Consoles Wars! - Gen 4, SNES vs MegaDrive/Genesis!

Hello hello, gaming bees! This is the second installment of Console Wars!

This time we'll be heading to the 4th generation, or more usually known as the 16 bit generation.
While there were many consoles released during this generation, I'll be focusing on the two bitter rivals: The SNES/Super Famicom and the Genesis/Mega Drive.

I'll be referring to the Genesis as simply the "MD" because I'm from Brazil and Mega Drive is how we call it here. In fact, it's also still being sold sometimes alongside it's older brother the Master System.

This will be a difficult one for me as I have much love for both consoles, with the SNES being my first ever and the Mega Drive being one I enjoyed a lot at my cousin's home. We never had any sort of animosity or "console warring", we just enjoyed each other's games.

Just to remind how things are going to be judged:
I'll be judging the systems in the following metrics: Hardware power, game library, input method/controller, features and long-term support.
Sales will have no bearing.

So without further ado, let'sa go.

• Hardware Power

The SNES comes in with another Ricoh CPU just like it's predecessor the NES, this time a Ricoh 5A22 clocked at 3.58mhz.
The CPU is separated into a 24-bit bus for general accesses and a 8-bit bus can access chip registers for video and audio-co-processors and the like.
The console also counts with dedicated graphics and sound co-processors that do tiling and can even simulate 3D effects.
It has an absolutely ludicrous palette of 32,768 colors and 8-channel audio.
Not to mention that just like its predecessor the cartridges themselves can upgrade these capabilities with built-in chips (something that makes making a good flashcart a nightmare lol).
It also counts with 128kb of RAM and 64KB of static RAM for video and a resolution of 256x224.
Overall a very impressive console and a definite upgrade over its predecessor.

The MD on the other hand counts with two CPUs, the legendary Motorola 6800 clocked at 7.6mhz and a Zilog Z80 responsible for being the sound controller clocked at 3.58mhz.
The sound controller alone here matches what the SNES can do, it's very impressive stuff.
The MD has half the general access RAM of the SNES at 64KBs of RAM, but it counts with 64KBs of VRAM and 8KBs of audio RAM.
The display is an impressive 320x224 in progressive mode but it can also do 256x224, the same resolution as the SNES (in NTSC territories such as Brazil, Japan and North America, it's higher in PAL territories).

As for sound it counts with two chips, a Texas Instruments SN76489 and the legendary Yamaha YM2612 which gives the Mega Drive its classic sounding music and sound effects that are very very different from what the competition was doing back then.

The only losing part for the Mega Drive is that most cartridges didn't use chips to enhance the performance of the system, with some exceptions like the SVP for Virtua Fighter and Virtua Racing.

Not to mention the smaller color palette at just 512 colors. But because of the faster CPU and having a dedicated sound controller, I have to give this one to the Mega Drive. Not to mention the larger resolution and how much the SVP outperformed the Super-FX chip when being used.

Sorry Nintendo.

Mega Drive 1x0 SNES

• Game Library

This one can be a bit subjective because both consoles received quite a large selection of titles, but unfortunately for SEGA I have to hand this one to Nintendo.
SEGA focused too much on bringing the arcade experience home and forgot that games can be much more than quarter eaters.
Now now, sure, we got some original games and some good RPGs like Shining Force.

But there is no point of comparison for me as the SNES simply offered way more "fulfilling" experiences and larger games.
It also brought home a good chunk of arcade titles whilst balancing those out with unique experiences you could only find at home.

So for these reasons, I have to give Nintendo the W here.

Mega Drive 1x1 SNES

• Controllers

For me, this is a tie. The SNES and Mega Drive both had incredible, ergonomic controllers.
The SNES controller felt like it accommodated the games on its library really well and the same goes for the Mega Drive.
I wouldn't have it any other way for these systems.
Whilst the lack of light-gun games is a bit disappointing for both consoles, the standard pack-in controllers or the 6-button controller for the Genesis are simply pieces of art.

This is a tie.

Mega Drive 2x2 SNES

• Features

The Mega comes really close to beating the SNES on this one, seeing as how both of them had online connectivity and you could download games through that. The Mega Drive had MegaNet/SegaNet and the Super Famicom had the Satellaview.
Sure, the Satellaview was exclusive to Japan but I'm taking all things into consideration here.

The Mega Drive had the Power Base Converter to play Master System titles on it, but for me the thing that makes the SNES/SFC win is the Super Game Boy. A cartridge that's essentially an entire console and allows you to play every original Gameboy title? That's just awesome.

Sure, it's not the same as retrocompability but for me at least, it makes up for it with how incredible the Gameboy library was. When I get my hands on another SNES, I'll definitely find a way to play Gameboy games on my CRT, hopefully I don't have to buy the overpriced original accessory but it would be nice if I could.

Mega Drive 2x3 SNES

• Long Term Support

Pictures taken by me in 2017 at the Americanas store in Içara, SC, Brazil

Again, because of TecToy, SEGA takes the lead. I can still walk in to big brand stores and find Mega Drives being sold. Sure, they're nothing much than emulation boxes, but the fact that there's still official support for these things is insane.

It doesn't stop there however. Whilst Nintendo is content with releasing the SNES mini and SNES games on Switch Online, SEGA still pumps out Mega Drive collections and games on places such as Xbox, Playstation, Steam and even Nintendo - making it so it's always easy to get the classic without needing to purchase a "mini console" or sign up for any subscription service.

SEGA shows a true love for their fans and their back catalog, and that's admirable. Nintendo is always moving forward and forgetting the past, with ass-backward moves such as shutting down the Wii U and 3DS eShops so early.

This one goes for SEGA.

Mega Drive 3x3 SNES.

• Rounding Off

IT'S A TIE! DING DING DING DING!
Subjectively, the SNES would win, but because of my own criteria I can't just say that. I made what I think to be the most fair comparison possible given all my biases, now it's up to you guys to decide!

https://strawpoll.com/GPgV67a7zga

I've made this strawpoll to judge public opinion on this matter, so let's see who the community chooses to be victorious!

Thanks for reading, and as always, have fun!