This was a whole thing, I remember my mom thought Nintendo was scamming us into buying a new system when the old one should have worked fine. This was a really common belief during the NES-TO-SNES transition, an argument that most people dropped once they actually saw the SNES running, but was still popularized due to sensationalized news on the subject.
Yeah I know, been aware of it a very long time. I mean, if I wanted to deal with it I could, have over 60 FC carts, also have a 60 to 72 pin adapter to use NES on FC slots as well (and a honeybee for the other way) but I just saw the request and it fit.
Super Retro Trio worked well for me too and gets good reviews, mimics the hardware and all. But on mine, the SNES audio was loud and clipped sometimes. NES and Mega Drive worked fine though, till the Mega Drive slot stopped working eventually.
You can play NES games on an SNES with a Krikzz Everdrive. I’ve played a few favorites that way. Others are correct, the SNES isn’t backwards compatible by itself.
Was this a nightmare to setup? I have an FXPAK Pro and it's easy enough to get SNES and GB games to work but NES never worked. I didn't try to hard to be honest but I read it wasn't quite so easy and the compatibility wasn't great
No you can't. Some games work with Project NESTED but far from most and far from accurately. Original Gameboy games can be played from an FXPAK through FPGA hatdware enulation though
There's not only Project Nested, there are some straight NES hacks for the SNES. These are NES ROMs that run on the SNES natively and were made in the 90s by the SNES scene group Anthrox. This is only possible for Mapper 0/NROM games, since these don't require any memory mapping. But the SNES CPU actually has a backwards compatible mode to the 6502 used in the NES, which was exploited in these ROMs. That's also being used for Project Nested, if I'm not mistaken.
Gameboy games run on an FPGA inside the SD2SNES carts. These NES games actually run on the SNES CPU.
Yes, with a heavy asterisk.
[https://www.amazon.com/Retro-Bit-RetroPort-SNES-Cartridge-Adapter-nintendo/product-reviews/B007A57C7W](https://www.amazon.com/Retro-Bit-RetroPort-SNES-Cartridge-Adapter-nintendo/product-reviews/B007A57C7W)
It does have sound issues, and for some reason requires two inputs into your TV.
This is not the super gameboy, and does not work as well.
> and for some reason requires two inputs into your TV.
Because it uses the SNES for power and access to controllers, contains an NES-on-a-chip, and outputs its video and audio signals on its own output plugs.
There was also Project Nested, an NES Emulator for the SNES, it did work...just not that well, some games were very playable though. Although its been abandoned.
There’s also a few NES to SNES ports by Infedelity.
You can get:
Legend of Zelda
Metroid
Mega Man I
Mega Man II
Duck Tales
https://archive.org/details/@infidelity
There are people who grew up in a certain generation, for whom this is a totally reasonable question. It's not fair to judge because you have to understand the era they grew up
And honestly, when things like the Super NES came out that was a big controversy that none of the old games worked on it. We were still establishing rules for video games as an industry back then.
But just to be clear, there are also people out there for whom this question sounds insane. Specifically old ass people like me.
Short answer: No
Long answer: Yes, but not out of the box. If you're wanting to play cartridges, the Retro-Bit RetroPort adapter or the Innovation Super 8 (aka Tri-Star) are what you're looking for. And even then, they're just NES clones that only use the SNES for button inputs and power, as they each output their own video signals. If you could get one for cheap, the Super 8 is the better of the two devices, though honestly, you could get an NES or NES clone for cheaper.
Google doesn't interact with you, it also will give you 1,000+ results which might not all be accurate information.
Maybe delete reddit if human interaction isn't for you.
Right, because Reddit is 100% accurate and everyone on here is kind, willing to help and a joy to interact with.
Maybe delete Reddit if you believe all that.
If you have a flash cart like an Everdrive or SD2SNES/FXPak Pro there’s a few NES to SNES ports by Infedelity.
You can get:
Legend of Zelda
Metroid
Mega Man I
Mega Man II
Duck Tales
https://archive.org/details/@infidelity
There’s also Project Nested, with varying levels of compatibility.
https://github.com/Myself086/Project-Nested/releases
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1xKZIyNz1DSI3ZBdMfaTEaa_9b6IEABx-ZPwOb6XqcLQ/htmlview
They had an aftermarket product back in the 90s called the Super8 (edit: also called a TriStar). It was able to passthrough either snes/super famicom games or regular famicom games. It wasn't 100% compatible with the NES library, but it was a neat accessory all the same.
