While often designed under the same umbrella, many platforms come with a series of issues when it comes to an upgrade or a switch. For example, no matter how in love you are with NES and the games for this console, what happens when you switch to SNES?
Can you play NES games on SNES? There are a plethora of “ifs” out there. And no matter how difficult it may seem, there are always some solutions to work around the issue, though most are not official or perfect. This being said, let’s see how you can actually do it.
Can You Play NES Games on SNES?
So, can you play NES games on SNES? Generally speaking, you can’t. The SNES cannot play NES games in a native manner because the hardware is extremely different. No applications work between the two consoles, since there is no built-in backwards compatibility.
Once again, there are workarounds to help you play your favorite NES games on SNES. From adapters and third parties to converters and emulators, here are three simple ways to enjoy your favorite NES ROMs on SNES, each with its own pros and cons.
Get a Hybrid Console Adapter
This is one of the best ways to make things happen. NES games can actually be played on other consoles, but you’ll need to go the extra mile and purchase specific hardware. There are quite a few different devices that can be used as hybrid console adapters, so you’ll have to find one suitable for your budget and preferences.
In theory, these adapters can take both NES and SNES cartridges. They allow you to choose the console you want from the menu. You can normally choose between 8 bits and 16 bits in terms of games. The 8-bit variant is suitable for NES, while the 16-bit variant is made for SNES. This helps streamline the experience and lets you access a bigger library in one go.
Based on the cartridge you put in the slot, pick which console you prefer.
Some adapters seem to have a primary focus on NES, others are more about SNES or other consoles. While it may seem irrelevant, the truth is you need to decide upfront on the right console. Otherwise, you may have problems with the actual controls.
Furthermore, some of the games may have compatibility problems, hence the necessity of choosing an adapter that’s made for NES and SNES. Not just that, you need to check for reviews and lists of supported games to avoid disappointment.
Convert the Original NES ROMs
This is the more technical approach to playing NES games on SNES. It takes time to do it right, but you may also need some trial and error in order to find the right option.
Besides, keep in mind that it won’t always work, so you may need to decide on the perfect games to try and stick to something that suits them. Certain titles may be bug-free, while others encounter technical issues due to hardware differences.
There are more pieces of software that can help you convert NES games into SNES games. The conversion is done exclusively on the ROMs, so you can’t change cartridges. Most programs will embed a classic NES simulator into the SNES ROM. This way, it can run on different SNES hardware.
So, can you play NES games on SNES with this method? The theory is straightforward. While you don’t need to do everything yourself, finding the right program and learning how to use it can be tricky. That’s the technical part.
But then, this is an effective method. It won’t work on all games, hence the importance of finding the perfect software with your games in mind. Results could also be a bit mixed, so don’t be surprised to find any bugs here and there, not to mention problems with the audio or video.
Get an Emulator
This isn’t really an option to play NES games on SNES. It’s close enough though. And compared to other methods, this might be the most effective one. It’s been well researched and offers access to a wide variety of options and pieces of software. It doesn’t require much technicality either, so that’s a plus if you’re new to modding.
Now, a lot of modern systems allow playing classic NES games. For example, you can find all sorts of clones of different consoles. You can find modified SNES consoles as well. Some of them are modified by people, others are sold as actual clones. Even the Wii can be modified to become a new SNES clone.
If you’re not interested in this option, you can use emulators on your computer. There are also emulators for mobile devices. Basically, they replicate the old OS of a console. They don’t have too many bugs either, but they often allow you better controls or settings, such as save states, display filters, and custom inputs.
In other words, this last option isn’t about playing NES games on SNES, but about playing these games on your computer while using similar controllers for an even better experience.
Bottom line, can you play NES games on SNES? Normally, you can’t without twitching one of the consoles. They have different hardware, so they’ll never work in their original states. A few changes here and there will give you some decent workarounds.
