While most users discuss whether to buy an Xbox One S or PS4 Pro, we propose a clear contender to become the star of this Christmas: Nintendo NES Mini.
Outside
The first thing that draws attention to see is that it is aesthetically identical to the original NES in 1985, with two distinct differences: this NES mini is so small it fits in the palm of a hand (and really weighs little) and the part That should go the cartridges cannot be opened (remember that the games are already pre-installed, although that is something that we will comment in another section).
If we start to look at more details, then we will see that also have changed the connectors of the controls, now are the same as those used by the Wii Remote (they look like USB, but they are not). On the front panel itself, to the left, we find the same two buttons of the original NES: Power (to turn on or off) and Reset (to exit to the main menu once we are playing). To the left of Power we find the red pilot, which will turn on when we are playing.
On the back, NES Mini includes an HDMI output for connecting to your screen or TV (HDMI cable comes in the pack) and one USB for power. In this section, Nintento clarifies that this USB output can only be used for the charger that comes in the pack, so we discard for now to be able to plug in a regular smartphone charger.
The command
The command is as large as the console itself (we said that the NES Mini is very small) and maintains the essence of the original: the crosshead to move up, down or sideways, the Select, Start and buttons B and A. In the back, there is nothing, beyond the serial number of the remote.
And how about the feeling in the hand? I was afraid that the material would be too plastic like a toy, but it is not. In fact, it is very similar to the original command. Even the crosshead will leave the famous mark or cleft on the thumb of your left hand. Buttons A and B are comfortable and respond well to the action of our fingers.
The only catch? The control cable is too short. We do not have the exact distance in centimeters, but it will force us to be very close to the console itself to play, something that did not convince me too much, but it is what there is.
In the pack of the NES Mini comes a command included. If we want a second to take advantage of the multiplayer mode, we can buy a separate one for 9.99 dollars.
Inside
Although Nintendo has not revealed what’s inside the NES Mini (there are those who say it would be the technology of a Wii adapted for the occasion), the user experience is quite good. Turns very fast and menu navigation is quite fluid.
When we choose any title and click on play, the time elapsed until you start the game is minimal. There is hardly any load times.
And what about the graphics? We can choose three different resolutions for each of the games: Old TV (to remember exactly what “good” that was seen in the 80s), 4: 3 (a stretched sideways to fit screens version today) And original resolution. Although we have started a game in a game, we can change the resolution as many times as we want. The best is 4: 3, very clear and more current.
Besides choosing from 30 games, what else is there in the navigation menu: Options (from here we can enable or disable the automatic demo games or reset factory console), language (to choose between English, Italian, French, Dutch, German, Portuguese, Spanish and Russian), Legal and Manuals (although here redirected to the Nintendo website).
One of the options we liked most is the ability to save the game at any time. Although most games automatically save from time to time in case you end up killing (and do not have to start again from scratch), it is a great advantage that you can record at all times. Saved games are easily accessible from the main menu in a section called “Ellipsis” and, as a curiosity; we can change the resolution even though we started the game with another.
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The gaming experience
The intention of Nintendo to select the 30 classics that come pre-installed in the Mini NES was to offer a variety of styles. This explains why we find from Mario or Donkey Kong going through a Pac-Man or Zelda until a Double Dragon. The full list of titles is at the end of this article. Do you miss some games? Yes, titles like Contra, Castlevania III or Duck Hunt would have been great but, as we say, it’s a fairly complete and varied selection.
As there is little load times, the gaming experience is very fluid. If we know the introductions of the games, we can pass them without problems until we reach the main menu and start our game. What most will hit you (especially if you’ve never played an NES) is that the movements of the characters are not as immediate as a PlayStation or Xbox . You will blame him, but it is a matter of getting accustomed and not forgetting that they come from an era in which movements were more limited.
We had time to try Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda and Double Dragon II and, in addition to being a wonderful nostalgic exercise, they are still a lot of fun. We could not try the multiplayer, but seeing how well it moves this NES Mini all games, we assume that there will be no problem and that the experience will be as good as in single player.
Being able to save the game at all times, change the resolution or that there are hardly load times are the main advantages of the NES Mini
Failing to try it in more depth, the first contact is really good. Not only is it pure nostalgia, it is a good gaming experience, simple, fluid, without having to wait for updates of gigas and gigas or to connect to the server. In addition, the games, even 30 years later, are still very fun. For 60 dollars points as gift this Christmas.
Frequent questions
Is it connected to the Internet? Do not.
What’s in the initial pack? The NES Mini console, a remote, the charger and an HDMI cable.
Can I use other controls? Apart from the official, you can use a classic NES controller or the classic Wii Pro controller. However, if you use two controllers at the same time, Nintendo warns that one of them will have to be the NES Mini official.
What games are included? 30 Nintendo Classics. Specific:
- Balloon Fight
- Bubble Bobble
- Castlevania
- Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest
- Donkey Kong
- Donkey Kong Jr.
- Double Dragon II: The Revenge
- Dr. Mario
- Excitebike
- Final Fantasy
- Galaga
- Ghosts’ n Goblins
- Gradius
- Ice Climbers
- Kid Icarus
- Kirby’s Adventure
- Mega Man 2
- Metroid
- Mario Bros.
- Ninja Gaiden
- Pac-Man
- Punch-Out !! Featuring Mr. Dream
- Star Tropics
- Super C
- Super Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros. 2
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Tecmo Bowl
- The Legend of Zelda
- Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
Can I add more games? No, you’ll have to settle for the 30 classics already included.
Does it work with cartridges? No, all 30 games come pre-installed and the cartridge slot can not be opened.