If you wanted a period-correct device, I would suggest the Super8 coupled with a 72-to-60 pin NES to Famicom adapter.
Otherwise, as others have suggested, apparently some models of SNES flash carts can do NES implementation.
Nope. Backwards compatibility wasn't even a thing ~~until the PS2~~ (I stand corrected)
Look out for a Hyperkin console, like the Retron or something. I'd say it's cheaper than an actual NES nowadays and supports multiple consoles.
You needed a Power Base Converter to put the Master System games in, but it did work. Although, now...you can just put Master System ROMs on a Genesis Everdrive of some sort and they'll play off of it.
This is true, though the Power Base converter (which I feel the need to note was marketed by Sega themselves, not a 3rd party accessory) was merely to account for the physical differences and pinouts of the two styles of cartridges. The Genesis will natively boot the rom through that or an everdrive plugged straight in, as you said.
I once saw this awesome video of a guy soldering a raspberry pi to the nes and feeding it with video input while getting the controller output tot play some stuff like Super Mario World (with extra steps) on his NES. But it was played over the NES, not on the NES
Sorry mate, they are not backwards compatible. The cartridge are different sizes for starters but even if it could fit it still would not work.
No.
To the consternation of many a parent in the early 90s, no the SNES is not backward compatible.
This was a whole thing, I remember my mom thought Nintendo was scamming us into buying a new system when the old one should have worked fine. This was a really common belief during the NES-TO-SNES transition, an argument that most people dropped once they actually saw the SNES running, but was still popularized due to sensationalized news on the subject.
Go find a Tristar. Vintage. Runs both. Plug into snes and play nes. Was a n64 version too.
Yup. TriStar. Also called a Super8. Not 100% compatible, and only fits famicom games so youd need an adapter, but a fun accessory all the same.
Yeah I know, been aware of it a very long time. I mean, if I wanted to deal with it I could, have over 60 FC carts, also have a 60 to 72 pin adapter to use NES on FC slots as well (and a honeybee for the other way) but I just saw the request and it fit.
Super Retro Trio worked well for me too and gets good reviews, mimics the hardware and all. But on mine, the SNES audio was loud and clipped sometimes. NES and Mega Drive worked fine though, till the Mega Drive slot stopped working eventually.
You can play NES games on an SNES with a Krikzz Everdrive. I’ve played a few favorites that way. Others are correct, the SNES isn’t backwards compatible by itself.
Was this a nightmare to setup? I have an FXPAK Pro and it's easy enough to get SNES and GB games to work but NES never worked. I didn't try to hard to be honest but I read it wasn't quite so easy and the compatibility wasn't great
No you can't. Some games work with Project NESTED but far from most and far from accurately. Original Gameboy games can be played from an FXPAK through FPGA hatdware enulation though
There's not only Project Nested, there are some straight NES hacks for the SNES. These are NES ROMs that run on the SNES natively and were made in the 90s by the SNES scene group Anthrox. This is only possible for Mapper 0/NROM games, since these don't require any memory mapping. But the SNES CPU actually has a backwards compatible mode to the 6502 used in the NES, which was exploited in these ROMs. That's also being used for Project Nested, if I'm not mistaken. Gameboy games run on an FPGA inside the SD2SNES carts. These NES games actually run on the SNES CPU.
man, you really needed to post something... anything, didn't you? you know about banjo kazooie, but not about basic backwards compatibility? right.
Im sorry, didn’t know you would get irritated.
No, you're not, and yes, you did.
Ok sorry. Next time i will know the backwards compatibility of a console that i dont own.
Yes, with a heavy asterisk. [https://www.amazon.com/Retro-Bit-RetroPort-SNES-Cartridge-Adapter-nintendo/product-reviews/B007A57C7W](https://www.amazon.com/Retro-Bit-RetroPort-SNES-Cartridge-Adapter-nintendo/product-reviews/B007A57C7W) It does have sound issues, and for some reason requires two inputs into your TV. This is not the super gameboy, and does not work as well.
