Before we start, it’s worth explaining what OTG is and what it does. USB OTG, or USB on-the-go, is a feature that allows your device to read data from USB devices, essentially becoming a “USB. Amazon.com: usb to snes adapter. Mcbazel 2 Player SNES Controller to Steam Android PC MAC OS OTG USB Dual Port Adapter Converter. Get it as soon as Tue, Jun 18. EMiO Edge Gamepad for SNES Mini - Super NES. Sep 27, 2017 by Emio. 3.2 out of 5 stars 21. Nintendo Super NES.
I have been in the market for an OTG cable, otherwise known as a host cable for some time and I have found that the only places that seem to sell them are online only. This is not a problem half the time. I tend to do a fair amount of online shopping but for this product I was left looking for an alternative. Some sellers sold them cheap while the wait time could be as high as 30 days and others sold them for a lot more than what they are worth while the wait time was 2 days. I was looking for a middle ground. When I say a lot more I really mean you are paying more for the product than what it's worth. For those of you who don't know what a USB OTG (on the go) host cable is, it is a simple modified USB cord that has a female (most of the time) USB port on one end and a micro male USB on the other end. The types of connections on each end can differ. This cord acts as a USB port for your phone or tablet and it enables you to use external devices such as a keyboard or mouse via the female USB connector on your phone. This cord is a must have for those who want the most out of their smart phone or tablet. It works by connecting an unused pin in the micro end, to ground. Like I said it is a simple modification. Some phones and tablets do not support this function so it is wise to search the web to find if your device is compatible with this function. I explained a little as to why I was looking for an alternative to buying one online and let me go a little more in depth as to why I chose the DIY route. The top two reasons are, it would be cheaper and I wouldn't have to wait for it, You can make one for under 2 dollars with stuff you more than likely have lying around your house!
With my cable I can now use a keyboard, an xbox 360 controller and flash drives on my galaxy note 2 without any rooting. I can also use mice and other USB hardware.
The market for retro consoles is becoming a little crowded. Between the Minis and the Flashbacks and the Classics, retro gaming consoles have never been more popular as adults and children alike are looking to experience older games.
The only problem is, with so many consoles to choose from, which one should you be buying? Thanks to a tool called Hakchi2 CE, you only need one—the SNES Classic Mini, a faithful recreation of the Super Nintendo console from the early 1990s. Let’s talk you through how you can play N64, NES, PS1 games and more on this retro console.
Installing Hakchi2 CE and Preparing Your SNES Mini
To begin with, you’ll need to install the Hakchi2 CE tool on your PC, which you can download from the Hakchi2 GitHub repository.
Hakchi2 CE is Windows only, so you’ll need to create a Windows virtual machineHow to Set Up a Windows Virtual Machine in LinuxHow to Set Up a Windows Virtual Machine in LinuxMany home users prefer to run a dual-boot setup when both Windows and Linux are needed, but if you'd rather run Windows inside Linux, here's how to set that up.Read More on Linux if you’re using that OS. Once it’s downloaded and installed, open up Hakchi and go to Kernel > Install/Repair.
You’ll be asked if you want to flash the custom kernel, so select Yes. You might be asked for admin privileges, so accept this. A Windows command line installing drivers for interfacing with your SNES Mini will pop up. Once this is done, you’ll see the “Waiting for your NES/SNES Mini” window. You then need to do the following:
- Switch your SNES Mini POWER button to the off position.
- Connect your SNES Mini to your PC using the micro-USB cable.
- Hold RESET, and then switch your SNES Mini POWER button to the on position.
- Wait a few seconds, then release the RESET button.
The modified kernel will take a few minutes to install, and your SNES Mini will reboot in the process.
If you have any problems, wait for your SNES Mini to reboot and repeat the process. Once it’s installed successfully, click OK.
Installing RetroArch and Console Modules
Emulating other console games requires you to install RetroArch on your SNES Mini, one of the best-known emulation libraries for Linux. This’ll allow you to play console games from other eras, including other Nintendo consoles and the PS1.
Go to Modules > Mod Store and then the Retroarch tab. Select the latest version of RetroArch ‘Neo’ (likely to be the top entry) and click Download and Install Module.
The module library will be installed and your SNES Mini will reboot. Once it’s installed, go to the Retroarch Cores tab. The “cores” are needed to emulate each console. For the N64, NES and PS1, you’ll need:
- GLupeN64 for the N64
- NESTopia or FCEumm for NES
- PCSX ReARMed Neon for PS1
You can follow the same process for any of the other console cores provided by the tool, but you’ll need to research which core works best for any game ROMs you wish to play. Install each by selecting the core, and clicking Download and Install Module. The cores will install and your SNES Mini will reboot.
You should be aware that game files for the PS1 are quite large compared to other consoles. You’ll need to think about modding your SNES Mini for extra storage with a microSD card or get yourself a USB OTG adapter with ports for power and for storage to plug into the SNES Mini’s micro-USB port. This’ll allow you to use USB memory storage instead.
If you’ve got additional storage in place, go to the Additional Functionality tab and install the Hakchi Memory Boost module. This will create a Linux swap fileWhat Is a Linux SWAP Partition, And What Does It Do? What Is a Linux SWAP Partition, And What Does It Do? Most Linux installations recommend that you include a SWAP partition. This may seem odd to Windows users – what is this partition for?Read More on your SD card which will improve performance on some high-end N64 or PS1 games.
Installing Other Console Games
With RetroArch and the relevant console modules installed, you can then begin to add games from other consoles to your SNES mini. Because of copyright concerns, we’re not able to provide you with any information on how to find ROM files yourself.
Assuming you’ve got some ROMs ready to install, close the Mod Store and click Add More Games at the bottom of the Hakchi2 CE window. Select your ROM files and click Open to prepare them for installation onto your SNES Mini. Once you’ve done that, select the games under New Apps, right click and hit Download box art for selected games.
When you’re ready, press Synchronize selected games with NES/SNES Mini and your new games will be uploaded to your SNES mini’s internal storage. If you want to add them to a USB storage device, click Export games instead, select your USB storage device. Once you plug this into your SNES Mini, the games will be detected automatically.
Mapping Console Keys
With the games you want now installed, you’ll need to make sure the right keys for these console games are mapped to the right keys on your chosen controller. For the N64 and PS1, it’s recommended you buy and use a Wii Classic Controller Pro to give you the best gaming experience.
To do that, unplug your SNES Mini and set it up where you want to play it. Power it up, and select one of your new games from the scrolling list to start RetroArch. Once it loads, hit Select + Start on your controller, then go to Menu > Controls. You can then select your controller type and, if necessary, map individual keys to their emulated equivalents.
Once you’ve done this, just hit the back button (the yellow B key on the standard SNES Mini controller) until you return to the game and can start playing.
SNES Classic Mini: More Than Just a SNES
Thanks to Hakchi, the SNES becomes more than just a SNES. It becomes the only retro gaming console you’ll need, and thanks to its faithfully retro design, it won’t look out of place next to your TV.
If you’ve got the desire to collect other consoles, you could buy another from our list of the best retro gaming consolesThe 7 Best Retro Gaming Consoles You Can Buy This YearThe 7 Best Retro Gaming Consoles You Can Buy This YearLooking for a retro gaming system to enjoy 8-bit and 16-bit video games? These retro gaming consoles have everything you need.Read More instead. If you’re considering buying the NES Classic, don’t discount Hakchi—it’s designed to work with that retro console, too.
Explore more about: Nintendo, PlayStation, Retro Gaming.