Skip to main content

Nintendo Mini Classic will let you save games wherever, whenever you like

Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System - A Blast from the Past
As much as we’re big fans of retro gaming here at Digital Trends, one aspect that is always hard to swallow is the lack of saves. Passwords offer some form of backup, but they are hardly convenient, so it’s good to hear that when Nintendo launches its Mini Classic in November, it will come with a built-in save function.

using what are known as “suspend states,” you will be able to save any of the 30 bundled games at any point, whether you’re at the start of a level or in mid-jump against the final boss. To trigger it, all you have to do is hit the reset button midgame and a suspend point will automatically be saved for you. You can save up to four suspend points per game, so don’t fret if a sibling picks up a controller and has a go, your save will be perfectly safe.

Recommended Videos

As Nintendo notes in its release, just because your kids are playing retro games, doesn’t mean that they can’t pause and save wherever they are. There’s no more waiting for them to reach a save point.

Another modern interpretation of the retro Nintendo system is the inclusion of three different display modes. There’s a classic CRT filter, which gives the games the look they would have had when first played on an old-school tubeTV with the inclusion of scan-lines; a 4:3 mode which adds those black bars to the left and right to restrict the view down to what 1980s gamers had to put up with, and pixel perfect, which turns every pixel into a perfect square, something more akin to what the original designers intended.

The other major feature that Nintendo is touting with the mini system is digital manuals. These are accessed through the system online, or on your smartphone if you scan the on-screen QR code. Included documentation is all original, so it has all of the ’80s artwork and references that the very first iterations of the 30 games had.

The Nintendo Mini Classic will finally become available on November 11, priced at $60. It will include a selection of some of the most popular games from the NES era, including Mario Bros. 3, Metroid, and The Legend of Zelda.

Jon Martindale
Jon Martindale is the Evergreen Coordinator for Computing, overseeing a team of writers addressing all the latest how to…
Pick up these Nintendo games you can only get on Wii U and 3DS
xenoblade and pokemon picross headline eshop update chronicles x nintendo wii u

The Nintendo Switch has one of the greatest first-party lineups of any Nintendo console. In addition to several outstanding original games, a lot of awesome Wii U games like Super Mario 3D World, Pikmin 3, and Mario Kart 8 finally got all the love they deserved when they were ported to the Switch. Even some 3DS games like Miitopia have made their way to Nintendo Switch. Still, that isn't all-encompassing, so when the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShops are discontinued on March 27, we will lose access to some amazing first-party Nintendo games that aren't available elsewhere.
From black sheep in their respective series to new IP that tests out some novel ideas, four Wii U and four 3DS games that are still platform exclusives stuck out the most to us. If you're specifically looking for Nintendo-published games to pick up before the 3DS and Wii U eShops stop allowing the purchase of new games, consider picking up one of these titles.
Xenoblade Chronicles X

Considering the rest of the Xenoblade Chronicles series is on Nintendo Switch, it's very surprising that Xenoblade Chronicles X has not made the jump over yet. This RPG stands as the black sheep of the series, with a more gritty style and tone, mech suits, and a plot about humans who crash land on an alien planet after escaping Earth, which might be why it didn't come over before the trilogy was completed. Xenoblade Chronicles X is a great game in its own right, though, and also makes ample use of the Wii U GamePad for its detailed map and menus. As such, it's a worthwhile Wii U pickup for those who like to play games uniquely tailored to the system and enjoy seeing what the oddball entries in game franchises have to offer. 
Star Fox Zero

Read more
The best indie games on Nintendo Switch
hades best builds key art new cropped hed 1244036

Although the Nintendo Switch has some of the best AAA titles, the system has become known as an indie machine to many people. The portability of the Switch and Switch Lite makes them ideal for some of the best indie games, and dozens of small developers seem to love releasing their games on the hybrid console.

Better yet, plenty of previously released indie games, such as Hollow Knight, have received increased attention and acclaim after landing on the Switch. It's become a win-win for developers and Switch owners. If you're a new Switch owner or are simply looking for the best Switch games to play during your morning commute, we've put together a running list of the best indie games on the Nintendo Switch.
Action

Read more
The best NES games of all time
best nes games ever nintendo entertainment system

Nintendo is a company that is dedicated to bringing us quality games and products. Although the best Switch games have highlighted some of Nintendo's strengths, Nintendo's dedication can be seen as far back as the NES.

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.

Read more