Nintendo’sNESandSNES Classicmini consoles have both seenconsistently successful sales figures, with supply just barely meeting demand in the holiday months. However, all good things must come to an end. And for anyone on the fence about pulling the trigger on one of Nintendo’s throwback systems, now would be a good time to pick one up, as it’s about to get a whole lot harder to find either console.
Reggie Fils-Aime, CEO of Nintendo of America, says Nintendo is discontinuing production on both the NES Classic and theSNES Classic. That means once the consoles already in stock are sold out, the only way to get one will be to find a used version on eBay or Craigslist.
“We’ve said that the current systems are the extent of our classic program,” Fils-Aime said in an interview with 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.”
It’s somewhat notable that Fils-Aime clarifies that he’s referring specifically to the Americas with regards to the discontinuation of the NES and SNES Classic. That detail could mean the console will continue to be produced in Nintendo of Japan and Nintendo of Europe, or perhaps it could simply be Fils-Aime taking care to stay within his turf as CEO of Nintendo of America.
Fils-Aime also once again dashed any hopes of seeing a Nintendo 64 Classic any time in the near future, saying, “We’ve said that the current systems are the extent of our classic program.” The statement leaves little room for interpretation, in contrast tohis words just a few weeks ago, which at least hinted at the possibility of such a development in the future.
