Bring back memories and make brand new ones with Nintendo's ultimate retro gaming experience, launching 11th November!

Relive the 80s when the Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System launches in stores on 11th November. The classic NES is back in a familiar-yet-new form as a mini replica of Nintendo’s original home console. Plugging directly into a high-definition TV using the included HDMI cable, the console comes complete with 30 NES games built-in, including beloved classics like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Donkey Kong, PAC-MAN and Kirby’s Adventure.

The Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System comes packaged with an HDMI cable, a USB cable for powering the system*, and one Nintendo Classic Mini: NES Controller. And whether it’s rediscovering an old favourite or experiencing the joy of NES for the first time, the fantastic collection of NES classics included with each and every system should have something for all players.

US Price has been revealed at $59.99 USD, + $10 for a second controller.

Source (includes list of games)

 

[MajinCubyan]

Dat nostalgia though.

 

[Armadillo]

If I remember correctly, there were some issues with it which either caused games to look or sound bad. Maybe even both, I don't really remember all that well. I could also be thinking of something entirely different.

This.

The SEGA mini consoles are shit. It's nothing to do with SEGA does it, it's bad, Nintendo does it, it's good. The ones licensed by SEGA (atgames makes the consoles) are just shit. Audio is awful and sounds nothing like the original console, certain games exhibit graphic glitches and to top it all off, the video output is downgraded. Original console outputs RGB, mini console, over 20 years later is composite only .


Back to NES mini, I wonder if Nintendo will fuck up the EU release by loading it up with shitty 50Hz versions of the games.

 

[zekepliskin]

For something like the Wii U or any console: You can't tell the popularity in advance by market research. The question is "what do gamers want in a console," and not even gamers can tell you the answer. That question could be a whole separate topic, but I'm pretty sure nobody knows the answer, not even gamers.

One of the best observations I've seen on here.

Truth is, gamers just want something awesome, and no, they can't tell you what it is. That's why game developers these days (okay it happened in the retro days too but perhaps not as much) will ca$hcow out a separate franchise until it's not profitable any more, because it's so difficult to find out what resonates with gamers and why, so when there's a hit it makes sense to keep it rolling.

Before I bought the Wii U I thought it was a dumb idea. Now I've lived with it for a few weeks, done a few softmods it's the best console I've owned. So I know for a fact, as a gamer I can't tell what I want, but Nintendo do specialise in trying to create wonder and doing things with the combination of technology available at the time that are unique, and although "only" 10 million people bought one (bit of a step down when the one before it shifted 15 times that) I suppose it does just that.

 

[the_randomizer]

remember when sega made one of these a while back...and everyone hated it? but nintendo does it and everyone loves it

That's because Sega uses shoddy emulators.

I'll stick to Nestopia and Genesis Plus GX; they're far more superior than official emulation will ever be. Sega actually explained that their recent emulators are based off of Jenesis, a licensed emulator with horrible audio emulation

 

[Zense]

uhh... what?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Wii_U_software

Haha, of course I'm talking about games that are actually good. I don't think anyone cares about games like Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric etc..

This NES mini has 30 great games on it, which I would say is more than the amount of great games on the WiiU, but let's not discuss this further, since it's very off-topic.

On topic: This console needs to be hacked just to be able to use it for more than 30 games, because limiting it like that is just an insult to the buyers. Maybe Nintendo is making the NES mini like this to check how long it takes for modders to hack it, as a sort of test before they release the NX. Not saying they're gonna use the same security systems, prereleasing that would be stupid.

 

[the_randomizer]

Haha, of course I'm talking about games that are actually good. I don't think anyone cares about games like Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric etc..

This NES mini has 30 great games on it, which I would say is more than the amount of great games on the WiiU, but let's not discuss this further, since it's very off-topic.

On topic: This console needs to be hacked just to be able to use it for more than 30 games, because limiting it like that is just an insult to the buyers. Maybe Nintendo is making the NES mini like this to check how long it takes for modders to hack it, as a sort of test before they release the NX. Not saying they're gonna use the same security systems, prereleasing that would be stupid.

I've no doubts that somehow it'll be hacked, just like how the Retron5 five was hacked to load ROMs, might not be easy though; Nintendo was very stingy about giving out specs for it.

 

[CloudStrife1901]

Pretty expensive really, I'll stick to my ouya console which can do more and cost me less

 

[Qtis]

Great to see something new, but sad to see it restricted. They could easily slap any amount of games on it and have still lots of space to spare for $5. If this device was solely made to emulate the original NES hardware, I doubt it would be impossible to succeed with very high levels of accuracy.

 

[GuyInDogSuit]

Nope, no usb support, neither internet connection. Just the 30 games pre installed and that's all. For collection purposes it's a nice addition.
http://kotaku.com/the-mini-nes-wont-open-cant-connect-to-the-internet-1783693116

No, it won't have any method of expansion. Just the 30 games, and that's it. And no, those aren't USB ports, those are Wiimote expansion ports (as in, you can plug those NES controllers into a Wiimote for use with a Wii/WiiU/Bluetooth device). It does have a microUSB port on the back, but its sole purpose is to provide AC power to the unit (USB-to-wallplug adapter not included in PAL regions). It will run on emulation, and will have a few Virtual Console features as a result (like multi suspend points).
I think that covers everything

This is meant to be a standalone novelty item, nothing more. As I mentioned before, I only consider the controller to be noteworthy, as there's not really anything about the console itself that'd be fascinating to the average Nintendo enthusiast.

