Update: We have rounded-up some of the best ways to play classic Nintendo/Sega/Atari games on your big screen that are already available.
Some 30+ years later, Nintendo is ready return to its glory days. This morning, the official Nintendo of America Twitter account revealed that we are getting a brand new mini NES Classic Edition later this year. The tiny console comes packed with classic titles (more on those below), a retro-style controller and plugs right into your HDTV:
The “new nostalgia-fueled system” is described as “a near-identical, mini replica of Nintendo’s original home console”, and from the pictures that appears to be the case.
“We wanted to give fans of all ages the opportunity to revisit Nintendo’s original system and rediscover why they fell in love with Nintendo in the first place,” said Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aime.
The console will ship with 30 built-in titles, some of which represent the beginnings of the most iconic game franchises in history. Some of the titles you can expect to get your hands on include Mega Man 2, Mario Bros. 1-3, Castlevania & Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest, Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., FINAL FANTASY, Metroid, NINJA GAIDEN, PAC-MAN, Punch-Out!!, The Legend of Zelda and more. Full list below. Nintendo has added “suspend points” in many of these titles, allowing you to pickup where you left off without starting over entirely.
Many of these titles can be played with two players using a second NES Classic Controller (will be sold separately for $10), and you’ll be able to use the new classic controllers on virtual console games on Wii/U by attaching it to a Wii Remote.
Nintendo says the new console will go on sale on November 11th, 2016 at a suggested retail price of $59.99 shipped. Now you can certainly grab a physical Nintendo emulator for (much) less than that on Amazon and you can play just about any one of these games right now for free on your Mac using less than legal ROMS and emulators. But it is nice to see Nintendo release an official version of its iconic console with a very solid list of titles and what sounds like the ability to support it down the line with more content. We are yet to see the console go up for pre-order on Amazon and other retailers, but it shouldn’t be long before that happens.
Full PR:
[9to5-press-release]
REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–If you see a Nintendo Entertainment System on store shelves this holiday shopping season, you haven’t entered a time machine. (Unless everyone around you is wearing acid-washed jeans and neon leg warmers. If that’s the case, you may have unknowingly walked through a rift in the space-time continuum.) The most likely scenario is you are setting eyes on the Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition, launching in stores on Nov. 11 at a suggested retail price of $59.99. That’s right: The NES is back! But this isn’t the same NES that you fondly remember. This new nostalgia-fueled system is a near-identical, mini replica of Nintendo’s original home console and plugs directly into your high-definition TV using an 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 Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition is ideal for anyone who remembers playing the NES, or who wants to pass on those nostalgic memories to the next generation of gamers.”
“We wanted to give fans of all ages the opportunity to revisit Nintendo’s original system and rediscover why they fell in love with Nintendo in the first place,” said Nintendo of America President and COO Reggie Fils-Aime. “The Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition is ideal for anyone who remembers playing the NES, or who wants to pass on those nostalgic memories to the next generation of gamers.”
The system comes packaged with an HDMI cable, an AC adapter and one NES Classic Controller, which is patterned after the iconic design of the original NES controller. But you really just want to know the full list of 30 games, right? Feast your eyes on the fantastic collection of NES classics included with each and every system:
- 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™
There’s a little something for everyone: a nice mix of timeless favorites, cult classics and maybe even some games that you never got around to playing. Each is sure to bring back memories and produce plenty of new ones. You can even enjoy playing several of these games with two players by attaching a second NES Classic Controller, which will be sold separately at a suggested retail price of $9.99. A Classic Controller or Classic Controller Pro can also be used (each sold separately).
When connected to a Wii Remote controller, the NES Classic Controller can also be used to play Virtual Console NES games on a Wii Uor Wii system. Playing these retro games using a retro controller makes the experience that much more authentic. And if you ever need to step away from the NES Classic Edition in the middle of a tough level (or take a break to call one of Nintendo’s helpful Game Counselors*), don’t worry about losing any hard-earned progress. Each game has multiple suspend points, so you can start where you left off at a later time, no passwords needed.
What’s old is new again with the Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition. Relive past glories. Finish off that boss you never beat. Save the galaxy and rescue the princess!
*Please only call if you have indeed entered a time machine. The Game Counselor program no longer exists in 2016.
[/9to5-press-release]
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