Future Classic/ Mini series?

[marioxb]

With the NES/ SNES Classics out now, and patents issued for N64 designs, we know N64 Classic is next, and most likely more after that. I thought it would be cool to have a thread with speculations co concerning N64 Classic and beyond. Here are my thoughts:

I'm betting we'll have an N64 Classic Edition mini for fall 2018, with two controllers with Wii Classic ends of course (two different colors maybe?), built in rumble, no memory card ports. Whereas the NES and SNES used the same motherboard, I don't think it's powerful/ large enough for N64 and beyond. I'm going with a variation of the Wii U board with 16/ 32GB of storage and HDMI only. Four Classic controller ports. Extra controllers in 2 packs, possibly. There is a 95% chance of 20-25 games from the following list, plus maybe Dr. Mario 64 and the unreleased Zelda Master Quest. Transfer Pak capabilities via 3DS would be nice, via 3DS. (Wii/ Wii U Virtual Console releases, 17 were on both Wii and Wii U, while 4 were exclusive to each, noted below):

1080° Snowboarding
Bomberman 64 (Wii U)
Bomberman Hero (Wii)
Cruis'n USA (Wii)
Donkey Kong 64 (Wii U)
Excitebike 64 (Wii U)
F-Zero X
Harvest Moon 64 (Wii U)
Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
Mario Golf
Mario Kart 64
Mario Party
Mario Tennis
Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber
Paper Mario
Pokémon Puzzle League (Wii)
Pokémon Snap
Sin and Punishment
Star Fox 64
Super Mario 64
Super Smash Bros. (Wii)
Wave Race 64
Yoshi's Story

Now it would be really awesome if they translated all of the 64DD games and threw them on here too. Of course we didn't get Satellaview or Nintendo Power games on the SNES, but one can dream..

GameCube Classic Edition. Smaller GameCube, same hardware as above, 2 controllers and the following games:

1080° Avalanche
Animal Crossing (with NES games?)
The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (use Switch/ 3DS or phone as controller)
Fight Night Round 2 (Little Mac) (maybe Super Punch-Out!!)
Fire Emblem: Part of Radiance
F-Zero GX (With full unlockable F-Zero AX, why not?)
Kirby Air Ride
Luigi's Mansion
Mario Kart: Double Dash
Mario Party (4-7, or 1 or 2 of em)
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes
Metroid Prime (with NES game?)
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
NBA Street V3 (has Mario characters)
Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Pikmin
Pikmin 2
Pokémon Colosseum
Soul Calibur II
SSX 3 (Mario characters)
Star Fox Assault
Super Mario Sunshine
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Wave Race: Blue Storm

Unlockable Mario Kart Arcade GP 1 and 2 would be sweet as well.

Wii/ Wii U Classic, one system for both. Same hardware as above, but this time with a disc slot, so you can play your Wii and Wii U games, on the SAME MENU. The menu is like the rest of the Classic series, where you just select between games, but there's a blank spot for disc games. No internet, Virtual Console or apps, all DLC/ patches for every single Wii and Wii U game is included on the system (even non built in games). No USB ports, but has four classic controller ports built in. Guitar Hero/ Rock Band/ DJ Hero etc do not work on this unit. Looks like a regular Wii, since who ever looked at their Wii U, it was all about the Game Pad! Includes two Wii Remote Pluses. If you plug a controller into the Wii remote, it disables the same player slot on the console itself. Get this! If you have a Nintendo Switch, it becomes your Game Pad! Built in games, all except the games starting with "Wii" in the title can be played with the Switch as a controller, or a classic controller.

Castlevania: The Adventure Rebirth
Contra Rebirth
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
Gradius Rebirth
Grill Out with Ultra Hand
Mega Man 9
Mega Man 10
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
New Super Mario Bros. U
Nintendo Land (requires Switch)
Pikmin 3
Punch-Out!! (Wii, with Doc Louis's Punch-Out)
Super Mario Maker (requires Switch)
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Super Smash Bros. U
Wii Sports
Wii Sports Resort
Wii Sports Club

What do you guys think?

[amace04]

I think you're REALLY reaching with alot of that.

While 4 controllers might be a thing with the N64 Mini, they won't be a classic hookup.  My bet, same style of controller port they've used so far, and the pack comes with two.  It also allows for the gamecube-style controllers released for the Wii to be used with it for 4-player games like smash bros.

