NES Classic Edition Discontinued

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**Ahtman**

As a continued exercise in screwing over their fan base and making scalpers happy Nintendo has taken the next step of taking a system that almost no one ever actually saw in stores or (available) online, thanks to re-sellers, and has made it even more expensive and difficult to obtain.

Even before the announcement you could get a $60 dollar system for the low low price of $170. What a ride this has been. Between this and the abyssal game schedule at launch for the Switch it feels like that without Iwata at the helm the company is utterly rudderless and has no idea how to do things.

**Turnip Jedi**

In the words of a fellow Shizz-Klaxon of ample proportions, "oh Nintendo"

**doktor_g**

Right? I so wanted one of those things. Oh well. Why does Nintendo languish? Pokemon Go! phenom un-monetized. NES Classic Under-produced.

**KingCracker**

Yea I FINALLY saw one in person a few days ago and took a picture of it to text to my son. I then immediately read they discontinued these when I got home and was pissed I didnt buy it. You know those are now going to spike in price.

**Ahtman**

Well the price spiked when it launched in such tiny numbers that it make Shadow War: Armageddon seem overstocked so I imagine it will just get worse.

**Popsghostly**

Why would a company discontinue a top seller? It just doesn't make sense.

**KingCracker**

Erm.....well.....its supposed to be a limited run thing? Thats what I keep telling myself anyways. Makes the fact I didnt preorder one or buy that one I saw the other day seem less painful lol. MAYBE a Christmas re-release? Ey? Possiblymaybe?!? PuttingthatoutintotheUniversewithHIGHhopes?!?!?!?!???

**dogma**

Ahtman wrote:

Even before the announcement you could get a $60 dollar system for the low low price of $170. What a ride this has been. Between this and the abyssal game schedule at launch for the Switch it feels like that without Iwata at the helm the company is utterly rudderless and has no idea how to do things.

Iwata was at the helm when Nintendo announced it's absurd Youtube policy, and back in the 80's it lobbied to ban video game rentals in Japan and tried really hard to ban them in the US as well. Also, this happened.

After the Famicom Nintendo has always been a company that is simultaneously dickish and ignorant.

**KingCracker**

Yeah Iwata was at the helm for a bunch of NintendoWTF's. The WiiU anyone? No? So Im only 1 of 12 people that knew about it an bought it? Ahh ok then

**dogma**

KingCracker wrote:
Yeah Iwata was at the helm for a bunch of NintendoWTF's. The WiiU anyone? No? So Im only 1 of 12 people that knew about it an bought it? Ahh ok then

In Iwata's defense Nintendo's video game corporate culture was pretty much defined by Gunpei Yokoi and the success of the Gameboy. The idea of using withered technology is why so many Nintendo systems are grossly under powered.

**KingCracker**

You misunderstand me. Im not talking about the system being under powered compared to the other systems, I actually dont look at that at all, I get plenty of enjoyment from my SNES still so clearly Im a game guy first and system hardware many spots later.

I was talking about how badly they dropped the ball on showing the WiiU off. I actually STILL knew people that thought it was an add on for the Wii.

**dogma**

KingCracker wrote:
You misunderstand me. Im not talking about the system being under powered compared to the other systems, I actually dont look at that at all, I get plenty of enjoyment from my SNES still so clearly Im a game guy first and system hardware many spots later.

Don't get me wrong. I love my SNES, NES, 64, PS1, PS2, and Genesis; all great systems with lots of great games. But a lot of that is nostalgia driven. The Mario games on the SNES and NES hold up because they're good, and because of the relatively recent love of pixel art and retro gaming; the latter also being driven by nostalgia.

KingCracker wrote:

I was talking about how badly they dropped the ball on showing the WiiU off. I actually STILL knew people that thought it was an add on for the Wii.

There also wasn't much 3rd party support on launch, and there is an awful lot of Nintendo on this list.

Slight tangent: Why would you develop for a console when you can't easily convert your project to multiple platforms?

**Melissia**

Popsghostly wrote:
Why would a company discontinue a top seller? It just doesn't make sense.

