The Nintendo NES Classic Edition remains one of the most searched retro devices. Its small design, the selection of 30 games and its simple setup made it a fast success. The console launched in 2016 with a price of 59.99 dollars and sold out within hours worldwide. Nintendo released it again in 2018 because demand stayed high, and it sold out again. Even today the NES Classic keeps strong interest in the second hand market thanks to its built in library, its clean emulation and its appeal as a collectible.
This guide gives you clear information before buying a unit or researching its features.
Design and first impressions
The NES Classic is a small replica of the original Nintendo Entertainment System. The size surprises people. It feels light and solid. The Power and Reset buttons keep the same soft click players remember from the 80s. The console keeps proportions, colors and the classic look, with a clean finish.
You see modern changes on the back. The HDMI port connects to any TV. The USB port powers the system. The device uses internal memory. There is no cartridge slot.
The menu has a retro look. Icons follow the 90s style. Navigation is simple.
Controller and cable limitations
The controller is a replica of the original NES pad. The D Pad is smoother and lighter. This gives better comfort.
The weak point is the cable. It is around 2.5 feet long. You must sit close to the screen. This becomes a problem because you need to press Reset on the console to switch games or save a state.
Most users solve this with:
- Controller cable extenders.
- Long HDMI cables.
- Long USB power cables.
Even with the short length, the controller has perfect response. No lag. High precision. This is important for retro titles.
Emulation quality
The NES Classic stands out for its emulation. Many users consider it better than the Wii U’s Virtual Console versions. Colors are clean. Lines look stable. Audio keeps consistent quality.
You get three display filters:
- Standard 4:3.
- Pixel Perfect.
- CRT effect.
Pixel Perfect gives sharp lines. The CRT effect is useful if you want an old style look. The HDMI output stays stable at 720p and 60 Hz. Games load fast. No wait times.
The 30 built in games
The NES Classic includes 30 games ready to play. The selection covers main genres from the NES era. All titles support save states.
Full list:
- Balloon Fight
- Bubble Bobble
- Castlevania
- Castlevania II
- Donkey Kong
- Donkey Kong Jr
- Double Dragon II
- Dr Mario
- Excitebike
- Final Fantasy
- Galaga
- Ghosts n Goblins
- Gradius
- Ice Climber
- Kid Icarus
- Kirbys Adventure
- The Legend of Zelda
- Mario Bros
- Mega Man 2
- Metroid
- Ninja Gaiden
- Pac-Man
- Punch Out
- StarTropics
- Super C
- Super Mario Bros
- Super Mario Bros 2
- Super Mario Bros 3
- Tecmo Bowl
- Zelda II
These games cover action, platformers, shoot em ups, puzzles and classic RPGs. The list includes all three Super Mario titles. The original Zelda is here. Ninja Gaiden, Contra and Metroid give strong challenge. Kirby and Dr Mario help balance the set for new players.
The library cannot grow because the system does not support official expansion. This is one of its few limits.
System behavior
Powering on the system takes you to the menu. The background music uses 8 bit tones. Every game shows its cover art. The controller moves through the list with no delay.
To switch games you press Reset. The menu lets you save progress in four slots per game.
The internal hardware uses a modern processor. The system runs Linux with an emulator developed by Nintendo in Europe. The experience is stable. No big drops. No sound issues in normal use.
- Processor: Allwinner R16.
- Memory: 256 MB DDR3.
- Storage: 512 MB flash.
- Output: HDMI 720p.
- System: Linux with a custom emulator.
- Input: Controller with Wii style connector.
Stock problems, prices and risk of copies
Since launch there were shortages. Stores received few units. Demand stayed higher than supply. Resale prices reached high levels, sometimes four or five times above the original price.
During the 2018 relaunch the console even outsold PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch for a short period. Production ended again in late 2018. Now you only find second hand units or new units from remaining inventory.
Copies exist. Some clones copy the case and the menus. These units use weak chips and poor emulation. To avoid buying a fake, check:
- Port alignment.
- Quality of the bottom label.
- Box printing.
- Button texture.
- Presence of the Wii style connector.
Buying through protected platforms reduces risk.
Is it worth buying in 2025
If you want a clean and simple retro setup, yes.
If you want an official collectible, yes.
If you want unlimited NES games, Switch Online has a bigger library.
If you want full flexibility, generic retro boxes offer more features, but they lack the official touch.
The NES Classic keeps value because the package is stable, simple and attractive