Nintendo 64 Classic Edition Mini-Console

[Nz17]

A European trademark filing from Nintendo indicates that a "Classic Edition" of the original is in the works. That means a miniaturized version of the original system and its gamepad, a sub-$100 price point, and a gaggle of classic games built right into the console.

To be clear, Nintendo hasn't announced such a console, nor has the company previously indicated it's interested in making a "Classic Edition" of the original Nintendo 64. But we do have some clues from the filing that point to just such a console being in the works.

In the filing, a distinctive image is shown: The trademark image, discovered by gaming forum NeoGAF, isn't just notable because it's the outline of the Nintendo 64 gamepad — it's notable because it's the same outline of a gamepad that appears on the retail branding of Nintendo's other "Classic Edition" consoles.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/nintendo-64-classic-edition-console-trademark-2017-7

[Steve W]

It makes sense, they already miniaturized the N64 hardware to make the "iQue" device for the Chinese market, they might as well streamline it a bit more and make a new Mini console. Most of the work's already done.

[Bratwurst]

It may well run on the same hardware inside the NES and SNES Classics, people have gotten Super Mario 64 running fairly smoothly on hacked consoles since at least January or February of this year. That's not even with a customized emulator optimized for that specific ARM processor.

Given the complexity of the controller I predict Nintendo will scale up the retail price to $100 and reduce the number of games that comes with it, to something like 10 or 15 titles. Are there even 10 notable N64 games with common public appeal that wouldn't be entangled in licensing hell?

[YoshiM]

It may well run on the same hardware inside the NES and SNES Classics, people have gotten Super Mario 64 running fairly smoothly on hacked consoles since at least January or February of this year. That's not even with a customized emulator optimized for that specific ARM processor.

Given the complexity of the controller I predict Nintendo will scale up the retail price to $100 and reduce the number of games that comes with it, to something like 10 or 15 titles. Are there even 10 notable N64 games with common public appeal that wouldn't be entangled in licensing hell?
Super Mario 64
Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time
Legend of Zelda Majora's Mask
Kirby 64
F-Zero X
Super Smash Bros
Excitebike 64 ("Jim Rivers!")
Paper Mario
Yoshi's Story
1080 Snowboarding
Mario Kart 64

Those are the "for sure" a-ok titles I could see.

[jb143]

entangled in licensing hell?

What's the situation with GoldenEye? Seems that's one that would have to be included for a lot of people to care. At the time Nintendo owned like 50% of Rare, but now it's owned by Microsoft...with basically everything in it licensed by Eon Productions. And does whoever currently has the gaming rights to the franchise have anything to do with re-releasing an older game? I would think not, but who knows.

[Cornelius]

Wave Race, Pilotwings, and Star Fox could go on the list. The first two because they were pretty recognizable for the system early on, mostly, not because they are necessarily the greatest games.

I agree that Goldeneye is all but required for the thing to be worthwhile, though it will sell no matter what. They've been so successful with the manufactured scarcity that they could sell Nintendo Classic Mini Poop on a Stick.

[Tupin]

I figured that they would want to do this but several of the really memorable N64 games are by Rare. My guess at the list/hopes:

Practical Guarantee:
Super Mario 64
Star Fox 64
PilotWings 64
F-Zero X
Ocarina of Time
Majora's Mask
Wave Race
Super Smash Brothers
Mario Kart 64
Yoshi's Story
1080 Snowboarding
Kirby 64
Paper Mario
Pokemon Stadium
A Mario Party

Hopes:
Sin & Punishment
Donkey Kong 64
Pokemon Puzzle League
Pokemon Snap
Blast Corp
Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon

[danny_galaga]

I would hope for Sin and Punishment, but would buy it no matter what. That way if I feel like playing an N64 game that happens to be on the mini, that's that much less wear on my original controllers (",)

[Greg2600]

Can't see Nintendo shelling the $ out for entertainment licenses, and the N64 was always weak on 3rd party support. Would be nice to have one of the THQ wrestling titles, too, but that's not happening. I think Cruis'n USA will be included though. Turok could also be used, as it's just a game license. However, the RARE situation really could handcuff this thing. DK64, Diddy Kong Racing, Perfect Dark, Banjo, Conker, Jet Force Gemini, Killer Instinct, etc.

FWIW, these are the VC games back on the Wii....

1080° Snowboarding
Bomberman Hero
Cruis'n USA
F-Zero X
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
Mario Golf
Mario Kart 64
Mario Party 2
Mario Tennis
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber
Paper Mario
Pokémon Puzzle League
Pokémon Snap
Sin and Punishment
Star Fox 64
Super Mario 64
Super Smash Bros.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Wave Race 64
Yoshi's Story