Report: SNES Classic Edition Is a Virtual Console; Games May Be Sold at Retail

So here's something interesting from Nintendo: The Super NES Classic Edition is reported to be a form of virtual console, meaning that classic SNES games may be sold at retail.

Now, don't take my word for it, but instead with a grain of salt. This is judging from the words of the company's Senior Executive Officer during the most recent shareholder's meeting.

This is after being asked about bringing Game Boy Advance titles to retail. However, Satoshi Yamato stated that Nintendo is thinking of various ways to take advantage of Virtual Console titles, with the Super NES Classic Edition console being a form of Virtual Console. So what about releasing titles at retail as either digital downloads, download cards, or what have you? Apparently, that is very well possible, but they have to consider whether or not there is high enough demand.

"We have been thinking about a lot of different ways to make use of Virtual Console titles, and not just Game Boy Advance titles. Similar to these software titles we have made available on a variety of platforms over the Internet, we consider the Nintendo Classic Mini: Super Famicom (to be sold as Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Super NES Classic Edition in the U.S.), scheduled to be launched in Japan this October (and September overseas) to be a type of Virtual Console.

It would be possible to sell these titles as packaged software or via download cards, but if we were to start selling products like this in the future, I think we would first have to consider whether we can establish that kind of business model, and do our due diligence in finding out if there is sufficient demand for it."