It’s finally here.
Nintendo’s throwback console, the NES Classic, is a 4×5-inch replica of the company’s Nintendo Entertainment System. It’s going to be one of the hottest gadgets of the 2017 holiday season, but how does it compare to the console it’s based on?
Better yet, why drop $60 on a model NES when you can download the games on your Wii or Wii U? Here are six things to know about the NES Classic to inform your purchase or abstention.
It comes with 30 different games, none of which feels like filler
You likely remember most, if not all, of the games that come packed with the NES Classic.
From “Super Mario Bros.” to “Donkey Kong” and “The Legend of Zelda” to “Mega Man 2,” these are some of the best games the original NES had to offer. Of course, there are some very good games notably missing from the console.
For one, the NES Classic features “Super C,” but not the original “Contra.” The first “Mega Man” game is similarly missing (although, let’s face it — “Mega Man 2” is the best of the bunch). Licensed games such as the ever-famous “DuckTales” and the Mega Man-inspired “Darkwing Duck” aren’t anywhere to be found.
With that said, anyone picking this up who didn’t live through the NES days won’t miss the exclusions. Every title in the NES Classic library is a winner.
Characters react faster
Input lag has always been one of the biggest drawbacks of playing classic games through Nintendo’s Virtual Console service. Blame the emulation process and HDMI upscaling on the Wii U.
In “Super Mario Bros.,” a quarter-second delay between a button press and Mario’s jump means the difference between life and death. In “Dr. Mario,” you might not get that four-virus combo. And in “Punch Out,” forget finishing the final boss without succumbing to the urge to toss your controller at the television.
Although the NES Classic suffers from input lag, it’s peanuts compared to playing on the Wii and Wii U. You’d swear you were playing a regular NES on a good ‘ol CRT.
You can shake the system while you play
This was a bit of a trip for somebody who grew up playing “Super Mario Bros. 3” for hours on end.
Because the NES Classic depends on a flash drive to run, it can suffer through minor trauma without interrupting play sessions. In the old days, if you were playing a game — sitting on the floor criss-cross applesauce, of course — and somebody tripped over the controller cord, it’s likely your game would freeze up or otherwise fizzle out because the game cartridge’s pins tore away from the console’s connectors.
No need to worry about that anymore.
“Kirby’s Adventure” ran without interruption as I shook the tiny console to test its operational superiority to its cartridge-based predecessor.
The controller cord is ridiculously short
Speaking of playing on the floor, that’s really the only way to enjoy the NES Classic unless you invest in extension cords. The cords built into the controller measure approximately 30 inches — that’s fewer than 3 feet.
You can also pick up wireless controllers.
Nyko sells theirs for $20, while My Arcade has a model that costs $15.
You can’t add games to the library
The NES Classic doesn’t connect to the internet. Neither does it have a re-writable hard drive. Because of that, the 30 games that come packaged with the console are all you’ll ever get to play.
Unlike Nintendo’s Virtual Console service for the Wii, Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, the NES Classic neither has the storage or internet access to buy NES games from the eShop. But as the primary price point for digital purchases is $4.99, you’re still getting your money’s worth with the smaller unit.
You’re going to have a tough time finding one
Best Buys, Walmarts, Toys ‘R Us and GameStops across the country sold out of their NES Classic stock just as soon as it hit the shelves. As did Amazon, even though the online retailer started taking orders hours after brick and mortar stores.
Nintendo has said that it will replenish stock through the holidays and heading into 2017. But you’ll need quite a bit of luck if you’re shooting to snag one in time for a holiday gift — you can either call retailers regularly to check on stock or stop in unannounced hoping there are units available.
Sites like NowInStock.net and Twitter accounts like @FatKidDeals also update availability in near real-time. And if you don’t mind being gouged, eBay has plenty of stock users would be more than happy to sell for upward of $500.
Once again: It’s a neat little console. If you can find it.
[Source:-Oregon live]