Drexl

Their intent, I believe, was to have something to sell during the holiday season since the Wii U was just about dead. Now that that's over and the Switch is out, it has served its purpose. From this point they'll want to sell the games via the VC/eShop. I mean, access to classic games is one of the selling points of their consoles.

This whole thing seemed out of character for Nintendo. NES games for just $2 each, and you don't even have to buy a (real) console to play them on? Of course it was going to be a limited item.

Rob V

No way... You don't invest in all the tooling and potential licensing issues just to put a stop gap in for a few months while a hard to find console with limited games is being rushed into production. I'm not claiming to know why N did this, but it's not to serve as a stop-gap. My guess is that they're going to do a broader unit with either more games or across more of their platforms --- but even that doesn't justify the tooling and R&E they had to invest up front.

RichC2

Now would be a great time to release a new Raspberry Pi model.

mattysemo247

The better question is when was the last time you heard anyone saying how much they love and play their NES classic? If anything, Nintendo just saved you $60 from buying something that's going to sit and collect dust.

I do agree it's a shitty way of treating customers. Especially since Reggie just stated in a interview a couple months ago that they were ramping up production to get more units on the shelf. So obviously that was a lie.

Rob V

Agree with the last 2 posts. I would have bought it... but I wouldn't have used it after the first day or two.

Raspberry Pi is the way to go -- if only to give a middle finger to Nintendo.

LorenzoL

I hated the way Nintendo released the Classic as I would have bought one for sure. The shortage along with the short cord for the controllers, Nintendo strategy saved me $60.

story

Holy cow, I got one!

The announcement and this thread inspired me to look at Brickseek for the first time in a long time and my local Target had one. It was 11:30pm, so I got there before close, but they said it was going to be unloaded overnight, they open at 7:00am. I set my alarm for 6:30am, was the first one in, and nabbed it. I haven't been all smiled while shopping in a while.

My spouse is playing her favorite right now, Metroid, and Our kids are excited to try old games from our childhood.

Any recommendations on which route to go for controllers? Extender cables? Any wireless ones worth it,

dom56

So I guess you can kiss goodbye on a SNES classic console.

fumanstan

My wife won one a month ago and I haven't even opened it. Now I kind of want to just hang on to it and see if the value goes up.

Dan

Congrats! All snark aside, it's good to see when people who want one... actually get one for the right price. I imagine wireless controllers might introduce a tiny bit of lag, but it's probably insignificant. Extender cables would probably be fine, though. Or a longer HDMI cable so you have the console closer to you instead of under the TV or wherever.

fixed.

I checked stock on a few random ZIP codes in Texas. There's a store in Temple, TX with 4 in stock, but that's 2.5 hours away from me.
If there were any in the Houston area this morning, they're all gone.

fujishig

Why not? The demand would be insane for it. And the tooling and whatnot wouldn't go to waste if they bring it back as a seasonal item with more games, etc., it'll sell like hotcakes again. The licensing for the games I'm sure they already had because of VC.

They also suspended production of the famicom mini, though they say it'll go back into production later, so maybe it really is a supply line issue where they're devoting factory resources to the Switch (though I'm not sure how that works)

I don't think they're adverse to printing money, though they do want to maximize their profit, and the new console with growth potential and accessory sales is honestly the way to go. Plus They can sell more VC games on the Switch once that's implemented, so I can buy Super Mario 3 a 10th time.

I know the Genesis one is inferior, but look at how nobody cares about that because they've just been lingering on the shelves for years.

And I've said it before, but the NES classic made a Nintendo console a hot topic during Christmas, somewhat washing off the stench of the WiiU and really increasing anticipation for the Switch.

mattysemo247

Because it would take focus off of Switch?

RichC2

Their Japanese announcement is apparently phrased "Production has ended for now. When production is resumed we will let you know on our website."

story

I ordered a pair of extender cables. I have the controller that comes with the system, plus a Wii classic controller. I'd thought about the HDMI cable idea, only that doesn't help with the length of the power cord. We measured out the living room and ordered two 12' extender cables. Between that and the original length, this should leave plenty of slack for people to walk by without having to move or dip down to accommodate. They arrive Sunday and if they don't work the greatest, it was ten bucks. Rather try that than lots of money for controllers up front.

It will be weird playing these games without a NES Advantage. I picked one up mere months after getting that first system in 1987 and I don't really remember using a regular controller otherwise.

fujishig

Hmm, you may be right, it might not come out this year, but after Switch sales and production settle in a year or two, I'm sure they'd free up a production line for it.

bluetoast

As an aside, I bought a new NES Advantage at Toys R Us in like 2000. It was random as hell to see it on a shelf during the N64 era (and cheap too), but why not.

fumanstan

The funny thing to me is that for me personally, the NES Classic doesn't directly affect much with the Switch at all. Owning one doesn't necessarily mean I won't rebuy some classic games on Switch Virtual Console, because those are games i'd love to play on the go in portable mode.

RichC2

I just assume they want to fix the issues/perks before releasing too many more units.

stingermck

Went to eBay last night to see the chaos. Watched a live auction with a couple of mins to go, sell for $500.

Meanwhile, I still never saw one in stores.

Obi-Wanma

For the most part, they never made it to shelves at most stores. You had to be there when the doors opened.

Dan

My closest Walmart has three... But they said they won't sell them until Monday at 8am. Not worth the effort

Michael Corvin

What pupose could that possibly serve?

mattysemo247

So people can start lining up now? Walmart says Fuck Easter!

Dan

man, fuck that place.
Just checked stock again and now that same store is at zero. They sold them this morning I guess. But the dude was very specific when he told me 8am Monday. I bet a manager or supervisor bought them to flip em on eBay.

Mike86

Really don't think that's it. I think people who were in the market for this are much different than those that want a Switch. The NES Classic was a quick cash grab that reeled in casuals (for those who were able to find one). The Switch is a full fledged $300 plus console that's a tougher sell. They probably think they can put these same games on Virtual Console and sell them again for a bit more. Granted they probably will sell that way too but I really don't see the harm in keeping around the Classic too.