NES Classic Edition: Where to buy it

Screengrab via Engadget/YouTube

Here’s your last chance to score the NES Classic Edition

There's just one catch.

 

Kristen Hubby

Internet Culture

Posted on Nov 18, 2016   Updated on May 25, 2021, 1:39 pm CDT

Nintendo unexpectedly discontinued its popular NES Classic Edition on April 13, with the company’s last shipment scheduled for the end of the month.

When the mini-gaming console dropped last year, it became the hottest holiday gift on the market. It was extremely difficult for players to get their hands on for a reasonable price, due to its limited availability and popularity. The retro classic has sold 1.5 million models since the Feb. 1, and that figure would likely have been much higher if the company didn’t experience a shortage in production.

The nostalgic gaming console is essentially a miniature version of its old-school Nintendo Entertainment System and comes pre-loaded with 30 different games like Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Pac-Man, and more. The console is also paired with its classic miniature controller and an HDMI cord that is a little on the short side if you are wanting to comfortably play from your couch. The console’s original retail price was $60, but now that it has been discontinued, places where you can luckily get one are charging three-to-four times as much.

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How to buy the NES Classic Edition right now

  • Chunk Toys is selling the NES Classic at a hefty price that fluctuates weekly, but is currently going for $599 and free shipping. The gaming and toy store also offers a two-player bundle for a deal of $639, considering the previous price.
  • Third-party sellers on Amazon are offering the NES Classic anywhere between $332 to $549.99. Amazon is also taking orders for Prime members, with consoles as low as $379.95.
  • The NES Classic is listed as the number one best-selling product in the video game consoles category on eBay, with prices ranging from a bidding war starting at $20.50 to a ridiculous $30,000.

Stores like Best Buy, Target, and GameStop, which are usually fully equipped to sell popular items like the NES Classic Edition, continually sold out the day a shipment was available for purchase. Hopes of finding one on their shelves is wishful thinking.

Scoring Nintendo’s NES Classic Edition through third-party sellers on eBay or Amazon will be your best bet. Craigslist sellers are offering the consoles for purchase as of this writing, and a lot of sellers offer free shipping to make up for the steep after-market raise in price point.

Here’s the full list of NES Classic Edition games available on the NES Classic Edition:

  • Balloon Fight
  • Bubble Bobble
  • Castlevania
  • Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest
  • Donkey Kong
  • Donkey Kong Jr. 
  • Double Dragon II: The Revenge
  • Dr. Mario
  • Excitebike
  • Final Fantasy
  • Galaga
  • Ghosts’ N Ghoblins
  • Gradius
  • Ice Climber
  • Kid Icarus
  • Kirby’s Adventure
  • Mario Bros. 
  • Mega Man 2
  • Metroid
  • Ninja Gaiden
  • Pac-Man
  • Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream
  • StarTropics
  • SUPER C
  • Super Mario Bros.
  • Super Mario Bros. 2
  • Super Mario Bros. 3
  • Tecmo Bowl
  • The Legend of Zelda
  • Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

Editor’s note: This article is updated regularly for relevance. 

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*First Published: Nov 18, 2016, 4:47 pm CST