Developers of the NFT platform Ninjalerts have embedded a Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) emulator into the Bitcoin blockchain using the Ordinals protocol.
According to the announcement, this initiative is part of the dynamic non-fungible token project Pizza Ninjas, inspired by a “90s nostalgia theme.”
The team was also motivated by research indicating that 87% of video games released in the US before 2010 are at risk of disappearing.
“Our decision to include the SNES emulator in Ordinals stems from deep concern over this issue. By leveraging the immutable and permanent nature of blockchain, we aim to provide a reliable preservation method, ensuring these games have the highest chances of survival,” the developers emphasized.
The implementation of the 16-bit console emulator was made possible by features of the protocol such as recursion and modularity. The team utilized custom JavaScript code to eliminate unnecessary functions and ensure seamless integration with the Ordinals environment.
The blockchain-based SNES functions as a browser application compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile operating systems. The emulator requires no installation, supports two players, and allows the use of modern gamepads.
For future development, the team is considering:
- implementing remote multiplayer gameplay;
- expanding audio and video settings;
- introducing features to save the current state on local devices and the blockchain at any time.
The Ninjalerts team has made the emulator’s source code and documentation available on the Bitcoin network, allowing other projects to use it as a foundation for their own solutions.
In July 2023, indie game developer known as Ratoshi introduced an online music generator based on Ordinals.