Do we really need a Nintendo 64 Classic Edition?

Nintendo has said in the past that they don't plan to make a Nintendo 64 Classic Edition. Here's why that's a good decision.

[Knightofelemia]

Since the NES mini and SNES mini did well in sales an N64 mini is the next choice I would buy it. Problem is will Microsoft allow some of the games that made the N64 a great console to come to light on an N64 mini. Like Perfect Dark, Killer Instinct, Banjo Kazooie, Jet Force Gemini, Conker, Doom64. Also could Nintendo get the license to release Golden Eye on the N64 mini that was a great game. I like the Genesis mini I wish Sega would release another Sega mini console like Saturn, Dreamcast or even the SMS they did a way better job then the At Game machine. Only mini I did not like was the PS1 mini the only one that was poorly planned and rushed.

[UltraNova]

Agreed, let's not kid ourselves here, If Nintendo could get the licence for those big hitters the N64 classic would already be in stores. Why say no to a cheap money printing machine?

[Vits]

I think is much more than that. Because when you take into account everything that Nintendo would need to make it desirable and the current situation in the world. The end product become much more expensive than their previous offers.

First, they have this huge issue with licensing. As they don't own half the games that made the N64 excellent. In addition they have a big problem with their in-house games as many of them depended on multiplayer. Series like Mario Kart, Mario Party and Mario Tennis are a huge part of their catalog, but they need a lot of players to actually shiny. Meanwhile games like Pokemon Stadium and Hey you, Pikachu! required special hardware to either play or to unlock all their functionalities.

Then we have a complexity issue in both hardware and software. Even today emulating N64 is not as straightforward as NES/SNES with many games having issues or requiring a hack to work perfectly. And that means more investiment in that front. And the same goes for hardware especially the controllers that are likely more expensive to produce.

And on top of all that. They would still have to make it a great deal as the N64 is a considerably less popular console than it's older brothers. However doing that is not easy, first the issue with multiplayer. It's unlikely that they would ship it with 4 controllers, the most reasonable would be 2. But that already make the deal sour. As buyers would have to fork for 2 more controllers to actually get all of what the console offers. And at the same time social distancing is still a thing.

With all that. I don't think a N64 Classic would be a cheap money printing machine. It's more likely that it wouldn't be worth the effort. Especially because they have a much cheaper and easier console to make a Classic version of: The Game Boy and to a lesser extend the Game Boy Advance.

[UltraNova]

Vits,

Very well thought-out comment. Agreed with almost everything you said but, I still believe they will sell as many as they can make, provided they can overcome all those hurdles first.

[Vits]

Well, yes. It's very unlikely that they wouldn't turn a profit on such a project. The issue is that the maximum profit that they could generate with it would be much smaller than what the NES/SNES provided. And what they could achieve with other Classic consoles, like a GB series.

Sometimes is not really about making a profit. Is about making all the profit.

[FinalSpero]

Listen... We don't NEED one. I mean I have a perfectly fine emulator on my pc.
That said, I still WANT one. So I can waste $80+ on something I don't need. Please.

[murderlo]

Short answer: Nop

[TheColbertinator]

No but I want it and will pay whatever Nintendo wants

[MetroidFREAK21]

I would buy it. I no longer have a NES or SNES classic, but I would definitely keep N N64 classic

[Profchaos]

The thing is snes and nes games have not aged anywhere as bad as first gen 3d era games. Nostalgia is a cruel mistress fire up some PS1 era titles and see if it's what you remember the reason why PS2.era games get remakes and not remastered like 360 and above era games is because they look pretty poor by modern standards

In saying that I'm a retro gamer I love it but.i know that's the common man's perspective on old 3d era games

[Neonridr]

it's true, early 3D games don't tend to fare well like the 8 & 16 bit games of old. Sprite based games hold up so much nicer on newer TVs. That being said, Mario 64 still looks and plays fine on the Switch.

[Neonridr]

Need? No. Want? Yes.

[lukasmain]

Well I can't see the harm in it. Yes it's over-priced, but there are certain people out there who love these little mini-conosles. They are the targeted audience. Probably collectors or people who like to display their little gaming culture trinkets. Would make a cool gift to someone.

[zugdar]

Would I buy it? Probably for collectors sake. But unless they put in a title that is new (like canceled Earthbound) it won't review well for the masses. Most 3D titles of that era have not aged well and other key titles are locked in license limbo.

[nickanasty206]

N64 was amazing, but being a first iteration of 3d games for console, it hasn't aged as well as the NES or SNES.

[franwex]

I will take an snes mini part 2.

[DefaultComment]

Short answer we don't need one. But it's welcomed with open arms in case they decide to make one.

[CrimsonWing69]

Sure, Starfox 64 is still the best Starfox in my opinion and I’d love to give it another go! That right there is worth the price of admission.

[KingofBandits]

Doesn't matter if we "need it" just matters that Nintendo is hell bent on limiting virtual console like features going forward and these retro consoles may end up being the only way to have access to some of the classics without it being locked behind a subscription pay wall.

[got_dam]

I would like to play ocarina and majora in their original form. They changed too much in Majora 3d. Ocarina was fine.