The Super NES Classic Edition system looks and feels just like the original ’90s home console, except it’s super small. Play 20 classic Super NES games plus *gasp* the never-before-released Star Fox™ 2 game!
Check out the trailer
Two wired Super NES™ Classic Controllers are included for instant multiplayer action.
Yep, you read that right: two controllers. Play some of the best 2-player games of the era, including Super Mario Kart™ and Street Fighter® II Turbo: Hyper Fighting.
Rewind
An all-new feature lets you rewind a minute or more based on your game’s last suspend point. Each game can save up to four suspend points.
My Game Play Demo
This new demo mode will replay your saved Suspend Points as part of the demo game footage instead of using built-in demos.
Frame
Wrap a cool border around your game with the new Frame feature. Some of the frames change color based on the game being played.
The Super NES Classic Edition is compatible with the Classic Controller™ and Classic Controller Pro™ accessories (sold separately). Just plug it in and play!
Live out the golden age of 16-bit gaming like never before.
Don’t miss out on your chance to unlock and play Star Fox 2, the never-before-released sequel to Star Fox. You can even get a little help from the game manual (we won’t tell).
Get the game manual
Miniature Super Nintendo Entertainment System replica with 21 pre-loaded Super NES games
Two wired Super NES Classic Controllers
One HDMI cable
One USB cable with AC adapter
Operations manual (with a poster on the back!)
Please check with your local retailers for availability.
Get the inside story on games that changed the way we play.
Star Fox & Star Fox 2
Shigeru Miyamoto, Takaya Imamura, and Tsuyoshi Watanabe
F-ZERO
Kazunobu Shimizu, Yasunari Nishida, and Takaya Imamura
Super Metroid
Super Mario Kart
Super Mario World & Yoshi's Island
Takashi Tezuka, Shigefumi Hino and Hisashi Nogami
Kirby Super Star
Playing with Super Power: Nintendo Super NES Classics
A nostalgic celebration and exploration of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System is all its 16-bit glory.
Discover everything you've always wanted to know about some of the most beloved Super NES games, including speedrun tips and little-known facts.
Read more
The NES and SNES classic are about to be killed off – and will not be coming back, Nintendo has confirmed.
The tiny consoles had become beloved for their miniature recreations of Nintendo's classic systems, available at a relatively limited price. As soon as they came out they were hugely popular, and spurred a growth of classic consoles that also included the new PlayStation Classic.
But that popularity led the consoles to quickly sell out, amid confusion about how many the company had produced and whether more would arrive.
We’ll tell you what’s true. You can form your own view.
From 15p€0.18$0.18USD 0.27 a day, more exclusives, analysis and extras.
Now Nintendo of America's president Reggie Fils-Aime has confirmed that there is only a limited number of those consoles being made, and that when they are sold out no more will be made. There will also be no more Classic versions of other consoles created, he suggested.
'We’ve said that the current systems are the extent of our classic program,' he told The Hollywood Reporter. 'We’ve also been clear that, at least from an Americas perspective, these products are going to be available through the holiday season and once they sell out, they’re gone. And that’s it.'
After that's done, players will only be able to get their fill of classic Nintendo games by using the Switch's service, which comes with a whole host of retro NES games. That comes as a free game that is available to players who subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online, which now requires a fee.
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Last year, Nintendo unveiled that it would revive the NES Classic – making many more them after they had initially quickly sold out. That gave hope to fans who longed for the consoles to stick around, and for new games or consoles to be released as well.
But Mr Fils-Aime said that the existing two consoles represent 'extent of our classic program'. That suggests there will be no extra consoles, such as the Nintendo 64, which fans have continuously asked Nintendo to reduce into its own miniature system and rumours had suggested may be on its way.
And he also ruled out new additions to the Classic consoles' line-up of games. 'There's no ability for add-on content with our classic consoles, so when you purchase the console it’s coming with that set roster of content,' he said.
But he did point out that new games have been added to the Switch's set of NES games, suggesting more might come through that service.
Play the system that started it all
Remember your first Goomba stomp?
The NES Classic Edition system is a miniaturized version of the groundbreaking NES, originally released in 1985.
Just plug the NES Classic Edition into your TV, pick up that gray controller, and rediscover the joy of NES games.
What's in the box?
NES Classic Edition system
One NES Classic Controller
HDMI cable
AC adapter
30 pre-installed games
NES Classic Controller included
Works with NES Virtual Console games on Wii U, too
Play NES games the way they're meant to be played--with a full-size 'original' controller.
The included NES Classic Controller can also be used with NES Virtual Console games on your Wii™ or Wii U™ console by connecting it to a Wii Remote™ controller.
Save your game with Suspend Points
Pick up right where you left off with four Suspend Point slots for each game. Just press the Reset button while playing to return to the HOME menu and save your progress to a slot. Have a perfect run going? You can lock your save file and resume at a later time so there's no danger of losing your progress.
