A Brazilian designer has created a pair of custom Nike sneakers containing a fully functional Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) emulator, marking the 35th anniversary of the console’s launch in Japan. The modified Air Max 90 shoes, called AIR SNES, mimic the colours of the original system and include built-in electronics that can connect directly to a TV.
Gustavo Bonzanini developed the footwear to house a Raspberry Pi Zero W running RetroPie software capable of playing SNES titles. The system also features an analog signal converter for RCA output, allowing the sneaker to connect to older displays without using the Pi’s mini HDMI port. The electronic components, including a battery offering around 30 minutes of play time, are stored inside the tongue rather than the sole.
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For input, Bonzanini chose to pair the console with an original SNES controller modified using an 8BitDo Mod Kit, enabling Bluetooth connectivity. The arrangement creates a wireless gaming setup, although standard Bluetooth SNES controllers can also be used. According to the designer, the project was intended to pay tribute to the legacy of Nintendo’s 16-bit era.
The designer referenced the anniversary directly, stating that the sneakers were made to celebrate the historic 1990 Japanese launch of the system, noting that the console was marketed domestically under the Super Famicom brand. He also acknowledged that the colour palette chosen for the sneakers reflects the Western SNES design rather than Japan’s alternative styling.
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Despite growing online attention, there are no plans for public release or mass production. Bonzanini has described the project as a personal tribute rather than a commercial prototype, saying the AIR SNES concept was built “to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the console’s launch in Japan.”
Source: The Verge