NES Classic Discontinued in North America

Nintendo is very sad about doing the thing that they have control over.

News by Mike Williams, Reviews Editor

Updated on 13 April 2017

If you were still hoping to pick up the Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition at retail, I'm saddened to say it's going to get harder soon. Nintendo has confirmed to IGN that it will be discontinuing the NES Classic. The last shipments will go out this month.

Now you're playing with a lack of supply!

"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," a Nintendo spokesperson told 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."

There's currently no word on whether the Famicom Mini will suffer the same fate. The only charitable reason I can think of for this shift is Nintendo needs all resources on deck making Switch systems. Regardless, this is an easy win for some goodwill that the company is throwing away.

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Mike Williams

Reviews Editor

M.H. Williams is new to the journalism game, but he's been a gamer since the NES first graced American shores. Third-person action-adventure games are his personal poison: Uncharted, Infamous, and Assassin's Creed just to name a few. If you see him around a convention, he's not hard to spot: Black guy, glasses, and a tie.