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Nintendo Discontinues the NES Classic Edition (polygon.com)
A Nintendo representative has confirmed today that the company will be discontinuing the NES Classic Edition, "a plug-and-play console that became popular with collectors as soon as it launched last fall," reports Polygon. The last shipments of the consoles will hit stores this month. From the report: [Nintendo said in a statement to IGN:] "Throughout April, NOA territories will receive the last shipments of Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition systems for this year. We encourage anyone interested in obtaining this system to check with retail outlets regarding availability. We understand that it has been difficult for many consumers to find a system, and for that we apologize. We have paid close attention to consumer feedback, and we greatly appreciate the incredible level of consumer interest and support for this product." "NES Classic Edition wasn't intended to be an ongoing, long-term product. However, due to high demand, we did add extra shipments to our original plans," it told IGN.
Only Nintendo would discontinue a product due to high demand. Who runs that company, a couple of idiot plumbers?
I don't respond to AC's.
This is bullshit.
I was looking forward to getting this console but haven't found a store that had them in stock. Now I'm pissed.
That's new, a capitalist company who refuses to make money. If only somebody managed to release their ARM emulator into the wildâ¦
Especially in the American market. Of course everyone was going to jump on this gem!
I thought that was the entire point of this to begin with?
I tend to rant.
Throughout April, NOA territories will receive the last shipments of Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition systems for this year.
for this year
for this year
I would not be surprised if news of the NES Classic's demise is being greatly exaggerated.
Keep demand up, supplies limited. Keeps the IP feeling exclusive instead of old-as-fuck.
I've seen a few comments online where people have speculated this was a bridge product to bring in some $ until the Switch was released. This does make sense in that the Wii U was a colossal failure from a business perspective (Disclaimer: I own a Wii U) and this helped bring in some holiday season revenue. In typical Nintendo fashion they didn't read the market place correctly and didn't make enough units to satisfy demand. I still have friends that would be buy a NES Classic if they were available.
If they are in fact halting production because of the Switch and it maybe getting virtual console support (which it currently does not have) I think its another big misreading of the market by Nintendo. I can't see a big crossover between buyers of the NES Classic and Switch. Most people aren't going to buy a $300 console to play a few virtual console NES games, but a lot will pay $60 for the Classic. If anything I think the Classic could be a bridge product for people who haven't bought Nintendo games/consoles for a while and get them interested in their products again. Discontinuing the NES Classic seems like yet another blunder by a company who has had a lot of difficulty reading the market.
Wireless controllers. Ability to purchase new games online. SNES games as well.
No one is cross shopping a switch and an NES Classic Mini.
That's exactly the point :
- Currently, retro-loving geeks will buy a NES Classic (of which Nintendo only makes a few bucks through licensing and that's about it).
They would never ever had thought about buying a Switch. The idea would have never crossed their mind.
- If NES Classic is shut down, retro-geeks will be left without a platform. Some of them might end up biting the bullet and buy a Switch, and then re-buy all the old classics again from the virtual shop of the Switch. (Nintendo thus makes more money by selling hardware, and re-selling again ROMs of classics).
The rest of the retro geeks will probably try other 3rd party unlicensed emulators, but these Nintendo is going to try to sue anyway.
"Sufficiently advanced satire is indistinguishable from reality." - [Tips: 1DrYakQDKCQ6y52z6QbnkxHXAocMZJE61o ]
I don't own an NES classic, but I grew up playing these games, and I love them dearly. Playing them periodically is a joy, both for myself and my young son. Shall I...
A) Enjoy my favorite NES games illegally on a PC emulator?
or
B) Enjoy my favorite NES games legally on an NES Classic Edition?
I look forward to your reply. Thank you.
Hopefully this means that the virtual console is coming to the switch sooner rather than later.
Mod me down with all of your hatred and your journey towards the dark side will be complete!
Shortly after the NES Classic was released, people found out it was easily hacked, and released tools that allowed you to expand the 30 bundled games to over 300 unlicensed ROMs. It all fit neatly into their UI and everything (from what I saw.) I've heard it surmised many times on the Internet (and that makes it true) that they weren't interested in shipping their own 'Kodi Box' equivalent.
