Support NeoGAF

[IbizaPocholo]

Remember Mini Consoles like the NES and Super NES Classic? Whatever happened to them, and why did we never see a Dreamcast classic or N64 classic? In today's episode we revisit this era of mini classic consoles and discuss how they no longer are as popular as they once were.

• 00:00–00:52 — The video explains how the mini console craze began with the launch of the Nintendo NES Classic Edition in 2016. Despite earlier attempts by other companies, Nintendo's version became a massive success thanks to its nostalgic design, 30 built-in games, and affordable $59.99 price.
• 00:52–02:24 — Demand for the NES Classic exploded, causing shortages and heavy scalping online. The creator recalls buying into the hype and FOMO personally, eventually realizing the devices became more collectible display pieces than systems he actively played.
• 02:44–03:27 — The NES Classic's Linux-based hardware was quickly hacked, allowing users to add hundreds of ROMs and emulator cores. This openness helped extend the console's popularity among retro gaming enthusiasts.
• 03:27–04:36 — Nintendo followed up with the Super NES Classic Edition in 2017, featuring 21 games and the previously unreleased Star Fox 2. The creator considers this the peak of the mini console era, praising its emulation quality and convenience.
• 04:58–06:47 — Sony entered the market with the PlayStation Classic in 2018, but it was heavily criticized for poor PAL 50Hz game versions, lack of display options, and reliance on open-source emulation. The device was hacked quickly, further undermining its value.
• 06:47–07:56 — Sega released the Sega Genesis Mini in 2019, widely praised due to excellent emulation work by M2. The later Genesis Mini 2 added even more games and Sega CD titles, but by then consumer interest had already started fading.
• 07:56–08:56 — The creator argues that Nintendo Switch Online played a major role in killing mini consoles. Once retro games became easily accessible on an existing hybrid console, dedicated mini hardware felt unnecessary.
• 08:56–10:13 — Products like the Game Gear Micro symbolized the decline of the trend. At the same time, FPGA systems such as Analogue products and the MiSTer FPGA gained popularity by offering far more accurate recreations of retro hardware.
• 10:13–11:49 — Cheap handheld emulators from brands like Retroid and Anbernic further weakened the appeal of mini consoles by providing more flexibility, portability, and value for money.
• 11:49–13:17 — The video concludes that mini consoles are now mostly niche collector items. The market has shifted toward full-sized recreations and FPGA hardware capable of using original cartridges and peripherals. The creator believes the window for devices like a Dreamcast Mini or Saturn Mini has likely closed.

 

[Magic Carpet]

I've still got mine. Modded the heck out of em too.

 

[dgproject]

I still think a ps2 mini will sell very well, if Sony can stock them on time. Like, 10M+ unit especially if they can sell it for $99.

But yeah, it doesn't make sense financially, like Nintendo can sell $20 old Pokémon ROM in 2026. Of course they will not make another $59 mini with several ROM included.

 

[DenchDeckard]

I've still got a UK nes, UK snes and a Japanese dragon ball z special edition Famicom. I'm upset about not having a mini American SNES as that is what I imported to play Japanese and American games we couldn't get in the UK / pal region.

I loved my American SNES. I don't understand why people hate on it.

 

[Soodanim]

I have a SNES Classic that is collecting dust, but mostly because I modded it to put a couple extra games on and it became extremely unreliable. I need to factory reset it but forgot about it until this thread.

 

[NeoIkaruGAF]

No mention of the PC-Engine Mini? It was the last non-Sony platform to offer Castlevania Rondo of Blood, after all.
But the master stroke of the whole mini console season was of course Nintendo releasing Star Fox 2. Brilliant move, even if the SNES mini ended up being far easier to find than the NES mini. I was ridiculously lucky to be in a store at the exact moment they put the first stock on shelves. All my other mini consoles I bought online.

Anyway, they were always novelties and collector's items. Very well done at that, but not much more than that.
Sony and Sega dropped the ball so hard on the PS mini and the GG micro then, killing any leftover momentum the initiative had. But then, it must have dawned on them that remaking or remastering the good old games, or even just releasing them as ROMs, was a much better long-term strategy. Nintendo has since remastered Super Mario RPG, and is now remastering Star Fox 64. There's a still untapped gold mine there.

