That newfangled NES sure is popular.
If you can find an NES Classic Edition, you should be able to purchase one for the MSRP of $59.99.
The key words in that sentence are "if" and "should."
To few people's surprise, Nintendo's NES Classic Edition is a hot ticket item that has captured the childlike glee of nostalgic gamers everywhere. Naturally, then, it turns out that Nintendo may not have made enough of them to sell to everyone that would like to purchase one. As such, we've got an old-fashioned console shortage on our hands.
As in most cases of a console shortage, people have taken to sites like eBay in order to buy their NES Classic Edition. While there is no shortage of NES Classic Editions on sale there, the system is currently being listed for prices as high as $8,999.95. To be fair, it doesn't appear that people are actually spending quite that much for one. At least not yet. However, a Classic Edition did sell earlier today for the shocking amount of $5,000. Generally speaking, systems listed in the $200 to $500 range are receiving regular bids and the average listing price appears to be well over the $100 mark.
Given that the NES Classic Edition is, after all, a slightly retooled version of a console that was originally released in 1985 (1983 for the Japanese Famicom), these kind of prices are truly remarkable and really a testament to just how powerful that Nintendo classic library really is.
As for Nintendo, they did tweet out earlier today via the Nintendo of America Twitter account that they are aware of the high-demand for the system and plan on releasing "a steady flow of additional systems through the holiday shopping season and into the new year." In other words, please don't spend $5,000 for one if at all possible.
Be sure to check out our rundown of everything you need to know about the NES Classic Edition here.