SNES Mini confirmed: Nintendo squeezes 21 classic games into palm-sized console

Nintendo plans to absolutely dominate the run-up to Christmas with the long-anticipated announcement of an SNES Classic Edition. This time, however, the company has taken the release up several levels.

As if after our retro-loving hearts, Nintendo has included the never-before-released Star Fox 2 in the tiny box. Naturally, the firm has made a bit of a game of it, locking the game behind the first level of the included Star Fox game.

Better yet, Nintendo promises to include two wired controllers – with hopefully much longer wire – for just 20 dollars more than the previous collectible console at $79 (AU$119.95, about £62) when the device launches on September 29 in the US and September 30 in Australia.

Joining this monumental release of Star Fox 2 are seminal hits like Super Mario World, Final Fantasy 3 and more among a list of 21 classics.

We've not yet heard about exact pricing and launch dates in the UK, but will update this story when we do. In the meantime, just look at these games:

  • Contra III: The Alien Wars
  • Donkey Kong Country
  • EarthBound
  • Final Fantasy III
  • F-ZERO
  • Kirby Super Star
  • Kirby’s Dream Course
  • The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
  • Mega Man X
  • Secret of Mana
  • Star Fox
  • Star Fox 2
  • Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting
  • Super Castlevania IV
  • Super Ghouls ’n Ghosts
  • Super Mario Kart
  • Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
  • Super Mario World
  • Super Metroid
  • Super Punch-Out!!
  • Yoshi’s Island

What other features might the SNES Classic Edition offer, and when will pre-orders show up already? What will playing a 20-year-old game, never released in its time, feel like? All we know is that Nintendo all but sealed its holiday lead with a box of games it released 20 years ago. That's a tough power to contend with.

Joe Osborne

Joe Osborne is the Senior Technology Editor at Insider Inc. His role is to leads the technology coverage team for the Business Insider Shopping team, facilitating expert reviews, comprehensive buying guides, snap deals news and more. Previously, Joe was TechRadar's US computing editor, leading reviews of everything from gaming PCs to internal components and accessories. In his spare time, Joe is a renowned Dungeons and Dragons dungeon master – and arguably the nicest man in tech.