SNES Classic News: Throwback Console Hacked to Allow Side-Loading of More Games
Not long after the Super Nintendo Entertainment System Classic Edition console was released, it was hacked to allow players to side-load more games in its read-only memory format.
The SNES Classic Edition is another hit release from Nintendo, as it ran out of units of the console in most stores in less than an hour.
Recently, a Russian coder known by the name Cluster was able to crack the SNES Classic Edition's system with his own Hakchi tool. Cluster made the task even easier by releasing Hakchi's version 2.20 recently which was equipped with the support to automatically side-load ROMs to the console.
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According to the Hakchi 2.20 release notes, around 75 percent of the ROMs added on the tool work normally. After installing Hakchi 2.20, players should follow the instructions and may soon begin side-loading games that were mostly from released from the '90s.
Upon purchase of the SNES Classic Edition, players will get 21 pre-installed classic titles, including "Star Fox 2." With the Hakchi 2.20 tool, they can now add more to it.
It is important to note that using unauthorized ROMs is still illegal, and normally, Nintendo is very protective of their games and does not tolerate any unofficial use of ROMs.
However, Engadget suggested that Nintendo might have seen this hack coming and even prepared a message for those who would do it. This speculation was supported by a hidden message that Cluster also found when he cracked the SNES Classic system late last month.
The alleged Nintendo message read: "Enjoy this Mini. Disconnect from the present and go back to the nineties."
Though Nintendo has yet to confirm the legitimacy of the hidden message, it can be recalled that this was the same case when hackers cracked the mini Famicom earlier this year.
Earlier this year, coders found a tucked away Nintendo message that said: "This is Hanafuda captain speaking. Launching emulation in 3..2..1. Many efforts, tears and countless hours have been put into this jewel. So, please keep this place tidied up and don't break anything!"
Nintendo and authorized retailers are yet to announce when more SNES Classic Edition units will become available. Meanwhile, Hakchi 2.21 has also recently been spotted.
