• Home
  • Our Books
  • Our Film
  • Games
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Login

Perspectives on all eras of videogames, computers, technology, and pop culture since 2003

Login

Login
Armchair ArcadeArmchair Arcade
Armchair ArcadeArmchair Arcade
  • Home
  • Our Books
  • Our Film
  • Games
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Login

Nintendo announces the mini NES Classic Edition and here’s why it’s brilliant

NES Classic Edition
NES Classic Edition

Nintendo announces the mini NES Classic Edition and here’s why it’s brilliant

July 14, 2016 Posted by Bill Loguidice Editorial, News No Comments

Videogame hell has frozen over and something tons of Nintendo fans have been clamoring for for years has finally happened. Nintendo will be releasing a TV game version of their classic NES console called the NES Classic Edition on November 11. It will be a miniature version of the iconic boxy NES design that forgoes the cartridge port for 30 built-in (and truly legendary) first and third party titles. Instead of composite output it will support HDMI out, and instead of two original style controller ports it will have Wii compatible ports. One classic style controller is included, which presumably will also work on the Wii or Wii U.

NES Classic Edition and optional second gamepad

NES Classic Edition and optional second gamepad

I admit that while I always said this would be a way for Nintendo to make easy money, I didn’t expect them to actually go through with it because it would cannibalize sales on their Virtual Console digital store for their modern platforms. Unfortunately for Nintendo, the Wii U hasn’t sold and the 3DS is in its inevitable decline, so this holiday season was looking pretty bleak outside of external initiatives like Pokémon GO. With the NX not coming out until at least March 2017, this is the perfect product to help with the continued rehabilitation of the Nintendo name leading up to that new system’s release.

Outside of the so-called Nintendo faithful, who are passionate about Nintendo’s first party games, there hasn’t been a lot for other gamers with more diversified tastes to feel good about the brand in recent years. The NES Classic Edition is a brilliant nostalgia play that should sell millions this holiday season and create good vibes all around until Nintendo launches the NX. That’s wonderful momentum and something I’m not sure Nintendo could have gotten any other way.

While there are obviously a plethora of ways to play classic NES games, from emulation to excellent clone systems and everything in-between, there’s something special about a Nintendo-led product. I mean, just look at it! And for $60, and no doubt slightly less during holiday sales and specials, it goes near impulse buy territory.

Perhaps the best part about this upcoming release is that it points to TV game versions of the SNES and other Nintendo consoles, and perhaps even a dedicated portable version of the classic Game Boy, just with a modern screen that’s actually enjoyable to use. This to me is the Nintendo that everyone – not just the Nintendo faithful – can feel good about. The prospects for a successful NX launch increased dramatically in the past week.

Here’s the full game list:

  • 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™

 

Related

Tags: 3DSclassic minimariomega manNESnes classic editionNintendonxtecmo bowlwii uzelda
No Comments
Share

About Bill Loguidice

Bill Loguidice is a Founder and Managing Director for Armchair Arcade, as well as a critically acclaimed technology author and journalist.  He is also the co-founder of creative services firm, Armchair Creative Services, and a noted videogame and computer historian and subject matter expert. See full bio

You also might be interested in

Why the Nintendo Switch succeeded where the Wii U didn't
Why the Nintendo Switch succeeded where the Wii U didn't

Why the Nintendo Switch succeeded where the Wii U didn’t

Apr 27, 2018

With recent reports that the Nintendo Switch has topped 15[...]

Overwatch
Overwatch

Great games to enjoy in 2017

Jan 23, 2017

If you’re looking to catch up with the best games[...]

different mega man characters over the years fighting bad guys - Generated with AI

36 years of Mega Man in this bundle! Get up to 25 games, including Mega Man 11!

Feb 7, 2024

From pixel perfect jumps to epic boss battles, this Mega Man game bundle will test your 2D prowess. Get 25 games covering major Mega Man milestones and help support the JDRF at the same time!

