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Retro Modding: The Super Nintendo still enjoys significant and widespread popularity among gaming enthusiasts despite being more than three decades old. People are even making hardware modifications to add new features and improvements that weren't part of the original package.
A modder known as Voultar is preparing to release another hardware upgrade for the Super Nintendo. The Edge Enhancer, which was recently previewed by YouTuber "Macho Nacho," is designed to significantly improve video output quality.
The kit is meant for earlier SNES models sold in the US, which were based on a two-chip design and suffered from noticeably blurry video output. Nintendo eventually released new models of its 16-bit console with a single-chip design, providing a much clearer visual experience. The blurriness issue was never addressed in the original console models, and today, single-chip consoles can be quite expensive on the second-hand market.
Voultar, a US-based "Soldering Champion" known for modding Japanese-made game consoles, is now addressing this long-standing issue. The modification improves video quality on all available outputs (RGB, composite, S-Video) but is currently only compatible with the NTSC version of the Super Nintendo. A kit for the PAL console is reportedly in development.
Installing the DIY version of the Edge Enhancer is a task best suited for those experienced with soldering. The installation process involves multiple steps, including console disassembly and desoldering / resoldering multiple transistors. For gamers who are not comfortable using a soldering iron or are unwilling to risk damaging their precious retro console, Voultar offers a professional installation service based in Kentucky.
Whether opting for the DIY version or the professional installation service, the Edge Enhancer promises a satisfying video upgrade for retro gaming and Nintendo fans. The preview showcases de-blurred image captures of games like Super Mario All-Stars, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Final Fantasy III, with clearer text characters and no graphical issues.
The Edge Enhancer has apparently been "years in the making," and it aims to achieve something previously thought impossible: providing the same video quality on two-chip SNES models as single-chip versions. The DIY kit is expected to cost around $60, though the final price may vary. The professional installation service will, of course, be more expensive.