A few weeks ago, Nintendo announced the NES Classic Edition, a small console with 30 built-in games. These games are some of the greatest games ever released on the NES. Since the announcement, I have mentioned several times how this is a truly great deal to get all these games and a console to play them on for only $60.
However, there are some people who don’t think that it is a great deal, that they could find a much better deal getting physical copies of all these games. To me, that is clearly bunk. However, I decided to take a look at how much one would have to spend to buy all these games and a console to play them on.
There are a couple of requirements I took into account. First, since this is an official Nintendo brand console, I priced only official hardware. There are aftermarket third party consoles that work just fine, but the cost savings in general didn’t make a difference. Second, I am not everywhere at once. So I looked at the only retro options available to me. So what does that leave me? Ebay and Amazon make up the online stores that sell retro games. Next is the Wii U Virtual Console store, or the Wii VC if a game wasn’t available for Wii U. Finally, I checked out my local retro gaming store Vintage Stock.
So what did I find out? Exactly what I have been saying all along. If you want a cheap retro gaming experience with 30 awesome games, $60 is a freaking awesome deal. Don’t believe me? Below are the prices to prove it.
Some notes about this chart: Amazon prices are the lowest price listed regardless of quality. Ebay prices are the lowest price found on the sold listings. The * next to Wii U prices means the game is only available in the Wii VC store, which can be played using a Wii U. All console prices are lowest price found for official Nintendo hardware with cords and one controller. There are cheaper 3rd party aftermarket consoles out there but most are $30 or more.
| NES Classic | Amazon | ebay | WiiU VC | Vintage Stock | ||
| Console | 60 | 74 | 38.74 | 300 | 69.99 | |
| Balloon Fight | 0 | 13 | 9.99 | 4.99 | 24.99 | |
| BUBBLE BOBBLE | 0 | 22.25 | 5 | 4.99 | * | 24.99 |
| Castlevania | 0 | 23 | 4.25 | 4.99 | 24.99 | |
| Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest | 0 | 7.79 | 6 | 4.99 | 16.99 | |
| Donkey Kong | 0 | 41.99 | 14.5 | 4.99 | 39.99 | |
| Donkey Kong Jr. | 0 | 22.99 | 13.15 | 4.99 | 24.99 | |
| DOUBLE DRAGON II: THE REVENGE | 0 | 9.25 | 5 | 4.99 | * | 19.99 |
| Dr. Mario | 0 | 5.99 | 1 | 4.99 | 12.99 | |
| Excitebike | 0 | 8.83 | 2.25 | 4.99 | 14.99 | |
| FINAL FANTASY | 0 | 14.99 | 5.5 | 4.99 | * | 24.99 |
| Galaga | 0 | 15.75 | 3.25 | 4.99 | 16.99 | |
| GHOSTS’N GOBLINS | 0 | 14 | 9.08 | 4.99 | 19.99 | |
| GRADIUS | 0 | 8.2 | 5.5 | 4.99 | 12.99 | |
| Ice Climber | 0 | 17.17 | 9.99 | 4.99 | * | 19.99 |
| Kid Icarus | 0 | 24.98 | 14.5 | 4.99 | 24.99 | |
| Kirby’s Adventure | 0 | 17.33 | 5 | 4.99 | 24.99 | |
| Mario Bros. | 0 | 23.7 | 5 | 4.99 | 24.99 | |
| MEGA MAN 2 | 0 | 30.5 | 5 | 4.99 | 39.99 | |
| Metroid | 0 | 18.98 | 6.5 | 4.99 | 24.99 | |
| NINJA GAIDEN | 0 | 12 | 4.99 | 4.99 | 16.99 | |
| PAC-MAN | 0 | 10.34 | 2 | 4.99 | 14.99 | |
| Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream | 0 | 11.97 | 8.5 | 4.99 | * | 19.99 |
| StarTropics | 0 | 4.38 | 4.99 | 4.99 | 7.99 | |
| SUPER C | 0 | 20.99 | 2.65 | 4.99 | 24.99 | |
| Super Mario Bros. | 0 | 6.25 | 5.5 | 4.99 | 14.99 | |
| Super Mario Bros. 2 | 0 | 19.41 | 9 | 4.99 | 29.99 | |
| Super Mario Bros. 3 | 0 | 15.99 | 5 | 4.99 | 24.99 | |
| TECMO BOWL | 0 | 12.94 | 0.99 | 4.99 | * | 9.99 |
| The Legend of Zelda | 0 | 27.95 | 3.65 | 4.99 | 34.99 | |
| Zelda II: The Adventure of Link | 0 | 14.4 | 4.25 | 4.99 | 25.99 | |
| Total | 60 | 571.31 | 220.72 | 449.7 | 735.69 | |
| Total for games only | 0 | 497.31 | 181.98 | 149.7 | 665.7 |
Apparently you shop like an imbecile. Went to my local retro store, find everything on the list for 45 buck. So long as your not picky about the specific model of console or getting in box copies if the game in question. Hell, drop all but the actual good games, you can drop off another 10 to 15 bucks.
And even on eBay and Amazon, most of the prices you quote are wildly inflated. All the items are are available from a variety of sellers at far less then you claim.
Not sure if your being dishonest, or just stupid.
“Apparently you shop like an imbecile.”
Based on what exactly? I explained how I picked my prices. If you say you can get better prices, please provide proof.
“Went to my local retro store, find everything on the list for 45 buck.”
You have a very nice retro store that isn’t concerned about silly things like profit and paying bills and payroll then. Good for you. I got the prices for my local retro store from their computer. Yes their prices are high compared to other methods, but if you want a certain game *now*, they are good for that.
“And even on eBay and Amazon, most of the prices you quote are wildly inflated.”
No they aren’t and you can’t prove me wrong. When you search for sold listings on ebay and sort from lowest price to highest, you will find exactly what I listed. Same for Amazon. So provide screenshots of lower prices and I will believe you.
“Not sure if your being dishonest, or just stupid.”
Insulting me is not winning you any friends here. So please chill.