They won't use the Wii U Mobo.  that's overkill, and far too big.  They'll come up with a smaller, more powerful version, that's similar to what they've got.     As for th extra features you mentioned, like transfer pak capabilities, that's a pipe dream.  You have to remember, they're not re-releasing the system, they're making a dumbed-down version of it.   64DD games?  Forget about it.  They're not going to remind people about what a disaster that was.  You need to remember, they don't make these systems to appease hardcore gamers or collectors.  They release it to MAKE MONEY.  They'll include the games they know that people want, which will trigger the nostalgia factor.  I was actually surprised they included Starfox 2 in the SNES classic.

Selling extra controllers in a two-pack is also unlikely.  The system will MAYBE ship with two controllers.  maybe only one.  You have to remember, the N64 controller was HUGE.  it takes up a ton of space in a box. 

What you're proposing throws that $80-100 price point out the window.  Everything you want will be a $300 mini system.   Zero chance of that.

If anything, I bet the system will have two controller ports, and they'll release a multi-tap so that you can pay extra to play 4-player games like Mario Kart or Smash Bros.

As for games included, a few that will not be missed:

Super Mario 64
Mario Kart 64
Mario Party 3
Donkey Kong 64
Conker's Bad Fur Day (Maybe, the M rating might ruin that option)
Legend of Zelda - OOT
Starfox 64
Super Smash Bros
Kirby 64
007 Goldeneye
Banjo Kazooie
Diddy Kong Racing
Yoshi's Story


Skipping over the Gamecube, and onto the Wii.  I highly doubt they're making a Wii classic.  Wii is not a retro console, it doesn't have that nostalgia factor that the NES, SNES, N64 and even gamecube carry.  I'm still skeptical the GC Classic will even be a thing.  Furthermore, they won't require Switch integration.  The whole point of these classic systems is to be a small, standalone novelty item.  They're not a replacement for the original, it's a collector's item.  They won't require you to have a Switch in order to play some games.   


 

[TDIRunner]

I would expect a Game Boy Mini before an N64 Mini, although I consider both to be pretty likely.  However, I see very little chance of a GameCube Mini and zero chance of a Wii or Wii U Mini.

If an N64 Mini is released, a 4 player option will be required, which is why I think there will be a chance for wireless controllers to eliminate all of the controller ports.  Also, an N64 Mini will have the highest 1st party to 3rd party ratio of any of the Mini's they may ever release.

[PX0]

A Wii Mini exists already:  

-> https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Wii/Wii-mini/Overview/Wii-mini-726559.html

[Hesch]

I think you're REALLY reaching with alot of that.

While 4 controllers might be a thing with the N64 Mini, they won't be a classic hookup.  My bet, same style of controller port they've used so far, and the pack comes with two.  It also allows for the gamecube-style controllers released for the Wii to be used with it for 4-player games like smash bros.

They won't use the Wii U Mobo.  that's overkill, and far too big.  They'll come up with a smaller, more powerful version, that's similar to what they've got.     As for th extra features you mentioned, like transfer pak capabilities, that's a pipe dream.  You have to remember, they're not re-releasing the system, they're making a dumbed-down version of it.   64DD games?  Forget about it.  They're not going to remind people about what a disaster that was.  You need to remember, they don't make these systems to appease hardcore gamers or collectors.  They release it to MAKE MONEY.  They'll include the games they know that people want, which will trigger the nostalgia factor.  I was actually surprised they included Starfox 2 in the SNES classic.

Selling extra controllers in a two-pack is also unlikely.  The system will MAYBE ship with two controllers.  maybe only one.  You have to remember, the N64 controller was HUGE.  it takes up a ton of space in a box. 

What you're proposing throws that $80-100 price point out the window.  Everything you want will be a $300 mini system.   Zero chance of that.

If anything, I bet the system will have two controller ports, and they'll release a multi-tap so that you can pay extra to play 4-player games like Mario Kart or Smash Bros.

