If you’ve got a stack of Super Nintendo cartridges that aren’t seeing much play-time, this new accessory might see you revisiting the 16-bit era more often.
The Epilogue SN Operator is essentially a USB cartridge slot for your PC and it’s going up for pre-order on December 30 before shipping in April next year. It costs $59.99 in the United States.
The device will enable users to play their favourite games with modern conveniences. You don’t need an old CRT television as it’ll plug to a laptop or handheld device (such as a Steam Deck, for instance) with games playable via the company’s Playback emulator that works with Windows, macOS and Linux.
Saves and game data can be backed up, while games themselves can be digitally archived on your computer, ensuring they’re still playable should the cartridge itself conk out. The machine also works to authenticate cartridges to ensure you have the real deal, as there are plenty of fakes around.
The company is also promising console preservation is a key priority, saying: “SN Operator runs a proprietary testing framework at multiple risk points. Built-in safeguards like overcurrent protection and connection-stability checks ensure consistently accurate readings.”
The console is also integrated with RetroAchievements platform, meaning your top scores are logged and you can challenge friends and rivals. There’s also support for cheat codes, while any saves will be synced via your console and your secondary device too. That’s a nice bonus. The company says it supports couch co-op mode, but you’ll have to settle for wired USB or wireless controllers. There aren’t ports to support the original SNES pads.
This is the second such device from Epilogue having launched the GB Operator for the Game Boy family of games.
