Nintendo Classic Mini is a retro game console to relive our memory about legendary old games from NES, official from Nintendo. There are 2 names for this product. In the USA it is called NES Classic Mini. In Europe it is called Nintendo Entertainment System: Nintendo Classic Mini. Apparently we get European version in Australia. There are 30 games bundled with this console. Unfortunately that’s all we’ll ever get (at least officially) because the console provides no method to add new games.
The included 30 games are:
- Balloon Fight
- Bubble Bobble
- Castlevania
- Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest
- Donkey Kong
- Donkey Kong Jr.
- Double Dragon II: The Revenge
- Dr. Mario
- Excitebike
- Final Fantasy
- Galaga
- Ghosts ‘N Goblins
- Gradius
- Ice Climber
- Kid Icarus
- Kirby’s Adventure
- Mario Bros.
- Mega Man 2
- Metroid
- Ninja Gaiden
- PAC-MAN
- Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream
- StarTropics
- SUPER C
- Super Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros. 2
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Tecmo Bowl
- The Legend of Zelda
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
In the box, we can find the console, one classic NES controller, one HDMI cable, one micro USB cable and manual book. Additional controller is available as a separate purchase. There is no slot or any other way for us to add games, or play any game other than the included 30. Notable missing is any power source. All we get is a micro USB cable and we need to supply our own USB charger with minimum 1A to power it. Thankfully, almost all smartphones and chargers come with one, and even buying a dedicated charger for this console is relatively easy.
The main console unit is small, looks retro and surprisingly lighter than what I imagined. There are 2 buttons on the console. One is Power and the other one is Reset. The included controller immediately brings back the memory of my early gaming days.
Setting up Nintendo Classic Mini is easy. I happen to have one empty USB slot in my charging station near TV, so I could easily plug in the included micro USB cable, attach the HDMI cable, press the Power button. First, it asks me to choose language, and instantly it shows the selection of 30 games. I read an article yesterday that the internal of this console is actually a tiny Linux computer. Whatever they put inside, it’s good enough to make the games loading smoothly.
The built-in games instantly bring back old memory. However, it surprised me to notice how basic the graphic of these games were. I used to think that these games look great and cool. I guess now that we’re so used to high resolution display and complex rendering games, such retro classics look a bit underwhelming. Another annoyance I quickly feel is how short the controller cable is. Too short for decent distance between player and TV. I guess such cable length were designed for an era when most TVs are 14″.
I also immediately realised that most of my arcade gaming skills are now gone. I played very awkwardly and couldn’t even clear the first stage of Super Mario Bros. 3. How embarrassing.
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