Nintendo Entertainment System Classic Edition

[kainemaxwell]

http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/07/nintendo_entertainment_system_nes_classic_edition_ coming_this_november_ships_with_30_games

(If this needs to be moved, please do so, I apologize.)

[Tanooki]

Holy shit, wicked. They've turned their noses up at this for as long as I can remember people requesting/demanding this since Sega got in on the racket like 15 years ago. Now THIS is something I'd buy.

[bb_hood]

Games included:
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


meh.
The only thing going for this here system is that it has StarTropics and Kirby's Adventure, since those 2 dont currently work on flashcarts (or at least not the PowerPak). And ya know, a flashcart that plays thousands of roms for about 150$ vs this system with 30 games for 60$. Unless you collect modern stuff I cant see the point.

[eskobar]

Games included:
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


meh.
The only thing going for this here system is that it has StarTropics and Kirby's Adventure, since those 2 dont currently work on flashcarts (or at least not the PowerPak). And ya know, a flashcart that plays thousands of roms for about 150$ vs this system with 30 games for 60$. Unless you collect modern stuff I cant see the point.

Obviously we are not the target.

The target market is the younger consumers that are purchasing NES, SNES, N64 and other systems that wasn't his generation. Those consumers are the ones that buy the Retron5 and systems alike and bid high on eBay for a copy of Zelda or SMB. For that market, this console is a very solid deal.

The selection is pretty good in my opinion.

[bb_hood]

Obviously we are not the target.

Obviously.

[kupomogli]

Nintendo is including a plug and play console with 30 games. A bit expensive at $60, but almost the entire library is full of win. Not only is it full of variety, but most of the games included are the better games on the 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

My opinions on a few games that should be changed. Excitebike is there for a racing game, but they probably put that there to cut costs as a first party game, but I would have rather seen something like RC Pro AM or Rad Racer. Ninja Gaiden is good, but like how they included Mega Man 2 and Double Dragon 2, much better games, you'd think they'd have included the far superior Ninja Gaiden 2. Kid Icarus is popular because Pit is on Super Smash Bros, something similar would be Rygar or Tetris would really compilment Dr. Mario with the best two puzzle games on the system. I've never played Donkey Kong Jr, but based on Donkey Kong, it's pointless on the NES version when the game ends after the levels repeat. Mega Man 3, Contra, Castlevania 3, Ninja Gaiden 2(if not swapped with NG,) Adventure Island, Dragon Quest 3 or 4, Mother(since it was recently localized,) etc.

Anyways. Aside from a few games that I wouldn't include, it's literally an amazing plug and play in terms of what is included.

[Niku-Sama]

Wonder how long it takes some one to hack it and it's either able to play carts or other roms loaded to it

[Aussie2B]

I'm not particularly interested since I already have a real NES (four of them, even) and most of those games, but yeah, it's a nice selection and a good deal cheaper than buying a real NES and all those carts. I imagine most younger gamers will really appreciate being able to use save states too, and the HDMI out. But since it's basically just an emulator and ROMs in a box, I wonder how the performance will be, like if there will be any input lag or what have you.

[Tupin]

Nintendo themselves can't make a NOAC that can run Castlevania 3? Anyway, looks cool.

[RP2A03]

I wonder if the rubber domes in the new controllers can be transplanted into an original controller.

[The S]

It has Pac-Man on it, so I'm sold.

[celerystalker]

I may not be the target consumer, but I think it's a good idea. They'll make a ton of money on it. As well as the Flashback Atari, Colecovision, and Intellivision line has sold, the NES has an even larger current nostalgia base to cash in on. It's likely a slam dunk financially for them.

[fergojisan]

Nintendo themselves can't make a NOAC that can run Castlevania 3? Anyway, looks cool.

They have to save something for future iterations. :)

[RPG_Fanatic]

It'll be one of the hottest toys this Christmas

[Niku-Sama]

I wonder if the rubber domes in the new controllers can be transplanted into an original controller.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171548326537

[OldSchoolGamer]

Honestly? Coming straight from Nintendo I had to do some checking and make sure it was valid lol. I could not believe it was official. I am not surprised it will not play ROMS being from Nintendo themselves as they have always been against ROMS and emulation (outside of their own VC offerings) but to have an officially licensed plug n play with Wii / WiiU compatible classic controllers ? I admit I am surprised and impressed. Definitely a step in the right direction and good to see the big N finally embracing a concept like this. WHO KNOWS? We will see what modders / hackers do with this little baby but having that official seal, I think that is just cool. YEAH if it were any other company you know I would be all "WHERE IS THE SD SLOT? WHY CAN'T I PLAY ROMS AND ORIGINAL CARTS!!!" but honestly I was not even expecting what we are getting officially from Nintendo so I think it is a step in the right direction that will sell like mad.

[RP2A03]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/171548326537

Nifty.