Choose your look with Display Modes
CRT filter: Looks like an old TV, scan lines and all.
4:3: Gives you the original NES game look, with a slight horizontal stretch.
Pixel Perfect: Each pixel is a perfect square, so you see the games exactly as designed.
Developer interviews:
Get the stories behind the games.
Plug-and-play
30 of the best retro games ever
Welcome to an 8-bit wonderland
Need help? Check out the game manuals.
Nintendo Entertainment System:
A perfect gift for collectors or anyone who loves games!
Raccoon Mario
Please check with your local retailers for availability.
The NES Classic -- aka the NES Mini -- came back from the dead on Friday. Mind you, it already seems to be sold out, but you might get lucky. And we're hearing whispers there will be more stock next week, too.
The miniaturized version of the 1980s game console was first released in November 2016, and instantly became the impossible-to-find gift of that year's holiday season. Nintendo effectively discontinued it the following April, even as it drummed up anticipation for its sequel, the Super NES Classic that arrived in November 2017.
But you can't keep a good retro console down: Nintendo announced in September of 2017 that the NES Classic would return to stores in 2018. The arrival date was more recently confirmed to be June 29.
What's the deal with the resurrected NES Classic? How does it compare to its sibling, the SNES Classic? And can you get any of these games on the Switch?
Glad you asked! Here's what you need to know.
Now playing:Watch this: The NES Classic comes back from the dead
Which stores are getting stock of the NES Classic?
According to our colleagues at GameSpot, you'll be able to find the NES Classic at GameStop (no relation), ThinkGeek and Best Buy, among other stores. It should be available online and at brick and mortar locations.
As always, though, stock is expected to be limited -- GameStop will apparently have only about 10 units per store to start. Online allotments will likely sell out immediately, and Best Buy plans to use a ticketing queue at its physical retail locations. But..
Update, June 29 at 1:35 p.m. PT: Major online retailers all appear to be sold out at normal retail price at this time, though you might luck out depending on where you live -- and more stock may appear next week, too.
Update, July 3 at 3:28 p.m. PT: For instance -- at GameStop.
Besides..
Was the SNES Classic ever really gone?
The SNES Classic never really went away. But it's never been particularly easy to find, either. It occasionally pops up and sells out on Amazon and elsewhere. As of the time of this writing, it's out of stock at Amazon proper (but available from some third-party resellers for a small markup), and it appears to be in stock at GameStops in the New York metropolitan area.
Nintendo, meanwhile, says that both consoles 'are expected to be available through the end of the year.'
Are there any changes to the NES Mini and SNES Mini?
Nope! This is the same exact hardware, same built-in games -- and same short cable on the NES Mini controller. So if you already have the 'old' versions, there's no FOMO here -- these are identical.
Both units include an HDMI cable and Micro-USB AC adapter. They're truly plug-and-play: The games are built-in, and there's no online connectivity.
The included games are faithful recreations of the originals. They're not widescreen, but you can manipulate the aspect ratios from the settings menu.
The great addition to the experience are save game slots for each title, so you can save your progress at any point and return later. That's a key addition, because these old games are unmercifully difficult compared to modern-day titles.
The SNES Mini includes 2 controllers and these 21 games for $80:
Contra III: The Alien Wars
Donkey Kong Country
EarthBound
F-Zero
Final Fantasy III (known as Final Fantasy VI in Japan and by many fans)
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 (a never-before-released SNES game)
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!!
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Do I need any accessories?
All you need is a TV with a free HDMI port.
If you get the NES Classic, consider a set of controller extension cables (third-party models are fine), as well as a second controller -- but don't pay more than $10 for either.
Note, too, that a spare Wii Classic Controller will work with both models. And the SNES Classic controllers will work with the NES Classic as well.
Third-party wireless controllers are available for both units, but we'd recommend them for die-hard players only.
Will these games ever come out on Switch?
Actually, many of the NES games are coming to the Nintendo Switch ($299 at Walmart) via the Switch Online service, which launches in September 2018 for $20 per year. That service -- think Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus -- enables head-to-head online play for Switch titles like the upcoming Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. But it also gives you the option to download a selection of classic NES games at no additional charge.
The initial slate of NES games is 20 titles, half of which Nintendo has announced:
Balloon Fight*
Dr. Mario*
Donkey Kong*
Ice Climbers*
The Legend of Zelda*
Mario Bros.*
Soccer
Super Mario Bros.*
Super Mario Bros. 3*
Tennis
The ones marked with an asterisk are also available on the NES Classic.
Nintendo says that these games come with 'added online play for the first time ever.' That sounds great if it means head-to-head play on Mario Bros. or Tennis, but it's unclear what -- if anything -- that means for single player games like The Legend of Zelda.
