Which is better for a family with young kids?

The SNES Classic is simpler: plug it in and play, with two controllers and no accounts. The PS5 has far more games but needs a PSN account, downloads and parental settings.

Which lasts longer as a purchase?

The PS5. New games keep arriving for it, while the SNES Classic's 21-game list is fixed and its appeal is nostalgic.

Is the PS5 Digital worth stepping up to over the SNES Classic?

If you want modern games, 4K and online play, yes. If you only want quick retro sessions, the SNES Classic covers that without an account or downloads.

Can I play physical discs on either?

No. The PS5 Digital Edition has no disc drive, and the SNES Classic has no cartridge slot.

Do I need internet for either?

The PS5 needs a connection to download games and update. The SNES Classic works fully offline out of the box.

Which has the better controller?

The DualSense is far more advanced, with haptics, adaptive triggers and motion sensing. The SNES pad is simple but well suited to 16-bit games.

PS5 Digital Edition vs SNES Classic Edition

These are not rivals in any real sense. The PS5 Digital is a current-generation console with a fast SSD, ray tracing, 4K at up to 120 FPS, haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, and a large modern library. The SNES Classic is a small plug-and-play box with 21 pre-installed 16-bit games and no online store. Buy the PS5 for modern gaming; buy the SNES Classic only as a nostalgia piece or a simple couch game box for kids.

Choose the PS5 Digital if you want current games, 4K output, fast loading and a controller with haptics and adaptive triggers.
Choose the SNES Classic if you want a small, simple box with 21 classic Nintendo games and no downloads or accounts.

Prices

PS5 Digital Edition: $220.00 at Abraa (last seen Nov 10)
SNES Classic Edition: $124.99 at Walmart (last seen Nov 10)
Difference: the SNES Classic Edition is $95.01 cheaper than the PS5 Digital Edition at the latest prices (Nov 10)