[Tron 2.0]

The nes mini talk sure is making the rounds the message boards i visit.If it doesn't turn out to be like a atgames console i'm sold.While i all ready have a famicom av plus a collection,may buy the nes mini just for the novelty sake.Still i find it odd while it has super c but no contra !? What's the deal with that game and konami it's kind of like how it skipped the virtual console :p

[Niku-Sama]

Well unlike the at games systems this one seems to have an HDMI out put. Huge plus right there.

Maybe this is the NX guys?

[Tanooki]

Pretty funny if it was the NX. I'm getting a sorta Retron5 feeling off this. Just seems to be an android emulator for NES they developed due to the save states it has, then the HDMI port out the back instead of the usual ghetto rca setup atgames, jakks, etc use.

[MetalFRO]

For the casual retrogamer, especially with some of the titles being more high dollar (Super C, Mega Man 2, etc.) this is a good deal, and something that will appeal to the gamer that just has to have everything Nintendo as well.

[Flojomojo]

I may not be the target consumer, but I think it's a good idea. They'll make a ton of money on it. As well as the Flashback Atari, Colecovision, and Intellivision line has sold, the NES has an even larger current nostalgia base to cash in on. It's likely a slam dunk financially for them.

People from AtGames have stated that the Intellivision and ColecoVision Flashback consoles didn't sell well enough to bring back. But the Sega and Atari lines keep on coming out, and there will be an Atari Flashback Portable this year, which is neat. There's also a plug-n-play from Retro-Bit coming with a bunch of arcade games on it.

The Nintendo one is going to outsell them all by a large margin. Plus, it's so cute! I have most of my favorites on Wii and 3DS (and cartridge, sigh) but I want this anyway.

[ReaXan]

People from AtGames have stated that the Intellivision and ColecoVision Flashback consoles didn't sell well enough to bring back. But the Sega and Atari lines keep on coming out, and there will be an Atari Flashback Portable this year, which is neat. There's also a plug-n-play from Retro-Bit coming with a bunch of arcade games on it.

The Nintendo one is going to outsell them all by a large margin. Plus, it's so cute! I have most of my favorites on Wii and 3DS (and cartridge, sigh) but I want this anyway.

I think the Nintendo ones will be more iconic because there have been a million 2600, Intellivision,ColecoVision flashback mini console on the market for years and years along with collections of said games on all the home consoles the last 2 or 3 generations. Also Nintendo is more picky than the other IP companies who dont make any real income anymore. The Virtual Console was still a little too complicated for the masses as sad as it sounds compared to just a plug and play solution like Nintendo is releasing.

Also Sega pretty much will license anything as long as you pay them some sort of royalty. All their Genesis clones you see at the drug store are pretty much garbage and use emulation overhead programs running on a severly underpowered chip not meant for it. Its kinda sad how much Sega has whored itself out since the Dreamcast days in games and hardware.

Nintendo was charging like 50 dollars for a Mario All-Stars rom dump on a Wii Disc which was kinda insulting but the price on this seems pretty fair.

[Tanooki]

You're thinking of the Retrobit Generations system, strongly backed by Capcom. IF the Nintendo thing was not coming this would be the badassery of the year right there for all in one closed up gaming.
http://retro-bit.com/generations.html

There are over 100 arcade games on it. Capcom and Iem (Kung Fu, 10 Yard Fight, Hammerin Harry) are the huge backers, most of their known and lesser forgotten/known arcade titles will be on this thing, a total beast if you want a really big arcade thing. No more of that pussy 5 games in 1 with a joystick type crap with that one. It dwarfs the NES at like 3.5 to 1 in ratio of titles. I am NOT a fan of multi system things like these in general as they've always bored me fast.

I currently only retain the Pac-Man one that looks like him that has high score saving on it called the Pac-Man connect n' play with 12 games -https://www.amazon.com/Pac-Man-88461-Connect-and-Play/dp/B008AG4TZI and I've got the 2nd final model of the Golden Tee Golf device with the roller ball which has driving practice, 4 player, 3 courses (instead of 1), and high score saving added to it.

Without any doubt in my mind I'd buy both the NES and the Retrobit device as long as both of them properly represent well what games are in there. I don't want more ATgames filthy f'n messes like the Genesis. The only thing ATGames ever did right is their closed SMS/GG handheld, I own that too, and it works right.

[Niku-Sama]

I know we are all going on hear say but it seems to me it might be a slim down relation to original Wii hardware.

It will have HDMI, og Wii was slated to do atleast 720p until the option was patched out in the press samples.

The controller that comes with it will work on a Wii remote and I've read a few places that a Wii remote will still work on it too.

Like i say, all hear say but i could see them using up old chips in a different config with differing amount of RAM and storage than the og Wii to make these.

