Auto-patching with ZSNES or SNES9X

All you need to do is make sure the game and its English patch have the same file name (don't change their file extensions). They both must be unzipped and in the same folder. And that's it. :) ZSNES and SNES9X will automatically patch them together when you load up the ROM. Here's an example:

And here are some step by step directions to make things more clear:
1) Unzip the ROM from its zip file. The ROM file has either an SMC or FIG file extension.
2) Unzip the contents of the English patch's zip file. The English patch is the file with the IPS file extension.
3) Rename the English patch to match the name of the ROM. (As displayed in the above image with the big blue arrow)
3) That's it, you're done. :) Load up the game and it'll be English.

• If there's more than one patch: Read the ReadMe file contained within the English patch's zip file to learn of the purpose of each patch. But if you download the patch from my site, then look under the patch's download link for a note, it'll tell you the exact patch you need to use.

• Mac users: The Mac version of Snes9X has this auto-patching feature as well. But you can't have the patch in the same directory as the ROM, you need to move the patch over to the "IPS" folder.

About Manual Patching

With manual patching the patch is permanently applied onto the ROM. Only SNES emulators have auto-patching so manual patching is required for everything else (Genesis, NES, etc.). Since manual patching is permanent it's best to keep a backup of your ROM just in case. The patching utility most people prefer is IPSWin. Click the following link to download it:

IPSWin patching utility (245 KB)

• One benefit with manual patching is that it allows you to put the ROM back in a zip file. This'll save space on your computer, versus SNES auto-patching which requires you to keep the ROM out of a zip file in order to work.

• You have to use manual patching in cases where two patches need to be applied to a ROM. Of the games covered in my site, manual patching must be used to apply the English patch + the bug fix to "Front Mission", and the English patch + English dubbing patch to "Tales of Phantasia".

How to patch with IPSWin

Step #1: Under "File To Patch" click on the button. The "Open" dialogue box will pop up.

Step #2: Look for the ROM you want to patch. Click on it then click on "Open". The ROM name will now show up in the white box under "File To Patch".

Step #3: Under "IPS Patch To Use" click on the button. The "Open" dialogue box will pop up.

Step #4: Look for the patch you want to patch. Click on it then click on "Open". The patch name will now show up in the white box under "IPS Patch To Use".

Step #5: Now you can click on the button. Another screen will pop up showing some action. Then a small window will pop up with "File patched successfully". That's it! It's patched and ready to play. ^_^

How to patch on a Mac

As I stated previously in auto-patching, the Mac version of Snes9X has an auto-patching feature as well. The only difference is that you need to move the patch over to the "IPS" folder. And then to do manual patching you need to use UIPS. It's for Mac OS X, and you can download it below:

UIPS patching utility (45.1 KB)