Behold the Mini Famicom.
Sure, you might think you’re the hippest, coolest, finger-on-the-pulse gaming guy who pre-ordered Nintendo’s upcoming emulation box, the Nintendo Classic Mini NES. But after you’ve invited everyone to check out the details in the Mini NES cartridge slot, served up a few light drinks, and started to feel really good about your life choices, your older, beardier, always a little more-trendy friend. Under his arm, just in plain sight, is Nintendo’s Japanese Nintendo Classic Mini: Family Computer, also known as the Mini Famicom.
Distraught, you start talking about how your Mini NES comes with 30 built-in games in a vain attempt to take the hit, but to no avail. The Mini Famicom with its Japan-exclusive games and import-only cachet has stolen your thunder. Oh yes, check and measure my friend. You’ve really been out-hipstered.
And why not? Just look how much more exciting the Mini Famicom is with its chintzy red finish. It even has wired controllers, just like on the original Japanese Famicom that was released way back in 1983 (two years before it was released in the US and three years before Europe). Like the original, the Mini Famicom is functionally identical to the Mini NES, with 30 emulated versions of classic 8-bit Famicom/NES games spewed out over a modern HDMI cable in glorious HD. Multiple display modes, including one that simulates old CRT screens, and save states are also part of the package.
-
Kirby’s Adventure (Left: NES Classic Edition; Right: Wii U Virtual Console)
-
Super Mario Bros. 3 (Left: NES Classic Edition; Right: Wii U Virtual Console)
-
Child Icarus (Left: NES Classic Edition; Right: Wii U Virtual Console)
-
Dr Mario (Left: NES Classic Edition; Right: Wii U Virtual Console)
-
Donkey Kong (Left: NES Classic Edition; Right: Wii U Virtual Console)
-
The Legend of Zelda (Left: NES Classic Edition; Right: Wii U Virtual Console)
Most excitingly, though, the Mini Famicom’s list of 30 games is slightly different than the Mini NES’s, meaning a few of those will be Mini Famicom exclusives. River City ransom (which oddly did get a release on the original NES in the West) is one, and Final Fantasy III is another. The latter was never released on the NES in the West, and like those who imported it in 1990, you’ll need to brush up on your Japanese to play it. But hey, nothing says l33t gamer more than playing a Japanese version of a game on an imported console that you might as well play in English and download on your smartphone. That is real dedication.
If you’re interested in buying a Mini Famicom, it goes on sale in Japan on November 10 for ¥5,980 (£45, $59), plus another ¥1,000 if you need an AC adaptor. Not to mention all the relevant import and shipping costs if you bring one from Japan (maybe £20 or so).
Here’s the full list of included games:
- Donkey Kong
- Pac man
- Excite bike
- Balloon fight
- Ice climber
- Galaga
- Yie Ar Kung Fu
- Super Mario Bros.
- The Legend of Zelda
- Atlantis not Nazi
- Gradius
- Makai village
- Solomon’s key
- Metroid
- Castlevania
- Adventures of Link
- Sumo bump
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Ninja Gaiden
- mega man 2
- River City ransom
- Double Dragon Ⅱ The Revenge
- Super Tamashito Luo
- Final Fantasy Ⅲ
- Dr Mario
- Downtown Nekketsu Mar Soreyuke
- Mario Open Golf
- Super Mario USA (Super Mario Bros. 2 in USA)
- Kirby’s Adventure