How to Add and Play ROMs on SNES Classic

Adding more games to your SNES Classic may seem like an overwhelming job, but the truth is a bit of technical experience will give you everything you need on your favorite console. So, what steps do you need to follow?

What you need to add games to your SNES Classic

There are a few things you will need to add and play ROMs on SNES Classic:

• The actual SNES Classic console – no need to do anything in the settings.
• A computer operating on Windows – other operating systems may also work if you have a Windows emulator. Besides, you can also use a laptop.
• SNES games – Find your favorite SNES games online. There are more sources out there, but some of them stand out because they provide genuine copies with no malicious scripts or viruses. At the same time, the games must be in the ROM (Read Only Memory) format. You can, for instance, download from RomsPedia – a good source of genuine games for more consoles.
• Software – while there are more options out there, most gamers stick to the classic Hakchi 2.
• USB cable – for the connection to your computer or laptop.
• HDMI cable – for the connection to your television set.

How to add games to your SNES Classic

There are a few steps to go through and while they may seem a bit technical, the truth is the process is quite straightforward. Once you do it a couple of times, it will become a piece of cake. So, what do you have to do?

• Connect the SNES Classic and your computer. Use the USB cable for this connection. Prior to doing it, make sure your console is switched off. At the same time, leave the HDMI cable connected to the console and your TV. You can practically track the progress this way. If the computer or laptop cannot recognize the console, you can try using a different cable. This is the most common fix for this issue.
• Download Hakchi 2. You need the latest version, rather than an old version on some random website. The latest version is well updated and clears out bugs from previous releases. Stick to the official website – or at least a major trustworthy source for this program. Once you get it, install it on the computer or laptop.
• Run Hakchi 2. Find the executable file – it may have a shortcut on your desktop or in the program files. The icon is similar to a classic NES controller. You might have to download additional files or updates – you may also need to restart the computer. Simply do it and run it again after rebooting.
• Before starting, Hakchi 2 will ask you to confirm the console you want to work with. There are more options out there. Choose SNES (USA/Europe). Even if you are not based in the USA or Europe, this is the only option available for SNES. It will not affect the process though, as long as the console name is right.
• Once in the program, you will notice a button in the lower part of the screen – Add more games. Assuming that you have already downloaded the ROMs you want to add to your SNES, browse and choose the files you want to add. You can add two different extensions – the standard .smc extension for SNES, as well as .zip files containing the files. The software will do the extraction by itself.
• Game options will pop up then. At the custom games list, you can choose the games you add to the box art. You can get images straight from Google – you will find a button to add them there.
• Back to the Hakchi 2 window; choose the Kernel menu at the top of the screen. A new menu will open up with more options – choose the first one, which allows you to install or repair the selected file. You will then be asked to flash the custom kernel – choose yes.
• From that point on, instructions are simple and intuitive. Follow them one by one. At some point, you will be asked to install extra drivers – just in case they were not installed automatically.
• When done with these steps, you will have to synchronize selected games with NES/SNES Mini – the button is at the bottom of the screen. You will need to confirm flashing the custom kernel – do it.
• Once the game is done uploading, disconnect the console from your computer. It should be turned off at that point.
• The process is over. You can now plug your console back in and turn it on. You will find a folder with new games – apart from the preloaded ones. All your new games are there.
• Interested in adding more games? Reconnect the console to the computer and choose to synchronize selected games with NES/SNES Mini. There is no need to flash the custom kernel again, so you can skip some of the steps.

Conclusion

As a short final conclusion, adding more games to your SNES Classic does look complicated, but it is not. The process is straightforward and you are less likely to face any errors or unexpected situations. Should any issues arise, simply start all over and be careful when following the above-mentioned steps. Adding a new game is usually a matter of a few minutes only.​