From original consoles to modern handhelds, discover the best ways to experience your SNES collection in 2025. Complete buying guide for collectors and players.

Best Ways to Play SNES Games in 2025: Original Hardware vs. Modern Solutions

You've built an amazing SNES collection. Now comes the important question: How do you actually play these games?

In 2025, you have more options than ever—from authentic original hardware to cutting-edge handheld emulation devices. Each approach has advantages depending on your priorities: authenticity, convenience, portability, or picture quality.

This comprehensive guide covers every option, from budget to premium, so you can choose the perfect setup for your collection.

Option 1: Original SNES Hardware

The Authentic Experience

What You Need

SNES Console:

Model 1 (Original, 1991-1995): $80-$150
Model 2 (Mini, 1995-1998): $60-$100
Super Famicom (Japanese): $40-$80

Controllers:

Original SNES controller: $20-$40 each
Third-party reproductions: $10-$20
Wireless options available: $30-$50

Video Output:

Composite (included): Free but blurry
S-Video: $10-$20, significant improvement
RGB SCART: $20-$40, best original output
HDMI adapter: $100-$200, modern TV compatibility

Pros

✅ 100% authentic experience ✅ No input lag ✅ Original controller feel ✅ Compatible with all games ✅ Collectible hardware ✅ Supports original cartridges

Cons

❌ Requires CRT TV for best picture (or expensive mods) ❌ No save states ❌ Cartridge pins wear over time ❌ Bulky, not portable ❌ Region locked (without mods) ❌ No upscaling on modern TVs

Best For

Purists who want the exact experience from 1991, collectors with CRT TVs, those building a retro gaming room.

Estimated Cost: $150-$400 (console + controllers + cables + CRT TV)

Option 2: SNES Classic Edition

The Official Nostalgia Package

What It Is

Nintendo's official mini-console (2017) with 21 pre-loaded games and HDMI output.

Included Games

Super Mario World
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Super Metroid
Star Fox 2 (previously unreleased!)
EarthBound
Final Fantasy III
Mega Man X
Street Fighter II Turbo
...and 13 more classics

Pros

✅ Plug-and-play simplicity ✅ HDMI output for modern TVs ✅ Save states and rewind ✅ Two controllers included ✅ Perfect emulation (Nintendo's own) ✅ Compact and portable ✅ Can be modded to add more games

Cons

❌ Only 21 games (unless modded) ❌ Controllers have short cables ❌ Discontinued (must buy used) ❌ Can't use original cartridges ❌ No online features

Best For

Casual players who want the greatest hits, those without space for original hardware, modern TV owners.

Current Price: $100-$150 used (was $80 new)

Hack It: Install Hakchi2 CE to add more games (hundreds possible)

Option 3: Modern Upscalers (Original Hardware + HDMI)

Best of Both Worlds

What They Do

Connect original SNES to modern TVs with enhanced picture quality.

Top Options

RetroTINK-5X Pro - $300

Industry-leading upscaling
Zero lag
Supports multiple retro systems
Professional-grade processing

OSSC (Open Source Scan Converter) - $200

Line-doubling with minimal lag
Great for enthusiasts
Requires some technical knowledge

Analogue Super Nt - $250

Not an upscaler, but FPGA recreation
Pixel-perfect accuracy
Original cartridges work
HDMI output, save states
No emulation—hardware simulation

RetroTINK-2X Mini - $80

Budget option
Good picture quality
Simple setup
Works with any console

Pros

✅ Use original cartridges ✅ Modern TV compatibility ✅ Excellent picture quality ✅ Low/zero lag ✅ Keep authentic hardware

Cons

❌ Expensive investment ❌ Still need original console (or Super Nt) ❌ Setup complexity varies ❌ No portability

Best For

Collectors who want original carts on modern TVs, enthusiasts who value picture quality, those building ultimate setups.

Estimated Cost: $150-$600 depending on solution

Option 4: Emulation on PC/Mac

The Free Route

Recommended Emulators

bsnes - Most Accurate

Cycle-accurate emulation
Requires powerful PC
Best compatibility

Snes9x - Best Balance

Fast, accurate, easy
Runs on any modern PC
Excellent compatibility

RetroArch - All-in-One

Includes multiple cores (emulators)
Advanced features
Learning curve

Mesen-S - Best Debugging

Incredible tools
Frame-by-frame analysis
Perfect for ROM hackers

Setup

Download emulator (free)
Get ROM files (legally own games)
Configure controller
Play!

