TL;DR
Epilogue will open preorders for its SN Operator USB cartridge slot on December 30 at 12PM ET for $59.99. The device connects over USB to computers and handhelds, uses Epilogue’s Playback software to authenticate and archive Super Nintendo/Super Famicom cartridges, and is expected to ship in April 2026.
What happened
Epilogue is launching the SN Operator, a standalone USB cartridge slot that accepts original Super Nintendo and Super Famicom game cartridges and links them to computers and compatible handhelds. Preorders begin December 30 at 12PM ET, priced at $59.99, and shipments are slated for April 2026. The unit follows Epilogue’s earlier GB Operator hardware, which supported Game Boy-family carts and arrived in early 2021; the SN model carries a $10 premium over that smaller device. The SN Operator pairs with Epilogue’s Playback app, which includes a built-in SNES emulator to play cartridges directly and offers authentication and backup of game ROMs and save files. Users who prefer other emulators can employ them after archiving carts. Accessories originally required by some titles — such as the Super NES Mouse or the Super Scope — are supported within Playback through substituting a computer mouse for those peripherals. The cartridge reader connects via USB to PCs, Macs, and handhelds like the Steam Deck.
Why it matters
- Provides a way for owners of original SNES/Super Famicom cartridges to play them on modern machines using the physical media.
- Built-in authentication and backup features support preservation of game ROMs and save data from aging cartridges.
- Compatibility with handhelds and multiple emulators lets users integrate original carts into existing retro setups.
- Emulated substitutes for legacy peripherals can make older games usable without original accessories.
Key facts
- Preorders open December 30 at 12PM ET.
- Retail price for preorder is $59.99, about $10 higher than Epilogue’s GB Operator.
- Shipping is expected in April 2026.
- Supports Super Nintendo and Super Famicom cartridges.
- Connects to PCs, Macs, and compatible handhelds (for example, Steam Deck) via USB.
- Works with Epilogue’s Playback app, which includes a built-in SNES emulator.
- Playback can authenticate cartridges and back up game files and save data.
- After archiving, users may use emulators of their choice to play backed-up games.
- Titles that used the Super NES Mouse or Super Scope can be played using a computer mouse within Playback.
What to watch next
- Whether Epilogue will sell the SN Operator through additional retailers or keep it limited to its preorder channel (not confirmed in the source).
- The expected April 2026 shipment window and whether that schedule holds as units reach customers.
- Long-term software support and firmware updates for Playback that could affect compatibility and archival features (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- SNES / Super Nintendo: A 16-bit home video game console released by Nintendo in the early 1990s, also marketed as the Super Famicom in Japan.
- Cartridge slot: A hardware interface that accepts physical game cartridges so they can be read by a console or adapter device.
- Emulator: Software that imitates the hardware of a console, allowing games designed for that console to run on other devices.
- Backup / Archive: The process of copying game ROM data and save files from a physical cartridge to a digital storage format for preservation or use with emulators.
- USB: A common wired connection standard used to link peripherals to computers and handheld devices.
Reader FAQ
When can I preorder the SN Operator?
Preorders start December 30 at 12PM ET.
How much does the SN Operator cost?
The preorder price is $59.99.
When will customers receive units?
Epologue expects to ship the SN Operator in April 2026.
Does the SN Operator require Epilogue’s Playback app to work?
The device works alongside Epilogue’s Playback app, which includes a built-in SNES emulator, but archived games can be used with other emulators.
Has Nintendo approved or licensed this device?
not confirmed in the source
NEWS GADGETS GAMING Turn your PC into a Super Nintendo with Epilogue’s new USB dock The SNES version of the USB cartridge slot can authenticate your carts and backup your…
Sources
- Turn your PC into a Super Nintendo with Epilogue’s new USB dock
- Play and manage SNES cartridges on your PC | SN Operator
- Here's A First Look At The SN Operator, Your Next …
- Epilogue: Preserve video game history with modern fidelity
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