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Classic NES Series

Series of re-releases for the Game Boy Advance

Series of re-releases for the Game Boy Advance

FieldValue
titleClassic NES Series
italic titleyes
imageFamicom Mini Classic NES box comparison.jpg
captionThe Famicom Mini (left) and Classic NES Series (right) packaging of Super Mario Bros.
altOn the left, a yellow box with a hand drawn image of Mario jumping over the water surrounded by enemies, diagonally inset into a larger red and black background with gold trim. On the right, a black box with a pixelated image of Fire Mario jumping near a wall, about to fall below the lava.
platformsGame Boy Advance
developerNintendo
publisherNintendo
genreVarious
first release versionSuper Mario Bros.
first release dateFebruary 14, 2004
latest release versionDai-2-Ji Super Robot Taisen
latest release dateDecember 16, 2004
Note

the Game Boy Advance series

The Classic NES Series, known as the series in Japan and the NES Classics series in Europe and Australia, is a line of emulated Nintendo Entertainment System and Famicom Disk System games, published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance (GBA) in 2004 to commemorate the NES's 20th anniversary. In Japan, the series was released in three "volumes" of ten games, plus two additional games available in limited quantities as raffle prizes. A smaller selection of these games were released in Western territories, split between two waves of releases. The games received mixed reviews, with critics praising how enjoyable most of the games remained to play after 20 years, but criticizing the high price point of each game.

Overview

The Family Computer, commonly shortened to Famicom, was Nintendo's first cartridge-based home video game console, originally released in Japan in 1983. The Classic NES Series was developed to celebrate the collective 20th anniversary of these systems' launches. Each game was priced at in Japan, in the United States, and in the United Kingdom.

The Classic NES Series games run through emulation and are largely unchanged from their original releases, though some games have received minor modifications, such as an updated translation in The Legend of Zelda and a new autofire function in Xevious. Due to having to fit the GBA's lower screen resolution, the games are not displayed in their original aspect ratio, and have been modified to fill the screen. Games with multiplayer functionality support single-cartridge multiplayer using the Game Link Cable or the Game Boy Advance Wireless Adapter.

In Japan, the Famicom Mini series was targeted at collectors. The Famicom Mini games' availability was limited, with each volume's games being discontinued after three months. In the West, the games used standard GBA packaging designed after their original NES box art, and were released on light gray cartridges based on the default color of NES cartridges.

A special edition Game Boy Advance SP in Famicom colors was released in Japan alongside the series, while Western regions received a system patterned to resemble a NES console and controller. A Game Boy Micro variant designed to resemble the Famicom controller was also available when the system launched in September 2005, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Super Mario franchise; a reissue of Famicom Mini: Super Mario Bros. was released alongside it.

List of games

A total of 32 games were released, only 12 of which saw distribution outside of Japan.