Pros

✅ Completely free ✅ Save states anywhere ✅ Fast-forward, rewind, cheats ✅ Texture filtering options ✅ Record gameplay ✅ Netplay multiplayer ✅ ROM hacks and mods

Cons

❌ Legal gray area with ROMs ❌ Input lag varies ❌ Not authentic feeling ❌ Requires computer ❌ Can't use original cartridges

Best For

Budget-conscious players, those who want modern conveniences, ROM hackers, speedrunners who need save states.

Cost: Free (emulator) + controller ($20-$50)

Option 5: Flash Cartridges (Everdrive)

Ultimate Original Hardware Solution

What They Are

Special cartridges that hold SD cards with ROM files, playable on original SNES hardware.

Top Options

FXPak Pro (SD2SNES) - $200-$250

Supports ALL games
Special chips (SA-1, Super FX, etc.)
Save states on real hardware!
MSU-1 audio (CD-quality music)
Active development

Super Everdrive X5 - $80-$100

Budget option
Most games work
No special chip support
Good for 90% of library

Super Everdrive X6 - $110-$140

Mid-range option
Some special chip support
Better than X5

Super Everdrive X8 - $150-$180

Enhanced features
More special chip support
Save states

Pros

✅ Play entire library on real hardware ✅ Use original console and controllers ✅ One cartridge = 725 games ✅ Perfect for testing before buying ✅ Save states (on some models) ✅ ROM hacks and translations ✅ No cartridge wear

Cons

❌ Expensive initial investment ❌ Legal gray area ❌ Still need original console ❌ Setup learning curve ❌ Not all support special chips

Best For

Collectors who want to play everything on real hardware, those testing games before buying, ROM hack enthusiasts, preservation.

Estimated Cost: $180-$450 (flash cart + SNES console)

Option 6: Handheld Emulation Devices

Play Anywhere

Budget Tier ($60-$100)

Anbernic RG35XX Plus - $65

3.5" screen
Perfect SNES emulation
Pocket-friendly
Great D-pad
All 725 games run flawlessly

Anbernic RG35XXSP - $75

Clamshell design (GBA SP style)
Same specs as Plus
Protected screen
Nostalgic form factor

Anbernic RG34XX - $80

Game Boy Advance design
3.4" screen
Perfect for SNES (literally SNES controller with screen)

Mid-Range ($100-$150)

Anbernic RG40XXV - $100

4" vertical screen
Best D-pad on any handheld
SNES + more (N64, PSP)
Premium feel

Miyoo Mini Plus - $70

Tiny form factor
Cute design
SNES runs perfectly
Ultra-portable

Premium ($180-$250)

Anbernic RG406V - $180

Android-based
Powerful for PS2, GameCube
SNES is effortless
4" screen

Analogue Pocket - $250

FPGA (hardware simulation)
Use real Game Boy carts
SNES via adapter
Premium build

Pros

✅ Play anywhere ✅ Affordable ✅ Entire library on SD card ✅ Save states ✅ Fast-forward, rewind ✅ Multiple systems in one device ✅ Great for commutes

Cons

❌ Smaller screens ❌ Not original experience ❌ Battery life (2-8 hours) ❌ Emulation quality varies ❌ Can't use original carts (except Analogue Pocket)

Best For

Commuters, travelers, those who game in bed, collectors who want portability, budget-conscious players.

Recommended: Anbernic RG35XXSP ($75) for best value

Option 7: Smartphone + Controller

The Device You Already Own

What You Need

Smartphone (iPhone or Android)
Bluetooth controller ($30-$100)
Emulator app

Recommended Controllers

Backbone One - $100 Clips to iPhone, amazing build quality

Razer Kishi V2 - $100 Android/iPhone compatible, low latency

8Bitdo SN30 Pro+ - $50 Universal, great D-pad, works everywhere

Xbox/PS5 Controller - $40-$60 You might already own one!

Emulators

iOS:

Delta (free, requires AltStore)
RetroArch (free, official App Store)

Android:

Snes9x EX+ (free, best SNES)
RetroArch (free, all systems)
Lemuroid (free, simple)

Pros

✅ Use device you already have ✅ Large, high-quality screen ✅ Portable ✅ Save states, cheats, fast-forward ✅ Cheapest solution if you have a phone ✅ Easy to set up

Cons

❌ Drains phone battery ❌ Not authentic feel ❌ Can be awkward ergonomically ❌ Notifications interrupt gameplay ❌ Controller quality varies

Best For

Casual players, those who don't want another device, budget gamers, people who travel light.