Wii mini was what? $100 before stopping production. No drive, less RAM/storage, smaller pcb. Could be it

[Tanooki]

Yeah that's a possibility. I mean really how much oomph does it need to run let's say at best SNES titles if they have outward bound intent? Wii definitely, hell maybe even without the WiiOS and other baggage involved something closer to the Gamecube as this has no need for the optical drive, no need for anything better than the cheapest option storage (these days being 1-2GB of space like the Retron5 has) no internet parts, no jacks other than usb in back and their own Wii style up front. That Wii Mini was $99 at a nice profit with the drive, the big red box, the bluetooth wiimote control full setup, and what little else it had to work. If they ran some non booting to a menu barebones firmware as basic almost as like a Namco plug n' play, the VC emulator (which would explain no Castlevania 3 I believe), and just allowed just what that emulator does anyway with the hot save stating, it would fit. I don't see why with all the fluff and crap out of the way $60 wouldn't be profitable when the other was at $99 with the bigger/larger parts and chips.

[retroman]

I have every game on the list and 4 NES systems myself, but I will still get this, and I am not even sure why.

[Steve W]

You're thinking of the Retrobit Generations system, strongly backed by Capcom. IF the Nintendo thing was not coming this would be the badassery of the year right there for all in one closed up gaming.
http://retro-bit.com/generations.html

One of the games is GunSmoke, I wonder how they're going to get that one working without a rotary controller. Unless that Genesis-looking controller has a rotating D-pad. That would be pretty cool for rotary games like Heavy Barrel and Ikari Warriors.


I have every game on the list and 4 NES systems myself, but I will still get this, and I am not even sure why.

It's the same with me, I keep buying Atari Flashbacks when I find them cheap, even though I have all the games on it already. I feel a compulsion to buy a new version of something I love, even though there's no point ultimately.

[Pikointeractive]

Jaleco Joined the Generations Party!

[PizzaKat]

I'm satisfied with the list. It definitely looks cute and I hope sales are good to warrant an SNES version with games that are insanely priced to buy if its not on the VC

[Rickstilwell1]

I don't think the price is that bad considering it's $2 a game. The only thing is that it is emulation so it's more meant for people who aren't as tech savvy. Also it's stuck with the 30 games on it with no way to upgrade. At least the controller can double as a controller for use on Wii/Wii U virtual console.

[Az]

Although it would be a totally redundant and pointless investment for me I will totally be picking one of these up when they're released. Besides just making it a full-size console that plays real carts it looks like Nintendo is making all the right decisions on this.

I'll be the first to admit I am totally shocked by several aspects of this. I'd have never expected all the different controller compatibility options, all of which are great. I certainly wouldn't have expected so many AAA games, especially from so many companies which seems like it would have been a licensing nightmare for anyone but Nintendo. Plus the price point totally floored me. Nintendo has never, ever been one to do bundles (SMAS excluded) and they always charge a premium for any of their first party products, just as a previous poster pointed out with the SMAS Wii release. Unlike Sega, who has devalued their own properties licensing them to any fly-by-night company and putting them in huge bundles with a tiny per-game price Nintendo continually charges an arm and a leg for any of their legacy titles. Such a low price point with virtually all the big name titles included totally shocked me. I was figuring on the usual shithouse entries of Clu-Clu Land, Urban Champion, Balloon Fight, and maybe a few other black box releases with *maybe* SMB: The Lost Levels at best. Never in a million years thought they'd include all 3 SMB titles plus everything else.

[Greg2600]

I'll probably pick one up, you never know with Nintendo. They could only produce a finite number and then never again.

[Bratwurst]

There will be no shortage of these once they're out long enough. I'll grab one after a price drop (if there is one) and the internals have been sussed out for hacking.

[Niku-Sama]

I just had a random thought, what are the odds that the games on here are going to have the extra audio channels like some of their famicom releases?

[theclaw]

All they need is a NES on a chip, backed by a video scaler and memory to save the game state to.
Anything resembling the Wii is overkill in terms of processing power.

[Tanooki]

Maybe so, and maybe so would a New3DS set of guts as well. But you would also have to consider if they did use stuff they've already developed it saves a lot of money, and if it's too powerful for 8bit, it would be just right for 16bit SNES though. Then you just need to swap out the virtual console emulator if they went that route with the one needed for the other console, press some new controllers that match it, and you're good to go. So much corner and cost cutting there it almost makes too much sense. Remember Nintendo is king of cheap and going budget on stuff so it does fit. Why R&D something new when you can use crap you already paid for?

[Niku-Sama]

plus if it does well and it is partially old wii hardware it would make it easy to do mini SNES and N64.
same hardware different shell/rom set

[SparTonberry]

If that would force Nintendo to make a N64 CC, I'd be for it.
I only got a homebrew N64-to-GC controller converter, which makes it only compatible with the Wii.

[eskobar]

I just had a random thought, what are the odds that the games on here are going to have the extra audio channels like some of their famicom releases?

That would be a software problem more than a hardware one. You can mod the NES to have that extra channel the carts with special chips, but ports like The Legend of Zelda, Metroid or Castlevania III, and many more, were re-composed or re-mixed because of the limitations of the NES vs. the FDS that has an extra audio channel.


When Akumajou Densetsu was ported for the NES, Intelligent Systems did the job, like many other disk to cart ports; and the re-composed the score using techniques that made the composition comparable but in some tracks it is very clear the superiority of the chip Konami used to have the extra audio channels and the memory management (VRC6).

