If you're a retro gaming enthusiast or a longtime Super Nintendo owner, you may have noticed that your once-gray console has taken on a yellowish hue over the years. This discoloration is a common occurrence among older Super Nintendo consoles, and it's a topic that has puzzled many gamers. In this blog post, we'll explore the reasons behind this yellowing phenomenon and shed some light on this intriguing aspect of retro gaming hardware.
The Super Nintendo, released in 1990, was originally designed with a sleek, light gray plastic casing. However, as time passed, many of these consoles began to develop a distinct yellowish tint, particularly on the top and bottom portions of the casing. This yellowing effect is not unique to the Super Nintendo; it has also been observed in other retro consoles and computers from the same era, such as the Nintendo Entertainment System and certain Commodore computers.
So, what causes this yellowing? The primary culprit is a chemical compound called bromine, which was commonly used as a flame retardant in the ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastics of the time. ABS plastics were widely used in the manufacture of consumer electronics due to their durability and heat resistance. However, the bromine in these plastics is prone to oxidation when exposed to UV light and air, causing the plastic to yellow over time.
The yellowing process is accelerated by various factors, including:
Exposure to Sunlight: UV light from the sun can speed up the oxidation of the bromine in the plastic, leading to more rapid yellowing.
Heat: Higher temperatures can also contribute to the yellowing process by accelerating the chemical reactions involved.
Humidity: Moisture in the air can interact with the bromine and other chemicals in the plastic, further promoting discoloration.
Uneven Discoloration: The yellowing often occurs unevenly across the console's surface, with some areas more affected than others. This can be attributed to variations in the plastic composition or uneven exposure to the aforementioned environmental factors.
It's worth noting that not all Super Nintendo consoles are affected by yellowing to the same degree. Some consoles may remain relatively gray, while others develop a more pronounced yellow tint. This variation can be due to differences in the manufacturing process, storage conditions, or the specific batch of plastic used in production.
For retro gaming collectors and enthusiasts, the yellowing of Super Nintendo consoles can be a point of concern. Some collectors prefer to keep their consoles in pristine, original condition, while others embrace the yellowing as a sign of age and character. There are various methods and techniques that can be used to restore yellowed consoles to their original color, such as the "Retr0bright" process, which involves the use of hydrogen peroxide and UV light to reverse the oxidation process. However, these methods can be time-consuming and may not always yield perfect results.
In conclusion, the yellowing of Super Nintendo consoles is a fascinating aspect of retro gaming hardware. The discoloration is caused by the oxidation of bromine, a chemical used as a flame retardant in the ABS plastics of the time. While some collectors may view the yellowing as a drawback, others appreciate it as a unique characteristic that reflects the console's age and history. Whether you choose to restore your yellowed Super Nintendo or embrace its aged appearance, it remains a beloved and iconic part of gaming history.
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