A console converter is a video game console hardware device used to bypass regional lockout

Regional lockout

Regional lockout is the programming practice, code, chip, or physical barrier used to prevent the playing of media designed for a device from the country where it is marketed on the version of the same device marketed in another country.-Video games:...

 on a video game console

Video game console

A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device to display a video game...

, allowing imported video games to be played on domestic video game consoles. Unlike mod chips, console converters do not circumvent copy protection. For example, a Super Famicom converter allows Super Famicom games to be played on American Super NES consoles and vice versa. Super Famicom converters come in several styles. One third-party SNES hardware device, GameSaver+, which emulates the save state feature used in console emulation to be done on the SNES console, is also used as a Super Famicom converter.