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How Transparency Effects Were Achieved On The SNES

Find out how the Super Nintendo Entertainment System created wonderful transparency effects in White_Pointer Gaming’s video!

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Wally is chief creative writer/editor, who harnesses personal gaming insight from over three decades of playing games.


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Ever wanted to know how the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) created its wonderful transparency effects?

According to YouTube Channel White_Pointer Gaming, the Super Nintendo’s transparency graphical effect uses two separate screens meshed together to form the desired level of opacity. A “main screen” and a “sub screen” are both created and layered on top of each other (both being loaded into the system’s memory) to create effects such as characters submerged in water or fog.

Transparent backgrounds, characters, enemies, and more utilized this technique to create dazzling results.

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WATCH: How Transparency Effects Were Achieved On The SNES

The very informational video goes into even more detail about the mysteries surrounding the Super Nintendo’s graphical effect in question and is done so superbly by White_Pointer Gaming.

  • SNES background Modes explanations
  • SNES high resolution detailed
  • Use of color to simulate graphical features
  • and more!

Watch the super cool video yourself, and enjoy!

Direct Link To White_Pointer Gaming’s YouTube Channel


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Images credited. All others owned by Nintendo or respective owners. Screenshots taken by me.

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Hey, there! I’m Wally. I’ve enjoyed and played games for over three decades (since I was a kid). I love researching games and sharing my findings with you in a simple and fun way.

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