5 Things the SNES Mini Needs

This week Nintendo confirmed the inevitable release of the SNES Mini – and damn do I really, really want it. And I viewed the NES Mini as gimmicky, meant to resell me once again on games I’ve played over or bought so many times before. It didn’t help that titles like Balloon Fight, Pac-Man, or Ice Climber never held much appeal for me (and the notoriously short controllers finally sealed the deal). I thought I was good playing games on the Virtual Console on either Wii or Wii U for now.

But Nintendo’s strategy for the SNES Mini is solid. First, the lineup is outstanding with Super Metroid, Super Mario World, FF3, Super Castlevania and Contra 3 (the latter two being arguably our two favorite games at the Dojo of all time). Second, they’re adding in the never-before-released Star Fox 2, which will no doubt be dated, but as a huge fan of the series I feel like I’ve been missing out on something significant. Finally, it’s perfectly priced at $80.

With all that said there a few things we think Nintendo should consider to make this console a cash cow for the company. Here now are 5 Things the SNES Mini should include.

5. Develop the online community

We have always felt like Nintendo is behind the curve when it comes to cultivating its online community. From the cryptically impenetrable Wii shared gamer code challenge to enable online play to creepy random Miis that sprint into the spotlight when I boot up the Wii U to stare at me and judge, Nintendo’s online plans have been, well weird. Maybe give it another shot with this Mini series? Maybe consider accessible speed runs to watch on your favorite games, or weekly challenges for the community to share. Nintendo was curating the mod community with Mario Maker, maybe create some tools to allow custom mods or user-made levels in our favorite games. It’s a lot, but getting it right would be an enormous opportunity for Nintendo.

If only we could use this creative energy for something good

4. Wireless controllers

They’re reportedly 5 feet long this time but that’s still too short for almost anyone’s front room. Modern consoles have enjoyed wireless controllers for some time and, while we appreciate the retro design, some things have changed for the better. We’d happily pay a few extra bucks to not have the risk of tripping over wires again in our house.

3. Downloadable SNES games

Don’t get us wrong, aside from too many Kirby titles, the SNES Mini includes arguably top games in almost anyone’s list. But as good as this list is, there are so many others not here. Out of this World, Zombies Ate My Neighbors, Lost Vikings, Actraiser, Super Battletoads, Shadowrun, Final Fantasy 2, Turtle in Time, etc. Yeah, many of these have appeared on some Virtual Console somewhere but I’d be happy to buy them again to complete this SNES retro experience.

This game is basically the central argument in favor of TMNT in the first place

2. Include Sega

Many gamers of a certain age can remember the great console wars of the early 90s that dominated cafeteria debates well before we could shout obscenities at strangers anonymously on message boards. Sega does what Nintendon’t! Now you’re playing with power! Lucas is a badass because he has the power glove! All of that.

Somehow this seemed like an impressive thing at the time

Nintendo is having a hard time keeping up with Sony and Microsoft these days but they definitively won over Sega. But now the war is over and Sonic is now in the Smash Bros. lineup, it’s time we revisit that impressive roster of games too. Including Toe Jam and Earl, Streets of Rage

1. Online coop

The biggie. We’ve grown up, moved away from family and friends and online gaming has been a tremendous development to allow us to keep playing with our buddies so many years later no matter the distance. Many of those long time partners were around to play Legend of the Mystical Ninja or Sunset Riders or Battletoads and Double Dragons. Nintendo, if you let us play online, hell, we’d even forgive you for the Virtual Boy.