Nintendo will release a new miniature version of its classic NES game console — more than 30 years after it first hit Australian shores — as part of its ongoing plan to recapture lapsed fans of its iconic franchises.
The awkwardly-named Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System will launch on November 10 for $99.95 and come installed with 30 of the system's most fondly remembered games. This not only includes the expected Nintendo-made titles like Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong and their respective sequels, but also heavy hitters from other developers including Final Fantasy, Castlevania, Mega Man 2 and Galaga.
The machine, designed to look like a palm-sized replica of the NES, is powered by USB and connects to a television via HDMI.
While all of its included games have been re-released on Nintendo's Virtual Console service in the years since their 80s and 90s debut, the Japanese company is clearly making an appeal to lapsed gamers or young gamers who don't currently own its Wii U console. Like Virtual Console, the console will allow players to create suspend points during gameplay for a password-free way to make sure they don't lose any progress.
The mini NES comes with a replica NES controller that attaches to the console with the same connector found on the bottom of a Wii remote, so if you do already have Nintendo hardware around you can use the mini NES controller and Wii classic controllers interchangeably. You will be able to buy a second mini NES controller for $19.95.
Assuming the system works as well as Nintendo claims, the mini NES will be far and away the most accessible way for players to experience these classic games. At $100, it's cheaper than buying them individually on Virtual Console and much cheaper than finding and buying the original cartridges.
With its mysterious new game machine not launching until March 2017, Nintendo will surely be hoping this diminutive retro console can plug a gap for this year's holiday season, but it fits into the company's overall strategy as well.
After a steep decline in the popularity of its console machines, Nintendo has been looking to grab new fans and bring old ones back into the fold with everything from smartphone games to theme park rides.
FULL GAMES LIST
- Balloon Fight
- Bubble Bobble
- Castlevania
- Castlevania II: Simon's Quest
- Donkey Kong
- Donkey Kong Jr.
- Double Dragon II: The Revenge
- Dr. Mario
- Excitebike
- Final Fantasy
- Galaga
- Ghosts 'n Goblins
- Gradius
- Ice Climber
- Kid Icarus
- Kirby's Adventure
- Mario Bros.
- Mega Man 2
- Metroid
- Ninja Gaiden
- Pac-man
- Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream
- StarTropics
- Super C
- Super Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros. 2
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Tecmo Bowl
- The Legend of Zelda
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
