Super Scope facts for kids

The Super Scope was a fun accessory for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), a popular video game console from the 1990s. It was a unique controller shaped like a large bazooka or a shoulder-mounted cannon. This device was a "light gun," which meant it used light to interact with games on your TV screen. It was like a more advanced version of the NES Zapper, which was used with the original Nintendo Entertainment System.

What is a Light Gun?

A light gun is a special type of controller that lets you point at your TV screen to play games. The Super Scope worked by detecting light from the television. When you pulled the trigger, the gun would quickly "see" the bright spots on the screen. This allowed the game to figure out exactly where you were aiming. It made games feel more real, like you were actually shooting at targets on the screen!

How the Super Scope Worked

The Super Scope came in two main parts: the large gun itself and a small receiver box.

• The gun was big and purple, designed to be held on your shoulder. It had a special lens at the front that detected light. It also had buttons for firing and pausing games.
• The receiver box was a small device that you plugged into one of the controller ports on your SNES. You usually placed this box on top of your TV. It was important because it communicated with the gun and the console, helping the game understand your aim.

When you aimed the Super Scope at the TV and pressed the trigger, the gun would send a signal to the SNES through the receiver. The game then used this information to see if you hit your target.

Games You Could Play

The Super Scope was used with a variety of games, mostly those where you needed to aim and shoot. It came bundled with a game called Super Scope 6, which was actually a collection of six mini-games. These games helped players get used to how the Super Scope worked.

Some other popular games that supported the Super Scope included:

• Yoshi's Safari: A unique game where you rode on Yoshi and shot at enemies.
• Battle Clash and Metal Combat: Falcon's Revenge: Robot-fighting games where you aimed at weak spots on giant robots.
• Terminator 2: The Arcade Game: An action game based on the movie.

While it was a fun idea, not many games were made specifically for the Super Scope. This meant it wasn't as widely used as other SNES accessories.

Design and Features

The Super Scope was designed to be comfortable to hold, even though it was quite large. It had a purple and gray color scheme, matching the look of the SNES console.

• Power Source: It ran on six AA batteries, which meant you didn't need to plug it into a wall outlet.
• Buttons: Besides the main trigger, it had a "Pause" button and a "Cursor" button, which could be used to switch aiming modes in some games.
• Scope: It had a small eyepiece you could look through, though it wasn't always necessary for aiming.

The Super Scope offered a different way to play games and brought an arcade-like experience into homes. Even though it's not used much today, it remains a cool piece of video game history!

Images for kids

• 

  The Nintendo Super Scope.

• 

  The inside of the Super Scope.

• 

  The receiver box that plugs into controller port, meant to sit on top of the TV.

• 

  Princess Peach using the Super Scope in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U (2014)

See also

In Spanish: Super Scope para niños