If they get inside the rom and make modifications to the code, it would be really great; the score of the FDS is really superior, I really love the FDS soundtrack of Zelda II. 8-)

[Pikkon]

As for famicom and fds games having extra audio on the Wii virtual console in japan I know they released fds games like metroid and kid icarus that indeed had the extra audio,same for the famicom mini gba games.

I think if japan releases a famicom mini console I'm pretty sure zelda for example will have the extra audio.

[Niku-Sama]

I realize that was an old hardware limitation I am just wondering if we are going to get that extra audio in the states finally from them

[eskobar]

As for famicom and fds games having extra audio on the Wii virtual console in japan I know they released fds games like metroid and kid icarus that indeed had the extra audio,same for the famicom mini gba games.

I think if japan releases a famicom mini console I'm pretty sure zelda for example will have the extra audio.

Yes, because they are emulating the original FDS/Famicom hardware, the ROM was not modified. The problem with the US version is that they are indeed emulating the NES and the ROM is not modified. The differences are in the code. :wink 2:

[SparTonberry]

Zelda also used the microphone in Japan.
I suppose if they did make a Famicom version, they would have to modify it (I think there was one release that used a "push Select four times" substitute. Maybe the Japanese GBA version?) Unless Nintendo would go to the extent of putting a cheapo mic in? (I know code-wise, the mic is basically just an extra button input)

I would have thought the FC cart version would have swapped out the mic input but I remember a James Rolfe video confirming it still used the mic (as despite the 1992 copyright date, it was apparently released in 1994 as a launch game for the AV Famicom, which had NES-style controller ports and thus no mic support).

[Nz17]

FRESH STOCK this Friday!


If you weren't able to get your hands on an NES Classic during its initial run, you'll soon have an opportunity to pick one up at GameStop. The video game retailer announced that it is receiving a new stock of NES Classic consoles next week, on June 29, but they'll be in short supply.

According to GameStop, the retailer will have "at least 10 units per store," although some locations may have a larger stock. As before, the console will retail for $60, but it will only be available in limited quantities, which will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you aren't able to visit a physical location, GameStop says it will have a stock of NES Classic systems on its website in addition to its brick-and-mortar stores. The console will also be available at ThinkGeek's online and physical stores, although it's not clear if it will be sold individually or as part of bundles.

Source: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nes-classic-returning-to-gamestop-next-week/1100-6459961/

[megasdkirby]

What about Amazon?

[AdamAnt316]

FRESH STOCK this Friday!



Source: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nes-classic-returning-to-gamestop-next-week/1100-6459961/

I'm gonna try for this, but given what happened the first time around, along with the SNES Classic Mini, I don't have high hopes. Still rather irritated with Nintendo over all this, as pretty much the only people who have benefitted from this fiasco (fiascoes?) have been the scalpers. :bad-words:
-Adam

[Tupin]

SNES Classics were much, much easier to find. I have seen them consistently in stores for months.

[AdamAnt316]

SNES Classics were much, much easier to find. I have seen them consistently in stores for months.

They've been sold out in every store I've checked around here. The local WalMart had a place for them in the Nintendo section of their game case, but it was consistently empty (or filled with non-SNES Classic merchandise), and the price sticker has since disappeared from their racks. Every GameStop I've checked has been out of stock. Granted, I didn't bother lining up outside any of these stores before opening time, but I should've seen something. Heck, all I've seen of the SNES Classic Mini around here was an empty box for one which someone had on their table at a flea market, and even that managed to sell. :grrr:
-Adam
Generally not much of an early riser

[gbpxl]

Nintendo either A) produces too few consoles or B) prices it so low that people buy multiples of a console on day one then try to scalp it on Craigslist or eBay. They have been doing this since at least the N64.

Unlike many of the people who bought the system, I actually wanted one to play the games on it, not re-sell it. I'm not standing outside a Best Buy at midnight with my girlfriend so I can get stabbed or go to jail when someone decides to cut in front of me. I have literally never seen either an NES or SNES Classic or sale t a store, brand new.

[Greg2600]

Since this run of NES classic is identical to the original, I won't need one.

[Nz17]

What about this?


