Custom Game Cases for your Super Nintendo Cartridges!

If you’re like me, you’ve got a stack of loose Super Nintendo cartridges lying around - awesome on their own, but they tend to look messy, collect dust, and don’t always stack neatly with other systems. That’s where universal game casescome in, and they’ve made a massive difference in how my SNES games are stored, displayed, and preserved.

LINK WHERE TO BUY THEM HERE

What Are Universal Game Cases?

These are empty plastic cases designed to house retro game cartridges - SNES, Genesis/Mega Drive, etc. - and protect them. The version I use is the “Universal Case” from Amazon Australia (for the Genesis / Mega-Drive / Nintendo / etc.) which is the same idea: clear (or translucent) plastic with a sleeve around the outside so you can slip in cover artwork. They make the whole collection look uniform, clean, and more like a display than just a box of cartridges.

Why I Love Them

• Protection: Dust, dirt, moisture, exposure are big enemies of old plastic and the metal contacts of cartridges. Putting them in cases makes a difference.

• Organization & Shelf Appeal: Uniform cases mean no weird-shaped cardboard boxes, no leaning cartridges. Everything lines up like a neat row of books or DVDs.

• Custom Artwork: The sleeve means I can slap in a nice front cover so you know at a glance what game it is, even from the spine. Makes the shelf feel more like a curated collection.

• Cost vs Benefit: Even though they cost something, the value per game stored ends up being low, especially once you do a bunch.

How I Get the Artwork — Cheap & Simple

This is where the fun DIY part comes in. I don’t buy the artwork pre-printed. Here’s my method:

1. Find high-quality scans: I use TheCoverProject.net. It’s a community site with scans for a huge number of retro games. You can usually find front covers, back covers, spine images etc.

2. Supplement with Google if needed: Sometimes the exact version I have isn’t in TheCoverProject, so I’ll do a Google image search for “SNES game name cover art scan” or similar, maybe filtering for larger sizes.

3. Arrange and edit: Sometimes I resize or tweak the image so it fits nicely in the case sleeve. I make sure the proportions match the sleeve dimensions so things don’t look stretched.

4. Print: I print my covers at home (or sometimes a local print shop) on nicer paper if I can. Usually regular print-paper is ok, but a slightly heavier paper works better so it holds up.

5. Trim & Insert: Cut to size, insert into the plastic sleeve of the case. The sleeve keeps it flat and protected.

DO NOT SELL THESE CASES WITH ARTWORK!

Because I do all this myself, the artwork costs maybe 50 cents per game (if you already have ink/paper). Roughly $10 Aud for the case. For that small extra effort, the upgrade in look, protection, nostalgia — it’s totally worth it.

Some Things to Watch Out For / Tips

• Measure the sleeve radius or size first, so your artwork doesn’t leave margins that obscure the image or look sloppy.

• Use a paper type that doesn’t warp much with humidity. If your area is humid (like parts of Australia can get), avoid super thin paper or get a heavier weight.

• Keep ink from smudging — let prints dry, maybe even use a light spray fixative.

• Be careful with the plastic sleeves — sharp tools when trimming, gentle handling so you don’t scratch the plastic.

• Over time, UV light can fade colors; consider keeping the shelf out of direct sunlight.

Final Thoughts

These universal cases are a small investment for a big impact. They let me keep the history visible — the art, the plastic, the vibe — while keeping everything neat, protected, and display-worthy. Plus, there’s something satisfying about building out a shelf of uniform cases all with matching assests under clear plastic.