The release of the NES Classic Edition by Nintendo brought about a huge amount of excitement followed by equal amounts of anger and frustration. This tiny device offering 30 classic games updated to support the HD TVs we all now own proved to be extremely popular. However, Nintendo chose not to make enough of them initially, then chose not to react to that demand, and then took the head-scratching decision to discontinue the product last week.
We have been left asking, "why discontinue a highly profitable gaming device everybody wants?" And we may now have the first hint of an answer. Sources talking to Eurogamer have suggested Nintendo discontinued the NES Classic Edition to make way for another product: the SNES Classic Edition.
We got our first sign that a SNES Classic Edition was in the works back in December when Nintendo filed a trademark suggesting as much. As to why we can't have a NES Classic and SNES Classic offered side-by-side on store shelves, apparently it comes down to production limits and Nintendo's plans.
Nintendo only intended the NES Classic to be a product offered for the 2016 holiday period. It never changed that goal and so stock was always going to be limited. Now that production has ended, as scheduled, with the production lines switching over to SNES Classic production.
Related
- NES Classic Can Use Original NES ControllersNES Classic Can Use Original NES Controllers
So while the NES Classic is now gone, we can hope Nintendo learned a valuable lesson and intends to produce substantially more SNES Classic Edition mini consoles and for a considerably longer time period. If anything, the SNES version is only going to be more popular if Nintendo chooses the right 30 games to ship with it.
For now, Nintendo is staying quiet on whether the SNES Classic Edition exists or not. If it does, I suspect no one will pause for thought before pre-ordering one just in case Nintendo makes the same production mistakes all over again.
Analysts believe the current Switch is too big for kids, so a smaller one will eventually be released.
The last shipments of the console, a miniature version of the original NES that plays games compatible with today's HDTVs, will arrive in stores this month.
'ARMS' and 'Splatoon 2' are just the tip of the iceberg.
It's also $100 cheaper than before.
Relax Nintendo Expected to Follow NES Classic With SNES Classic stories
Analysts believe the current Switch is too big for kids, so a smaller one will eventually be released.
Zelda achieved an attach rate of 102% for the Switch in March, which demonstrates just how important the IP is for Nintendo.
The last shipments of the console, a miniature version of the original NES that plays games compatible with today's HDTVs, will arrive in stores this month.
While everyone waits for an official Switch battery pack, Nintendo decides to launch an extended battery pack for the Joy-Con controllers.
The Switch is selling well, now Nintendo wants to ensure the games do too by thwarting piracy before it happens.
Is this a heat issue, or a quality control problem owners are only now starting to notice?
Buying the physical version of the game doesn't save you from a huge install on Switch's limited internal storage.
Whatever is custom about this chip doesn't seem to be hardware tweaks. This is the same chip as found in the 2017 Shield Android TV.
The Dolphin emulator is now so good even Nintendo's servers believe it's a real Wii console and allows game purchases.
The one thing Nintendo forgot to cater for is taking your Switch to a friend's house to play on their TV. This 3D printed travel dock fixes that problem.
The crowdfunding platform is looking for the next Oculus.
Pricing and availability are now available for the GF 45mm F2.8 and GF 110mm F2, both teased at Photokina.
The Lumix ZS70 touts a tilting display and 30x zoom.
Facebook Spaces makes social VR a compelling idea.
People with limitless determination always have enough talent to succeed.
Windows' Power Throttling limits the demands of background programs.
Updates to the bot platform for Facebook Messenger will let you play a song directly from Spotify and ask questions of small businesses, among other new features.
Using the internet on your Android phone isn't as secure or private as you'd hope. Fortunately, you can protect your mobile communications with a secure virtual private network (or VPN) app.
You can now get the Vive bundled with a graphics card, desktop or laptop.
The new Camera Effects platform will let third-party developers create augmented reality masks and filters you can add to photos and videos.
