Playing With Super Power: Nintendo Super NES Classics
The Console: A nostalgic celebration and exploration of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in all its 16-bit glory.
The Games: Discover everything you’ve always wanted to know about some of the most beloved SNES games, including the previously unreleased Star Fox 2!
The History: Learn about the SNES development and the visionaries behind this groundbreaking console.
The Legacy: An in-depth look at how the SNES has left its mark on the gaming industry, and how its legacy continues.
The Memories: Featuring a plethora of fan art, music, and more, this book is a love letter to playing with Super Power!
Speedrunning Tips: Some of the best speedrunners around share their tips and strategies for getting the best times in these beloved classic games.
Exclusive Foreword: Written by Reggie Fils-Aimé, President and COO of Nintendo of America.
Paperback version.
Reviews (383)
No coverage of FFVI, Secret of Mana or Super Mario RPG
The book is wonderfully constructed, and the information that is present is interesting. I was a bit disappointed that there are no sections on three of the best games on the SNES mini, Final Fantasy VI, Secret of Mana, and Super Mario RPG. I understand why, as these games were all at least partially made by Squaresoft, and would require licensing fees and such. I just figured I'd put this information out there, for potential customers.
Super Nostalgia
I was really excited when I saw the "Playing with Power" NES book announced last year to release along with the "NES Classic". Like a lot of people, though, I was disappointed to find that it mainly amounted to a bunch of Nintendo Power reprints and was full of errors. The product description made it sound like there was going to be tons of interviews and history included, but all of that actually came to a whopping four or five pages.Plus, like many, many folks, I didn't even get an NES Mini due to Nintendo's horrible production of the unit. Bah humbug! The good news is that the SNES book is much, much better this time around (and lucky me, I did fortunately snag an SNES mini this time around). You get a nice, brief chapter up front on the development of the system itself and a look at some of the accessories, while the end covers the "Super Fans" and their art, cosplay, fan sites, etc. The bulk of the book, naturally, zeroes in on the biggest games themselves. You start each title with a shot of the US box art and the story (which is taken directly from the original manuals if memory serves). Next you have the development section, which covers a lot of interesting info that most people will be completely unaware of. There's also a fun factoid segment, a speed runner guide and a "legacy" section detailing the eventual sequels or spinoffs on future systems. You also get plenty of pictures, from maps of key stages, pages from Nintendo Power, pixel art and classic key art from manuals and posters. I've found pretty much all of it a very fun read an incredibly nostalgic. There are, however, a few nitpicks I have with this book. For starters, like the NES book before it, you only get the games published by Nintendo itself. Seeing as how the book is really a tie in to the SNES Mini (it's on the very first page if there was any doubt) you would think that all of the included games on the unit would get coverage in the book. So don't expect anything on Castlevania 4, Contra 3, Final Fantasy 3, Mega Man X, Secret of Mana, Street Fighter 2 or Super Ghouls and Ghosts. The real shocker is that Super Mario RPG isn't in here. Yes, I do realize that it was developed by Square, but Donkey Kong Country was done by Rare and it's in the book. Mario RPG was published by Nintendo and, come on, it's a MARIO game. How could it not be included? I'm also not a huge fan of the speed runner section. Sure, it absolutely makes since for games like F-Zero, Mario Kart and Metroid, but I wouldn't have done this with every game. It's been who knows how long since I've played most of these game and wouldn't have minded at all some tips on dealing with the tougher bosses in Starfox, Yoshi's Island and Metroid, or strategies for the boxers in Punchout. Likewise, I'd rather see highlights of the hardest to find secrets in Zelda and Mario World and more coverage of the iconic moments of Earthbound versus tips on blasting through the games at record speed. Of course, if you're into speed running you'll likely have a completely different opinion on the matter. In the end, I suppose the book is a lot like the SNES Mini itself: it doesn't include everything you'd like, and there are things that you would absolutely change. But, at the end of the day, there's an awful lot to love and I would still wholeheartedly recommend it to any Super Nintendo fan. Here's hoping you're all lucky enough to actually pickup a SNES Classic so you can be "Playing with Super Power" too.
Lovely trip down memory lane with Super Nintendo
This book is a beautiful monument to my childhood, from the time you see it's SNES Cartridge shaped cover to the beautiful illustrations and lush history on each page you know that this is a worthy piece to anyones retro gaming collection. I collect the games now that I couldn't afford when I was a kid and this has helped me to really enjoy the Super Nintendo in ways that I just couldn't when I was a kid, would recommend for any Nintendo fan - very high quality publication
He and I both really enjoyed the book
Got this for my dad who was big into gaming during the SNES era, even though he does not have the new SNES classic and has no plans to get one. He and I both really enjoyed the book, there is alot of nostalgia here that made it worth the money even though he had no interest or need for the speedrunning sections.
Super! But first-party only.
This is a very fun book with filled with great art and nostalgia. It includes a lot of great behind-the-scenes information and some great quirky subculture stuff I would not have expected. I was disappointed that there is no discussion of the third-party games included on the SNES Classic, but what's there is top-notch.
I like how the book charts all the best games
The main plus of the hardcover edition is the book's design, which resembles an SNES cart. I like how the book charts all the best games, as well as maps, easter eggs, and the like. I would have appreciated a little more information on the development of the console itself, which is sort of summarized in the opening pages (but at least the important points are touched on, such as the design and historical context). Definitely consider over the paperback edition.
This is not the case- Play With Super Power is packed with nostalgia
I was a little worried that this would be a glorified strategy guide (similar to one that came out recently about the NES). This is not the case- Play With Super Power is packed with nostalgia, history and facts I never knew. Totally worth it!
Blown away
I ordered this item with the thought of it just being a standard guide but when It came to my door I was surprised at how special this item actually is. This book does it's job as a guide but also offers beautiful pictures, little facts, and delightful details. This book was a great deal if you ask me and I suggest any collector to pick this up.
Awesome
This is a Nintendoers dream. The art is plentiful and ridiculously good. I did think it was a Hardcover, (which would be so much better) but that’s on me for assuming.
Excellent book, larger than I expected
For some reason, I thought this book was going to be closer to the size of an original SNES game cartridge. Not at all, it is bigger than 8.5" x 11" (textbook dimensions). I have not looked inside it yet though, as it is a gift for later.
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