Cross the Nintendo 64 Classic Edition off your wish list this holiday season

[Shawn Knight]

Facepalm: Nintendo's stubborn approach to Classic Edition consoles is the sort of thinking that put them in last place in the first place. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to realize it's the hardware, not the software, that is selling these systems.

It may be time to put those Nintendo 64 Classic Edition rumors to rest. In a recent interview with Kotaku, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aimé all but confirmed that the highly anticipated miniature console won’t be making a surprise appearance in time for the holidays.

Fils-Aimé said Nintendo was clear when it did the first two Classic series that they were limited time opportunities meant to serve as a bridge from the conclusion of the Wii U to the launch of the Switch. “That was the very strategic reason we launched the NES Classic system,” he said.

Even more telling was the following statement.

“So while consumers may have been anticipating something, we view these as limited time opportunities. We’ve also now been very clear that as the consumer looks forward to engaging with our classic content that is going to happen more and more with the subscription service.”

Translation – Nintendo believes it can make more money by funneling its classic IP through the Nintendo Switch Online service (with a recurring monthly fee) versus bundling it with hardware and selling it to gamers that don’t own a Switch.

That’s an incredibly bold comment and frankly, quite disappointing, especially coming from the very company that jump-started the mini console craze. If we’re being honest, people aren’t buying classic consoles for the game selection.

Replica systems are adorable. They’re a great conversation piece. They bring back fond memories of yesteryear, like Grandma’s cookies. It’s the hardware that is driving sales, not the games themselves. Sony’s upcoming PlayStation Classic will prove that. Also, emulators and ROMs are readily available online.

“Would you rule out an N64 Classic coming?” Kotaku asked.

“I would not ever rule something out,” Fils-Aimé said, “but what I can tell you is certainly that’s not in our planning horizon.”

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https://www.techspot.com/news/77454-cross-nintendo-64-classic-edition-off-wish-list.html

 

[stewi0001]

I still think Nintendo's biggest problem with doing a N64 classic is Rareware and Microsoft.

 

[TomSEA]

Ridiculous decision. They could sell a zillion of these 64 classic editions, but very few are going to buy a Switch just to play 64-era games.

And agreed with stewi0001 - no Rareware titles is certainly a drawback.

 

[ForgottenLegion]

It's official, Nintendo is run by morons.

 

[cliffordcooley]

I guess the thought of possibly selling both never crossed their short-sighted minds.

 

[indiferenc]

Boycott nintendo

 

[J spot]

I never understood the rush of bringing out the SNES Classic in the first place. The NES Classic was sought out heavily by so many, just keep selling those until the intense demand for them fades. Bringing out the SNES Classic is just going to eat up on the sales of the NES Classic.

The SNES Classic, and for that matter the N64 Classic is always a card that they can play at any time. Once they play it, they can't play it again. So I never saw a need to rush, unless the goal is to make as much money as possible from them right now, rather than making at least the same amount later, and potentially more due to higher hype.

 

[ForgottenLegion]

Incredibly unlikely for many reasons but I'm hoping to see an XBOX Mini at some point.

 

[ZackL04]

I dont mind this at all, but lets see some more free games on the switch

 

[kmo911]

Get a n64 emulator get those bridge to n64 usb set up the buttons .play li(k)e a pro with the ingame cheat codes. or get real n64 and get all games you need on on cadrige. then put youre faworite game and fly to the…. ehm MOOOn sailor.
some hov I they not want to sell maek a mini version that can be played from a switch iso rom. just mount it and run. controls are just like n64. and forget NItendo of makeing a better console. think about 4k gaming with super Mario castle and bowser get you in 4k. wow thats just a dream. noe forget it. game on pc instead and use those inbuildt cheat codes. oh crappy dream land here I arrive.