Nintendo to Cease Repair Support for Three Additional Consoles

Nintendo has announced that repair services for three more of its consoles will soon come to an end as the company runs out of replacement parts. Fans with aging systems in need of repairs should act quickly before it's too late.

Over the years, Nintendo has gradually phased out repair support for several of its older systems, with the New Nintendo 3DS being one of the more recent examples. Typically, Nintendo allows customers to send in their systems for repairs or, in some cases, receive a full replacement. However, as consoles age, replacement parts become scarce, and manufacturing new ones becomes either unfeasible or too costly for Nintendo to justify.

Now, the Famicom Classic, Super Famicom Classic, and New 2DS XL are the latest consoles nearing the end of their repair eligibility. According to Nintendo, once the current stock of replacement parts for these systems is exhausted, repair services will cease. The company did not specify an exact timeline, as the availability of parts depends on the volume of incoming repair requests. However, if you own one of these systems and it's showing signs of wear, it's best to send it in sooner rather than later.

Impact on U.S. Consoles

While Nintendo has not released an official statement for English-speaking regions regarding these particular consoles, it's likely the policy will apply globally. Despite some cosmetic differences between the Japanese Famicom Classic and the Western NES Classic Edition, the internal components are largely similar. If players miss the repair window, there’s still a chance to fix minor issues on their own using unofficial parts and DIY methods, though this requires technical skills and patience, making it a less viable option for many.

While it’s understandable that Nintendo would eventually discontinue support for consoles over five years old, some fans remain disappointed by the company’s handling of its “mini” retro consoles. Despite their popularity, both the Famicom and Super Famicom Classics were discontinued swiftly, with only the NES Classic Edition returning briefly for a limited run. Many believe Nintendo could have continued selling these beloved devices for years, which might have extended their repair lifespan as well.

If you’re holding onto one of these nostalgic consoles and it’s in need of attention, don’t delay. The window for official repairs is closing, and once it's gone, the path to keeping these classic systems running becomes much more challenging.