Retro gaming fans in the UK and Europe have seen their fears realised as Nintendo has discontinued the NES Classic Mini console, after originally doing so in North America and Japan.
The shrunken down version of the classic Nintendo Entertainment System of the 1980s, the NES immediately sold out around the world as gamers dove into the 30 classic games that were preloaded onto the console.
The device was priced at £49.99 from the official Nintendo Store, but was quickly going for significantly more on eBay, as supplies of the console ran out and have not been refreshed in any great number.
Now Nintendo has confirmed it will not be re-stocking the device any time soon – and is in fact stopping production altogether.
“We can confirm that we are no longer manufacturing the Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System,” a Nintendo statement to Eurogamer read.
The move prompted surprise among Nintendo fans, many of whom did not see the logic is ending production of the hugely popular device.
@eurogamer Dear @NintendoEurope & @NintendoFrance, why didn't you want me to buy your #NESmini?
— Olivier (@0×160) April 18, 2017
@tomphillipsEG NES mini being axed is surprising. Since NES mini, I always thought mini systems would be far better than VC. Easy money, happier customers.
— NintendoFanboi (@ntdofanboi) April 13, 2017
Nintendo did say they would alert users if they decided to resume production – leaving the door slightly ajar for a comeback in the future, but for now it seems focus is on the brand new Nintendo Switch, which launched last month.
