Table of Contents
Introduction
If you’ve ever placed a North American SNES next to a Japanese Super Famicom, one thing jumps out instantly: Why are the Super Nintendo purple power buttons different colors? And more importantly… why purple at all?
Well the SNES purple buttons history is more than just a quirky design choice — it’s a fascinating blend of industrial design philosophy, safety concerns, marketing strategy, and Nintendo’s internal obsession with creating a console that looked different from its rivals.
Growing up, many gamers didn’t think twice about the SNES’s lavender-and-violet color palette. But with today’s nostalgia boom — and the modern popularity of minimalist Japanese design — players have become increasingly curious:
- Why is the US SNES purple, while Japan got colorful buttons?
- What was Nintendo of America thinking?
- Who made this decision and why?
In this article, we’ll break down the complete story — from Lance Barr’s original design philosophy, to NOA’s marketing fears, to the boxy vs. curved console design debate, and the infamous concave vs. convex button controversy.
Let’s dive into the history behind one of gaming’s most iconic regional design differences.
The Story Behind the SNES Purple Buttons History
1. The Role of Lance Barr — The Designer Who Shaped the US SNES
When discussing the Super Nintendo American design, one name matters more than anyone else: Lance Barr, Nintendo’s legendary industrial designer.
Who is Lance Barr?
- He designed the NES, NES-101 (top loader), and the North American SNES
- His design philosophy was practical, durable, and focused on Western aesthetic tastes
- He believed American consumers preferred “techy, mature” looks over cute or toy-like designs
Barr once explained in interviews that the U.S. market at the time associated bright toy colors with children, not cutting-edge electronics. And Nintendo desperately wanted to be taken seriously next to Sega’s aggressively marketed Genesis.
Why the SNES Purple Buttons Look Different
Compared to the sleek, rounded Super Famicom, the U.S. SNES is:
- Boxier
- Sharper at the edges
- More “VCR-like”
- Colored in muted lavender and deep violet
If you grew up in the 90s in the U.S., this look probably feels iconic. But for the rest of the world… it looked like a weird redesign for a market obsessed with electronics looking like appliances.
2. Why Is the US SNES Purple? (The Real Reasons)
Here’s the answer most gamers never hear:
Nintendo of America demanded a less toy-like, more “neutral” color scheme to target teens and adults.
Bright colors — especially the red, yellow, blue, and green Super Famicom buttons — reminded NOA executives of Fisher-Price or Playskool toys.
The psychology behind the purple
Nintendo’s U.S. marketing team believed purple:
- Looked futuristic
- Felt “premium” and more mature
- Matched 90s tech branding
- It was safer than using risky bold colors
Whether you love or hate it, the purple/lavender palette was carefully chosen to appeal to older American gamers who might have felt embarrassed buying a “childish” looking console.BTW Thers,s OLD rededit where people are talking about Here
3. SNES vs. Super Famicom Colors: A Tale of Two Aesthetics
Let’s compare them visually (or as close as text allows!):
Super Famicom (Japan/EU)
- Rounded edges
- Multicolored buttons
- Lighter, softer color scheme
- Looked playful, cute, and friendly
North American SNES
- Gray shell
- Boxy top
- Two-tone purple sliding switches
- Meant to look like serious consumer electronics
Which was more popular?
Globally, most fans agree the Super Famicom design aged better — especially with the resurgence of minimalism and Japanese tech design.
But in the 90s US market, the purple SNES fit right into a world dominated by gray office computers, VCRs, and chunky electronics.
4. Concave vs. Convex Buttons — Function Meets Culture
One underrated detail:
The Japanese and European Super Famicom controller used:
- Concave Y and X buttons
- Convex B and A buttons
Meanwhile, the U.S. version used all convex buttons, and the color scheme was simplified to purple and lavender.
Why change the shape?
Nintendo of America argued that:
- Concave buttons could feel odd to American players
- Uniform button texture was more consistent
- Simplifying the mold reduced wear complaints
While small, this change sparked debates among speedrunners and retro enthusiasts who argue the original design was superior.
5. Marketing Pressure: How NOA Shaped Everything
Nintendo of America in the 90s was extremely cautious. After the success of the NES, it wanted to avoid:
- Being labeled a “kids’ company.”
- Appearing too playful
- Looking similar to its older consoles
- Getting overshadowed by Sega’s “cooler” Genesis branding
Because of that, the American SNES design was changed to:
- Look more modern
- Appear more mature
- Physically differentiate itself from NES
- Help Nintendo rebrand toward teens
Purple became part of the visual identity that NOA hoped would make Nintendo “cool” again.
Did it work?
Depends on who you ask, but the SNES still became one of the most beloved consoles in history.
6. Regional Console Variations: A Quick Breakdown
Japan (Super Famicom)
Rounded, colorful, playful — almost universally loved.
Europe (PAL SNES)
Color scheme similar to the Super Famicom, sharing its multi-colored buttons.
North America (US SNES)
Exclusive purple design, boxy shape, unique switches.
This makes the US SNES one of the few Nintendo consoles with a unique regional redesign rather than a shared global shell-
FAQ
Q1: Why does the US SNES have purple buttons?
A: Nintendo of America wanted a mature, tech-focused design, avoiding the toy-like look of the colorful Super Famicom buttons.
Q2: Who designed the North American SNES?
A: Industrial designer Lance Barr created the boxy shape and purple color scheme for the U.S. market.
Q3: Why are SNES and Super Famicom colors different?
A: Japan preferred playful, colorful aesthetics, while the U.S. focused on muted, serious-looking tech designs.
Q4: What is the meaning behind the lavender and violet color scheme?
A: The palette was chosen to look futuristic, premium, and more appealing to older American gamers.
Q5: Are there functional differences between the SNES and Super Famicom controllers?
A: Yes — the Super Famicom used both concave and convex buttons, while the U.S. version used all convex buttons.
Conclusion
The SNES purple buttons’ history isn’t just a fun trivia fact — it’s a window into how design, marketing, and culture shape the technology we love. The decision to make the Super Nintendo American design purple wasn’t random at all. It was a calculated move by Nintendo of America to appeal to a maturing market, distance the console from toy branding, and establish a more serious, tech-forward aesthetic.
While many gamers today prefer the colorful look of the Super Famicom, the American SNES remains iconic in its own way — a reminder of how different regional tastes can transform the same console into two unique experiences.
If you grew up with the purple SNES, you probably don’t just see a design…
You see your childhood.
Have a favorite SNES memory? Drop it in the comments below — and let’s keep the nostalgia alive. Also, if you’re interested in modern Cloud gaming, check our dedicated Blog here on how you can optimize your laptop for cloud gaming –
