Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Where to buy the NES Classic Edition

ThinkGeek will randomly pick who gets to buy an NES Classic

Nintendo’s NES Classic Edition sold like hotcakes — if hotcakes were far more popular and expensive, and if you could buy hotcakes online. OK, maybe that’s not the best analogy, but the NES Classic was the hottest thing under the sun since 2016, even if you can build your own using a Raspberry Pi. The all-in-one, HDMI-compatible console, which comes preloaded with 30 classic games, has been flying off shelves and out of warehouses at a staggering rate, leaving many fans frustrated and empty-handed.

Although the NES Classic Edition is still available via gray-market resellers for an exorbitant price — you can currently snag one on eBay for between $100 and $200 — it’s unreasonable to expect anyone to drop hundreds of dollars on a system that is, admittedly, quite limited in scope. Despite the Classic’s healthy collection of content, it doesn’t compare with contemporary gaming powerhouses such as the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. The NES Classic doesn’t connect to the internet, and there’s no way to purchase new games or otherwise modify the system. Aside from a few third-party controllers and extension cords, what you see is what you get.

Nintendo NES Classic Edition
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Even as we near the 2017 holiday seasone, the NES Classic is still pretty hard to find, but it should become easier next year. Nintendo said it plans to produce and sell more of the systems in 2018, as well as additional SNES Classic systems.

Recommended Videos

We’ve put together this article to chronicle the most recent NES Classic sightings. We’ll be updating this article as new info becomes available, so you too can rage-quit after losing in Punch Out! before it’s too late. You can also check out iStockNow, which provides up to date alerts on specific retail stores where the NES Classic has been purchased recently.

Test your luck with ThinkGeek

ThinkGeek received a new supply of stand-alone NES Classic systems for its stores recently, and the website is holding a drawing to determine who will be eligible to purchase one. ThinkGeek is also holding a drawing for customers who want to buy an SNES Classic, in case you’re still trying to track one down.

If you’re interested, ThinkGeek will take entries for the drawing through Friday, December 8, at 11:59 p.m (ET). Winners will be contacted directly by the retailer with purchase instructions following the submission period.

Keep an eye on your local retailers

The NES Classic is generally hard to find these days. For quick reference, though, we’ve included a list of major retailers and their most recent reported NES Classic restock dates.

Retailer In Stock? Last shipment Next shipment

Amazon

Yes, through

Amazon

N/A N/A
Best Buy No February 7 N/A
Urban Outfitters No December 6 N/A
Walmart No June 15 N/A
Target No April 6 N/A
Toys “R” Us No December 4 N/A
GameStop No November 11 N/A
Nintendo NYC Store No February 10 N/A
Newegg Yes, through third-party sellers N/A N/A

Update: Added ThinkGeek’s lottery information. 

Brandon Widder
Former Senior Editor, Living Articles
Brandon Widder is a multimedia journalist and a staff writer for Digital Trends where he covers technology news, how-to…
Play this 2016 cyberpunk classic for free on Prime Gaming this month
Adam Jensen breaking through glass with a sword.

Amazon announced its August Prime Gaming lineup on Thursday, and it's bringing some Square Enix classics. One such title is the cyberpunk RPG Deux Ex: Mankind Divided, which might scratch that stealth, crawling through vents itch.

Deus Ex is one of the more well-known cyberpunk video game franchises thanks to its innovative immersive sim mechanics. Players can approach obstacles and goals in various ways, from stealth to straight-up combat, from hacking and lock-picking to looting weapons from enemies.

Read more
The best SNES games of all time
A Super Nintendo Controller on a purple and black background.

When the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) launched, it was an instant success following some of the legendary Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Nintendo sold out the initial shipment of 300,000 systems within hours, making it one of the best-selling consoles of all time. While not quite as big of a quantum leap as the jump to the N64 would be, the SNES was a technical powerhouse for its time.

The system offered now-classic games and follow-ups to some of the best NES games with Mortal Kombat, Legend of Zelda, Castlevania, and, of course, some of the best Mario games. The system brings back fond memories for lots of players, but because it was so long ago, some of our favorites have been lost to time. To highlight some of these missing classics, we have compiled a list of some of the best games the SNES had to offer.

Read more
The best NES games of all time
An NES controller.

It wasn't the first console created, but the NES was most people's first exposure to home video games and was responsible for pulling the entire industry out of a crash. This is where some of the most iconic video game franchises got their start, and many of the best games of all time come from this humble system. Although the best Switch games have highlighted some of Nintendo's strengths, Nintendo's dedication to the craft began here.

From games like Super Mario Bros. to Legend of Zelda, the NES has a game suited for any and all players' tastes. Although there are many different games, we have listed a few of the top selections based on their genre. See if your childhood favorite makes it on the list, and take a look at the best NES emulators to play on your phone if you want to relive any of these classics in a convenient way.
Action

Read more