Announced this morning to much fanfare, the classic-playing mini-NES is an exciting prospect for both old and new Nintendo fans. It’s a $60 device that plays 30 classic NES games ranging from Final Fantasy to Super Mario Bros. If you don’t like that list, you’re out of luck: Nintendo says this mini NES won’t be getting other games even after launch.


Addressing some of my questions today, a Nintendo spokesperson said that the console won’t be able to connect to the internet and that the company has no plans to support it with new NES games in the future. Also, in case you were wondering, the cartridge slot doesn’t actually open!

Our questions and Nintendo’s answers:

Will the mini-NES be able to connect to the internet? No. The console is a standalone device, so it cannot connect to the internet or any external storage devices. The game lineup was chosen to provide a diverse mix of popular and recognizable NES games that appeal to a wide variety of players. Everyone should be able to find multiple games to enjoy. On the same note: does Nintendo plan to sell other NES games for the mini-NES beyond the 30 it comes preloaded with? No. The console is a standalone device, so it cannot connect to the internet or any external storage devices. The 30 games included with the system were chosen to provide a wide variety of top-quality, long-lasting game-play experiences. Are there plans for other mini-consoles, like a mini-SNES or mini-N64? We have nothing to announce at this time. Just because people have been asking: safe to say it can’t play old cartridges, right? (Based on the image it looks like an NES cartridge would have around the same width as the entire console.) Does it open up at all? The console does not use physical media and therefore the Chamber Lid does not open.


You can see the full list of NES games the Mini-NES will play here.