Title*Famicom
Mini* no.JP release
NA release
PAL release
NoteSuper Mario Bros.Donkey KongIce ClimberExcitebikePac-ManXeviousMappyBombermanStar SoldierMario Bros.Clu Clu LandBalloon FightWrecking CrewDr. MarioDig DugTakahashi Meijin no Bōken JimaMakaimuraTwinBeeGanbare Goemon! Karakuri DōchūSuper Mario Bros. 2Nazo no Murasame JōMetroidHikari Shinwa - Palutena no KagamiZelda II: The Adventure of LinkShin OnigashimaFamicom Tantei Club: Kieta KōkeishaFamicom Tantei Club Part II: Ushiro ni Tatsu ShōjoCastlevaniaSD Gundam World: Gachapon Senshi - Scramble WarsMobile Suit Z Gundam: Hot ScrambleDai-2-Ji Super Robot Taisen
1February 14, 2004June 7, 2004July 9, 2004
2February 14, 2004June 7, 2004July 9, 2004Also available on GBA via Animal Crossing download play and Nintendo e-Reader cards.
3February 14, 2004June 7, 2004July 9, 2004last=Harrisfirst=Craigtitle=Classic NES Series: Ice Climberwebsite=IGNdate=June 4, 2004url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/04/classic-nes-series-ice-climberarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516072844/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/04/classic-nes-series-ice-climberarchive-date=May 16, 2022url-status=liveaccess-date=August 8, 2025}}
4February 14, 2004June 7, 2004July 9, 2004last=Harrisfirst=Craigtitle=Classic NES Series: Excitebikewebsite=IGNdate=June 4, 2004url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/04/classic-nes-series-excitebikearchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250222124544/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/04/classic-nes-series-excitebikearchive-date=February 22, 2025url-status=liveaccess-date=August 8, 2025}}
5February 14, 2004June 7, 2004July 9, 2004
6February 14, 2004June 7, 2004July 9, 2004Licensed by Namco. Also available on GBA via Pac-Man Collection and Namco Museum 50th Anniversary.
7February 14, 2004June 7, 2004July 9, 2004Licensed by Namco.
8February 14, 2004Licensed by Namco.
9February 14, 2004June 7, 2004July 9, 2004last=Gantayatfirst=Anooptitle=Hudson Revives Classics for GBAwebsite=IGNdate=September 30, 2005url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/09/30/hudson-revives-classics-for-gbaarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250411194346/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/09/30/hudson-revives-classics-for-gbaarchive-date=April 11, 2025url-status=liveaccess-date=August 6, 2025}}
10February 14, 2004Licensed by Hudson Soft. Also available on GBA via Hudson Best Collection Vol 5: Shooting Collection.
11May 21, 2004last=Harrisfirst=Craigtitle=Famicom Mini: Mario Bros.website=IGNdate=June 3, 2004url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/03/famicom-mini-mario-brosarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927061703/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/06/03/famicom-mini-mario-brosarchive-date=September 27, 2019url-status=liveaccess-date=August 10, 2025}}
12May 21, 2004Also available on GBA via Animal Crossing download play and Nintendo e-Reader cards.
13May 21, 2004Also available on GBA via Animal Crossing download play and Nintendo e-Reader cards.
14May 21, 2004
15May 21, 2004October 25, 2004January 7, 2005Also available on GBA via Nintendo Puzzle Collection download play.
16May 21, 2004Licensed by Namco. Also available on GBA via Namco Museum and Namco Museum 50th Anniversary.
17May 21, 2004Licensed by Hudson Soft. Also available on GBA via Hudson Best Collection Vol 6: Bōken Jima Collection.
18May 21, 2004Licensed by Capcom.
19May 21, 2004Licensed by Konami.
20May 21, 2004Licensed by Konami.
21August 10, 2004
22August 10, 2004
23August 10, 2004October 25, 2004January 7, 2005Also available on GBA via Metroid: Zero Mission.
24August 10, 2004
25August 10, 2004October 25, 2004January 7, 2005
26August 10, 2004
27August 10, 2004
28August 10, 2004
29August 10, 2004October 25, 2004January 7, 2005Licensed by Konami.
30August 10, 2004Licensed by Bandai.
March 18, 2004url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/zgundam/zgundam.htmtitle=Kidō Senshi Z-Gundam: Hot Scramble (機動戦士Ζガンダム・ホットスクランブル) - Famicom, Game Boy Advance (1986)work=HardcoreGaming101accessdate=December 14, 2016archive-date=February 2, 2010archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202162503/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/zgundam/zgundam.htmurl-status=dead}}
December 16, 2004last=Gantayatfirst=Anooptitle=Super Robot Taisen Gets Super Bonuswebsite=IGNdate=October 13, 2004url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/13/super-robot-taisen-gets-super-bonusarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127064434/https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/10/13/super-robot-taisen-gets-super-bonusarchive-date=January 27, 2025url-status=liveaccess-date=August 8, 2025}}

Reception

Upon launch of the Famicom Mini series in Japan, one million units were sold within eight days. The re-release of Super Mario Bros. went on to become the 13th best selling Game Boy Advance game, selling over 2.2 million copies.

The Classic NES Series garnered mixed critical reception. While most reviewers found that the games were still enjoyable to play, the cost was a common point of criticism. Many believed that the price for a single game compared unfavorably to that of contemporary video game compilations, which often featured multiple games from the same era. Craig Harris of IGN noted that several of the available games were already playable on the Game Boy Advance in less expensive formats, such as via cards for the Nintendo e-Reader and as unlockables in Animal Crossing. Both GameSpot and IGN noted that Nintendo had recently given away The Legend of Zelda and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link for free in the Legend of Zelda: Collector's Edition bonus disc for GameCube, although they conceded that the Classic NES Series versions were portable. Reviewers generally believed that while some games like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Castlevania were potentially worth their asking price, others like Ice Climber, Donkey Kong, and Dr. Mario did not offer enough gameplay to justify the high cost of the cartridge.

Some critics were annoyed by the games' altered screen ratio, which caused odd graphical artifacts. Reviewers additionally noted that because the games were based on their NES releases, some games were missing features present in other versions. Jeff Gerstmann of GameSpot said of Bomberman that "a Bomberman game without multiplayer is hardly a Bomberman game at all." Similarly, reviewers lamented a missing level in Donkey Kong, which was present in its original arcade version but removed from the NES release. Harris also felt that the new autofire function in Xevious removed much of the game's challenge.

