Hyperkin re-releases its SNES with two new colors this fall

Hyperkin is releasing two new cosmetic variants of its portable Super Nintendo handheld, the SupaBoy. The new models, dubbed Crimson and Prime, are scheduled to launch in Fall 2026.

I think this device is 15 years old? The original SupaBoy hit the market in late 2011. It offered a bulky but functional way to play 16-bit games on the bus. Since then, Hyperkin has kept the hardware alive through periodic updates, like the SupaBoy S in 2016 and the SFC edition in 2018. This latest announcement is strictly a cosmetic refresh. The internal hardware remains the same system-on-a-chip design that reads original physical media directly.

Hyperkin has built its entire business model around this kind of hardware. The Los Angeles-based manufacturer is known for clone consoles like the Retron 5, which plays multiple cartridge formats, and modern recreations of classic peripherals like the massive original Xbox "Duke" controller. The SupaBoy is their longest-running product line.

Physical cartridges only

Unlike modern retro handhelds that rely on software emulation and a micro SD card full of ROMs, the SupaBoy requires actual cartridges. It has a top-loading slot that accepts both North American SNES and Japanese Super Famicom games. You snap a copy of Super Mario World or Chrono Trigger into the top, and the pins read the ROM exactly as a home console would.

The unit includes a built-in 4.3-inch display with toggles for 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios. It also has two front-facing controller ports. You can plug in original SNES gamepads, run a cable to a television, and use the handheld as a makeshift home console. The setup is a bit unwieldy with a heavy cartridge sticking out of the top, but it gets the job done.

Retiring the beach look

According to Hyperkin's announcement, the Crimson model sports a red and white shell, while the Prime leans into a vintage SNES aesthetic. These replace the synthwave-inspired "Hyper Beach" colorway that the company officially retired in May to make room for new designs.

The demand for physical media playback hasn't vanished. The Super Nintendo sold over 49 million units worldwide. This left millions of loose cartridges floating around retro game stores and eBay listings. Hardware like this gives those old carts a place to go without requiring a CRT television or an expensive upscaler.

Booth 6 in Austin

The public gets its first look at the new hardware this week. Hyperkin is bringing both the Crimson and Prime models to Classic Game Fest, which runs from July 24 to July 26 at the Palmer Events Center in Austin, Texas. Attendees can find the new units at Booth 6.

Classic Game Fest is one of the larger retro gaming conventions in North America, usually drawing around 15,000 attendees and over 200 vendors. It makes sense as a venue to show off a hardware refresh aimed directly at people who still buy physical 16-bit games. Hyperkin hasn't confirmed the exact retail price for the Crimson and Prime models, but previous SupaBoy iterations typically sold for around $120.