NES Classic Edition: Everything You Need to Know

2016-11-11T15:34:36.000Z

Over 30 years ago, Nintendo released the Nintendo Entertainment System. In 2016, it's releasing a miniature, digital version of the same console: the NES Classic Edition.

The adorable little box is reminiscent of the original NES from 1985, but it's far smaller — as seen above, it fits in the palm of your hand.

The NES Classic Edition is out now — today, November 11 — and we've put together everything we know about it:

First thing's first: The NES Classic Edition is SMALL.

Despite the looks, you can't use classic NES cartridges with it.

Instead, it comes with a selection of 30 games, built into the hardware itself.

Which games, you ask? Some of Nintendo's best! Thirty in total — here are the first 15:

• "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"

And here are the final 15:

• "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"

Sadly, you won't be able to use your original NES gamepads with it.

BUT the NES Classic Edition comes with a new version of the classic gamepad you're used to. It looks and feels the same as the original.

WARNING: The controller wire is notoriously short. Nyko — a third-party hardware maker — has a $20 wireless solution.

This is the Nyko Miniboss — a wireless gamepad that mirrors the functionality of the standard NES gamepad. Nyko

If you absolutely need a second gamepad, Nintendo's selling them separately for $10 apiece.

BONUS: Since the new versions of the classic NES gamepad use plugs from the original Wii/Wii U, you can use it with those systems to play classic games as well.

Beyond just giving you a bunch of classic NES games in one place, the NES Classic Edition adds "suspend points."

No more leaving the old NES running at the pause screen when you've gotta go apple-picking — simply suspend the game wherever you are.

There are up to four save slots per game, and it looks as though the way you access them is by pushing the reset button on the console itself.

That's not all! Since these are digital re-creations of the original games, Nintendo's able to do some funky stuff on a system level. You can play games in their original 4:3 resolution.

Or you can play them in CRT Mode, which emulates the kind of screen you'd encounter in an arcade.

The NES Classic Edition arrives on November 11 in this sweet, retro-style box.

Best of all, Nintendo's releasing the NES Classic Edition for the impulse-buyable price of $60.

And yes, in case it wasn't already clear, Nintendo's rolling out a marketing campaign that looks straight out of 1990 for the NES Classic Edition.

SECOND WARNING: The console is in short supply, and is already going for insanely high resale prices on eBay. Good luck out there!

Nintendo Store — This is the Nintendo flagship store in New York City's Rockefeller Center on the morning of November 11 — launch day. The line was huge! Ben Gilbert/Business Insider

Nintendo just released a brand-new $60 game system — here's what we know

First thing's first: The NES Classic Edition is SMALL.

Despite the looks, you can't use classic NES cartridges with it.

Instead, it comes with a selection of 30 games, built into the hardware itself.

Which games, you ask? Some of Nintendo's best! Thirty in total — here are the first 15:

And here are the final 15:

Sadly, you won't be able to use your original NES gamepads with it.

BUT the NES Classic Edition comes with a new version of the classic gamepad you're used to. It looks and feels the same as the original.

WARNING: The controller wire is notoriously short. Nyko — a third-party hardware maker — has a $20 wireless solution.

If you absolutely need a second gamepad, Nintendo's selling them separately for $10 apiece.

BONUS: Since the new versions of the classic NES gamepad use plugs from the original Wii/Wii U, you can use it with those systems to play classic games as well.

Beyond just giving you a bunch of classic NES games in one place, the NES Classic Edition adds "suspend points."

No more leaving the old NES running at the pause screen when you've gotta go apple-picking — simply suspend the game wherever you are.

There are up to four save slots per game, and it looks as though the way you access them is by pushing the reset button on the console itself.

That's not all! Since these are digital re-creations of the original games, Nintendo's able to do some funky stuff on a system level. You can play games in their original 4:3 resolution.

Or you can play them in CRT Mode, which emulates the kind of screen you'd encounter in an arcade.

The NES Classic Edition arrives on November 11 in this sweet, retro-style box.

Best of all, Nintendo's releasing the NES Classic Edition for the impulse-buyable price of $60.

And yes, in case it wasn't already clear, Nintendo's rolling out a marketing campaign that looks straight out of 1990 for the NES Classic Edition.

SECOND WARNING: The console is in short supply, and is already going for insanely high resale prices on eBay. Good luck out there!

To that end, you should really watch — and enjoy — the full trailer of the NES Classic Edition's features. It's a delightful throwback!

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