Notes

References

References

  1. Welsh, Oli. (February 24, 2017). "A complete history of Nintendo console launches".
  2. (March 1, 2004). "Famicom Mini".
  3. Bramwell, Tom. (August 19, 2004). "Metroid, Zelda II and others join NES Classics".
  4. (November 26, 2004). "80's Revival – Part Two!".
  5. Kohler, Chris. (October 25, 2004). "Classic NES Series 2 ships".
  6. Harris, Craig. (June 4, 2004). "Classic NES Series: Xevious".
  7. Mandelin, Clyde. (March 3, 2013). "Legends of Localization: The Legend of Zelda Translation Comparison: Gameplay".
  8. Harris, Craig. (October 26, 2004). "Castlevania (Classic NES Series) Review".
  9. Harris, Craig. (June 9, 2004). "Classic NES Series Wireless in Action".
  10. 佐伯憲司. (2004-04-14). "任天堂、ファミコンソフトを再現した GBA用「ファミコンミニ」第2弾発売決定". インプレス.
  11. Harris, Craig. (June 4, 2004). "Classic NES vs. Famicom Mini".
  12. Harris, Craig. (December 3, 2005). "20th Anniversary Game Boy Micro".
  13. (July 29, 2005). "「ゲームボーイミクロ」の発売日＆価格が決定！9月13日に12,000円で販売開始".
  14. (April 14, 2004). "Famicom Mini - Round 2".
  15. Harris, Craig. (January 14, 2004). "GBA SP Goes Back in Time".
  16. (March 29, 2004). "Nintendo Announces NES GBA SP, Plus Retro Games".
  17. Reed, Kristan. (June 18, 2004). "Which NES classic do you want released on GBA?".
  18. Harris, Craig. (June 5, 2004). "Classic NES Series: Donkey Kong".
  19. Harris, Craig. (June 4, 2004). "Classic NES Series: Ice Climber".
  20. Harris, Craig. (June 4, 2004). "Classic NES Series: Excitebike".
  21. (16 June 2001). "Pac-Man Collection Review". [[IGN]].
  22. Harris, Craig. (August 30, 2005). "Namco Museum: 50th Anniversary".
  23. Gantayat, Anoop. (September 30, 2005). "Hudson Revives Classics for GBA".
  24. Harris, Craig. (June 3, 2004). "Famicom Mini: Mario Bros.".
  25. (June 4, 2004). "Famicom Mini: Clu Clu Land".
  26. (June 4, 2004). "Famicom Mini: Balloon Fight".
  27. Harris, Craig. (October 26, 2004). "Dr. Mario".
  28. Mielke, James. (July 2001). "Namco Museum (GBA)". Ziff Davis.
  29. "Kidō Senshi Z-Gundam: Hot Scramble (機動戦士Ζガンダム・ホットスクランブル) - Famicom, Game Boy Advance (1986)". HardcoreGaming101.
  30. Gantayat, Anoop. (October 13, 2004). "Super Robot Taisen Gets Super Bonus".
  31. Totillo, Stephen. (6 June 2004). "The Revenge of Pac-Man". [[Lakeland Ledger]].
  32. (2021). "2021CESAゲーム白書 (2021 CESA Games White Papers)". [[Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association]].
  33. Harris, Craig. (June 4, 2004). "Classic NES Series: Pac-Man".
  34. Reed, Kristan. (January 12, 2005). "Classic NES Series: Dr. Mario review".
  35. Colayco, Bob. (May 17, 2006). "Classic NES Series: Metroid Review".
  36. Gerstmann, Jeff. (May 17, 2006). "Classic NES Series: The Legend of Zelda Review".
  37. Harris, Craig. (June 5, 2004). "Classic NES Series: The Legend of Zelda".
  38. (June 4, 2004). "The Legend of Zelda (NES Classic)".
  39. Oxford, Nadia. (June 7, 2017). "Nadia's Midboss Musings: The Shameless, Beautiful Creature That Was the Classic NES Series (Plus: Meet Luca Blight!)".
  40. Harris, Craig. (June 5, 2004). "Classic NES Series: Super Mario Bros.".
  41. Gerstmann, Jeff. (June 8, 2004). "Classic NES Series: Bomberman Review".
  42. Dr. Chapstick. (October 18, 2007). "Review: Classic NES Series: Donkey Kong for Game Boy Advance on GamePro.com.".
  43. Gerstmann, Jeff. (June 4, 2004). "Classic NES Series: Donkey Kong Review".
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