The PAL SNES just reused the curved design of the original Japanese Super Famicom. I also find it way more appealing than the US version, but I grew up in Europe, so it is the one that I saw back in the day.
FWIW I grew up with the North American design and I still find the JP/PAL design nicer.
FWIW I grew up with the North American design and I still find the JP/PAL design nicer.