It’s been a wild ride for Nintendo’s NES and SNES Classic Console releases. For the initial release, customers were whipped into a frenzy as they desperately tried to find NES versions as shipments sold out faster than they could arrive in-stores, but fortunately Nintendo learned from the launch. By the time the SNES release came around, the demand was still high, but there was less frustration and anger—and fewer stock issues.
Between the two Classic minis, more than 10 million units have found homes, leading fans to speculate (and beg) for the release of the N64 or GameCube in classic mini versions. However, Nintendo’s Reggie Fils-Aime gave an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that puts those speculations to rest, along with any questions regarding the future of these retro machines in Nintendo’s catalogue:
“We’ve also been clear that, at least from an Americas perspective, these products are going to be available through the holiday season and once they sell out, they’re gone. And that’s it. The way that consumers will be able to continue participating with our classic content is going to be through Nintendo Switch Online, and we just released three new games (Ninja Gaiden, Wario’s Woods and Adventures of Lolo) from the NES generation onto that platform. We look at that as the main way that consumers will be able to experience that legacy content.”
These classic mini consoles will be “the extent of [Nintendo’s] classic program” and that’s that. These consoles are “limited time opportunities” as Reggie has stated in the past, and this recent interview only confirms it. If you’ve been desiring one of these systems but haven’t pulled the trigger on a purchase yet, now is probably the time to do so.
