SN Operator FAQ

Common questions about the SN Operator and what it can do.

What consoles does the SN Operator support?

The SN Operator is compatible with all Super Nintendo® console variants:

• Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES®) — North America
• Super Famicom® — Japan
• Super Nintendo — PAL regions (Europe, Australia)

What are the SN Operator’s dimensions?

The SN Operator measures 185 × 70 × 37 mm (7.3 × 2.8 × 1.5 in) and weighs 230g (8.1 oz). It features a transparent enclosure with a matte black PCB and a gold-plated finish. A rubber pad on the bottom keeps the device stable during use.

When not in use, the device can display your favorite SNES cartridge as a stand.

What operating systems are supported?

The SN Operator works with Windows®, macOS®, and Linux. See the Downloads page for current system requirements.

Thanks to broad platform compatibility, the SN Operator works not only with computers but also a wide range of devices including Steam Deck, ASUS ROG handhelds, Raspberry Pi, and more. It connects via USB-A to USB-C cable and communicates through the Playback app.

What’s included in the box?

Your SN Operator package includes:

• SN Operator device
• USB-A to USB-C cable
• Quick start guide

Download the Playback app from our downloads page to get started.

Does the SN Operator work with all regions?

Yes! The SN Operator is completely region-free. It works with NTSC (US), PAL (Europe), and Super Famicom (Japan) cartridges.

Does it support special chip cartridges?

Yes. The SN Operator supports cartridges with enhancement chips including:

• SuperFX — Stunt Race FX, Doom
• SA-1 — Kirby Super Star
• CX4 — Mega Man X2, Mega Man X3
• SDD1 — Star Ocean, Street Fighter Alpha 2
• SPC7110 — Far East of Eden Zero
• OBC-1 — Metal Combat
• DSP — Pilotwings

See SNES Cartridges for the complete compatibility list.

Are there any games that don’t work?

Games using ST010/ST011 chips (F1 ROC II: Race of Champions, Hayazashi Nidan Morita Shogi) or S-RTC real-time clock chips may have limitations. The vast majority of the SNES library works without issues.

Does it work with SNES peripherals?

Yes! The SN Operator supports:

• SNES Mouse — For mouse-compatible games
• Super Scope — For lightgun games

Insert a compatible game, then go to Settings > Controls and select the peripheral from the dropdown.

How do saves work on SNES cartridges?

SNES cartridges use battery-backed SRAM to store save data—the same technology as Game Boy® cartridges. The SN Operator can:

• Read saves from your cartridge
• Write saves back to the cartridge
• Back up saves to your computer via the Save Vault

If your cartridge’s battery is dead, the game won’t retain saves when removed from the SN Operator.

Does it work with reproduction cartridges?

The SN Operator can read many reproduction cartridges, but compatibility varies. Reproductions using FRAM or flash memory (which don’t need batteries) generally work well. See Flashcart Support for more details.

Does it work with flashcarts?

Yes. The SN Operator supports SNES flashcarts. You can write homebrew games to compatible rewritable cartridges.