Nintendo Draws on Nostalgia with NES Classic Edition

Nintendo’s NES Classic Edition video game console, which comes with many vintage games from ‘Donkey Kong‘ to ‘Final Fantasy’ already installed, is flying off store shelves as quickly as the company can ship it.  Nintendo of America chief operating officer Reggie Fils-Aime explained that the company’s intent with the console was to draw upon Millennial parents’ nostalgia for games they played as kids in the 1990’s and a desire to share it with their children.

“It’s been a strong seller for us. Our biggest challenge is making sure that we’re constantly replenishing it to the marketplace,” Fils-Aime told the FOX Business Network’s Maria Bartiromo.

While it’s been difficult for the company to keep shelves stocked, Fils-Aime assured consumers who want the product that Nintendo is “constantly putting more” out into the marketplace. The trick is finding a console before a store sells out. Retailers, though, are giving customers a leg up, using social media to update availability and predict when consumers should be able to get one in time for Christmas.

“All of our key retailers are letting consumers know when to go to stores to get it.  So, as we sit here today, two weeks before Christmas, I think consumers are going to be able to get their hands on it,” Fils-Aime said.

It’s not just consoles Nintendo is investing in. Fils-Aime said the company’s venture into mobile gaming apps with the new Super Mario Run game for iPhone is a game-changer.

“First, it’s a great designed game. So Shigeru Miyamoto, the father of 'Zelda,' 'Donkey Kong,' 'Mario' had a personal involvement in designing the game,” Fils-Aime said. “It’s deep for an app-driven game.”