A new rumor is circulating around, suggesting that Nintendo of America is working on a Super Nintendo Classic Edition, the sequel to the NES Classic Edition released in 2016. According to Destructoid , three different Gamestop managers were told of the product at a recent “behind closed doors event.” The managers weren’t told when the plug and play device would reach store shelves or how much it will cost, but they all expect it to be released sometime later this year.
Back in April, Eurogamer reported from sources close to Nintendo that the company was working on an SNES Classic and that it should be ready to launch by Christmas. If Nintendo does plan to release another emulator, they better be ready to handle the demand this time. I knew too many people who were devastated at the fact they couldn’t get an NES Classic. One wanted to teach his kids about the games he grew up with, while another just really wanted to play through Zelda one more time. Not everyone is tech-savvy enough to work an emulator on their phone or computer, which is what made the NES Classic such a hot ticket item.
The NES Classic Edition was both an outstanding success and a terrible failure. Fans flocked to stores to relive their childhoods and play games like Kirby and Balloon Fight . However, when most of those fans got to the store, they were told that the systems were sold out and Nintendo wasn’t going to make more . It seems weird as an outsider that Nintendo would cancel a highly successful product, especially one that just recycled old games. Maybe the console cost too much to make, so they weren’t making that much money, or Nintendo’s marketing guys are dicks. Either way, it left a bad impression on the nostalgic players of the world.
Nintendo has a chance to make something amazing here with the SNES Classic. Some of the best and critically acclaimed the company has ever produced came from the 16-bit era console. I was still in diapers when the Super Nintendo was the top video game console, but over the years I’ve gone back and played through the “best” games in its library. Here are just a few of my favorites that I’m hoping get included in the end product.
Legend Of Zelda: A Link To The Past- The original Legend Of Zelda started the story of Hyrule, but A Link To The Past solidified it as a franchise icon. It has a better story, better colors and a Link that feels like a real adventurer. It’s not my favorite 2-D Zelda game, that’s Link’s Awakening , but it’s a very close second.
Donkey Kong Country- The licensing for this game gets a little blurry around the edges, but if Rare and Nintendo manage to work out a deal, DK Country would be an amazing add for the SNES classic. If you want side-scrolling platforming with good enemies and a hearty challenge, you can’t find a better game. Donkey Kong and his aid Diddy Kong control better than characters in modern games, I’m looking at you Yooka-Laylee , and the game was released decades ago.
Super Mario World- Capes, Yoshi and a whole new Mushroom Kingdom awaits players in Super Mario World . Mario was already a household name when this game was released, but his popularity skyrocketed after this flagship title for the SNES hit US shores. Here’s every Mario game: Peach is kidnapped by Bowser so you got to jump on turtles and floating angry rocks to save her. SMW doesn’t change that formula, but it does flesh out the idea adding new powers and mechanics like flight and a rideable green dinosaur.
