SNES Classic Edition: Nintendo Will Produce “Significantly More” Units, and Then Likely Discontinue

With the announcement of the SNES Classic Edition (see here), eager Nintendo enthusiasts in the United States are dying to place their pre-orders. Our brothers and sisters in the UK have been able to pre-order from GAME, but we’re still biting our nails and wondering if we’ll ever get to procure one. Why? Because the NES Classic Edition was impossible to find after launch, and then Nintendo discontinued it. Will it do the same thing with the SNES Classic Edition? Recent developments suggest… maybe.

Kotaku reached out to Nintendo to ask whether it would be producing more of these, since the NES sold out so quickly, and whether or not the console will remain available after the initial few months. Nintendo sent back some good news and some bad news, saying:

“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.

“Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Super NES Classic Edition is currently planned to ship from Sept. 29 until the end of calendar year 2017. At this time, we have nothing to announce regarding any possible shipments beyond this year.

“Our long-term efforts are focused on delivering great games for the Nintendo Switch system and continuing to build momentum for that platform, as well as serving the more than 63 million owners of Nintendo 3DS family systems. We are offering Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Super NES Classic Edition in special recognition of the fans who show tremendous interest our classic content.”

So Nintendo will be producing a lot of SNES Classic Editions, but we’re wondering if it will be enough to meet demand. In addition to the Switch, demand for the SNES Classic is going to be through the roof this holiday season, so scalpers are going to be showing up in droves. If you don’t manage to snag one by Christmas time, there’s a chance you never will. Perhaps Nintendo can be persuaded to keep producing the console after the calendar year has ended, but we’ll have to wait to find out.