Now that fans know that the SNES Classic is a reality, they will in turn have to face another one - that it might be difficult to get their hands on the throwback console, especially if the NES Classic's in-store availability is an indication of what's to come. Nintendo has repeatedly said that it wants to focus its efforts on making the Switch the best console it can be, and would rather focus on forging ahead into the future rather than offer classic titles for hardcore Nintendo fans.
That being said, however, it appears that Nintendo has learned its lesson with the SNES Classic, as the company revealed that it will be changing the way the device's launch and production will be handled after seeing the results of the NES Classic's release and subsequent discontinuation. In a statement provided to Kotaku earlier today after the SNES Classic was announced, Nintendo had this to say:
"We aren't providing specific numbers, but we will produce significantly more units of Super NES Classic Edition than we did of NES Classic Edition...we are offering Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Super NES Classic Edition in special recognition of the fans who show tremendous interest in our classic content."
While "significantly more units" could still mean a relatively small supply given just how hard to find the NES Classic ended up being, it appears that gamers clamoring for a chance to purchase the SNES Classic will have significantly better odds of doing so than with its predecessor. Retailers like Amazon UK have already put the device up for pre-order, and although out of stock now, units remained available for the better part of an hour - already a significant improvement over the online scarcity of the NES Classic.
Those extra units will almost certainly be necessary for Nintendo, too, as the company revealed the games lineup for the SNES Classic alongside its announcement and it looks to be a must-have collection for fans of the retro console. The lineup includes almost every classic SNES game imaginable, an even includes a special release of Star Fox 2, a title that had never been released before. Demand will be high no matter what, so hopefully for fans, Nintendo's promise of a significantly bigger distribution means everyone will be walking away happy from this one.
The SNES Classic will be available on September 29, 2017.
Source: Kotaku