A Shōnen Jump Edition of the Famicom Mini will be released in Japan on July 7, 2018. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump manga magazine, the special edition will feature 20 Famicom games largely based on Shōnen Jump manga properties, including Dragon Ball, Saint Seiya, and Kinnikuman.[24]

This edition of the console includes the following games:

Kinnikuman: Muscle Tag Match (1985)
Dragon Quest (1986)
Hokuto no Ken (1986)
Dragon Ball: Shenlong no Nazo (1986)
Kinnikuman: Kinniku-sei Ōi Sōdatsusen (1987)
Saint Seiya: Ōgon Densetsu (1987)
Captain Tsubasa (1988)
Saint Seiya: Ōgon Densetsu Kanketsu-hen (1988)
Sekiryūō (1989)
Famicom Jump: Hero Retsuden (1989)
Sakigake!! Otokojuku Shippū Ichi Gō Sei (1989)
Ankoku Shinwa: Yamato Takeru Densetsu (1989)
Tenchi o Kurau (1989)
Hokuto no Ken 3: Shin Seiki Sōzō: Seiken Retsuden (1989)
Dragon Ball 3: Goku Den (1989)
Captain Tsubasa Vol. II: Super Striker (1990)
Dragon Ball Z: Kyōshū! Saiyajin (1990)
Magical Taluluto-kun FANTASTIC WORLD!! (1991)
Famicom Jump II: Saikyō no Shichinin (1991)
Rokudenashi Blues (1993)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NES_Classic_Edition#Sh%C5%8Dnen_Jump_Edition

[gbpxl]

I bought one. Controller cable is way too short. My HDMI cable is long enough that I can sit on the floor a good distance away.

Picture quality is decent enough. I use the filter. I don't like that it doesn't fill up the whole screen and they cut off the overscan on the left and right sides but beyond that the games work and there's no noticeable lag. Tiny system. Good selection of games. Most of the essentials are there. Great price. B+

[AdamAnt316]

Our long national nightmare is over:

10539

Got to the local GameStop a couple of hours before opening time, and there was no line, so I waited in my car. A hour before opening time, a couple of guys started standing near the door, so I joined them. Had a pretty good time talking with them about classic video games, and electronics in general. At 10AM, the store employees unlocked the door and let the four of us in. The guy in front of me bought one as well, so I wasn't the only person crazy enough to show up early for one of these things.

Bought the console, along with a wired controller (there was a strict limit of one item per customer; the guy in front of me tried to buy two of the wireless controllers, but they wouldn't let him get more than one, even though they had a stack on the counter). Will have to track down some extension cables for the controllers (didn't see them at the store, but I didn't think to ask, either). Tried the NES Classic out when I got home, and it works quite nicely! :D They even left the 'minus world' trick in SMB1.

So yeah, glad that I was finally able to find one of these things for the regular retail price after nearly two years. :-/ Glad I didn't buy one from any of the scalpers (saw one in a local-ish game store priced at $150 last year), or settle for one of the knockoffs (saw one at the MIT Swap last month priced at either $30 or $50, and someone actually bought it :?). It'll go nicely with my collection of Flashback mini-consoles. No idea if I'll be able to find one of the SNES Classic Minis around here to go with it, but who knows.
-Adam

[bb_hood]

Our long national nightmare is over:

10539

Got to the local GameStop a couple of hours before opening time, and there was no line, so I waited in my car. A hour before opening time, a couple of guys started standing near the door, so I joined them. Had a pretty good time talking with them about classic video games, and electronics in general.

Thats been my general experience while waiting for gamestop or toyrus to open. I get there like 30 minutes early and u just end up talking to random guys about video game stuff. So yeah often times its not really painful waiting in line for nintendo stuff.

[AdamAnt316]

Thats been my general experience while waiting for gamestop or toyrus to open. I get there like 30 minutes early and u just end up talking to random guys about video game stuff. So yeah often times its not really painful waiting in line for nintendo stuff.

Pretty sure this is the first time I've ever lined up outside a store to buy anything. I never bother with Black Friday (worked it once, not fun), and I generally depend on random chance for finding stuff. Sure, I've lined up outside of swap meets, hamfests, estate sales, etc. but that's a bit of a different situation, and I usually know several of the people in line. I wasn't sure anyone else was going to be lining up outside this store, and felt kinda silly waiting in my car two hours before the store opened, hoping that I wasn't going to have the cops called on me or something like that. Not sure I'd do it again, but yeah, it was an interesting experience.
-Adam

[Nz17]

