure when it comes to an arcade cabinet. It's for this reason that the SNES Arcade variant is one of our all-time favorite case mods. If we ever strike it rich enough to afford a lavish game room, this adorable little arcade machine is number one on our wish list.
7 Not So Radical, Dude (NOPE)
Video games weren't the only craze of the late 80s and early 90s. Those who collected toys and watched cartoons found themselves caught up in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fever. The popular show ran through the pop culture world like wildfire. TMNT merchandise filled store shelves and it wasn't long before a half-shelled heroes had their own NES game.
When the SNES rolled around, the turtles came back with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time. Thanks to its popularity, it inspired quite a few case mods and paint jobs. This is one we'd like to forget. The idea was cute but the execution is lacking. The smooshed together words irk us and we can't get over that fish hook-like letter J.
6 This Case Hy-Rules (DOPE)
Let's take a look at one more Legend of Zelda case, since we swam through an abundance of them when collecting artwork for this list. Thankfully, we spotted another fantastic case mod amid the sea of mediocrity. This Link to the Past-inspired creation comes from DeviantArt user Dragoonslaircosplay.
What's curious about this mod is that it's crafted atop the SNES Baby, rather than a traditional SNES console. This resulted in a different appearance and gave the creator a unique canvas in which to craft aged and worn Legend of Zelda-style architecture. The artist poured a lot of time and effort into this modification and it really shows. Everything has a 3D aesthetic too it and it comes complete with a custom cartridge and hand painted controller.
5 That's Just Bloody Disgusting (NOPE)
Some people opt to clad their cases in horror-inspired imagery and creepy custom moldings. When done correctly, horror-themed SNES cases can be downright unsettling. We've seen quite a few "flesh covered" consoles that make our skin crawl (not real flesh of course, although it looks like it).
Then there are horror-themed cases that aren't so dementedly detailed. In those instances, the creations can come out a little flat, or in the case of our next custom system, rather gross. Nothing screams "play games with me" more than a SNES pulled from a recent crime scene. Don't get us wrong, the artist did a great job in simulating blood spatter. In fact, they mad it a bit too realistic for our tastes. In the end, we aren't sure we'd want something so gory sitting on our entertainment center.
4 This Case Could Kill A Vampire (DOPE)
We already spoke about how Super Metroid pushed Samus into the spotlight. Super Castlevania IV did the same for the vampire slaying series. There had already been a few releases prior to the SNES title, but it would eventually prove to be one of the most significant. It may have a lot to do with the fact that Castlevania was rather hard, yet the SNES version featured a lowered difficulty scale. For this reason, it reached a wider audience.
Creator Vadu Amka pays homage to this cult classic with their rendition of a Castlevania-inspired SNES. Although it's similar in design style to other detailed cases we've seen, we feel that this beauty is in a league all its own. Everything is fantastic, from the gorgeous paint job, to the intricate button designs, to the mock wooden controllers.
3 What Does The S In SNES Stand For? (NOPE)
Have you ever been so outwardly frustrated that you took to bludgeoning your console with a hammer and drill? Have you ever accidentally dropped your SNES into a fire pit? Did you ever find yourself so angry that you mistakingly summoned a demon through a series of strange growling noises? This insane case mod imagines all three scenarios, turning them into a supremely creepy finished product.
The end result looks like something out of a Stephen King novel. The case itself looks like it survived a tornado, at which point it became the perfect possession vessel for an unruly monster. Doll eyes protrude from the top of the case, staring endlessly into your soul. We don't want this thing anywhere near our house.
2 Cowabunga! (DOPE)
We've been gnawing at the bit to throw this entry onto the list. It's perhaps our favorite SNES case mod to date, thanks to its sheer ingenuity and beautifully crafted design. It's the perfect blending of paint, decals, and a premade shell. It's every bit as entertaining to look at, as it is to play.
Those of you who grew up in the late 80s/early 90s will most likely remember the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Party Wagon. This beastly toy acted as a transport vehicle for all of your TMNT action figures. Thanks to JRN33, it's been repurposed as an elegant SNES case. The original outer shell has been preserved, but the creator went the extra mile by crafting two beautifully painted and decaled controllers. This is the ultimate TMNT and SNES collectible in one amazing package.
1 Everything Isn't Awesome (NOPE)
Nothing is more deserving of the top spot on this list than this absolutely atrocious Lego-themed design. We're going to steal a quote from Jurassic Park for this one because it fits so well.
"Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should."
That's the best way to describe the monstrosity you see here. We aren't exactly sure why this behemoth was pieced together, but we're certain that it's absolutely useless by design. In the end, all you're really seeing is a SNES stacked atop an Xbox, with a slew of Lego pieces stacked around them. We can't even imagine how heavy this thing is (considering the original Xbox felt like a cinder block). The lackadaisical color scheme isn't doing it any favors either. At least the creator left "adequate cooling" via the fancy vents on the side.