Because toymaker logic. "If it sells out that looks good to my stockholders and it's a hot item and it's desirable. Therefor I can never produce enough of it, even if that means I make very little money off of it."

**KingCracker**

dogma wrote:
KingCracker wrote:
You misunderstand me. Im not talking about the system being under powered compared to the other systems, I actually dont look at that at all, I get plenty of enjoyment from my SNES still so clearly Im a game guy first and system hardware many spots later.

Don't get me wrong. I love my SNES, NES, 64, PS1, PS2, and Genesis; all great systems with lots of great games. But a lot of that is nostalgia driven. The Mario games on the SNES and NES hold up because they're good, and because of the relatively recent love of pixel art and retro gaming; the latter also being driven by nostalgia.

KingCracker wrote:

I was talking about how badly they dropped the ball on showing the WiiU off. I actually STILL knew people that thought it was an add on for the Wii.

There also wasn't much 3rd party support on launch, and there is an awful lot of Nintendo on this list.

Slight tangent: Why would you develop for a console when you can't easily convert your project to multiple platforms?

Nostalgia driven? I legit dont care about power at all, I go for good games (story, gameplay and such) I literally jave a Retron5 hooked up to the Livingroom tv so I can play all kinds of retro games at a moments notice, and I do just that. Hell last month I decided to play and beat the original DragonQuest 1 and 2 just because I hadnt before. Im talking NES here.

So there are those of us out here that bought a WiiU because its where Ill get my current Nintendo games with very little regard to its hardware power. And even saying that, have you seen Mariokart8 on that system? Good gravy that is a gorgeous game period. Even stacked against ps3/360 games. Anywho.....I feel like we are getting a bit off subject here lol

**Ahtman**

I didn't mean to imply that Iwata was perfect or only ever made good decisions. He certainly had problems but they were different problems.

**jreilly89**

This would almost be hilarious if I wasn't dying inside. I wanted one for so long, SO LONG. Glad to know I'll never have one unless I shell out about 4x the price.

**dogma**

Melissia wrote:

Because toymaker logic. "If it sells out that looks good to my stockholders and it's a hot item and it's desirable. Therefor I can never produce enough of it, even if that means I make very little money off of it."

The other problem is that setting a 60 USD price point for an emulator box was unwise. Had it been released at 40 USD with 2 controllers it would be a good long-term product because, with 30 games, you're beating out Hyperkin.

**jreilly89**

dogma wrote:
Melissia wrote:

Because toymaker logic. "If it sells out that looks good to my stockholders and it's a hot item and it's desirable. Therefor I can never produce enough of it, even if that means I make very little money off of it."

The other problem is that setting a 60 USD price point for an emulator box was unwise. Had it been released at 40 USD with 2 controllers it would be a good long-term product because, with 30 games, you're beating out Hyperkin.

I doubt that's a problem, as it's literally been selling out in minutes.

**dogma**

jreilly89 wrote:

I doubt that's a problem, as it's literally been selling out in minutes.

As mentioned up-thread that's largely been driven by re-sellers. You can get an emulator box that works with NES carts, and NES peripherals, for way less than 60 USD.

**Wyrmalla**

jreilly89 wrote:

I doubt that's a problem, as it's literally been selling out in minutes.

Its not that difficult to sell out if the shop only has one of the console in stock...

Nintendo creates artificial scarcity, then uses that to say that there's a high demand for their product. Jim Sterling commented that the booth across from Nintendo's at a recent con was selling those consoles for ten times the market price. It seems Nintendo judges success based on this demand. Presumably they're making enough money elsewhere that these short releases don't effect them in the long run, and this is all part of some greater plan.

**jreilly89**

dogma wrote:
jreilly89 wrote:

I doubt that's a problem, as it's literally been selling out in minutes.

As mentioned up-thread that's largely been driven by re-sellers. You can get an emulator box that works with NES carts, and NES peripherals, for way less than 60 USD.

