Anyone lucky enough to have been able to pick up Nintendo’s new NES Classic Edition is sitting on a potential profit of up to 200% the recommended retail price of $60 (£50). Limited stock of the NES Classic – many US stores, including GameStop, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart have refused to accept pre-orders, with most outlets selling out within 24 hours – means that resales of the console on eBay are currently averaging $180, three times the retail value. One eBay seller has been offloading NES Classics for $499.99 each, selling 6 in the last 24 hours, with the last one priced $999.98.
Nintendo issued the following statement to Ars Technica regarding the availability (or lack thereof) of the NES Classic Edition:
“The Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition system is a hot item, and we are working hard to keep up with consumer demand. There will be a steady flow of additional systems through the holiday shopping season and into the new year. Please contact your local retailers to check product availability. A selection of participating retailers can be found at www.Nintendo.com/nes-classic.”
Whether the low stock of the NES Classic is deliberate or not, it is a common habit for Nintendo to undersupply in relation to demand, a tactic which has been frustratingly prevalent when selling Amiibos, and has been taken advantage of by many industrious (or even spiteful) buyers.