However... there's also the stories of 'how to build your own NES classic' using a Raspberry PI or equivalent, including adding all the ROMS you want. Supposedly it's cheaper than the NES Classic as well. The only thing you don't get is the nostalgic (tiny) little box and the cute ( short tailed) controllers.
You could ask, 'why don't they decide to own that market, and just write off the 30 vs 300 as irrelevant?' (They'd already picked the best 30.) At least then they'd get their mark-up. (Whatever that was.)
--Welcome to the Realm of the Hawke--
I was being casual about trying to get one, now I'm just angry. I think to punish Nintendo, I'm going to NOT buy a Switch now.
AirSpeak - http://itunes.com/apps/AirSpeak
I have yet to find one unit since its initial release in any store locally. I can get them from CL for $400 and now you discontinue it? Go fuck yourself.
by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
Full disclosure: I work in the video gaming industry
Atari Flashback has been released, discontinued, revised, a bunch of times. There are differences in versions, there are changes in licenses but I'd guess that selling memories requires driving up the artificial demand by limiting availability.
I'm guessing Nintendo stopped manufacturing the NES Classic BECAUSE it was such a huge hit. They were probably expecting modest sales far lower than what they were, so they outsourced as much as they could, half-assing the device. Thus why it's not (officially) expandable, has no internet connectivity etc.
So they're ending production now in preparation of an improved version, likely with longer controller cables, internet connectivity that lets you purchase additional games, and improved DRM (e.g. Nintendo-signed ROM files tied to your device hardware ID.) Perhaps it'll even support Super Nintendo games, or access to games already purchased for Virtual Console. If they kept selling units up to the day they introduce an improved version at the same price, people will be peeved they got the older model; however, pulling it for 6+ months before the new one is out will make it feel more like a 'new generation' and reduce buyer's remorse for those who got the old ones. I'm kind of surprised by the implication this won't be released for holiday '17, though, maybe they're too busy with the Switch.
Corruption is convincing someone that the selfless ideal is the same as their selfish ideal.
I've never owned a Nintendo product in my life (always been a PC gamer), but when I heard they were coming out with a miniaturized version of their first console, and saw the price, and that it came with a bunch of games, I figured why the hell not. Of course, nobody had it in stock, and I was *not* hellbent on getting one anyway, so I figured, oh well...
About a month ago I happened to walk into a local EB Games at the mall, and remembered about the console - so I casually asked the guy behind the counter if they were still impossible to find...and he pulled one out from behind him and handed it to me. Paid for it, walked out, got back home, hooked it up, it did exactly what it said on the tin can, so to speak, and that was that.
Oh, and I did use it long enough to realize--like everybody else who's used one--that the controller cable is way too short.
So, what's the starting bidding price...? :-)
I'd argue that this discontinuation, like the lack of availability is going to contribute more to piracy.
Having tried multiple times to find one during the first couple of months it was out, I gave up and simply went the RetroPi route.
Shame Nintendo didn't want to take my money.
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The lameness filter is so disturbing. I'll never understand the US and how they treat speech and text there. Say whatever you want but absolutely don't swear! When the filter doesn't inform you what the problem is ... It's so annoying:
Stuck in it so I'll post in parts until it go through.. Stupid /., you s***.
Only Nintendo would discontinue a product due to high demand. Who runs that company, a couple of ***** plumbers?
Well. Valve did their own controller with touchpads to be able to play not-for-controller-game-controller-schemes on their specific controller and then thought it was a great idea to support other controllers including the Sony Dual Shock 4 and then "emulate" the Steam controller pad on that one and then the whatever control schemes people had come up with for that on top of it.
So a controller game can get DS4 layout on emulated Steam controller on DS4 driver in Steam; well, if you're lucky and that work, which it doesn't in my case.
“We also see the nostalgic interest in these products as an opportunity to draw consumers’ attention to our latest game system, Nintendo Switch.” http://www.news.com.au/technol...