So it's basically a VC box. Novelty is the key word here.

 

[tbb043]

It's a good market for Nintendo to finally get into, but that price... Should be about half that.

Also, should have had actual NES controller ports, not CC ports. How you gonna plug an Advantage into that?

 

[civickm]

It's a good market for Nintendo to finally get into, but that price... Should be about half that.

Also, should have had actual NES controller ports, not CC ports. How you gonna plug an Advantage into that?

I agree, and using an advantage would be nice!

 

[urherenow]

Haha, of course I'm talking about games that are actually good. I don't think anyone cares about games like Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric etc..

This NES mini has 30 great games on it, which I would say is more than the amount of great games on the WiiU, but let's not discuss this further, since it's very off-topic.

On topic: This console needs to be hacked just to be able to use it for more than 30 games, because limiting it like that is just an insult to the buyers. Maybe Nintendo is making the NES mini like this to check how long it takes for modders to hack it, as a sort of test before they release the NX. Not saying they're gonna use the same security systems, prereleasing that would be stupid.

Not off topic at all. We're still talking about the NES being released. And even the game list they do include is stupid. There are so many great NES games... why choose inferior clones of arcade games that predate the NES (like Pacman)? If doing that, why not Rygar? Why Castlevania II and not Castlevania 3 with the enhanced sound? Why not Megaman?

Since the GBA, I've hacked/modded/got a flash cart for every console and handheld I've owned. Emulation of NES games has always been a primary motivation. But FORCING me to hack an NES... so I Can play NES games? Ludicrous!

 

[KingpinSlim]

Haha, of course I'm talking about games that are actually good. I don't think anyone cares about games like Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade, Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric etc..

This NES mini has 30 great games on it, which I would say is more than the amount of great games on the WiiU, but let's not discuss this further, since it's very off-topic.

On topic: This console needs to be hacked just to be able to use it for more than 30 games, because limiting it like that is just an insult to the buyers. Maybe Nintendo is making the NES mini like this to check how long it takes for modders to hack it, as a sort of test before they release the NX. Not saying they're gonna use the same security systems, prereleasing that would be stupid.

You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.
Absolutely none.

 

[flame1234]

On topic: This console needs to be hacked just to be able to use it for more than 30 games, because limiting it like that is just an insult to the buyers. Maybe Nintendo is making the NES mini like this to check how long it takes for modders to hack it, as a sort of test before they release the NX. Not saying they're gonna use the same security systems, prereleasing that would be stupid.

For this product, no DRM makes sense. Because this product does not have removable storage media (built-in storage only). NES games are not that valuable - why would they want to use HDCP (for the HDMI output)? Why would they mind if someone recorded a video of themselves playing any of these classic games that they paid for? Why would they care if someone pulled the emulator and ROMs off the product by desoldering? There are good NES emulators out there already; these ROMs are out there already too.

 

[KingpinSlim]

For this product, no DRM makes sense. Because this product does not have removable storage media (built-in storage only). NES games are not that valuable - why would they want to use HDCP (for the HDMI output)? Why would they mind if someone recorded a video of themselves playing any of these classic games that they paid for? Why would they care if someone pulled the emulator and ROMs off the product by desoldering? There are good NES emulators out there already; these ROMs are out there already too.

I agree, but if it were possible to desolder the chip and solder in a larger one with more games this might just be the greatest gift for friends or family members, especially at such a low price-point.
You could easily purchase 5 or 6 without breaking a sweat.

 

[dronesplitter]

Wouldn't it be embarrassing if this outsold the wii u?!?

Only if it's also embarrassing when it outsells the Xbox One.

 

[laudern]

It has been said a few times but I'll say it again. Releasing a snes version of the same idea would be amazing. I've been wanting to repurchase a snes for a while now but the cost of the console and then extreme cost of the games that I would be interested in always put me off.

 

[KingpinSlim]

It has been said a few times but I'll say it again. Releasing a snes version of the same idea would be amazing. I've been wanting to repurchase a snes for a while now but the cost of the console and then extreme cost of the games that I would be interested in always put me off.

I would enjoy having this as well, but consider how much more difficult this would be, considering all those different special chips embedded in the SNES-cartridges. Even proper emulation of these chips requires quite a lot of processing power. Not that i wouldn't be delighted by such a thing.

 

[Justinde75]

They are emulated, and if it gets hacked, maybe more emulators could be loaded onto it

 

[KingpinSlim]

They are emulated, and if it gets hacked, maybe more emulators could be loaded onto it

While you are probably right that they employ emulation here, a part of me still wishes they simply reproduced the original hardware, but i am very aware of highly unlikely that is compared to the far cheaper solution of emulation.