Nintendo is reportedly working on a new SNES Mini console that could hit the scene later this year, just in time for Christmas.
The company's controversial move to discontinue the NES Classic left many fans disappointed, and Nintendo received quite a bit of criticism over the matter. The NES Classic launched as a reimagined, miniaturized version of the iconic console from the '80s and was a huge hit during the 2016 holidays — so much that it barely stayed in stock.
Nintendo had trouble keeping up with demand, and rather than dealing with its supply issues to replenish stock, it ultimately decided to retire the console altogether. Good news is on the horizon, however, as an SNES Mini is apparently in the cards.
SNES Mini Coming This Year
The NES Classic discontinuation was a major disappointment for fans, but a new SNES Mini console could make up for it. Sources have confirmed to Eurogamer that the SNES Mini is currently in the works.
"The SNES mini (or, to continue Nintendo's official branding, likely the Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Nintendo Entertainment System) is currently scheduled to launch in time for Christmas this year," Eurogamer reports. "Development of the device is already under way, our sources have indicated."
NES Classic Gone For Good
Nintendo's plans to launch an SNES Mini console this year also played a major role in the company's decision to discontinue the NES Classic, despite the console's huge popularity and the sellout success.
Then again, Nintendo explained last week that it never planned to offer the NES Classic Edition as a permanent or long-term product. The company just wanted to offer a cool product for Christmas 2016, so it came up with the NES Classic as a holiday treat. Consequently, Nintendo manufactured and shipped the NES Classic in quantities it thought would suffice for that goal, but it didn't expect such overwhelming and continued demand for the console.
The NES Classic turned out to be a massive hit, however, breaking records and running out of stock in no time. Nintendo extended shipments into the first few months of 2017, but it couldn't keep up nor extend production any further, since the SNES Mini was already set to go into production instead.
Nintendo will hopefully be more prepared stock-wise when it launches the SNES Mini so it would not face the same shortages it did with the NES Classic. The NES was the first home console Nintendo ever made, so the reimagined NES Classic struck a chord with nostalgic Nintendo fans, but the SNES has arguably better software and a more extensive catalogue of iconic games.
With this in mind, if the NES Classic was such as massive success, the SNES Mini will likely be even more popular with its cool games collection. The classic SNES games should come preinstalled and ready to play on the SNES Mini, and Nintendo is expected to stick with the plug-and-play setup for the reimagined console.
Nintendo has yet to officially confirm these news, however, so it all remains in the rumor state for now. As always, with leaks and rumors, take everything with a hefty grain of salt until the company makes an announcement.
