Nintendo SNES Classic reportedly in production for Christmas 2017 release

Nintendo will follow up its enormously popular plug-and-play Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) with a similar device inspired by the Super Nintendo (SNES), according to reports.

Eurogamer, citing multiple sources, claims production of the mini Super Nintendo, which we'll call the SNES Classic, is the reason production of the NES Classic has stopped despite global stock shortages and huge demand.

The SNES Classic is reportedly set for release in time for Christmas 2017. Assuming it will be packed in with games from the console's illustrious library, it could include classics such as Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past and Super Metroid.

The NES Classic, released in November, quickly became hard-to-come-by, creating a resale market on sites like eBay that saw consoles sell for at least twice the retail price of £49.99. Since news of its discontinuation broke, prices are now as high as £175.

Nintendo continued to ship devices out to retailers into the new year, but never with enough stock to satisfy the huge demand.

As news broke in April that NES Classic was to be discontinued, a Nintendo of America spokesperson told IGN: "NES Classic Edition wasn't intended to be an ongoing, long-term product. However, due to high demand, we did add extra shipments to our original plans."

SNES Classic was always a possibility if the NES Classic proved a success. It seems, if Eurogamer's report is true (and writer Tom Phillip's track record is certainly excellent), that last year's mini console may have been a testbed for the even more marketable SNES Classic.

The Super Nintendo is home to a host of games that have stood the test of time even better than the games packed in with last year's NES Classic.

On top of the aforementioned games, a SNES Classic could include games like Chrono Trigger, Super Mario Kart, Secret of Mana, Yoshi's Island, Donkey Kong Country, Street Fighter 2, Super Punch Out, Smash TV, F-Zero and Earthbound.

Let's just hope there's enough stock.

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