Although the Nintendo Switch is doing really well with recent launches including Arms and Splatoon 2, it seems that retro things are all the rage these days. Devices like the NES Classic Mini are giving gamers a chance to play old games again with modern tech like HDMI and save points, or those who missed out the ability to play for the first time. Those nostalgic about the hugely popular 1997 console, the N64, might be in for a treat. Nintendo might also be working on a Game Boy Classic Mini. Here’s what we know about the possible N64 Classic Mini release date and games.
N64 Classic Mini release date rumours
While we, and others in the tech community, are certain that Nintendo will launch the N64 Classic Mini, the company is yet to confirm the product’s existence and thus, the release date. We’re confident that the N64 Classic Mini will appear in 2018 though, looking at the schedule of past Nintendo console releases:
NES Classic Mini announcement: 14 July 2016NES Classic Mini launch: 11 November 2016SNES Classic Mini announcement: 26 June 2017SNES Classic Mini launch: 29 September 2017
If Nintendo follows the same pattern, we should see the N64 Classic Mini announced around summer 2018 with a release date in autumn 2018. The best hint so far that Nintendo will make an N64 Classic Mini is the fact it has filed a trademark that includes the iconic controller for ‘telecommunication machines and apparatus’ and ‘consumer video game apparatus’ – via NeoGAF. Nintendo has also trademarked “N64” in Japan, with the filing specifically mentioning “video game program, controller for game machine, joystick for video game machine, TV game machine”. Nintendo did this prior to the other Classic Mini editions so it’s a very good sign indeed. The outline of the controller within the EUIPO patent is a similar style to the logos used on the box of both the NES and SNES Classic Mini boxes.
N64 Classic Mini games: No GoldenEye?
While we’re hugely excited at the prospect of an N64 Classic Mini, there’s potentially a huge spanner in the works here. You’re probably drooling at the change to play the various games again without using a worn out joystick or having to find a SCART adapter to plug the console into the TV. We’re thinking of classic N64 games like GoldenEye, Banjo-Kazooie, Perfect Dark, Diddy Kong Racing, Jet Force Gemini Conker’s Bad Fur Day and many more. However, Microsoft owns Rare, the developer behind all the above games, including its intellectual property. This means Nintendo would have to get permission to use the titles on the N64 Classic Mini.
It’s not impossible but you also shouldn’t hold your breath for some of these iconic games on the N64 Classic Mini – GoldenEye in particular as the license for that is more complicated than others. That’s because Activision gained exclusive rights to develop and publish James Bond games in 2007 – it’s a tangled web of red tape. Our fingers are firmly crossed for Nintendo sorting it out but let’s take a look at some of the games which should be included on the N64 Classic Mini without much bother.
Super Mario 64Mario Kart 64The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeStar Fox 64 (Lylat Wars in the UK)Pokémon StadiumF-Zero XSuper Smash Bros.Kirby 64Wave Race 64Yoshi’s StoryBomberman 64Mario TennisMario GolfPaper MarioStar Wars Episode I: Racer Turok: Dinosaur HunterPilotwings 64Mario PartyRayman 2: The Great Escape1080 Snowboarding
Tech Advisor’s Reviews Editor, Chris has been reviewing all kinds of tech for over 10 years and specialises in audio. He also covers a range of topics including home entertainment, phones, laptops, tablets and more.
