Back in November, I went off on Nintendo about the way they handled the launch of the NES Classic Edition console. If you remember, that was a plug and play HDMI console that included 30 of Nintendo’s greatest games, both first and third party, and was supposed to retail for $60.
Supposed, I say, because the darn thing was near impossible to find. Everywhere I went, I couldn’t find it at all. Best Buy, Target, Toys R Us, none of them had it in stock. In fact, the closest thing I could find NES Mini related was a third party carrying case that was on sale at Target.
I knew I wasn’t going to get one for myself, for as I said in my November column, I would stick to just emulating the games on my laptop, as well as other games that the console didn’t include. In the comments section of that article, someone also recommended making a RetroPie console using Raspberry Pi 3 hardware, which is also an option I have considered.
But I admit, I’m not a game collector. I just want to play them, so the laptop will be just fine for me. I even heard of those who modded their NES Classics to play more than the 30 included games. But still, they were impossible to find.
I figured that after the holidays the demand would have reached its peak, and in the end, Nintendo would be able to get more units in stock, at least until the Switch was released. It would have been a chance to get one, and also hope that Nintendo would have both the NES Classic and Switch in stock. Even the decreasing reseller prices on eBay started to show a sign of promise.
Or so I thought.
Despite being heavily in demand by those who just want to have a miniature version of an NES for collection purposes, and don’t want to invest in a Nintendo Switch just yet, Nintendo did a move that might have made them an early favorite for my Dumbass of the Year award: they stopped production of the NES Classic Edition, with this announcement.
Throughout April, [Nintendo of America] territories will receive the last shipments of Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition systems for this year. We encourage anyone interested in obtaining this system to check with retail outlets regarding availability. We understand that it has been difficult for many consumers to find a system, and for that, we apologize. We have paid close attention to consumer feedback, and we greatly appreciate the incredible level of consumer interest and support for this product.
Yeah, you truly understand, don’t you? I just wonder what Iwata-san is thinking over there in the afterlife?
Oh wait…this is what we’ve ALWAYS heard from Nintendo when it comes to them intentionally limiting stock. I just don’t get it. Nintendo claims that the NES Classic is supposed to be a limited time system, but look at how well it has sold, and I’m not even getting to the resellers. Oh no, that time is coming. But it’s literally printing money for Nintendo, and now they want to discontinue it so abruptly? What are they going to do now? Get more Switches out to the market? Yeah, that’s worked well. I can’t find those either. Maybe try to sell all these games again on a Switch Virtual Console since it can’t be carried over from the Wii, Wii U, or 3DS? At least Sony is smart enough to allow cross platform purchases for PS3, PS4 and Vita, as is Microsoft when it comes to Xbox Play Anywhere. Get with the times, Nintendo!
But we know this is not going to be the first time they will do this. We already know how the AtGames Atari Flashback consoles are, coming out every year and selling well. They already announced an Intellivision Flashback 2, as well as a new mini Sega Genesis Model 1 console. So what is Nintendo going to do? Either release an NES Classic Mini 2 or even an SNES Classic Mini. And just like last fall, watch them greatly limit stock so they too will be needlessly impossible to find.
And that’s what brings me back to those evil, greedy resellers. Looks like you all win in the end, and you can thank Nintendo for that. Since Nintendo made their announcement, resellers are back in full force, with NES Classics averaging for about $300 on eBay. It’s obvious that Nintendo is once again catering to these resellers.
But then again, I wonder just what Nintendo thinks about listings like one I found on eBay for a hacked NES Classic with lots of extra games. That’s right. It’s a HACKED NES Classic with 800 games installed, 100 of which are actually SNES games. Would they even support something like this, especially when you consider this is COUNTERFEITING, which is illegal? I recommend that if you see any resellers posting anything like this to report it as counterfeit goods. And don’t even bother buying an overpriced legit Classic, as that just encourages the resellers in the first place.
While I’m at it, the way Nintendo has been lately, I doubt I’ll even get a Switch in the near future. I’ll have the Xbox Scorpio way before that happens!
Currently Playing: Fallout 4 Mods (Xbox One)
Waiting For: Prey (Xbox One)