You mean you've purchased an actual Swap Magic 3.0 disc and wondering about the Swap Magic 3.8 coder disc? It has a built in cheat device, can force a NTSC or PAL video mode although it doesn't work for many games, easier to boot from a USB flash pen drive for homebrews, applications, exploits and whatever else and does all the above you ask. You can even play ROMs off a flash drive and perhaps the EMU too. That I am not sure of, but I've heard of it because people were trying to do an Memory card exploit, and people were talking about it here and there.
There isn't much of a difference between Swap Magic 3.6 and Swap Magic 3.8 coder in my opinion. Unless the game compatibility is that much more improved in the SM 3.6 compared to the SM 3.8 coder, I think both are practically the same except SM 3.8 has the added feature of a built-in cheat device (as long as you don't hack in Valkyrie Profile: Silmeria like someone I warned, you'll have an uncorrupted game save) and the bonus feature of booting from a USB flash (pen) drive. However, I think as many things are in SM 3.8 like forcing a particular video mode in either NTSC or PAL, it doesn't work for many games still, and you can also do what SM 3.8 coder can with SM 3.6 except maybe a few steps longer really.
Edit: What imports are you trying to play? Your definition might be different than mine. The only imports I play are from Japan. I hardly have an interest in PAL game although they aren't bad games, I have trouble displaying the PAL games in general so I avoided them entirely. If it's a simple 'I have a NTSC PS2 and trying to play imports from Japan,' then you'll have no problems really because the video resolutions are practically the same except for a very few select Jap games out there.
You can just get SM 3.6. I mainly play imports so I highly wouldn't know what games are incompatible with SM 3.8 coder but works wonderfully on SM 3.6. Besides, SM 3.6 is slightly cheaper than SM 3.8.
Anyway, both Swap Magic versions work. If you wanted to, you could stick with SM 3.6 for more stability if you've heard of SM 3.8 coder being glitch-filled or something for caution. I'm fully content and have had no problems playing anything with SM 3.8 only if I messed up while making the ISO. As far as which one has better game compatibility, whether it's SM 3.6 or SM 3.8, I can't say for sure. It's up to you really.
Edit: Yes, you can use both Swap Magic version to play SNES station as far as I know. What it then comes down to is you getting to the EMU to work and what DVD media brand you'll be using that you'll be playing SNES station on with.
Could always look up USB flash (pen?) drive. I've heard of people having success playing roms and their EMUs off a flash drive using Swap Magic 3.8 although I don't know enough to really say for sure. Look it up yourself for a better explanation than what I can give you.
There are not too many import games I need, but I will most likely be using back ups. Does it have better backup compatibility? Do you have a link to a game list?
