Why Does the SNES Turn Yellow?

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System, also known as the SNES, is a 16-bit home video game console that was released by Nintendo in 1990. The SNES is Nintendo's second home console, following the release of the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985. The console was designed by Masayuki Uemura and features a wide variety of games from various genres, including action, adventure, platforming, and role-playing.

The SNES was initially released in Japan on November 21, 1990, under the name Super Famicom. The console quickly gained popularity due to its strong lineup of launch titles, which included Super Mario World and F-Zero. The SNES was later released in North America on August 23, 1991, and in Europe in 1992.

The Reasons Why the SNES Turns Yellow

The SNES is a classic console that is beloved by many gamers. However, it tends to turn yellow over time. There are a few reasons for this.

One reason is that the plastic used in the SNES degrades over time. This is especially true if the console is exposed to sunlight or other sources of heat. The plastic turns yellow and becomes brittle, which can cause the console to break. The other reason is that the plastic used in the system was not a pigment, but rather a dye. The yellowing process happens when the dye begins to break down over time. Some of these dyes will discolor much faster than others.

The original SNES was made with plastic that was not UV-resistant. This means that over time, the plastic would start to degrade and turn yellow. The problem was compounded by the fact that the console was designed to be placed horizontally, so the top of the console was more exposed to UV light than the bottom.

How to Prevent the SNES From Turning Yellow

One downside to the SNES is that it is prone to turning yellow over time. While this may not be a big deal to some people, others may want to keep their SNES in pristine condition. There are a few things you can do to prevent your SNES from turning yellow.

One way to prevent the SNES from turning yellow is to keep it out of direct sunlight. Sunlight can cause the plastic on the console to discolor over time. If you must keep your SNES in a sunny room, try to place it in a cabinet or somewhere where it won’t be directly exposed to sunlight.

Another way to keep your SNES from turning yellow is to not smoke around your console, just like how white walls turn yellow from absorbing smoke, the same can happen to your Super Nintendo console.

How to Remove Yellowing From the SNES

Here are some tips on how you can remove the yellowing from your SNES:

• Use a Magic Eraser. This is a powerful cleaning tool that can be found at most stores. Simply wet the eraser and rub it over the affected areas. Be careful not to scrub too hard because the Magic Eraser removes the outer layer of plastic and too much scrubbing can hurt the console.
• Use hydrogen peroxide. You can mix hydrogen peroxide with water inside of a plastic tub or container and let it soak inside there.
• Use Retro-Brite. Retro-Brite comes in a spray bottle and is the easiest way to remove yellowing from your Super Nintendo.

Conclusion

Despite its tendency to turn yellow, the SNES is still an iconic console that is beloved by gamers around the world. The console still works great despite its outward appearance.