As for games included, a few that will not be missed:

Super Mario 64
Mario Kart 64
Mario Party 3
Donkey Kong 64
Conker's Bad Fur Day (Maybe, the M rating might ruin that option)
Legend of Zelda - OOT
Starfox 64
Super Smash Bros
Kirby 64
007 Goldeneye
Banjo Kazooie
Diddy Kong Racing
Yoshi's Story

Skipping over the Gamecube, and onto the Wii.  I highly doubt they're making a Wii classic.  Wii is not a retro console, it doesn't have that nostalgia factor that the NES, SNES, N64 and even gamecube carry.  I'm still skeptical the GC Classic will even be a thing.  Furthermore, they won't require Switch integration.  The whole point of these classic systems is to be a small, standalone novelty item.  They're not a replacement for the original, it's a collector's item.  They won't require you to have a Switch in order to play some games. 

Agree with basically 100% of this.

This company won't even give you long enough controller cables, and you think they're going to pump ALL that stuff out in 1 system? No.

I seriously doubt they'd ever even do a Gamecube Classic.

[pringlesman]

Conkers and Goldeneye definitely won't happen.  They are owned by Rare which is owned by Microsoft.

[amace04]

Conkers and Goldeneye definitely won't happen.  They are owned by Rare which is owned by Microsoft.

So is donkey Kong

[TDIRunner]

Getting Goldeneye on an N64 Mini would be the unlikely equivalent to getting Star Fox 2 on an SNES Mini.

[Megatron]

Getting Goldeneye on an N64 Mini would be the unlikely equivalent to getting Star Fox 2 on an SNES Mini.

The problem with GoldenEye is that you would not only have to pay royalties to rare, you would also have to obtain permission to use the likenesses of all the actors in the game. It's the same reason why there are two versions of punch out, once the contract with Mike Tyson expired Nintendo wasn't about to shell out the money to do it again.

[wiggy]

Conkers and Goldeneye definitely won't happen.  They are owned by Rare which is owned by Microsoft.

This.

Conkers and Goldeneye definitely won't happen.  They are owned by Rare which is owned by Microsoft.

So is donkey Kong

That's like saying Zelda Oracle of Ages/Seasons are owned by Capcom. Rare developed DK64 FOR Nintendo, not for Rareware.

Getting Goldeneye on an N64 Mini would be the unlikely equivalent to getting Star Fox 2 on an SNES Mini.

There's a LOT of licensing involved with that one. It's not the same as simply publishing a Nintendo-owned game.

[amace04]

Conkers and Goldeneye definitely won't happen.  They are owned by Rare which is owned by Microsoft.

This.

Conkers and Goldeneye definitely won't happen.  They are owned by Rare which is owned by Microsoft.

So is donkey Kong

That's like saying Zelda Oracle of Ages/Seasons are owned by Capcom. Rare developed DK64 FOR Nintendo, not for Rareware.

Getting Goldeneye on an N64 Mini would be the unlikely equivalent to getting Star Fox 2 on an SNES Mini.

There's a LOT of licensing involved with that one. It's not the same as simply publishing a Nintendo-owned game.

Fair enough, that makes sense. 

[TDIRunner]

Getting Goldeneye on an N64 Mini would be the unlikely equivalent to getting Star Fox 2 on an SNES Mini.

There's a LOT of licensing involved with that one. It's not the same as simply publishing a Nintendo-owned game.

I was referring to the "surprise factor." If Goldeneye made it to a N64 Classic, it would blow people's minds as much as the announcement for Star Fox 2 did.

[monjici]

Maybe Nintendo will surprise us with an portable console.

A GB/GBC remake with a backlit screen, Li-Ion battery and thinner casing wouldn't be bad at all. Imagine playing Tetris on this while commuting

[wiggy]

Getting Goldeneye on an N64 Mini would be the unlikely equivalent to getting Star Fox 2 on an SNES Mini.

There's a LOT of licensing involved with that one. It's not the same as simply publishing a Nintendo-owned game.

I was referring to the "surprise factor." If Goldeneye made it to a N64 Classic, it would blow people's minds as much as the announcement for Star Fox 2 did.

Well it would indeed be a huge surprise, but considering the logistics and potential cost of just acquiring the Bond license alone, it's extremely hard to imagine it happening.  This versus Star Fox 2, which was simply locked up in a vault and is 100% owned by Nintendo.  

Maybe Nintendo will surprise us with an portable console.

A GB/GBC remake with a backlit screen, Li-Ion battery and thinner casing wouldn't be bad at all. Imagine playing Tetris on this while commuting

I never even considered this as a possibility!  That would be wicked as hell! 

[TDIRunner]

https://nintendosoup.com/game-boy-classic-mini-now-one-step-closer-fruition/