On 11th November people around the world finally get the joy of opening and enjoying their brand new NES Mini, or NES Classic Edition (or Nintendo Classic Mini as it's known in Europe). It's been a long wait, but for those of us in Japan you could say Christmas comes one day early as today, on 10th November, the Japanese equivalent arrives - officially called the Nintendo Classic Mini Family Computer, of just Famicom Mini for short.
For a while it looked like there was not going to be any kind of Nintendo micro-console released in Japan, as the NES Mini news hit in July with no formal Japanese announcement. Things turned out fine, though, as a September announcement led to a full Japanese release, complete with its own original Famicom design, tiny controllers, and a set of 30 games, with some being different than what the west will get. Bubble Bobble, Donkey Kong Jr. Castlevania 2, Final Fantasy, Kid Icarus, Punch Out!!, StarTropics and Tecmo Bowl are out. In place of them are NES Open Golf, River City Ransom and Solomon's Key, as well as games never originally released outside Japan: Atlantis no Nazo, Downtown Nekketsu Kou-shin-kyou, Final Fantasy III, Tsuppari Ozumo and Yie Ar Kung Fu.
A few things to note as well are that the Famicom originally had a microphone on controller 2, but this is NOT included on the mini version, so no killing Pols Voice the fun way; the controllers were also wired, which has carried over to this mini design. Also the Famicom originally did not come with an AC adapter, for obscure tax reasons. So, the Famicom Mini also does not come with an AC adapter in Japan, but one is sold separately. If you happen to import one though, don't worry, any USB wall plug will do. For those lucky enough to have pre-ordered on Amazon Japan, the Famicom Mini also comes bundled with 30 cards that feature the original box art of the 30 games that play on the unit.
Check out the video below to see the Nintendo Classic Mini Family Computer unboxed, as you possibly get ready to carefully open and save your NES Mini box tomorrow.
If you liked this video be sure to check out Gaijillionaire's Club for more things retro, Nintendo and Japan.
Comments 11
They'll also be getting cramp from playing with that controller. They can keep that though. lol
But I do wish our European version came with a plug and the poster that the Americans are getting.
Man Japan always get the cool stuff. I want those cards!!
Actually here in Barcelona it's November 10th and people are already collecting their preorders, depending on the store they made the preorder on. I made mine on Amazon a month ago and I guess my NES Mini will be shipped tomorrow.
And yes, we sure won't get the extras, just as our version of Sega 3D Classics Collection didn't include the stickers of the American one
I got my NES mini yesterday (thanks Nintendo UK store). Got to say, I'm a bit disappointed with it. The controllers are close to the originals but not exactly like them and the input lag makes games like Super Mario Bros. unplayable for me. Shame really.
This looks more appealing then the NES mini. It has FF3 which I did not get to play until the DS days. That bit of history is nice. Too bad there is no translation patch.😎 I love the fact that Solomon's key is in it. That game is in my top ten of NES games. They do not make them like that like they use to. I'm looking at you Pyramids. River city is so good also. I don't know Japanese so I don't know what the others are but that would be part of the fun.
Erm.... Mine arrived yesterday?! (From the Nintendo UK store) 🤔
It is pretty cool but the controllers are just sooo small, and the fact they can't be detached either, which presumably means you can't use any alternatives, is a pretty major downside imo. The tiny controllers actually make me think of the Switch Joy-Cons when detached and used as individual controllers for two players.
I'm curious to hear more of how it performs and if any significant lag anyone has is the fault of the unit and its software, or if it's a result of overall setup such as the TV. I don't love the hardwired pads, however authentic. The smaller pads likely wouldn't bother me, as the Gameboy Micro felt good for me. I just ordered the 8bitdo Zero mini controller to play around with as a curiosity. It arrives tomorrow. I figure it will be a good test to see how small is too small for a controller.
I want one, but not for the price play asia is charging.
those controllers are stupid!
@Ryu_Niiyama yes it's weird. normally asian sellers who export sell software for the normal retail price, but in the case of the famicom mini they're all charging way too much o_O
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