Leave home at 8:00 A.M.
Board bus at 8:08 A.M.
Arrive at the bus stop near GameStop at 8:58 A.M.
Two guys are already waiting at GameStop.
They had been there since 6 A.M.
They had bought NES Classic Editions over at Wal*Mart first that day (1 per customer).
The GameStop store's employee is already there, and he has unlocked the metal screen, but the door remains locked.
The door has a flyer explaining that there were 18 NES CE's ($60 each) and 2 extra official wired controllers ($10 each). (This is in a town with a population of 9000 to give some perspective.)
The flyer explains that there is a limit of 1 of each type of official NES hardware per customer.
Employee explains he can't let us enter until opening at 10 A.M.
Employee explains that there is a maximal limit of one NES CE purchase per household and one official wired controller purchase per household.
I chat with the others customers waiting outside the store about old cartoons and video games and new indie games for classic consoles.
We stand between their cars and I keep stepping farther back toward the east to use the shade of a nearby tree.
A car filled with three or four people drives up, parking one or two spaces to the south.
The two guys get nervous, not wanting to lose their places in line or chances at the purchases.
They line up alongside the store.
Car people stay in their car.
Guys go back to being between their cars.
More people show up.
Guys form a line in the sun alongside the storefront again.
The sun is too hot and I temporarily leave for the dollar store.
I buy an umbrella to use as a parasol and a drink.
I return.
Just as I am about to open the umbrella, the store employee opens the door due to having a change of heart, letting us inside.
The time is 9:30 A.M.
We have to stay in the half of the store toward the front door.
Half of the people there are there for things other than NES CE items.
As we wait, three more people show up for NES CE's.
A few people show up just wanting to browse the store.
The first two guys buy their NES CE's and extra official controllers.
The guys from the car go to buy their Call of Duty game(s).
Guy finds out the store had a midnight launch of the game last night.
Guy get irate, demands a discount of 15% or 25%.
Employee asks what happened.
Guy says he called three days ago asking about a midnight launch and says they lied, telling him it wasn't happening.
Employee figures things out, explains he wasn't working there at that time, and that they didn't know about the midnight launch until the morning beforehand.
Guy is still upset and indignant.
Employee tries to calm things down, treat the situation as though the guy is half-joking, laughs a little.
Guy looks around at the other people, kinda laughs along, calms down a little.
Employee explains the situation, telling him corporate didn't inform them until Thursday morning.
Guy finally accepts the situation, buys his things, leaves.
The GameStop has lots of various unofficial wireless controllers for the NES CE.
Remaining people who are there for NES CE's buy theirs, some with unofficial wireless controllers.
A family shows up to buy an NES CE with an unofficial wireless controller.
Store suddenly can't run credit cards due to the payment processor having an issue.
Family is from three hours out-of-town, waits around hoping that the system will work again soon.
Thankfully, they can eventually run their credit cards about ten minutes later.
I notice that the store is having a Buy 2, Get 1 Free sale on all pre-owned (used) items.
I notice a 50% discount sale on all clearance merchandise at GameStop (Zelda, Mega Man, Mario, a few other things with yellow price tags that have been there for a while).
I notice a cool color-changing Sonic The Hedgehog mug.
It is not a part of the 50% sale.
Employee goes to change sign in the window to indicate the current numbers of NES CE's (about 9) and extra official controllers (0).
Employee notices the sign says "per customer," not "per household," contrary to what he was told.
I chat with employee, customers until my bus is almost there.
I leave at 11:32 A.M.
There are still 8 NES CE's left at GameStop.
I board the bus at 11:39 A.M.
I get home a little before noon.
...and that is my adventure from Friday.

The takeaway: a few good sales are still happening at GameStop, and there were more NES Classic Editions than I was expecting.

Remember, any Wii controller extension cable can be used with the NES Classic Edition or SNES Classic Edition. It's the same type of cable and connection that goes between a Wii remote and, for example, a Classic Controller Pro. Third-party cables like these can be bought from Amazon for about $10 for 2 of them and qualify for Amazon Prime shipping.

This also means that an NES Classic Edition controller, SNES Classic Edition controller, Wii Classic Controller, Wii Classic Controller Pro, fighting game controllers for Wii, etc. can be used to control an NES Classic Edition or SNES Classic Edition. There's also the Hyperkin NES Controller to NES Classic Edition Adapter to use original NES controllers with NES CE wirelessly. And there is a plethora of unofficial wired and wireless controllers too.

[Robocop2]

After two years I finally got one too but my story is abysmally boring. I just went by target yesterday morning on the way to work and they had 5-6 of then I need the case. Worst part for me and the other two people was waiting for the electronics guy to be able to unlock the case....now the controllers are apparently harder to get at the moment but since SNES classic and Wii classic controllers work with its not really a big deal at the moment.

I’m just glad Nintendo re released them

[Nz17]

Funny enough, I was talking to my grandmother today, and she told me that she had bought *2* of the NES CE's for me as a surprise! I told her that I went to GameStop to buy one because she said she couldn't help with it that day. She was upset that I bought one. I told her I didn't know she was going to buy two of them so what was I supposed to do? She told me that she had some free time during Friday morning and bought them at two different Target stores in the early hours of the day (8 A.M. if I recall correctly). She said that one of the Targets got 168 of them! (This would have been near Garden Grove, California.) She lamented that I already had one. She asked how much it was, which was the same as what she paid for each. I asked her what she was going to do with them. She said she'd ask my cousin if he wanted one and she didn't know what to do with the other one. (Which is funny as he is an *ahem* "graphics enthusiast" who sold off his Xbox 360 and all of his games for an Xbox One and has no interest in anything older than current gen.) She asked if I wanted them. I said I could raffle them off at a convention. She was aghast at the idea. I told her she could send them to me if she wanted to. She asked if I was going to pay for them and the shipping. I told her no, I already had one, and I didn't want to pay, what, $120 plus $20 for shipping? She seemed forlorn. I suggested that she just return them to the stores. She, for some reason, thought that she couldn't return them. I asked her if she had opened them and if she had the receipts. She replied that no, she hadn't opened them, and she still had the receipts. So I told her, of course you can return them! For some reason, she had assumed she couldn't, like as if they were opened software. Anyway, the realization helped to cheer her up, and she decided to return them for the money.

