After announcing and teasing its design effectively over a 12 months in the past, Epilogue’s new SN Operator will lastly be available for preorder starting tomorrow. Like the corporate’s GB Operator that debuted in early 2021, the SN Operator is a standalone USB cartridge slot that allows you to play and archive previous Nintendo console video games on PCs, Macs, or handhelds just like the Steam Deck utilizing their authentic carts. However the place the GB Operator was constructed for Recreation Boy, Recreation Boy Coloration, and GBA video games, the SN Operator as a substitute helps any Tremendous Nintendo and Tremendous Famicom recreation.
Preorders for the SN Operator will open at 12PM ET on December thirtieth for $59.99. That’s $10 dearer than the smaller GB Operator, which is able to stay obtainable too. The {hardware} is predicted to ship in April 2026.
The cartridge slot connects to computer systems or handhelds over USB and works alongside Epilogue’s accompanying Playback app. The app contains a built-in SNES emulator for enjoying your authentic cartridges, however you need to use different emulators if you have already got one you like. Video games that relied on equipment like Nintendo’s Tremendous NES Mouse or the Tremendous Scope are additionally suitable with Playback and can use your laptop mouse as a substitute of these peripherals.
On high of recent console help, the SN Operator consists of one other operate that ought to enchantment to retro gaming followers with massive collections of getting old and degrading cartridges. The Playback app can authenticate cartridges so for certain if that uncommon title you discovered at a flea market is actual or a bootleg. It might additionally create digital copies of your cartridges together with their save recreation information so you possibly can archive your assortment and carry on enjoying the place you initially left off, even when your authentic cartridges cease working. The SN Operator will work with any cartridge that may be performed in Nintendo’s authentic {hardware}, together with bootlegs you unintentionally bought. However Epilogue does specify it’s best to solely again up cartridges you personal — so no utilizing this to borrow and replica an enormous assortment from a good friend.