Even though Nintendo has no plans to continue production of the NES Classic, according to sites such as Eurogamer, the company will release an SNES Classic console later this year, specifically around the Christmas holiday rush.
The NES Classic was a fairly popular novelty item. However, Nintendo, in a repeat performance, underestimated the demand for the miniature console and did not create enough copies. Because so few people actually got their hands on the NES Classic, the Internet understandably freaked out when Nintendo announced it would cease production — a sudden increase in ebay prices did not help. But now we know Nintendo stopped producing NES Classic consoles to make way for the SNES Classic — assuming it is not just a baseless rumor. I for one am cautiously optimistic.
The NES Classic was a flawed product. Some people ignored those problems while others did not. If Nintendo wants to win back the support of those who could not ignore the console’s faults, the company cannot just take the NES Classic, give it a new shell and SNES games and call it an SNES Classic. Here are a few of the ways Nintendo can improve the SNES Classic:
- The NES Classic was almost criminally understocked. Nintendo should produce far more SNES Classic consoles than it thinks necessary. If the company believes it has made enough copies, it has not made enough.
- The NES Classic’s gamepad cords were too short. The SNES Classic should have either longer gamepad cords or wireless gamepads.
- The SNES Classic should have a larger selection of games, far more than the NES Classic’s static library of 30 games. Furthermore, the console should let players add even more games, either through an official Nintendo memory stick that plugs into the console or an online store.
- The SNES Classic should include games that were previously exclusive to Japan or other countries.
The SNES Classic, like the NES Classic, is a genius concept: a small plug ‘n play console parents can buy for their children to give them a taste of some of the best video games ever made. If Nintendo were to mass produce the console in sufficient numbers and resume production of the NES Classic, both those consoles could turn into veritable gold mines. Now if only Nintendo could secure the rights to create a SEGA Genesis Classic console.
Despite Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda, The Elder Scrolls 6 was not confirmed as an Xbox exclusive a few months ago. This happened because Xbox executive Phil Spencer indicated that target platforms hadn’t been selected yet, but it always felt like he was talking about the game being years away rather than the RPG being on PlayStation.
If you’re still holding out, Microsoft plans to release The Elder Scrolls 6 just on Xbox and PC. Documents from the company’s FTC lawsuit were recently released. In the document, Bethesda’s announced titles (both as a publisher and developer) are listed, and The Elder Scrolls 6 is listed for Xbox, PC, and nothing else.
We expected this, but The Elder Scrolls 6 was announced before Microsoft acquired its developer. The Elder Scrolls is a beloved franchise that’s been on various platforms for generations, so this isn’t Starfield.
However, the game isn’t due until 2026 at the earliest, according to the paper, and who knows what the gaming landscape will be like then.
Xbox CEO Phil Spencer’s mid-2020 dystopian email suggests the business was interested in buying Warner Bros Interactive and Bethesda. Even more alarming, the CEO calls buying Nintendo a “career moment” and “good for both companies” — and there are even rumors that Microsoft was interested in Valve.
While Spencer warns that acquiring Nintendo would be “hostile action” but “playing the long game”, the unprecedented corporate convergence is shockingly casual. He added: “Nintendo is taking a long time to realize their future is off their hardware. A long time… He even ended the chat with a smiling emoji to make it look more evil.
Spencer claims that Warner Bros Interactive was “gettable” when Microsoft was rumored to acquire it. He adds that “we wouldn’t own any of the IP which hurts long-term flexibility”. Because most Warner Bros Interactive developers work on franchises like Batman, Harry Potter, and others, the studios are worth little without the brands.
The email is over three years old, but it reveals Microsoft’s blasé approach to acquisitions and its goals. While its eventual acquisition of Activision Blizzard may have changed its plans, this leaked exchange suggests that Microsoft will not stop until it has absorbed as much of the industry as possible, even targeting Nintendo.
Jedi: Fallen Order and Jedi: Survivor director Stig Asmussen is leaving Respawn Entertainment for unknown reasons. Asmussen had planned a trilogy for Cal Kestis, but it appears another author will need to write it.
Bloomberg reports that an EA spokesperson said: “Stig Asmussen has left Respawn to pursue other adventures, and we wish him the best. Veteran Respawn leaders will lead Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.”
This move is surprising, but Asmussen leaves on a high note. Jedi: Survivor is a great game despite its performance issues, which is rare for a Star Wars game. We’ll see where Asmussen goes, but we’re excited.
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