Nintendo seems to be firm believers of the old adage, “Out with the old, in with the new.” Just one day after announcing that the company is discontinuing their NES Classic Edition console, Nintendo has also announced that it is doing the same with the console’s Japanese equivalent, the Famicom Mini. The decision to discontinue the two retro consoles comes despite there being an extremely high demand for both products. That said, both the NES Classic Edition and the Famicom Mini have suffered from major supply issues, which is most likely at least one reason behind Nintendo’s decision to end their already limited runs.

Unlike the NES Classic Edition, Nintendo’s announcement that it is discontinuing the Famicom Mini comes with a silver lining – According to the product’s website, the console is only going away temporarily. This suggests that the Famicom Mini will at some point be back on store shelves, which also means that the NES Classic Edition may be making its own comeback as well, though there is currently little evidence to support that at this time. As previously mentioned, Nintendo has tapped into a nostalgia vein that is in essence letting the company print free money, so it would be crazy to think that either console is truly gone for good.

Though there are a few theories out there as to why both consoles have been discontinued, the one that currently makes the most sense is that Nintendo wants to put a heavier focus on their newest console, the Nintendo Switch. The success of Nintendo’s flagship console is paramount to the company’s well-being, and if even a small portion of the Switch’s potential consumer base is scrambling to find retro consoles instead, it makes sense for Nintendo to put both versions of the console on hold for a while. This theory lines up quite well with the fact that Nintendo is effectively doubling the production of the Nintendo Switch this year, amid (surprise, surprise) supply issues that are for the most part keeping the console off of retailer shelves.

So, what are your thoughts on Nintendo’s decision to discontinue both retro consoles?  Do you think it is a good idea? Plan on picking one up for yourself before they’re all gone?  Let us know in the comments section below, and as always, stay tuned to DFTG for all the latest gaming and entertainment news! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for our 24/7 news feed!