If anything, the mini consoles sparked an interest in repros of the original controllers.

 

[Cakeboxer]

The only advantage of those things is the cute look and the fact that you own the original and licensed games. Otherwise, any old €50 mini PC wipes the floor with them, combines countless systems under one roof, gives you complete freedom of controller choice and also plays older Pc games.

 

[Paasei]

I only got the SNES classic, my best memories of myself being a young gamer are from that time, Too young for the NES to really care about the system at the time. I just played all significant games that were ported to Gameboy.
Modded my SNES only to hold the Disney games and whatever that weeb shmup game was called that I always played co-op with my brother. I think it's Twinbee.

 

[L*][*N*K]

I still think a ps2 mini will sell very well, if Sony can stock them on time. Like, 10M+ unit especially if they can sell it for $99.

But yeah, it doesn't make sense financially, like Nintendo can sell $20 old Pokémon ROM in 2026. Of course they will not make another $59 mini with several ROM included.

10??? Come on man.

 

[Holammer]

PLAION's AES+ is the model to follow now IMO.
An authentic full size backwards compatible machine with select classic Cart re-releases.

Imagine a SNES with of Zelda: Link to the past, Donkey Kong Country, Super Ghouls'n Ghosts, Super Metroid. I swear half of GAF would lose their collective shit.

 

[Spukc]

The only advantage of those things is the cute look and the fact that you own the original and licensed games. Otherwise, any old €50 mini PC wipes the floor with them, combines countless systems under one roof, gives you complete freedom of controller choice and also plays older Pc games.

Why Spend $80 on an SNES Classic When You Can Install Emulators on a Raspberry Pi and Never Shut the Fuck Up About It?

Nintendo’s highly coveted SNES Classic Mini system comes out today and is certain to be a hot item. A word of advice... Read the full masterpiece

thehardtimes.net

 

[Radical_3d]

I loved my American SNES. I don't understand why people hate on it.

 

[nush]

I loved my American SNES. I don't understand why people hate on it.

It's a breeze block that removed all they style and colour from the Super Famicom. I remember the uncertainty and worry before the SNES was released in Europe about what version of the console would get released here. Nobody wanted the American design. I'm sure NOE did some focus testing and got results saying the same.

 

[dgproject]

10??? Come on man.

Why not?
SNES mini sold over 5 millions.

 

[Mr Reasonable]

I loved my American SNES. I don't understand why people hate on it.

It's because the design was so ugly compared to the Japanese and European version.

 

[consoul]

PLAION's AES+ is the model to follow now IMO.
An authentic full size backwards compatible machine with select classic Cart re-releases.

This. I wouldn't even care if they weren't full size, but let us use our original carts and controllers.

Imagine if Sony made PS6 fully backward compatible with all prior generations PlayStation discs. That'd be the most For The Players thing ever.

 

[FoxMcChief]

Mine are more for decoration in my home office.

 

[MrJangles]

I have the nes, snes and megadrive mini consoles unopened and sealed. I doubt if I'll bother with them.

Are they worth anything?

 

[GamesDontSuck]

A Sega Dreamcast mini and more so a ps2 would mini would sell.

Yes, sure, you can just get a raspberry pi and do it yourself. But most people dont want that. Casual gamers just want a pick up and play while going down memory lane.

 

[L*][*N*K]

Why not?
SNES mini sold over 5 millions.

oh man you actually think PS2 has the same nostalgic appeal that a Nintendo console have? That is adorable.

 

[Portugeezer]

They were just a nostalgia trip, and very cheap and easy to make.

 

[CrustyBritches]

I had the PSX mini, modded it, then never used it so I sold it. I have a bunch of retro handhelds, a Deck, and Switch 2 and I prefer playing that way it since the games look better on a smaller screen.

 

[Impotaku]

Thanks to the market been flooded with convincing fake replicas, the prices of originals have slowly increased.

Not all minis are dead, some are still been supported though taitos egret 2 mini is already upto 4 software expansions and a bunch of extras. They have been releasing one game expansion card a year so far.