I guess the lesson here is, "Look before you leap!"

[bb_hood]

They are currently in stock at Wal-Mart as well.

[Nz17]

Interesting. From Siliconera (http://www.siliconera.com/2018/06/29/nes-classic-edition-returns-to-stores/):


If someone missed out on picking up a NES Classic Edition the first time around, a second chance has presented itself. Starting today, June 29, 2018, the plug-and-play system has returned to stores. You should be able to find it on both digital and physical retailers very soon for $59.99. Best Buy, GameStop and Target all have their listings up.

Both the NES Classic Edition and Super NES Classic Edition are expected to be available in stores through the end of 2018.

If all of that is true, then places like Amazon and Wal*Mart should be getting stock of the NES and SNES CE's throughout the rest of this year. Hopefully that means that prices for new and used consoles will drop to reasonable levels. I've already noticed a real effect on the prices at places like Amazon, where what was once $250+ is now like $80.

Also of note: GameStop listings for Super NES Classic Edition - Ships by 7/6 (https://www.gamestop.com/snes/consoles/z/162405) and Nintendo NES Classic Edition - Ships by 7/13 (https://www.gamestop.com/nes/consoles/z/165699). I guess that's how GS is going to handle orders for the next round of consoles on its Web site.

[AdamAnt316]

Interesting. From Siliconera (http://www.siliconera.com/2018/06/29/nes-classic-edition-returns-to-stores/):

(snip)

If all of that is true, then places like Amazon and Wal*Mart should be getting stock of the NES and SNES CE's throughout the rest of this year. Hopefully that means that prices for new and used consoles will drop to reasonable levels. I've already noticed a real effect on the prices at places like Amazon, where what was once $250+ is now like $80.

Yeah, I saw that in the other article posted here. Hopefully, there will be announcements soon about GameStop getting shipments of the SNES Classic back in. I didn't ask when I bought my NES Classic, but if they're indeed still producing them, it's probably only a matter of time. I periodically checked the local GameStops throughout the past year asking about the SNES Classic Mini, and shipments (when they got them) were better than they'd been for the NES Classic, but still sparse; this past spring, one of the employees I talked to was under the impression that it might've been discontinued, since they hadn't gotten a shipment of them in some time. In any case, I'm glad that the scalpers are finally getting the screws put to 'em, albeit indirectly. :)
-Adam

[starchildskiss78]

After two years I finally got one too but my story is abysmally boring. I just went by target yesterday morning on the way to work and they had 5-6 of then I need the case. Worst part for me and the other two people was waiting for the electronics guy to be able to unlock the case....now the controllers are apparently harder to get at the moment but since SNES classic and Wii classic controllers work with its not really a big deal at the moment.

I’m just glad Nintendo re released them


You and I have a similar experience! I was disappointed when they came out and were quickly out of stock. (I even tried to order them from Best Buy's website the brief time they were available again.) I originally pre-ordered one from Amazon UK but the order got cancelled because my credit union was blocking the payment and it took too long to get it sorted out. I was eating lunch Friday (around 2:15ish) and decided to check the NowInStock website just for giggles, figuring it was already sold out everywhere. I saw Walmart was still listing them in stock nearby so I went as fast as I could to the closest one and powerwalked my way to electronics. They had about 5 or 6 in the case so I very happily picked one up. They didn't have the extra controllers available, but I have a SNES Classic so worst case scenario I can use one of those controllers. I am going to get a case at some point and a second controller along with extension cables to remedy the laughably short cable issue!

[AdamAnt316]

They didn't have the extra controllers available, but I have a SNES Classic so worst case scenario I can use one of those controllers. I am going to get a case at some point and a second controller along with extension cables to remedy the laughably short cable issue!

According to the guy I talked to at GameStop, both the controller from the SNES Classic and the Wii Classic Controller will work just fine with the NES Classic. Extension cables for either will work as well. I went back to GameStop after purchasing my NES Classic, and they had a Nyko extension cable which cost $10 for one. I bought one, but may take it back if I can find a 2-pack from a different source, though it's something, at the least.
-Adam

[Tupin]

And again, I found an NES Classic relatively easily a few days ago.

[Niku-Sama]

I think I want that shonen jump one

[Robocop2]

According to the guy I talked to at GameStop, both the controller from the SNES Classic and the Wii Classic Controller will work just fine with the NES Classic. Extension cables for either will work as well. I went back to GameStop after purchasing my NES Classic, and they had a Nyko extension cable which cost $10 for one. I bought one, but may take it back if I can find a 2-pack from a different source, though it's something, at the least.
-Adam

There are a few others that will work as well. Nintendo has a list on their support page of supported controllers so it’s not like you need two NES classic controllers for any other reason than semi authenticity

[AdamAnt316]

There are a few others that will work as well. Nintendo has a list on their support page of supported controllers so it’s not like you need two NES classic controllers for any other reason than semi authenticity

Yeah, I found that page (https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/17341/~/which-controllers-are-compatible-with-the-nes-classic-edition%3F). Oddly, it lists everything but the NES Classic Controller and SNES Classic Controller as only working as a player 2 controller. Guessing the start and select buttons don't map properly, for whatever reason. :-/ In any case, I bought the wired controller because a) It felt right to have a matching second controller, b) I don't have any of the other controllers mentioned on that page, and c) I don't know whether or not the wireless controllers have any latency issues.
-Adam

[Greg2600]

Gamestop's have been getting the solo controller in, but they are gone quickly. I picked up a couple for myself and a friend, then went to Target and got a Classic Mini for him as well.

