How to Connect your Super Nintendo to a Smart TV – A Complete Guide for 2023


Hey retro gamer! , I’m about to show you how to get the best image quality from your Super Nintendo on your modern TV with the best options available this year.

Any one of the devices mentioned it this article with give you an awesome looking picture on your TV. Just be careful. Make sure you follow any instructions with them otherwise you may not be getting the best from them.

how to connect super nintendo to smart tv

How do I connect my old Super Nintendo to my new TV?

If like me you still would like to play some of those classic SNES games. You also want to be able to play them on a modern TV such as a Smart TV or HDTV.

Depending on what model of Super Nintendo you are using and what kind of display you would like to use it with, Also how much you are willing to pay and what kind of picture quality you are expecting or can just put up with; there are a number of different of options to consider.

Smart TV Inputs Explained

Many new Smart TVs can have any combination of these inputs. The most common input connection nowadays is the HDMI port.

HDMI stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface. This Connection on your TV will produce the best quality picture.

Here are the many different input connections that your TV may have:

PortPurposeQuality
HDMI Illustration IconHDMIVideo/audio/computer/consoleBest
Component IllustrationComponentVideo inputGood
S-Video Icon IllustrationS-VideoVideo inputGood
Composite Icon IllustrationComposite AVVideo input / Retro Computer or consoleOK
DVI Icon IllustrationDVIComputerVery Good
VGA Icon IllustrationVGAComputerVery Good
Antenna In Icon IllustrationAntenna InRF Input / Retro Computer or consolePoor

The Difference Between AV and HDMI.

The AV signal coming from your SNES is an analogue composite signal that transmits in a low resolution.

HDMI is a High Definintion digital signal that can display very high resolutions.

Both of these signal types are not directly compatable so a device called an upscaler is required to convert the AV signal to HDMI.

The HDMI connection will definatly produce the best picture quality. If you are planning to connect an original SNES to your TV via the HDMI port you will need an upscaler or converter.

how to connect super nintendo to smart tv gbs820

HDMI Upscalers

There are many different upscaler options available many of them produce an excellent image quality on your screen.

What are the options?

  • XRGB Mini Framemeister
  • Zerone CGA/EGA/YUV/RGB to VGA Arcade Game HD Video Converter Adapter Board
  • Open Source Scan Converter
  • RetroTINK2x

XRGB Mini Framemeister

Get one here: https://amzn.to/3qoqa02

Zerone CGA/EGA/YUV/RGB to VGA Arcade Game HD Video Converter Adapter Board

Get one here: https://amzn.to/39Dee3K

Open Source Scan Converter

Get one here: https://amzn.to/38UmSvy

RetroTINK2x

Get one here: https://amzn.to/38SFIDa

Other Options

Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System

Nintendo Classic Mini

A excellent option for playing SNES games with the best video quality is to use a SNES Mini or Super Nintendo Classic Mini.

This is a stand alone console with built in games with the option to install more games. This has a HDMI output that will plug directy into the HDMI port of your HDTV or Smart TV.

This option has the best picture quality by far and is my personal favourite for playing SNES games on the HDTV in my living room.

How to Connect your Super Nintendo to a Smart TV
SNES Mini Pixel Perfect Image on HDTV

You can get The SNES mini on Amazon, Check here for the latest price.

Does the SNES mini Play Cartridges?

This is a GBS-8200 converter board and will convert RGB or composite video to VGA which then can be easily converted to HDMI. Using a cable adapter similar to this one here.

SNES Component mod

SNES YPbPr Component Cable

SNES mini RGB mod

SNES mini RGB mod

The stock SNES Mini console is not about output an RGB or S-Video signal natively, but mods are available to overcome this. Some soldering skills are required though. See here for more information.

SNES HDMI adapter

https://amzn.to/3pT8wCb

RF to HDMI Converter

Simple Composite Modification

Pound HD Link

How to Hook up Super Nintendo without multi out

TV InputSNES PALSNES NTSCSNES Mini
RFYesYesYes
CompositeYesYesYes
ComponentYesYesNo
RGBYesYesNo

FPGA Analogue Super nt – https://www.analogue.co/super-nt/

super nt

LevelHike HDMI Cable for Super Nintendo – https://stoneagegamer.com/levelhike-hdmi-cable-for-super-nintendo-model-1.html

Connect a Super Nintendo to a VGA monitor or VGA compatable Televsion

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