Share. After terrible supply issues, Nintendo’s plug and play NES gets a shorter than expected run at retailers. After terrible supply issues, Nintendo’s plug and play NES gets a shorter than expected run at retailers.
Nintendo will discontinue the Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition and the last shipments will go out to retailers throughout this month.
A Nintendo representative provided the following statement to IGN:
“Throughout April, NOA territories will receive the last shipments of Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition systems for this year. We encourage anyone interested in obtaining this system to check with retail outlets regarding availability. We understand that it has been difficult for many consumers to find a system, and for that we apologize. We have paid close attention to consumer feedback, and we greatly appreciate the incredible level of consumer interest and support for this product.”
Additionally, a representative told IGN, “NES Classic Edition wasn’t intended to be an ongoing, long-term product. However, due to high demand, we did add extra shipments to our original plans.” The company has no plans to produce more NES Classic systems for North America. This announcement includes the discontinuation of the NES Classic Controller. As for third party accessories, Nintendo said the decision whether or not to continue production of accessories will be up to each individual manufacturer.
Nintendo of America would not confirm whether this announcement meant the discontinuation of the NES Classic/Famicom Mini worldwide. Nintendo said it had nothing to announce at this time regarding the future of the Nintendo Classics brand or the lifetime sales of the short-lived plug and play system.
The NES Classic Edition launched on November 10, 2016 and included 30 retro games from Nintendo's past. It immediately suffered from terrible supply issues at stores and online retailers. At the time, Nintendo said, “There will be a steady flow of additional systems through the holiday shopping season and into the new year,” and advised customers to check availability at retailers.
Nes Classic Edition Launch Gallery 14 IMAGES View Slideshow Return To Article Artboard 3 Copy Artboard 3 ESC Nes Classic Edition Launch Gallery OF 14 Download
In January, Nintendo announced that the NES Classic Edition sold 1.5 million consoles at the company’s 3rd quarter fiscal results meeting.
Jose Otero is an Editor at IGN and host of Nintendo Voice Chat. You can follow him on Twitter.
DigitalFirefly on April 13rd, 2017 at 18:54 UTC »
So much for my plan to wait until I can walk into the store and buy one.
SteveThomas on April 13rd, 2017 at 18:47 UTC »
I'm not convinced they ever made any in the first place.
Siendra on April 13rd, 2017 at 18:41 UTC »
Scalpers are going to have a field day.
What the hell went on with this thing behind the scenes? Non-stop supply issues capped off by a sudden discontinuation while there's still clear demand.