Mini NES or Nintendo Switch - Which One to Buy?

Stuck between buying a Mini NES or just wait till the Switch, HELP!

Poll Options

  • 5
    NES
  • 33
    Switch

Comments

  • +2

    You can just emulate NES games, so I guess the Switch if you really want a Nintendo console.

  • +5

    I feel like those are two very different consoles. Most of the games that are on the Mini NES should be available to purchase on the Switch, as most are available on the WiiU, Wii and 3DS.

  • Switch I'd say. You can easily emulate the NES/SNES with a soft modded Wii, which EB may sell from time to time for $25 (preowned).

  • +5

    Switch. Wierd question.

  • +1

    Both?

  • +1

    The mini NES is basically a fancy NES emulator that looks and feels to a certain extent like the original.
    The Switch is the latest Nintendo console which we have limited information on.

    There very difficult to compare because one cost around $100 (unless you being ripped off by eBay scalpers) which is likely a fraction of the cost of the Switch. Also the switch is vastly superior in terms of capabilities (your stuck with the 30 games on the Mini Nes).

    My recommendation:

    1. Don't buy from eBay scalpers
    2. If you think you'll enjoy the NES emulator for nostalgic reasons or whatever, then get it (if your lucky enough to find one at retail price)
    3. If not wait for Switch and if you think that looks great, get that.
  • The Nintendo Switch for sure.

    The miniNES is a POS.
    You can whip out any* mid-range smartphone these days and play NES games via emulation.
    Not only that, you could play any NES game, and not just the few doctored ones that Nintendo allows for the miniNES.
    You could also emulate games from other systems like Atari, Sega, SNES, GBA, N64, PS1.
    Not to mention all the indie titles, and other Demanding Games from the actual Phone's ecosystem.

    If you have a decent mid-range Windows PC Desktop (Core i5 2500, or better) you could emulate other consoles.
    Such as Dreamcast, DSi, PSP, PS2, Gamecube, Wii.
    And also play games that appeared on the Xbox, Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, and Xbox One… as those titles have PC Ports.
    Obviously doesn't include exclusives.
    And would require a GPU like the GTX 660/GTX 750Ti or AMD HD7870/RX 460 or better.

    *Android. iOS and Windows require jailbreaking.

    • +1

      The Mini NES is not targeted towards the market segment that would run emulators on other hardware etc.

      • Sure, you have a point… but my point was that its a bad product.
        For those that want the nostalgia trip, they're much better served buying a working, used NES console and games.

        And for everyone else (majority?) they can just run the games from an emulator.
        And since it doesn't require much horsepower, you can run it literally anywhere.
        In fact, there's hundreds of TV Boxes that run Android (or Linux).
        And you could run the games off from it, making it in practice a direct competitor to the miniNES.

        The only difference being that the Android TV Box would be better quality, cheaper, and more capable.

        However, the Nintendo Switch is a different thing all-together.

        • +1

          Do you think you can buy used NES consoles that cheaply these days?

        • @serpserpserp:
          It depends.
          Couple years ago came across a SNES in a Garage Sale for $10.

          They're even on eBay:
          http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Nintendo-NES-console-BOXED-2-cont…

        • I would assume that the emulator market is not a majority and is in fact a tiny minority. The NES Mini is a mainstream product in phenomenal demand.

          I would agree that a custom built solution can be better.

        • @MagicWhip:

          Actually, you would be wrong.
          Emulators are very mainstream, since quite a few years.
          The miniNES is quite the niche.

          It's because it is quite limited itself, and only caters for the nostalgia effect.

        • -1

          @Kangal:
          Are you incapable of having an adult discussion? That is complete and utter nonsense and you know it. Emulators have nothing like the mainstream penetration of consoles and this gimmicky console is the in demand system this Christmas. They are by their very nature outside of the mainstream. If they were this product wouldn't even be on the market.

        • @MagicWhip:
          What the hells wrong with you?
          If you can't stand other people, maybe you shouldn't connect to the internet.

          Emulators have been mainstream to play retro games forever now. Im talking more like Atari and less like PS1.

          However, the miniNES itself is a great niche that caters to a very little audience. The only reason it's got such interest is because of some clever marketing, and hype. Hell, it's got artificial stock shortages for sake.

          The miniNES will be forgotten before you know it. Only good for collectors. The Nintendo's Mobile Apps and the Switch are what will have a lasting effect. This is not news.

        • @Kangal:
          Sigh. You've a lot of growing up to do, throwing a hissy fit and trying to dig your wait out of blatant fallacies which even you don't believe. You posted something blatantly wrong without even thinking of it, act maturely if you are going to post here.

        • @MagicWhip:

          Pot calling the kettle.
          The facts are emulators aren't a niche anymore, only the new system ones are.

          And instead of arguing with merit you were the first and persistent one to reduce the argument to a personal attack.

          Anyone reading all the corresponding comments can judge for themselves.

    • And emulation sucks in various ways depending on the game. Nintendo emulation on the other hand is perfect.

    • If you have a decent mid-range Windows PC Desktop (Core i5 2500, or better) you could emulate other consoles.

      You can emulate them fine on a Pentium 166, which is what I did in the mid 90s.

      • You emulated Wii games on your Pentium 166 PC ?

        • +1

          Probably had the overdrive button engaged! 66!

  • why not both?

  • +2

    They're definitely in the same class. Flip a coin.

    NES controller cord is only 3' btw.

    • Eh one is a console that plays 30 old preloaded games only on your tv, one is a console that is portable as well as plays on your tv and plays titles that havent been released yet …

  • +1

    Which should I buy, a skateboard or a car?

    • Buy a truck.

      • Xbox it is. Thanks.

        • Make sure you get Uncharted 4 and Last Guardian.

  • +1

    Mini NES seems like a weird concept to me. In this day and age, all of the NES games worth playing have either been ported to the various Nintendo digital stores, remade, or given superior sequels. Why people would run out and buy a console from 1985 and expect to enjoy it after 30 years of game design advancements, the concept baffles me. This isn't just from a graphical standpoint; there are many pixelized games on steam that use a similar palette/style but play infinitely better than anything from the era (Shovelknight, Undertale, Super Time Force Ultra to name just a few). Yeah sure, nostalgia, but as many people have said, you can just emulate it.

  • I think Switch is gonna have virtual console so….

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