Yes—but not because an original Super Nintendo is hidden inside the shoe. AIR SNES is a one-off custom Nike Air Max 90 by Singapore-based designer Gustavo Bonzanini, with a Raspberry Pi Zero W running RetroPie tucked into the tongue to emulate SNES games on an external display. It was made as an art project, not as a sneaker for sale.
What is AIR SNES?
AIR SNES is a custom Air Max 90 styled after Nintendo’s Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Engadget reports that Bonzanini made the project to mark 35 years since the console’s Japanese launch. The Super Famicom debuted in Japan in 1990; TechSpot reported lifetime worldwide sales of 49.1 million units in 2025, placing it at number 16 in that publication’s best-selling console ranking.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Super NES Classic System With 21 Games | $161.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Why Nintendo is Brilliant: NES Classic Edition SNES Classic Edition Plus Review Guide | $3.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
SNES A-Z: A guide to the Nintendo SNES and A-Z of Games | $2.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Bonzanini described the idea this way in a press release quoted by Engadget: “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?”
How do the SNES Nike sneakers work?
The shoe does not contain original Nintendo console hardware or take SNES cartridges. Instead, a Raspberry Pi Zero W computer and battery sit inside the tongue. The Pi runs RetroPie, software configured for the project to emulate SNES games. GadgetMatch cites Super Mario World as an example; reporting does not establish that every SNES game was tested on this particular build.
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- From your first ride on Yoshi to the final heart-pounding escape from Planet Zebes, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System is pure 16-bit retro gaming perfection.
- Now a new, miniaturized version is here, pre-loaded with 21 of the all-time greatest games, like Super Mario Kart and the first-ever release of Star Fox 2! Just plug it in and play.
- Live out the golden age of 16-bit gaming like never before. Choose games from the menu, create save points, and more.
- The system comes bundled with an HDMI cable, an USB charging cable, two Super NES Classic Controllers, and 21 games, pre-installed and ready-to-play.
- “T” for Teen w/Mild Blood, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Connect it to a display
Reported video output is through the Pi’s Mini HDMI connection. For a television with RCA inputs, the build uses a small converter. The display is separate from the shoe: it provides the screen while the sneaker houses the emulation hardware.
Use a controller
Reporting says the build supports an original SNES gamepad. A modified gamepad fitted with an 8BitDo Mod Kit can connect over Bluetooth. The wireless modification is an option, not a requirement for every controller setup.
Expect a short play session
The reported battery capacity allows up to about 30 minutes of play. That is an approximate reported runtime, not an independently measured guarantee.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you buy the AIR SNES shoes?
No. AIR SNES is a one-time custom creation and the reports say it will not be sold. It is not an official Nike product listing or a production Air Max 90 model, so a standard Air Max 90 purchase would not include the Raspberry Pi, RetroPie setup, battery, or game connections.
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