News – Nintendo Announces The Nintendo Classic Mini

Nintendo may be working hard on the upcoming NX, but that hasn’t stopped them announcing another new console. Even more surprisingly though, is that this console is the 8-bit Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES Classic Edition in North America). A mini NES console filled with 30 8-bit retro classics from the 80s, including the likes of Super Mario Bros., Punch-Out!!, Castlevania, and Mega Man 2 to name but a few.

This Nintendo Classic Mini will come pre-loaded with 30 of the greatest games to ever grace the legendary NES, whilst fitting in the palm of your hand at the same time. What’s more, the console also brings with it a few modernisations that even retro fans will approve of. These include the HDMI connectivity, and the ability to save in game.

Back To The 80s

According to Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime, this console has been created to focus entirely on both Nintnendo’s retro legacy, and fans of retro gaming new and old:

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. 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 Nintendo Classic Mini will be released on November 11th for $59.99, and will come bundled with a replica version of the original NES controller alongside the 30 pre-loaded titles. A second controller will be made available for $9.99, although the console will support Nintendo Classic controllers.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Nevertheless, thanks to the affordable price tag, and focus on retro, Nintendo did announce a few limitations of the console. The most obvious of which being thanks to its tiny size, the console sadly won’t support original NES cartridges. Furthermore, it won’t have any online support, although this happily does mean no firmware updates.

A Dream Lineup

Obviously in the past we’ve had some sketchy plug and play consoles. However, having the original creator Nintendo at the helm this time should satisfy many. What’s more, of the 30 pre-loaded games, Nintendo have been able to secure some of the most revered 8-bit games of the 80s from third parties to create one hell of a lineup.

The full list of 30 can be seen below, and it includes hit after hit:

• 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

All in all, the announcement of the Nintendo Classic Mini was definitely a surprise to many coming quite out of the blue, especially as it concerns all things retro. Nevertheless, it was a more than welcome one, and one that proves how much Nintendo still values its classic creations, and the continued relevancy of retro gaming. Bring on November 2016, or should I say 1983?