Nintendo says that more NES games will hit the Switch online service eventually. So the short answer is: Yes, a decent chunk of the 30 NES Classic games may hit the Switch this year or later, and they'll be accessible for as little as $20 per year.
But unlike the Virtual Console of past Nintendo boxes, you won't be able to buy these games for a la carte for $5 a pop. Just like the 'free' Games with Gold (Xbox One ($470 at Amazon)) and PlayStation Plus (PS3, PS4), they disappear if and when you stop paying your membership fee.
On the other hand, $20 a year is a pretty great price, and getting them on the Switch means you can play them on the go or your big-screen TV, while the Mini consoles are TV-only affairs.
It's also unclear if or when any of the SNES games would hit the Switch -- thus making the SNES Mini a 'safer' buy for Switch owners.
How about the 2DS/3DS?
Many (but not all) of these games are available on the 2DS/3DS platform, but would cost you a lot more than $60 or $80 if you purchased them separately. For instance, we calculated it would cost $130 to get the 26 of 30 games available on NES Classic for the 3DS platform back in 2016.
Be honest: Will I be playing these after the novelty wears off?
OK, #realtalk: For many of the CNET editors who purchased one or both of these, the NES and SNES Classics have migrated to a bookshelf, more a nostalgic trophy than an active game system. And for some of you -- the ones who buy the Ultimate Editions of games, and who can't wait to get that helmet edition of Fallout 76 -- that may be part of the point.
To be honest, some of these games haven't aged well. Playing 10 minutes of F-Zero or Super C is probably all you need. But Super Metroid, Yoshi's Island and Mega Man 2 -- to name a few -- still delight, and those game-save slots are lifesavers on other titles that you might want to take time to explore.
Parents will also appreciate kid-friendly games in a plug-and-play box that works without the need for downloading patches or ongoing membership fees.
Bottom line: There's plenty of value in both boxes. Just gut-check that you're actually going to play the games in question.
If I have to choose, which one should I get?
CNET gave both products high marks -- read the NES Classic review and the SNES Classic review. But we gave the latter model higher marks because its 16-bit games have generally aged better, and the included second controller means it's ready for head-to-head gaming. Its games also aren't slated to hit the Switch anytime soon.
That said, if you love any of the original NES games, you can snag them in one handy package for the same price that you'd pay for a single title on a current-day game console.
Should I hold out for the N64 Classic?
That, my friend, is nothing but a rumor right now -- albeit one that's based in fact. But yes: We agree that it sounds awesome -- assuming the rights to Goldeneye 007 can somehow be worked out.
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NOW YOU’RE PLAYING WITH SUPER POWER.
Trust us, it was worth the wait.
The Super NES Classic Edition system looks and feels just like the original ’90s home console, except it’s super small. Play 20 classic Super NES games plus *gasp* the never-before-released Star Fox™ 2 game!
Check out the trailer
Two wired Super NES™ Classic Controllers are included for instant multiplayer action.
Yep, you read that right: two controllers. Play some of the best 2-player games of the era, including Super Mario Kart™ and Street Fighter® II Turbo: Hyper Fighting.
Rewind
An all-new feature lets you rewind a minute or more based on your game’s last suspend point. Each game can save up to four suspend points.
My Game Play Demo
This new demo mode will replay your saved Suspend Points as part of the demo game footage instead of using built-in demos.
Frame
Wrap a cool border around your game with the new Frame feature. Some of the frames change color based on the game being played.
The Super NES Classic Edition is compatible with the Classic Controller™ and Classic Controller Pro™ accessories (sold separately). Just plug it in and play!
Live out the golden age of 16-bit gaming like never before.
Don’t miss out on your chance to unlock and play Star Fox 2, the never-before-released sequel to Star Fox. You can even get a little help from the game manual (we won’t tell).
Get the game manual
Miniature Super Nintendo Entertainment System replica with 21 pre-loaded Super NES games
Two wired Super NES Classic Controllers
One HDMI cable
One USB cable with AC adapter
Operations manual (with a poster on the back!)
Please check with your local retailers for availability.
Get the inside story on games that changed the way we play.
Star Fox & Star Fox 2
Nintendo Snes Classic Edition
Shigeru Miyamoto, Takaya Imamura, and Tsuyoshi Watanabe
F-ZERO
Kazunobu Shimizu, Yasunari Nishida, and Takaya Imamura
Super Metroid
Super Mario Kart
Super Mario World & Yoshi's Island
Takashi Tezuka, Shigefumi Hino and Hisashi Nogami
Kirby Super Star
Playing with Super Power: Nintendo Super NES Classics
A nostalgic celebration and exploration of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System is all its 16-bit glory.
Discover everything you've always wanted to know about some of the most beloved Super NES games, including speedrun tips and little-known facts.