It looks like the bootleg industry has dug its claws into theNES Classic Mini. The high demand for these nostalgia boxes has created a situation where desperate consumers can easily get taken advantage of. For evidence, look no further than eBay and peruse the console’s significantlyjacked up prices.
The device has been selling out everywhere since it launched last year, but now it’s extremely difficult to find one since it stopped being manufactured altogether – unless you don’t mind buying a knock-off, of course.
NeoGAFmembers discovered listings for that very thing on Chinese sites like AliExpress and AliBaba, where a Chinese-made NES Classic Mini clone could be purchased. The listings have since been removed, but the devices have migrated to eBay.
The box for the device is a relatively good counterfeit. At a glance, it appears to be legit. Flaws on the console itself, however, are a little more conspicuous. The posting on NeoGAF breaks down the major differences, such as the somewhat crooked Nintendo logo and slightly off controllers.
The device’s menu is actually very similar to the realNESClassic, with a few notable exceptions, as pointed out by NeoGAF member Lupin The Third:
The morale of the story is that those still interested in an NES Classic should be wary as they scour the market. Be sure what’s being listed is the real deal.
Those disenchanted by that hunt can always try their luck atsnagging an SNES Classicinstead. There’s certainly no guarantee they’ll get one, as it’s already sold out everywhere, but at least it’s still in production… For now. It has also been the target of scalpers, who have rushed to eBay to gouge buyers.
It’s unfortunate, but this is the situation Nintendo has created. Despite the company’s promise to havesignificantly more unit, it’s just not enough. Good luck, consumers!
