Nintendo is launching a console this year after all, and it’s not the NX.
The company, whose product release schedule appears fairly light this year through to next March’s NX launch, has announced that it will be releasing the NES Classic Edition this Fall on November 11. The console will be a mini version of its groundbreaking (and arguably video games industry saving) classic Nintendo Entertainment System, preloaded with 30 games and outputting via HDMI to modern TVs. It’ll come with a classic-designed controller as well, with additional controllers on sale and the ability to use the Wii’s Classic Controller and Classic Controller Pro.
The retro-influenced console will include games from several companies, not just Nintendo, including Capcom, Konami, Square Enix and Tecmo, with classics like Castlevania, Super Mario Bros 1,2, & 3, and Mega Man 2. The list is a virtual who’s who of the best games for the platform.
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Balloon Fight™
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BUBBLE BOBBLE
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Castlevania™
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Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest™
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Donkey Kong™
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Donkey Kong Jr. ™
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DOUBLE DRAGON II: THE REVENGE
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Dr. Mario™
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Excitebike™
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FINAL FANTASY®
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Galaga™
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GHOSTS’N GOBLINS®
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GRADIUS™
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Ice Climber™
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Kid Icarus™
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Kirby’s Adventure™
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Mario Bros. ™
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MEGA MAN® 2
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Metroid™
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NINJA GAIDEN
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PAC-MAN™
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Punch-Out!! ™ Featuring Mr. Dream
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StarTropics™
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SUPER C™
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Super Mario Bros.™
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Super Mario Bros. ™ 2
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Super Mario Bros. ™ 3
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TECMO BOWL
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The Legend of Zelda™
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Zelda II: The Adventure of Link™
Products like this are hardly new. Atari regularly releases (and re-releases) their Flashback consoles, and companies like Hyperkin have capitalized on the retro craze with their Retron devices. Nostalgia is king with Nintendo, as this would be the first time many of these games are released outside of digital-only formats in decades.
For a company with so much riding on the next generation, it seems to be taking steps to make sure that its bottom line doesn’t suffer over the next several months. Nintendo’s mobile strategy is kicking into high gear. Pokemon GO is a huge success, becoming a cultural phenomena in a matter of days. Miitomo launch a couple of months ago, and Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem are on the way as well. They have the next “proper” games in the Pokemon lineup, Sun and Moon, coming in the Fall, and a few (albeit sporadic) releases for Wii U and 3DS. The company is beginning to push its IP heavily as well, partnering with companies like Vans on clothing.
Devices like this typically don’t sell like regular consoles, relying on a very niche market of fans. However Nintendo has a bit of nostalgia-fueled momentum right now, so the NES Classic could do well. If anything else, it’s a heck of a value — these games typically retail for $5 and up on digital services online, so getting them all, plus a device to play them on, for 40% of the cost, is a good deal.
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