Super 8 (video game accessory)
Encyclopedia
The Super 8 was an unlicensed peripheral for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System
(SNES, known in Japan
as the Super Famicom) video game console
designed to allow the system to run games developed for the Nintendo Entertainment System
(known in Asia as the Famicom). It was also occasionally sold as either the Tristar or Tri-star.
The Super 8 utilized an NES-on-a-chip (NOAC) integrated circuit
to duplicate the functionality of the original NES hardware, and connected to the SNES's own cartridge port. The device itself featured three cartridge ports. Two of these ports connected to the onboard NOAC, and were designed to fit NES and Famicom cartridges, respectively: despite otherwise featuring exactly the same hardware, North America
n and Europe
an NES game cartridges used a 72-pin
design, resulting in slightly larger cartridges than the Famicom, which used a 60-pin design. The third port was designed to fit standard SNES cartridges, and merely connected with the SNES's native hardware, so that the user would not have to remove the Super 8 in order to play SNES games. In spite of this, some issues would occasionally arise, and it was common for some games to not function correctly; for example, in the compilation cartridge Super Mario All-Stars + World
there are many occasions in which the screen rolls, rendering gameplay practically impossible.
A similar idea was later employed for the Tristar 64
, an accessory for the Nintendo 64
console with the ability to play both NES and SNES cartridges.
The Super 8 also plays Super Famicom games, as there are no tabs to block the insertion of the flat back cartridges. Nonetheless, European model SNES users were still only able to play European SNES games. The Super 8 does not act as a SNES converter in any way, the European model is, however, effectively a multi-region NES, and will play most NES/Famicom games regardless of what territory they were intended for.
Still, some games, like Battletoads
, do not function correctly on a Super 8/Tristar as the start and select buttons on controller 2 will not work on NES games. This makes some games unplayable in multiplayer.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a 16-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America, Europe, Australasia , and South America between 1990 and 1993. In Japan and Southeast Asia, the system is called the , or SFC for short...
(SNES, known in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
as the Super Famicom) video game console
Video game console
A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device to display a video game...
designed to allow the system to run games developed for the Nintendo Entertainment System
Nintendo Entertainment System
The Nintendo Entertainment System is an 8-bit video game console that was released by Nintendo in North America during 1985, in Europe during 1986 and Australia in 1987...
(known in Asia as the Famicom). It was also occasionally sold as either the Tristar or Tri-star.
The Super 8 utilized an NES-on-a-chip (NOAC) integrated circuit
Integrated circuit
An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit is an electronic circuit manufactured by the patterned diffusion of trace elements into the surface of a thin substrate of semiconductor material...
to duplicate the functionality of the original NES hardware, and connected to the SNES's own cartridge port. The device itself featured three cartridge ports. Two of these ports connected to the onboard NOAC, and were designed to fit NES and Famicom cartridges, respectively: despite otherwise featuring exactly the same hardware, North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an NES game cartridges used a 72-pin
Pin
A pin is a device used for fastening objects or material together.Pin may also refer to:* Award pin, a small piece of metal or plastic with a pin attached given as an award for some achievement...
design, resulting in slightly larger cartridges than the Famicom, which used a 60-pin design. The third port was designed to fit standard SNES cartridges, and merely connected with the SNES's native hardware, so that the user would not have to remove the Super 8 in order to play SNES games. In spite of this, some issues would occasionally arise, and it was common for some games to not function correctly; for example, in the compilation cartridge Super Mario All-Stars + World
Super Mario All-Stars
Super Mario All-Stars, known as in Japan, is a collection of platforming video games that was developed and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1993. It contains enhanced remakes of Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels , Super Mario Bros...
there are many occasions in which the screen rolls, rendering gameplay practically impossible.
A similar idea was later employed for the Tristar 64
Tristar 64
The Tristar 64 is an unlicensed add-on for the Nintendo 64 video game console. Produced in Hong Kong by Future Laboratory, the Tristar 64 features two additional cartridge ports which are designed to accept cartridges created for the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Nintendo Entertainment...
, an accessory for the Nintendo 64
Nintendo 64
The , often referred to as N64, was Nintendo′s third home video game console for the international market. Named for its 64-bit CPU, it was released in June 1996 in Japan, September 1996 in North America, March 1997 in Europe and Australia, September 1997 in France and December 1997 in Brazil...
console with the ability to play both NES and SNES cartridges.
The Super 8 also plays Super Famicom games, as there are no tabs to block the insertion of the flat back cartridges. Nonetheless, European model SNES users were still only able to play European SNES games. The Super 8 does not act as a SNES converter in any way, the European model is, however, effectively a multi-region NES, and will play most NES/Famicom games regardless of what territory they were intended for.
Still, some games, like Battletoads
Battletoads
Battletoads is a platformer video game created by Tim and Chris Stamper and developed by Rare. Starring three anthropomorphic toads named after skin conditions , the game was created to rival the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games....
, do not function correctly on a Super 8/Tristar as the start and select buttons on controller 2 will not work on NES games. This makes some games unplayable in multiplayer.