They also decided that the way to really be able to make PC gaming compete with gaming consoles was to go with the same experience, so hence to even configure your controller at all you have to launch the slow bloated Big picture mode which is slow as **** and ****ed down and ****** just like anything using controllers could be assumed to be to both enable the controller and select the configuration for your controller and launching your game.
Because to make PC gaming "work" that's exactly what we need! Not just a normal Windows user interface and some sort of standard controller like settling for the Xbox controller (and then if they wanted to do their "hand controller which act like a PC" feel free to do so with their own controller but keep them separate.)
Of course now Microsoft is in on it too so now we've got Xbox on Windows with their Game bar on top of games too. Push Windows + G to enter it. Because gamers totally like to have the Windows button enabled; it's not like you'd accidentally been thrown out of a game to open up the start-menu by pressing that one before is it?
And why wouldn't you want even more blo**-ware overlays on top of your games?
Everyone do their own thing too. Before to use the DS4 controller you could use something like DS4Windows, InputMapper or SCPToolKit to emulate a Xbox360 controller, but now since Steam support it natively maybe you want to use that instead. That's fine and all but what if you want to use the controller in Uplay and that doesn't support it natively (does it?)
Also of course the lack of standardizations in general and assumptions of Xbox controllers with green A buttons and so on doesn't really match the other controllers.
So where am I going with all this? .. so you may still get destroyed.)
Well, beyond this controller stuff and ****** overlay, Valve still haven't released Half-Life 3 and the CS:GO updates they do are stuff like music kits with StatTrak to show your MVPs and even more knifes and what not, and maps where you can walk on top of the map, and a $2000 negev with ~infinite ammo which shot straight as * (but to be fair the enemy will at-least know where you are when using it
So Nintendo may act like ***** plumbers. But when the competition is Valve and Ubisoft and such do they really need to worry? Really?
doesnt matter, the vast majority of people never even saw one in real life, its a unicorn touting piricy on a 30 year old console where every rom has been available for download for 25 years
nintendo failed, again, to keep track of what actually makes them popular
the controller cable is way too short.
It's like the short controller cords on the Famicom and the Super Famicom. The length is just fine if the console sits on a kotatsu or coffee table with the video cable reaching from there to your TV.
I tried to buy a legal version, but they won't sell one to me, so I guess I'll have to finally get around to slapping an emulator on an RPi.
There was no way I was going to buy anything modern, but for nostalgia I had every intention... fuck you Nintendo.
Not a big loss since you can't find one anyway. It's the Unicorn of the Console World.
Shortly after the NES Classic was released, people found out it was easily hacked, and released tools that allowed you to expand the 30 bundled games to over 300 unlicensed ROMs
So? You can do the exact same thing without a NES Classic. What you describe contributes absolutely nothing toward piracy whatsoever. All it does is provide a proof of concept to show that there is no technical reason Nintendo can't sell any and every ROM they own.
At a Fry's last month, I saw an end-cap display with what appeared to be a NES Classic running (IIRC) SMW. Looking closer, I saw the roughness of a 3D-printed case. It was actually a display for Nintendo-style USB controllers, using a RasPi in a 3D-printed case.
#naabhaprzrag, #sverubfr-000, #agi-fcbafberq, negvpyr[pynff*=' negvpyr-ary-'] { qvfcynl: abar !vzcbegnag; }
Yup, same here. When the NES Classic was announced, I got excited. I knew I could get my own emulator cheaper (I didn't yet know about RetroPi), but would rather go the legal route, and felt it would be nice to support Nintendo for producing something like this.
I gave up on finding one, and threw together a RetroPi. So I can say that Nintendo caused me to build a RetroPi. Had they not made the NES Classic, I wouldn't have been reminded of the fun NES games of my youth, and wouldn't have felt the desire to play them again.
yea there are tons of 3d printed cases on etsy for all the rPI variants. So you can make it look like a mini-nes, snes, n64, atari, whatever you want. Nintendo style usb controllers have also existed for a long long time
So there really is no point to an NES classic, unless you are that much against downloading some roms that you would now be willing to pay 100-300$ for 30 games. If you are willing to mod an NES classic to insert all your own roms than why even bother
People wanted more games on the NES Mini. If Nintendo had put a VC store on the damnable thing, they'd have made a mint. Likewise if they unified their VC platform.
