Key things
- Once parts run out, Nintendo will stop repairing the Famicom Classic, Super Famicom Classic, and New 2DS XL.
- Customers should act quickly if these consoles need repair before parts become unavailable.
- Nintendo's decision to discontinue repairs raises questions about the fate of classic mini systems.
Nintendo has revealed that it will end repairs on its other three consoles once the current supply of replacement parts runs out. Nintendo fans who have a system in need of repairs should consider getting help soon.
Nintendo has discontinued repairs to many consoles over the years, with the New Nintendo 3DS being one of the latest. Nintendo usually allows its customers to send in Nintendo systems to fix whatever is wrong with them, or replace the system entirely. However, once a system reaches a certain age, parts tend to run out and manufacturing new parts for old systems is either impossible or no longer a cost that Nintendo is willing to pay.
Now, the Famicom Classic, Super Famicom Classic, and New 2DS XL systems are fast approaching the end of serviceability with Nintendo. According to a report from Nintendo, all three of these systems will no longer be accepted for repair once the company runs out of current parts supplies. Nintendo didn't provide a date or estimate for when this might happen, as it's difficult to determine since the company doesn't know how many fixes users will request. However, anyone who has one of these units and knows it needs work is advised to send it in soon.
What about these systems in the United States?
While Nintendo hasn't released an official message for English-speaking territories regarding these products, it stands to reason that the warning applies everywhere. While there are some visual differences between the Famicom Classic and its Western counterpart, the NES Classic Edition, the internal components should be largely the same. If gamers miss this window to get their Nintendo consoles repaired, there's still a chance that they'll be able to fix some issues themselves with a little DIY and unofficial parts. But this requires a certain skill and time-consuming effort, which may not be available to everyone.
While it's quite understandable for Nintendo to stop repairing systems that are more than five years old, some fans may still be confused by Nintendo's choices with “mini” versions of its classic systems. Despite their extreme popularity, Nintendo quickly discontinued both and only brought back the NES Classic for a limited time. It's likely that Nintendo could have successfully sold these devices for many more years, which could have also extended the amount of time that the products could be repaired.