Leave a CommentCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Posts

  • Amiga Forever and C64 Forever 11 Released – Big Updates!
  • Demo Mode and Real Money Play Explained
  • Protecting your funds while using online casinos
  • Receive SMS Online Instantly Using Virtual Numbers
  • Understanding Online Sportsbooks: Key Features Gamblers Must Know for an Enhanced Experience
  • Stop Leaking Money on Retries: A Data-Driven Proxy Playbook
  • The 1990s Gaming Revolution – Remembering A Decade of Big Leaps in Technology
  • Skill or Luck? What Vintage Arcade Games Can Teach Us About Modern Social Gaming
  • From Scroll to Action: The Hidden Triggers That Drive User Engagement in Entertainment Apps
  • Would Classic Games Work in Modern Casino Environments?

Recent Comments

  • leads dubai on Should You Be Focusing More On Local Marketing?
  • Aiodensghost on Official Game List for My Arcade Atari Gamestation Pro
  • keyboredom on Quick guide on how to play on the Internet Arcade
  • Bill Loguidice on Official Game List for My Arcade Atari Gamestation Pro
  • Melanie Levenstein on Official Game List for My Arcade Atari Gamestation Pro
  • George on How to Predict CS:GO/CS2 Skins Prices?
  • Bill Loguidice on Retro Games Ltd to release The Spectrum, fully working ZX Spectrum, and here’s the game list!
  • Derek on Retro Games Ltd to release The Spectrum, fully working ZX Spectrum, and here’s the game list!
  • Bill Loguidice on Retro Games Ltd to release The Spectrum, fully working ZX Spectrum, and here’s the game list!
  • Simon on Retro Games Ltd to release The Spectrum, fully working ZX Spectrum, and here’s the game list!

Archives

Categories

Explore

android (46) apple (37) ar (37) Arcade (168) Atari (75) atgames (173) book (99) books (98) casino (521) esports (47) firmware (43) Flashback (45) gambling (545) Gaming (41) home arcade (115) htc vive (42) humble bundle (282) humble store (67) ios (37) led (35) legends (40) legends arcade family (46) legends gamer (33) legends pinball (39) legends ultimate (71) Microsoft (40) Nintendo (70) pc gamer (67) pc gaming (53) pinball (43) playstation (55) PS4 (36) retro (34) Sega (38) slots (84) sony (51) steam (145) switch (34) technology (35) update (42) virtual pinball (36) virtual reality (116) vive (34) viveport (42) vr (121)

Affiliates

+ Amazon

The everything store

+ Humble Bundle

Game deals, including name your price bundles

+ Playasia (Play-Asia.com)

Import games and collectibles

+ DJI Store

Amazing drones and related technology

+ Razer

Amazing PC gamer products!

fullSTEAMahead365 Your total news and information resource for all things Science, Technology, Engineering / Mathematics, Art, and Medicine / Health.

Human Advancement Never Stops.

Key Site Statistics

Posts published: 2,590
Latest publish date: July 4, 2025 @ 11:09 am
Registered user count: 99,026

Contact Us

If you have a question, would like to provide feedback, or otherwise wish to get in touch with us, use this form.

Send Message

Blog Posts by Date

July 2016
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Jun   Aug »

Social Media and RSS

Support Armchair Arcade

All editorial content © 2003 - 2025 Armchair Arcade, Inc., an Armchair Creative Services, LLC, property. All rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. All trademarks and copyrights are retained by their respective owners. No content is to be removed or reused from the Armchair Arcade Website for commercial purposes without explicit permission from the principal Armchair Arcade staff, or the original trademark or copyright holders. Armchair Arcade, Inc., is not responsible for the content of any external sources or links. Further, endorsement of any external sources or links is neither implied nor suggested.

We thank you for your support and encourage you to contact us for any reason, including, but not limited to, questions, concerns, business endeavors, or praise. Especially praise.

Armchair Creative Services, LLC, may earn compensation for sales from links on posts through affiliate and other programs. Editorial rigor and objectivity standards are strictly adhered to and any compensation has no effect on coverage or opinions.

Prev Next