In a fairly unsurprising turn, reports suggest Nintendo might follow up the SNES Classic Edition with a miniature version of the Nintendo 64, which would make sense if one looks at the company console release timeline.
Nintendo's console re-release gimmick started with the NES Classic Edition in 2016, and the overwhelming demand proved it wasn't entirely a gimmick — Nintendo sold millions upon millions of units. Even the company itself seemed surprised there was so much clamor for the console.
Following persistent demand, and endless complaints about understocking, Nintendo later produced more units while also following it up with a miniature version of its Super Nintendo Entertainment System, better known as SNES, in 2017. It appears Nintendo doesn't intend to put an end to this trend, so the likely follow up to the SNES Classic Edition would be a re-release of the Nintendo 64.
Nintendo 64 Trademark Hints At Classic Edition Release
Nintendo has now applied for a Nintendo 64 trademark in Japan, indicating that the 64-bit console is next in line. Originally released in 1996, the Nintendo 64 was one of the most powerful consoles during its time, home to iconic games such as Super Mario 64, GoldenEye 007, and Banjo-Kazooie.
The trademark covers elements such as "video game program, controller for game machine, joystick for video game machine, TV game machine," and more, as Japanese Nintendo reports.
Don't get too excited, though. Remember when Nintendo applied for a trademark relating to the Game Boy last year, which brought rumors that the handheld would be next? Well, where's the Game Boy Classic Edition now?
Nintendo's Classic Games
Nintendo recently announced that it was going to retire the Virtual Console brand altogether, leaving its fans confused as to how it plans to distribute its older games. With Classic Edition releases of the NES, SNES, and very likely the Nintendo 64, plus their overwhelming demand, the company may be experimenting with other options. Yes, an online app store with classic games would be a much easier and more efficient implementation, but it would be a bad business decision not to acknowledge that Classic Edition consoles have a huge audience.
Do you think we'll see a Nintendo 64 Classic Edition soon? Or would you much rather have a single app store to purchase classic games from? As always, if you have anything to share, feel free to sound them off in the comments section below!
