In an extraordinary fusion of sneaker culture and retro gaming nostalgia, a Singapore-based designer has achieved what many would consider impossible: creating a fully functional Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) inside a pair of Nike Air Max 90 sneakers.
The Ultimate 90s Mashup: Sneakers Meet Gaming
Gustavo Bonzanini, the creative mind behind this innovative project, developed the custom sneaker console to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the SNES launch in Japan. The specially designed pair features the iconic gray and purple colour scheme that made the original Super Nintendo instantly recognizable to gamers worldwide.
What sets this creation apart is that it's not merely a decorative item - it's a completely playable gaming console that can run classic SNES titles. The designer successfully integrated all the necessary electronics while maintaining the sneaker's original aesthetic appeal.
Technical Innovation Behind the Sneaker Console
The biggest challenge Bonzanini faced was figuring out how to fit traditional SNES hardware into the limited space of a sneaker. He quickly realized that using actual game cartridges was impractical given the spatial constraints.
His ingenious solution involved taking the emulation route by using a Raspberry Pi Zero W running the RetroPie emulator, which fits perfectly inside the shoe's tongue. The compact single-board computer handles all the gaming processing while maintaining the sneaker's wearable functionality.
The designer told Engadget about his inspiration: "The idea came after looking at collaborations between sneaker brands and video games. I always asked myself: wouldn't it be cool if these shoes that look like a video game actually double as a console?"
Authentic Gaming Experience with Modern Touches
Bonzanini didn't compromise on the gaming experience despite the unconventional housing. He included a battery with enough capacity for 30 minutes of gameplay, allowing for portable gaming sessions. For those preferring the big-screen experience, the designer incorporated video outputs in his design.
He added a small analog converter on the shoe's tongue, enabling the Raspberry Pi Zero W's mini-HDMI output to connect to a TV via RCA cables - staying true to the 90s aesthetic while providing modern functionality. The AIR SNES can work with original SNES gamepads, but Bonzanini modified them with an 8BitDo kit to enable wireless Bluetooth play.
The Super Nintendo Entertainment System, originally introduced in 1990 in Japan and 1991 in North America, represented a significant leap in gaming technology. As the successor to the wildly popular NES, the SNES featured a 16-bit processor that delivered superior graphics, enhanced sound capabilities, and more complex games than its predecessor.
The console launched with instant classics including Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Super Mario Kart - titles that remain beloved by gamers decades later. The SNES secured its place as one of the most iconic consoles in video game history, making it the perfect candidate for this unique tribute.
Unfortunately for collectors and gaming enthusiasts, Bonzanini has confirmed that the sneakers are a one-off creation with no plans for mass production or commercial sales. The project stands as a remarkable demonstration of creative engineering and a heartfelt tribute to gaming nostalgia, perfectly capturing the spirit of innovation that made both the SNES and sneaker culture defining elements of 90s pop culture.