[Rickstilwell1]

I still don't think I'm going to bother getting one. Not with multiple real NES consoles with all my favorite real games, a Powerpak, a Super 8 converter for SNES, a modded Xbox, a modded Wii, a modded PSP, a Retron 5, an Ouya, multiple laptops with emulators - some Mac, some PC, some Linux. NES is everywhere in my home and on the go already. I just can't justify the money on the same thing when there's so many old collectible games I don't even have yet.


All I really might want is a repro of Star Fox 2 since the rom has been dumped from the SNES mini and repro makers have started selling it. It's a lot cheaper to buy this repro for my real SNES than to buy the whole SNES mini when like the NES situation I have a few real SNES systems, a Powerpak, those consoles listed above and the emulators on the laptops. And I might not even do that because the emulators might run that perfectly anyway.

[AdamAnt316]

I still don't think I'm going to bother getting one. Not with multiple real NES consoles with all my favorite real games, a Powerpak, a Super 8 converter for SNES, a modded Xbox, a modded Wii, a modded PSP, a Retron 5, an Ouya, multiple laptops with emulators - some Mac, some PC, some Linux. NES is everywhere in my home and on the go already. I just can't justify the money on the same thing when there's so many old collectible games I don't even have yet.


All I really might want is a repro of Star Fox 2 since the rom has been dumped from the SNES mini and repro makers have started selling it. It's a lot cheaper to buy this repro for my real SNES than to buy the whole SNES mini when like the NES situation I have a few real SNES systems, a Powerpak, those consoles listed above and the emulators on the laptops. And I might not even do that because the emulators might run that perfectly anyway.

I bought mine because I already have a collection of "Flashback" consoles (Atari, Intellivision, Colecovision, etc.) and thought the NES Mini would go nice with them. Also, I liked the ease-of-use of the dedicated console vs. having to deal with the dodgy cartridge contacts used in the toaster NES.

Like you, I have oodles of NES hardware and games, though most of the systems don't work at the moment due to the usual bent contacts and whatnot. I wouldn't mind finding a top-loader at some point, but since i don't have one, this will do for now.

Anyway, our other (not-as-)long national nightmare is over:

http://www.electronixandmore.com/adam/temp/itsaboutdamntime2.jpg

This time around, it was much more like what I wanted, without having to wait in line for the store to open or anything like that. While shopping at the local mall, I stopped into the GameStop to see if the clerks had any idea when the big re-release of the SNES Classic Edition might be happening. One of the clerks told me that they generally get a few of them a week, more than with the NES Classic. She then had a quick look in the back room, and lo and behold, they still had (at least) one in stock! :D Paid the $80, and walked out the door with my prize.

Makes me glad that I didn't buy the modified SNES Classic I saw at the MIT Swap a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't that much more expensive than retail, but I figured I'd wait until I was able to buy a brand new one at the store, and be able to decide for myself whether or not to mod it. Should be fun to compare it to the NES Classic.
-Adam

[DeputyMoniker]

Unlike many of the people who bought the system, I actually wanted one to play the games on it, not re-sell it. I'm not standing outside a Best Buy at midnight with my girlfriend so I can get stabbed or go to jail when someone decides to cut in front of me. I have literally never seen either an NES or SNES Classic or sale t a store, brand new.

Same here. Cutting in line makes me crazy. Never seen the NESC or SNESC available in a store. I was fortunate enough to snag an NESC on day 1, though. That was before anybody gave a shit about it. I love playing that thing, man. Brand new official Nintendo controller. That cord is stupidly short, though. Guess I'm too cheap to buy an extension cable. Anyway, good luck on your casual hunt.

[AdamAnt316]

Same here. Cutting in line makes me crazy. Never seen the NESC or SNESC available in a store. I was fortunate enough to snag an NESC on day 1, though. That was before anybody gave a shit about it. I love playing that thing, man. Brand new official Nintendo controller. That cord is stupidly short, though. Guess I'm too cheap to buy an extension cable. Anyway, good luck on your casual hunt.

They shouldn't be hard to find now. I stopped by the local Wal-Mart, and they had several NES Classics AND SNES Classics on the shelves. First time I've seen either one in stock at this particular store. They had three NESCs, and four SNESCs. Took nearly two years, but I'm glad they've finally become widely available. :)
-Adam