The NES Classic Is Coming Back in June – Here’s What You Should Know

• Nintendo's NES Classic console will be re-released on June 29, 2018.
• The console comes preloaded with more than a dozen of hugely popular retro games.
• The new version is slightly different from the original, packing a few advanced features to make your gaming more enjoyable. 

In 1991, the lives of gaming fans everywhere changed drastically thanks to the release of the Nintendo Classic system. Nintendo released later versions but ultimately stopped selling the system, forcing fans to buy it for inflated prices on eBay. Now, you can relive the magic of playing with that vintage system when Nintendo releases the NES Classic on June 29, 2018.

The initial release was largely responsible for getting people interested in video games, plus it boasted a revolutionary eight-direction touchpad instead of a joystick. However, critical reviews pointed out how it fell short concerning durability and sound quality. Perhaps the newer release will improve in those areas.

Not Like the Original NES

The game-maker meticulously made the NES Classic almost exactly like you remember it back in the ‘90s. However, there are a few differences. For starters, the new NES Classic is smaller than its predecessor. On a positive note, that makes it conveniently portable if you want to take the system to a fellow gamer’s house for some collaborative fun.

Also, the NES Classic comes with 30 games already on it at the time of purchase. One of them is “Star Fox 2,” the never-before-released sequel to “Star Fox.” The original game became available in 1993, and it was one of the first games with 3-D graphics. While remarking about its 25^th anniversary this year, some people pondered whether the beloved shooting game featuring anthropomorphic animals had a future.

Nintendo created a beta version of “Star Fox 2” in 1995 and intended to release it. The company even promoted the game at conventions and in magazine features. However, the company canceled the release because more advanced multidimensional games were already doing well in other markets, so “Star Fox 2” would have had fierce competition.

Maybe “Star Fox” wasn’t your favorite in the ‘90s, so the release of “Star Fox 2” packaged with the NES Classic isn’t enough incentive to buy the system. If so, don’t worry. You’ll also get fan favorites like “PAC-MAN,” “Super Mario Bros.” and “The Legend of Zelda.”

Furthermore, the controller you get with the NES Classic looks just like the one you remember and probably spent hours playing with years ago. However, it has a modern update. If you want to play NES Virtual Console games on your Wii or Wii U system while using the NES Classic controller, the compatibility is there.

Advanced 'Save Game' Features

Each game provided on the NES Classic system has four suspend point slots. They let you save your place in the game when it’s time to take a break. Simply press the Reset button on the controller during gameplay. That action takes you to the Home menu so you can save your progress.

There’s also the option to lock a saved game, eliminating the potential for accidentally freeing up a suspend point by deleting a game in progress.

Take Your Pick of Three Display Modes

There’s another updated feature on the NES Classic, and it’s the ability to choose one of three display modes. The CRT Filter option will remind you of an old television, complete with scan lines. You can also try the Pixel Perfect setting. It displays each pixel as a perfect square, showing you the games as designers intended.

Finally, try the 4:3 mode. It shows you how the NES games looked originally but stretches them horizontally for a widescreen view.

How Can You Buy It?

Now that you know about the NES Classic’s features, the next obvious question is how you can get one on or after June 29. Nintendo’s product page for the NES Classic doesn’t offer a way to preorder the system. However, it does provide an MSRP of $59.99, which means the NES Classic fits modest budgets. However, before Nintendo unexpectedly discontinued the NES Classic last year, retailers such as Best Buy and GameStop sold it, although in limited supply.

It’s worth getting in touch with your store of choice and finding out more details from early June onward — then you can excitedly anticipate playing with the re-released system.