Why was Nintendo unprepared for Classic Mini NES demand?

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla 

By creating false scarcity, what was supposed to be a fun and affordable retro-gaming console has become one of these products that brings out the worst in opportunists and which also quickly alienates core users.

It seems that Nintendo has underestimated the demand for the Classic Mini NES console. In case you missed it, the Classic Mini NES is a tiny replica of the iconic Nintendo Entertainment System from decades ago. This version plugs into modern HDTVs and no longer requires game cartridges because around 30 games are pre installed within the small device's memory. Players can also save games now, which was a challenge with the antiquated system.

These 30-in-1 video game products have been around for years, cramming dozens of iconic  games into the size of a game console for quick and casual gaming fun. The Classic Mini NES, however, is clearly targeted towards the retro-gaming crowd or 30-year-olds who have nostalgic feelings for Super Mario and who will not think twice about shelling out US $50 for the novelty.

Nintendo had known months in advance that these mini-consoles, which sell with one controller for around $80, putting them in perfect holiday present territory, would be out in time for the holidays. Unlike most console launches, there were no pre-order options on any online or in-store game sellers. Once the September 11 launch date came (Remembrance Day in Canada and in other countries where various stores are closed), there were only a handful of units for sale in Best Buy and EB Games.

This reminded me of when the Nintendo Wii first came out, it was similarly during the holiday season and demand quickly outstripped demand. I remember writing a Santa I.O.U. for my nephew because his parents scoured every store possible and weren't able to find the console for sale.

The big difference here is at that time the Wii was a brand new console with various unknowns. It had new controllers, new games and was coming out at a time when Nintendo had pent up demand for a new console.

The Classic Mini NES, on the other hand, is a re-imagining of a 30 year old console. It features games that have been completed a long time ago and in a form factor that is basically solid state. It's unthinkable that Nintendo didn't make enough of these to sell. That they had no pre-order strategy and that they can't explain while the consoles are in short supply.

Going around to various retailers for the console doesn't get any better. Most don't know when they are getting stock and have no idea of the volume they are going to carry. I went to the Game Shack at Atrium on Bay this morning to ask about availability and the salesperson snorted, "do you know they're selling them on eBay for $1,000?" before shrugging his arms. Last I checked the Mini NES was being sold for up to $5,000 online, go figure.

By creating false scarcity, what was supposed to be a fun and affordable retro-gaming console has become one of these products that brings out the worst in opportunists and which also quickly alienates core users who may have been interested in buying a number of these devices to give as gifts, but who now realize they don't want the hassle of tracking the devices down.

Parasites: Nintendo's scarcity has enabled opportunistic sellers who are selling the Mini NES at insane prices

I find it hard to believe that Nintendo was so grossly unprepared for the launch of the Classic Mini NES. The product isn't a complicated one to make, there are few licenses to procure, these are back catalog games that have been ported into other formats time and again, what is the hold up? I think Nintendo needs to be more open and let customers know when and where the Classic Mini NES can be ordered, otherwise a lot of customers are going to get ripped off by unscrupulous resellers.