Nintendo Not Making N64 Classic Console Anytime Soon

Fans of the recent trend where video game companies package some of their classic games together on a miniaturized version of an old console might have to wait a while for the next one. In an interview with Kotaku, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime said Nintendo is not planning a Nintendo 64 Classic at the moment.

Nintendo launched the NES Classic in 2016 and followed it up with the SNES Classic in 2017. Both mini-consoles sold well and generated high demand, which led many to believe the Nintendo 64 console would get the same treatment soon. However, Fils-Aime shut the door on that.

“I would not ever rule something out,” Fils-Aime told Kotaku, “But what I can tell you is certainly [the N64 Classic is] not in our planning horizon.”

According to Fils-Aime, the other two Classic consoles mostly existed so Nintendo could get some money off new hardware at a time when the Wii U console was fading out and the Switch was still new. He called them “limited time opportunities” and said Nintendo will primarily re-release games through its recently launched Nintendo Switch Online subscription service.

At the moment, the $20 per year service only offers a growing, Netflix-like selection of Nintendo Entertainment System games. Nintendo rival Sony is cashing in on the classic consoles trend this holiday season with the PlayStation Classic. The $100 mini-console comes packed with 20 original PlayStation games and launches on Dec. 3.