Orders open for SNES clone console with 720p HDMI output

The retro gaming hardware company Columbus Circle has announced a new clone console, the “16-BIT COMPACT HD”, designed to play original Super Famicom game cartridges.

Clone consoles are third-party systems built to play games from older, discontinued hardware, offering a modern alternative to using the original vintage consoles.

snes clone 16 bit compact 2 — The new clone console resembles the North American SNES design

The Super Famicom, known internationally as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System or SNES, was Nintendo’s iconic 16-bit console from the early 1990s and is home to a vast library of classic games.

snes and super famicom — The Super Famicom was released internationally as the SNES

A key feature of the new “16-BIT COMPACT HD” is its dual video output capabilities, designed to bridge the gap between old and new technology.

It includes a modern HDMI output, allowing it to be easily connected to today’s high-definition displays and televisions.

snes clone 16 bit compact 3 — Analog outputs are included alongside a modern HDMI output

For retro enthusiasts with older equipment, the console also retains the traditional composite video output for connecting to analog CRT televisions.

When using the HDMI connection, players can choose between two different display modes.

snes games collage — The console will play original Super Famicom and SNES games

A “Standard” mode displays the game in its original 4:3 aspect ratio, while a “Wide” mode stretches the image to fit a 16:9 screen.

The hardware also includes a switch to toggle between the NTSC and PAL television standards.

This feature allows the console to play imported games from different regions, such as European PAL cartridges, at their correct speed and without the display issues that would typically occur on Japanese or American hardware.

Kevin Keegan's Player Manager SNES — European exclusive SNES games, such as Kevin Keegan’s Player Manager, will work without display issues

This combination of features makes the console a versatile option not only for replaying classic games but also for modern applications like video game streaming or recording gameplay footage via an HDMI capture device.