Too bad it ran at 60fps instead of 59.94. I'd have preferred hardware NES with a proper hardware clock and software mappers. It'd be trivial to add some boot software that comes up with a register mapping to a system controller, giving access to access a flash filesystem, configure Wifi, and make network calls.
In the best-case engineering, the hardware control could be on a separate chipset, such as ARM, which takes you right down to system requirements similar to a Pi Zero W--a $10 board with 1GHz ARM, 512MB RAM, built-in Wifi, and an SD slot. You wouldn't need an actual Pi Zero W; there'd be some specialized hardware in there instead, which would include that kind of CPU, RAM, and wifi. Sound and video would go through a hardware HDMI encoder, coming off the NES hardware itself; likewise, controller input goes to the NES-on-a-Chip, not to the main CPU.
In Classic NES mode, an MMU would give DMA between the hardware NES ROM/SRAM/PRAM and the appropriate RAM area, so the Pi could load appropriate data in memory and handle it as-needed. This MMU would need to respond to some programmable mapper calls to emulate the NES properly, and trigger an interrupt when writing to SRAM-labeled area. That allows the OS to read a ROM, load it into RAM, describe the mappers, describe the locations of appropriate pages in RAM, and reset the NES. Suddenly: Gameplay.
In Extended mode--the default boot mode--the NOAC comes up with a special mapper pointed at a set of registers. This allows communication with the host OS. On startup, the primary user interface loads by loading an Extended Mode program as an NES ROM. This program shows you the games available, lets you select them, lets you configure Wifi, lets you configure the main OS, etc. The main OS can even write picture data or otherwise on-the-fly, allowing for things like access to huge amounts of storage, complex graphics, and so forth.
Obviously, you could create an EM game that takes advantage of this, whereas a normal NES game would unmap the communications line to the OS.
Too bad they didn't go that route. It would have cost something like $20 more though, after you got through all the specialized chipsets and communications buses.
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It'll run everything, including PS1 and maybe 2. Costs just as much.
I wrote Nintendo's customer service a letter about this situation:
I am really frustrated by Nintendo stopping production of the NES Classic. I am frustrated at the whole NES Classic situation that Nintendo has created. Nintendo has had such a limited release of the NES Classic that I have been completely unable to find one for sale. Every time I drive to the city (300km away) I always looked for the NES Classic and it has been always sold out. Every online retailer either doesn't allow shipping or is sold out of the NES Classic. I am the proud owner of a massive Nintendo game collection. I would estimate it to be worth around 50,000 to 60,000 dollars. I own most of the rare games for the NES, SNES, N64, GC, Wii, as well as the Game Boys including the major gems like Little Samson, Flintstones Surprise at Dino's Peak, Earthbound, Mega Man 1-7 + X1-3, boxed copies of Chrono Trigger, Secret of Mana, and other rares like Zombie Nation among others. With a massive collection like this I have been forced to buy these games on the secondary market, but I have accepted that because I was unable to afford those games when I was a kid. I do not want to accept that I was unable to buy this NES Classic because I tried. I tried hard to buy this system. I drove to stores, I made phone calls, I had friends try to pick them up for me and they have always been sold out. Now that Nintendo has discontinued the system I find myself wondering should I pay a scalper five times the price for the NES Classic, or should I just say I am done with collecting Nintendo games and stop buying them in the future. I own a Switch along with the new Zelda Breath of the Wild, but I haven't played it yet. I always find myself drawn into the classic games on the NES and, to be honest, I'd just as soon leave my NES plugged into the TV than try the new system. The NES Classic would make this easier for me since they both use HDMI connections.
I'm really frustrated by this. As far as I'm concerned Nintendo has dropped the ball on the NES Classic and this really makes me question whether or not I want to continue to support the company in the future. I want to buy a NES Classic for retail price, plus tax and reasonable shipping. I have been utterly unable to do that and I blame Nintendo for it.
I really hope they listen to it and others anger about this product.