Nintendo’s Classic Edition mini consoles are out of stock. Why? Sales strategy remains a total mystery

Plans remain unclear regarding the future availability of Nintendo’s hard-to-find miniature retro game machines, including the new SNES Classic Edition, leaving potential customers frustrated and confused

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Nintendo’s sales strategy for the SNES mini console is unclear. Photo: Alamy

Published: 1:15pm, 15 Oct 2017Updated: 6:35pm, 15 Oct 2017

If you can’t figure out what Nintendo is doing with its outrageously popular Classic Edition game consoles, you’re not alone. I’m as baffled as you are.

To try to clear things up, I asked Nintendo officials recently about the company’s line of miniature retro game machines, including the new US$80 Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) Classic Edition. What’s the strategy with these devices? Will they be produced in limited quantities and will Nintendo continue to make them?

Review: Nintendo's Super NES Classic Edition oozes '90s nostalgia and introduces 21st century features such as rewind

Their answers, unfortunately, did little to clear things up.

“Clearly [the Classic Edition line] is a part of our strategy,” said Doug Bowser, head of marketing at Nintendo of America. “We’ve seen the power of retro games and the affinity towards them. As we look forward, we’re looking at how we can mix that retro content that people love and enjoy, but also new content that we’re bringing to the market. So it’s a part of the plan.”

Huh?

Even after talking with Bowser and other company officials, I still have no idea what Nintendo’s strategy is with the Classic Edition devices. And I’m guessing most people in the hunt for a SNES Classic are in the same boat.

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