Nintendo discontinues repair support for three more platforms

Key findings

Nintendo will stop repairing Famicom Classic, Super Famicom Classic and New 2DS XL once parts run out.
Customers should act quickly if these consoles need repair before parts become unavailable.
Nintendo's decision to stop offering repairs raises questions about the fate of classic mini systems.

Nintendo has announced that it will stop repairing three more consoles once the current supply of spare parts runs out. Nintendo fans whose system is in need of repair should get help soon.

Nintendo has discontinued its repair service for numerous consoles over the years, most recently the New Nintendo 3DS. Typically, customers can send Nintendo systems in to have the fault fixed or the system replaced entirely. However, when a system reaches a certain age, parts often run out and manufacturing new parts for old systems is either impossible or Nintendo is no longer willing to cover the cost.

Now, the Famicom Classic, Super Famicom Classic, and New 2DS XL systems are rapidly approaching the end of Nintendo's repair options. According to a statement from Nintendo, all three systems will no longer be accepted for repair once the company has exhausted its current supply of spare parts. Nintendo has not given a date or estimate as to when this might happen, as it is difficult to determine since the company does not know how many repairs users will request. However, it is advisable that anyone who owns one of these units and knows it needs repairing send it in soon.

What about these systems in the United States?

Although Nintendo has not issued an official communication regarding these products to English-speaking territories, it stands to reason that the warning applies everywhere. While there are some visual differences between the Famicom Classic and its Western counterpart, the NES Classic Edition, the internal components should be largely the same. If players miss this window to repair their Nintendo console, there is still a chance they can fix certain issues themselves with a little DIY and unofficial parts. However, this requires a certain level of skill and time-consuming effort that may not be accessible to everyone.

While it's understandable for Nintendo to stop repairing systems that are more than five years old, some fans are still confused by Nintendo's decision to make the “mini” versions of its classic systems. Despite their popularity, Nintendo quickly discontinued both versions, only bringing back the NES Classic for a short time. Nintendo likely could have continued to sell these units successfully for many years, potentially extending the time it took to repair the products.