Today, Nintendo announced the SNES Classic Edition, a follow up to the drastically under-produced NES Mini. The SNES Classic will launch September 29, 2017 for $79.99. For reference, the NES Classic launched on November 11, 2016. Launching this 16-bit mini console at the end of September will hopefully allow consumers a better chance at actually finding one on store shelves.
This mini console will include 21 Super Nintendo games and will come bundled with two controllers. Here is the complete list:
Contra III: The Alien Wars™
Donkey Kong Country™
EarthBound™
Final Fantasy III
F-ZERO™
Kirby™ Super Star
Kirby’s Dream Course™
The Legend of Zelda™: A Link to the Past™
Mega Man® X
Secret of Mana
Star Fox™
Star Fox™ 2
Street Fighter® II Turbo: Hyper Fighting
Super Castlevania IV™
Super Ghouls ’n Ghosts®
Super Mario Kart™
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars™
Super Mario World™
Super Metroid™
Super Punch-Out!! ™
Yoshi’s Island™
Needless to say, this is a very good roster of games. The biggest highlight, however, is the unreleased Star Fox 2. As a quick summary, Nintendo created Star Fox 2 but by the time it was ready to launch, the N64 was already released so Nintendo instead pushed aside this Super FX sequel and started work on Star Fox 64. A leaked version has made its way onto the internet years ago so it will be interesting to see which build of Star Fox 2 is included. Either way, this is very exciting. Unfortunately BS Zelda and Radical Dreamers are not a part of the SNES Mini.
Also, it is also exciting to see Yoshi’s Island in this line-up. Thing is, the original SNES version of Yoshi’s Island has never made its way onto any Virtual Console service – only the GBA port is available. Now fans can appreciate the true visual presentation and audio soundtrack as intended.
The biggest problem with the NES Mini was the lack of availability. Nintendo grossly underestimated the demand, just like their amiibos and even the Nintendo Switch. As of this post, no retailer has posted pre-orders as of yet but if want one, you will probably have to camp at store overnight, sell a kidney, or perform some other questionable tasks to secure one. But for only $80, this will most likely be an eBay scalpers dream.
Hopefully there is a way to change games without hitting the reset button on the console and the HDMI cable is extended, other shortcomings of the NES Mini. Hackers will probably bust this thing wide open within a day or two as well.
What are your thoughts on the SNES Mini? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.