Nintendo has always acted shrewdly when it comes to re-releasing their back catalogue, opting for single premium-priced downloads rather than exhaustive retro collections.
It’s something that often frustrates hardcore fans, but as a result the Kyoto giant has never risked devaluing older games in a similar manner to SEGA, who seems quite content to bundle dozens of past hits together for compilations or re-release standalone games for literally pence.
The closest we’ve ever got to a full blown Nintendo retro collection is the NES Remix series,
Providing we exclude Animal Crossing on GameCube, which included dozens of NES games – a fact that Nintendo would seemingly like the world to forget – the closest we’ve ever got to a full blown Nintendo retro collection is the NES Remix series. With this in mind, it’s understandable why gamers young and old are excited about the just announced Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition. Or Nintendo Classic Mini, as it’ll be known in the UK.
Due out 11th November for $59.99, thus making it a likely candidate for Christmas lists, the palm-sized console features 30 built-in games and a HDMI output, plus the ability to save game progress at any time.
It comes bundled with a NES Classic Controller, which can also be used to play Virtual Console releases on Wii and Wii U. A second controller will set you back $9.99. Alternatively, you can dust off a Wii Classic Controller or Wii U Classic Controller Pro for two-player shenanigans.
As for UK pricing, both GameSeek and The Game Collection currently have the console available to pre-order for £49.95. Only Zavvi has the controller listed individually at the time of typing, priced at a surprisingly reasonable £7.99.
It’s the line-up of games that really shines – big hitters one and all, with a fair few unexpected third-party titles from Japanese publishers. We get the feeling that Nintendo gave those who have stuck with the Wii U through thick and thin preferable treatment here, as there’s a lot of stuff from Capcom, Square-Enix, Koei Tecmo and Bandai Namco. Here’s the list in full:
• 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 (aka Probotector II: Return of the Evil Forces)
• Super Mario Bros.
• Super Mario Bros. 2
• Super Mario Bros. 3
• TECMO BOWL
• The Legend of Zelda
• Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
It’s easy to imagine the Nintendo Classic Mini being a big seller over the Christmas period; the box art alone is bound give gamers in their 30s pangs of nostalgia. Nintendo certainly knows how to target fans, and for a second time this month – with Pokemon Go being the first – they’ve well and truly proven that you should never count them out.