Can You Use an Original NES Power Adapter on SNES? No — Voltage Mismatch

Do not use an NES (original) power adapter on a Super Nintendo (SNES). It can damage the console.

Electrical Specifications

Console	Voltage	Current	Polarity	Connector
NES (Model NES-001)	9V AC	1.3A	Center-negative (usually)	Proprietary rectangular
SNES (Model SNES-001 / SNS-001)	10V DC	0.85A (850mA)	Center-negative	Proprietary rectangular (same shape, diff. keying?)
SNES Jr. (Model SNS-101)	10V DC	0.85A	Center-negative	Same as SNES

AC vs DC: NES outputs **alternating current** (9V AC). SNES requires **direct current** (10V DC). Feeding AC into a DC device destroys rectifiers, capacitors, and ICs.
Voltage: 9V AC peaks at ~12.7V. SNES expects steady 10V DC.
Current: NES adapter provides 1.3A—more than SNES needs, but the AC/DC mismatch is fatal.

Best case: Console doesn't turn on (protection diode blocks reverse polarity/AC).
Likely: **Magic smoke**—voltage regulator (7805/7809) blows, capacitors explode, CPU/PPU fry.
Fire hazard from shorted components.

Original Nintendo SNES Adapter: Model **NES-002** (for SNES) or **SNS-002**. Labels: "10V DC 850mA".
Modern Third-Party (Safe): Any **10V DC, 850mA–1.5A, center-negative, 2.35mm × 0.7mm barrel** (same as Genesis Model 1, but check polarity—Genesis is center-positive!).
Retro-Bit / Hyperkin / 8BitDo: Sell modern regulated switching adapters for SNES. Reliable.

Check the label on the adapter brick. If it says **"AC"** or **"9V"** → **NES only**. If it says **"DC"** and **"10V"** → **SNES compatible**.

Never mix Nintendo AC and DC adapters. Genesis (Mega Drive) Model 1 uses same plug but **center-positive**—also destroys SNES.

Nintendo DS