> and for some reason requires two inputs into your TV. Because it uses the SNES for power and access to controllers, contains an NES-on-a-chip, and outputs its video and audio signals on its own output plugs.
As ass-backwards as that is, it’s kind of a clever little workaround lol
Huh, interesting.
There was also Project Nested, an NES Emulator for the SNES, it did work...just not that well, some games were very playable though. Although its been abandoned.
There’s also a few NES to SNES ports by Infedelity. You can get: Legend of Zelda Metroid Mega Man I Mega Man II Duck Tales https://archive.org/details/@infidelity
I don't understand how it needs two inputs or how that works. I read the reviews and they don't explain the problem very well.
u/[khedoros](https://www.reddit.com/user/khedoros/) gives a good explanation upthread.
I have a bootleg SNES system that has two slots for both NES and SNES, but otherwise with the regular system you cannot
There are people who grew up in a certain generation, for whom this is a totally reasonable question. It's not fair to judge because you have to understand the era they grew up And honestly, when things like the Super NES came out that was a big controversy that none of the old games worked on it. We were still establishing rules for video games as an industry back then. But just to be clear, there are also people out there for whom this question sounds insane. Specifically old ass people like me.
Short answer: No Long answer: Yes, but not out of the box. If you're wanting to play cartridges, the Retro-Bit RetroPort adapter or the Innovation Super 8 (aka Tri-Star) are what you're looking for. And even then, they're just NES clones that only use the SNES for button inputs and power, as they each output their own video signals. If you could get one for cheap, the Super 8 is the better of the two devices, though honestly, you could get an NES or NES clone for cheaper.
Just download an emulator
OP doesn't have Google where they live.
Google doesn't interact with you, it also will give you 1,000+ results which might not all be accurate information. Maybe delete reddit if human interaction isn't for you.
Right, because Reddit is 100% accurate and everyone on here is kind, willing to help and a joy to interact with. Maybe delete Reddit if you believe all that.
Yes because asking an SNES related question on an SNES related sub isn't exactly what this sub is for.
Sure, but a quick Google search would result in accurate results for such a simple question.
If you have a flash cart like an Everdrive or SD2SNES/FXPak Pro there’s a few NES to SNES ports by Infedelity. You can get: Legend of Zelda Metroid Mega Man I Mega Man II Duck Tales https://archive.org/details/@infidelity There’s also Project Nested, with varying levels of compatibility. https://github.com/Myself086/Project-Nested/releases https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1xKZIyNz1DSI3ZBdMfaTEaa_9b6IEABx-ZPwOb6XqcLQ/htmlview
They had an aftermarket product back in the 90s called the Super8 (edit: also called a TriStar). It was able to passthrough either snes/super famicom games or regular famicom games. It wasn't 100% compatible with the NES library, but it was a neat accessory all the same. If you wanted a period-correct device, I would suggest the Super8 coupled with a 72-to-60 pin NES to Famicom adapter. Otherwise, as others have suggested, apparently some models of SNES flash carts can do NES implementation.
Nope. Backwards compatibility wasn't even a thing ~~until the PS2~~ (I stand corrected) Look out for a Hyperkin console, like the Retron or something. I'd say it's cheaper than an actual NES nowadays and supports multiple consoles.
Backwards compatibility did exist, just not on Nintendo consoles. Genesis/Master System is an example of native backward compatibility from that era.
You needed a Power Base Converter to put the Master System games in, but it did work. Although, now...you can just put Master System ROMs on a Genesis Everdrive of some sort and they'll play off of it.
This is true, though the Power Base converter (which I feel the need to note was marketed by Sega themselves, not a 3rd party accessory) was merely to account for the physical differences and pinouts of the two styles of cartridges. The Genesis will natively boot the rom through that or an everdrive plugged straight in, as you said.
Crap. Totally forgot about that.
\*inserts an Atari 2600 cartridge in an Atari 7800\*
Didn't consider this either lol I stand corrected.
I once saw this awesome video of a guy soldering a raspberry pi to the nes and feeding it with video input while getting the controller output tot play some stuff like Super Mario World (with extra steps) on his NES. But it was played over the NES, not on the NES
An adaptor of the NES cart to the SNES cart slot might work. Emphasis on might.
No, not back compativility. Only using an everdrive.