Culture news and discussion on TalkFuse.
USB-C cartridge readers preserve and play classic Nintendo games
The Verge's Sean Hollister reviews the Epilogue Operator range, USB-C devices that let real Nintendo cartridges be read, backed up and played on modern computers and handhelds. The gadgets matter because ageing cartridges often rely on watch batteries that eventually fail, wiping decades-old save data; the Operators let owners back up saves before they're lost and even play the original cartridges directly through emulation on devices such as a Steam Deck, Xbox Ally or MacBook.
The $50 GB Operator supports Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance cartridges, while the new $60 SN Operator covers Super Nintendo and Japanese Super Famicom titles, with an N64 version reportedly in development. The devices contain no original Nintendo chips, instead reading the cartridge's ROM and running it through emulator software that mimics playing on real hardware, automatically writing save data back to the cartridge. The reviewer notes some downsides, including finicky cartridge detection with dirty or damaged carts, but praises the ability to carry saves between a PC, handheld and original Nintendo hardware.
In short
- Epilogue's USB-C Operators back up and play real Nintendo cartridges on modern devices
- GB Operator ($50) covers Game Boy/GBA; SN Operator ($60) covers SNES/Super Famicom
- Saves can transfer between PCs, handhelds and original Nintendo consoles
Explained simply
Nintendo games from the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance and Super Nintendo eras were sold on cartridges, which store the game and, in many cases, saved progress. Some cartridges use small batteries to retain saves, and those batteries can eventually fail, putting old save files at risk.
Epilogue makes USB-C readers that connect compatible cartridges to modern computers and handheld devices. Software emulates the original consoles, so players can use the cartridges on newer devices and transfer save data between them and Nintendo hardware.
The readers do not contain Nintendo’s original console chips, and their ability to read a cartridge can depend on its condition. They offer one way to preserve saves and keep using old games as the cartridges and their batteries age.
Art Basketball Culture Entertainment Gadgets Gaming Sport Technology
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by The Verge as “The amazing USB-C gadgets that play old Nintendo cartridges”.