I'd argue that's debatable. I think a good chunk of it is re-sellers, but not all. I know a lot of people who wanted to buy an NES Classic but never got to. Also, I think this market is not targeted at people who emulate (as you don't even need an emulator box, you can download emulators for free, stream them to your tv, and play with a 360 controller for next to nothing). This was targeted at people who wanted an official easy Plug N Play console to relive their childhood/share it with their children. That's why it even has save states, for all the NES games that may be too hard for kids.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Wyrmalla wrote:
jreilly89 wrote:

I doubt that's a problem, as it's literally been selling out in minutes.

Its not that difficult to sell out if the shop only has one of the console in stock...

Nintendo creates artificial scarcity, then uses that to say that there's a high demand for their product.

Yes and no. They absolutely short stocked these and created artificial scarcity, but I would say there's plenty of people who wanted to buy one.

**jmurph**

Surely the strategy is to funnel money to the struggling Switch and then later release an updated version (Unlimited/Next/Whatever edition)?

**KingCracker**

Struggling Switch? 2.5million sold in a month and a half isnt struggling. Like, at all. They even doubled production and by the end of April said they should have 8 million available for May.

**Ahtman**

Of course plenty of people would have bought one but that is sort of the problem as the vast majority that were able to buy one were re-sellers. I know quite a few people, including myself, who would have bought one if they didn't have to fight bots to get one or pay way above retail price. The problem was never people wanting it it was making damn near impossible for most to get it at $60.

**KingCracker**

Agreed! I wanted one for Christmas but that obviously never happened. Infact I can buy 4 or 5 right now on craigslist but as stated they are scalpers asking 150 or more

**jmurph**

KingCracker wrote:
Struggling Switch? 2.5million sold in a month and a half isnt struggling. Like, at all. They even doubled production and by the end of April said they should have 8 million available for May.

What? Are you talking US sales? I think Japan had ~300k sales and Nintendo announced just under 1 million total units sold in the US as of March. Everything I have seen is that Nintendo isn't being very open about its sales data, and the WII U was also strong initially. I am not sure where you are getting those production numbers, as Nintendo hasn't verified anything but rumors put initial production at 10 million now bumped up to a 20 million target for 2017. For reference, all PS systems sold 50 million + units, so if they can move 20 million, that would be good. (10 million would be pretty anemic for a flagship system.) Game support is lagging, so the big question is whether they can keep sales momentum or if it flounders. In this light, it makes sense not to have products that compete for resources, wither development or sales resources. Conceivably, the classic could dilute the pool of potential Switch buyers, especially those who see it as a cheaper alternative to introduce the kids to Nintendo.

**jreilly89**

And in a twist of irony, prepare to not be able to buy an SNES Mini either!

Nintendo will follow up its smash hit NES microconsole with a mini version of the SNES, sources close to the company have confirmed to Eurogamer.

The SNES mini (or, to continue Nintendo's official branding, likely the Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System) is currently scheduled to launch in time for Christmas this year. Development of the device is already under way, our sources have indicated.

Nintendo's plans for SNES mini are also a major reason why last year's NES mini did not see a reprieve from discontinuation, Eurogamer understands, despite the latter's continued popularity and sell-out status.

Last week, Nintendo explained that it never intended NES mini to be a permanent product. From the company's perspective, the microconsole was planned as a cool novelty item perfect for Christmas 2016, and the numbers in which it was manufactured and shipped were expected to be enough to suit this goal.

But NES mini ended up breaking out to become more popular than anticipated and quickly sold out, leading to a bustling resale market on eBay. NES mini shipments continued into the early part of this year, but its production run could not be extended further - as SNES mini was slated for production instead.

Hopefully, more stock of the SNES mini will be made available to avoid a repeat of the same shortages.

The reality of a SNES mini is certainly exciting - while the NES was unique for being Nintendo's first home console, the SNES arguably boasts the better software line-up, and a catalogue of classics far more advanced than their NES forebears. Compare The Legend of Zelda on NES to A Link to the Past, for example, or Donkey Kong to Donkey Kong Country.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-04-19-sources-nintendo-to-launch-snes-mini-this-year

**kronk**

Oh, fething hell, Nintendo.

**jreilly89**

kronk wrote:
Oh, fething hell, Nintendo.

Another item I would love to, and probably be unable to, buy for Christmas.

**jmurph**

Heh, never mind. Apparently they are really clear that the goal is to troll their customers.