Video Games | Pop Culture | Retro
Still Mad You Couldn't Get An NES Classic Edition? Nintendo Is Bringing It Back
In 2016, Nintendo appealed to every 80s kid's heart and wallet when they announced the release of the NES Classic Edition; a tiny little replica of the original Nintendo Entertainment System, complete with 30 games built into it and full replicas of the original controllers!
It was one of the most anticipated toys for Christmas, and people definitely put their money where their mouth was; the system sold over a million units during the holiday season alone.
However, by all accounts the company handled the demand for the system quite poorly. Online pre-orders for the console were often gone within less than 5 minutes of being posted, and many stores received less than 10 units on launch day, meaning dozens of people were unable to get it for their Christmas tree.
Not only that, but stock of the system remained extremely limited throughout the next four months, after which Nintendo shocked everybody looking for one by announcing that production of the NES Classic was ending entirely. When pressed for this, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime gave the less than satisfying explanation of "We don't have unlimited resources."
Suffice to say, people were bitter about basically not being given the chance to buy something they would have willingly given money for. This only continued with this year's announcement of the SNES Classic Edition, which ran out of pre-order units just as quickly as its predecessor. Scalping of both systems online is also rampant.
Thankfully, it seems like Nintendo is finally starting to to learn the error of their ways, as it's just been announced that the NES Classic Edition will be re-manufactured next year!
The full details about this have us pretty hopeful...
In an announcement on their Twitter accounts, Nintendo of Japan and Nintendo of Europe confirmed the reprinting of the NES Classic Edition, which will be launching in 2018. Nintendo of America later stated to Business Wire;
"Next summer, Nintendo will also bring back the NES Classic Edition system with new shipments. More information about the timing of the return of NES Classic Edition will be announced in the future."
Not only that, but for those who have already been unable to obtain pre-orders of the SNES Classic Edition (set to release on September 29th), they made assurances that plenty more stock will be available through the coming year:
"Due to incredible demand for the upcoming Super NES Classic Edition system, Nintendo plans to ship the retro-inspired product into 2018. Originally, shipments were announced to cease at the end of this calendar year.
In addition, more units of Super NES Classic Edition will ship on its Sept. 29 launch day in the U.S. than were shipped of NES Classic Edition all last year, with subsequent shipments arriving in stores regularly. Fans have shown their unbridled enthusiasm for these Classic Edition systems, so Nintendo is working to put many more of them on store shelves."
Hopefully everybody who wants one of these systems will be able to get one without having to jump through a ton of hoops or pay outrageous prices to scalpers online. Time will tell.