YY-CHR review
A focused Windows dot editor for viewing and editing graphics in retro-game ROMs.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
YY-CHR is a Windows desktop dot editor for viewing and editing graphics contained in retro-game ROMs. Its audience is people working on graphics across multiple older console and computer formats, rather than users looking for a full ROM editor. Graphics can be arranged in 8×8-pixel units, and the supported tile formats span systems including NES, Game Boy, SNES, PCE, GBA, MSX, SMS/GG/WSC, and NGP variants. It is a focused choice for solo graphics editing, with a free plan.
The palette tools are a notable part of the workflow. A palette editor colorizes graphics for display and can load palettes from emulator state files; palette changes affect the display, not the graphics themselves. YY-CHR also saves named addresses and image formats in a jump list, which can help keep frequently referenced locations and images accessible. The download page lists Japanese and English versions of YY-CHR.net and mentions the accompanying ROM Palette Editor and PRG Pattern Editor utilities. These features suit users who need to inspect and adjust tile graphics and palettes, but they do not make it a general-purpose ROM editing suite.
Scope and maintenance are worth weighing before choosing it. YY-CHR's description covers displaying and editing ROM graphics, but does not document patch creation or application, so users needing those tasks should look for a tool whose stated scope includes patch workflows or broader ROM editing. The latest listed build is dated 2021-06-06, although the site still provides a download. That makes YY-CHR most appropriate for a narrow graphics-editing job where its tile formats fit the project; it is a less suitable choice for users seeking broad editing capabilities or a more recently listed build.
YY-CHR pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports tile formats for NES, Game Boy, SNES, PCE, GBA, and more
- Palette editor can load palettes from emulator state files
- Includes ROM Palette Editor and PRG Pattern Editor utilities
- Where it doesn't
- Focused on ROM graphics rather than full ROM editing
- Palette display changes do not alter the graphics themselves
- The latest listed build is dated 2021-06-06
YY-CHR fact sheet, pricing and score →
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