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Head-to-head · ROM Hacking Tools

NUPS vs Lazy Shell

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score NUPS #2 in ROM Hacking Tools 7.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Nintenlord
Lazy Shell #5 in ROM Hacking Tools 7.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Lazy Shell

NUPS leads on 0 checks, Lazy Shell on 2, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreNUPS · 7.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresLazy Shell · 3 of 3

NUPS scores higher on our rubric for rom hacking tools: 7.3 against 7.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

Lazy Shell offers tile/sprite editing; NUPS doesn't. Lazy Shell offers hex editor; NUPS doesn't. On game scope, NUPS gives you Multiple games where Lazy Shell offers Specific game.

NUPS is the better fit for applying or creating UPS patches. Lazy Shell is the better fit for editing Super Mario RPG ROM content.

  • NUPS fits best

    Applying or creating UPS patches

  • Lazy Shell fits best

    Editing Super Mario RPG ROM content

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature NUPS 7.3/10 Visit ↗ Lazy Shell 7.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.3 7.0
Ranking #2 in ROM Hacking Tools #5 in ROM Hacking Tools
Best for Applying or creating UPS patches Editing Super Mario RPG ROM content
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows Windows
Built for Solo Solo, Small business
Features NUPS 1/3 · Lazy Shell 3/3
ROM editing ✓ ✓
Tile/sprite editing — ✓ (best)
Hex editor — ✓ (best)
Specs
Patch formats UPS Not checked yet
Supported platforms Windows Windows
Game scope Multiple games Specific game
Our review
Pros
  • Applies UPS patches to selected files
  • Creates patches by comparing original and modified files
  • Displays details about a UPS patch
  • Edits maps, NPCs, exits, event fields, and map layers.
  • Combines sprite, palette, script, audio, and hex editors.
  • Previews levels and scripts through SNES9X or ZSNES.
Cons
  • Works with UPS patches rather than multiple patch formats
  • Does not provide tile or sprite editing
  • Does not include a hex editor
  • Focused on the US version of Super Mario RPG, not multiple games.
  • Requires Windows and Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 or higher.
  • Previewing depends on SNES9X or ZSNES.
Our verdict

NUPS is a free desktop utility for creating and applying UPS binary patches, including patches for game ROM files. It is aimed at people who need to apply a UPS patch to a file or produce one from an original and a modified file. The tool…

Read the review →

Lazy Shell is a free Windows desktop editor for modifying elements in the US version of the Super Mario RPG ROM. Its audience is hackers working on that game who want a single application for maps, graphics, scripts, audio, and other ROM…

Read the review →
  1. NUPSROM Hacking Tools 7.3Free plan
  2. Lazy ShellROM Hacking Tools 7.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • NUPS — where it wins

    • Applies UPS patches to selected files
    • Creates patches by comparing original and modified files
    • Displays details about a UPS patch

    Where it doesn't

    • Works with UPS patches rather than multiple patch formats
    • Does not provide tile or sprite editing
    • Does not include a hex editor

  • Lazy Shell — where it wins

    • Edits maps, NPCs, exits, event fields, and map layers.
    • Combines sprite, palette, script, audio, and hex editors.
    • Previews levels and scripts through SNES9X or ZSNES.

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on the US version of Super Mario RPG, not multiple games.
    • Requires Windows and Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 or higher.
    • Previewing depends on SNES9X or ZSNES.

More comparisons

All ROM hacking tools comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update