Cost: $0-$100 (if you have phone, just need controller)

Which Setup Is Right for You?

The Purist

"I want the authentic 1991 experience" → Original SNES + CRT TV Cost: $200-$400

The Modernist

"I want original hardware on my 4K TV" → Analogue Super Nt OR SNES + RetroTINK-5X Cost: $250-$500

The Collector

"I want to play my entire collection" → Original SNES + FXPak Pro flash cart Cost: $300-$450

The Casual Player

"I just want to play the classics" → SNES Classic Edition (modded with more games) Cost: $100-$150

The Budget Gamer

"I want the cheapest way to play" → PC emulator (Snes9x) OR smartphone + controller Cost: $0-$50

The Traveler

"I want SNES on the go" → Anbernic RG35XXSP or RG40XXV Cost: $75-$100

The Enthusiast

"I want the best of everything" → Multiple setups for different situations Cost: $500-$1,500+

My Personal Recommendation

For The 725 Club members:

Home Setup

Analogue Super Nt ($250) + 8Bitdo SN30 Pro+ Wireless Controller ($50)

Play original carts
Perfect picture quality on modern TV
Save states
No lag
Jailbreak for enhanced features

Portable Setup

Anbernic RG40XXV ($100)

Best D-pad
4" screen
Perfect SNES emulation
Plays other systems too
Great for travel

Testing Setup

FXPak Pro ($220) + Original SNES ($100)

Test games before buying
Play ROM hacks
Save states on real hardware
Experience special chip games

Total: $720 for complete setup

Sounds expensive, but this covers every use case and will last decades.

Building Your Setup Step-by-Step

Phase 1: Start Simple ($100)

Buy SNES Classic Edition OR
Use PC emulator + controller

Play for 3-6 months, decide if you want more

Phase 2: Add Portability ($75-$100)

Get Anbernic handheld
Play while commuting

Now you can game anywhere

Phase 3: Upgrade to Original Hardware ($200-$300)

Buy original SNES console
Get flash cart OR start buying games
Basic upscaler for TV

Now you're using real hardware

Phase 4: Perfect Picture Quality ($250-$500)

Add Analogue Super Nt OR RetroTINK-5X
Premium controller
Quality cables

Now you have the ultimate setup

Accessories Worth Buying

Essential:

Extra controllers ($20-$50)
SD cards for flash carts/handhelds ($10-$30)
Carrying case for handhelds ($10-$20)

Nice to Have:

Wireless controllers ($40-$60)
Controller extension cables ($10)
Game storage solutions ($20-$100)

Premium:

CRT TV for authentic experience ($0-$100, often free)
RGB cables for best analog picture ($30-$50)
Professional upscaler ($200-$500)

The Future: What's Coming

2025-2026 Predictions:

Analogue Super Nt 2: Rumored upgraded version with new features

Next-Gen Handhelds: More powerful chips, better screens, under $100

AI Upscaling: Real-time AI enhancement of retro graphics

Cloud Gaming: Stream SNES games from anywhere (Nintendo's next move?)

Quick Decision Tree

Do you own original cartridges?

Yes → Analogue Super Nt or Flash Cart
No → SNES Classic or Emulation

Do you value portability?

Yes → Anbernic handheld
No → Console-based solution

What's your budget?

Under $100 → SNES Classic or Anbernic
$100-$300 → Analogue Super Nt
$300+ → Full enthusiast setup

Do you want to collect physical games?

Yes → Original SNES + modern upscaler
No → Emulation or flash cart

Final Thoughts

There's no "wrong" way to play SNES games in 2025. The best setup is the one you'll actually use.

I own:

Original SNES with CRT TV (nostalgia)
Analogue Super Nt (modern convenience)
Anbernic RG40XXV (portability)
PC emulator (testing and ROM hacks)

Each serves a purpose:

CRT TV → Weekend retro gaming sessions
Super Nt → Daily driver for collection
Handheld → Commutes and travel
PC → Development and testing

The beauty of 2025 is choice. Whether you want authentic hardware or modern convenience, expensive premium or budget-friendly, there's a perfect solution for you.

Now stop reading and start playing! Those 725 games aren't going to beat themselves.

Track your SNES setup at The725Club.com and share your gaming station with the community. Show us your retro paradise!

Affiliate Note: The 725 Club earns a small commission on hardware purchases through our links, helping us maintain this free platform for collectors.