Nintendo's bringing back its outrageously popular, $60 NES console in 2018

Nintendo

The NES Classic Edition console is small enough to fit in your palm.

Nintendo is bringing back the NES Classic Edition console, the $60 miniature version of the original Nintendo Entertainment System. The console was originally a limited time offering - it went on sale in late 2016, and was subsequently discontinued in April 2017.

Between the low price and the heavy draw of Nintendo nostalgia, the NES Classic Edition was a major hit. It was nearly impossible to find as a result. And now, Nintendo says it's bringing back the console in 2018.

"Next summer, Nintendo will also bring back the Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition system with new shipments," the Japanese game company said in a statement on Tuesday morning. "More information about the timing of the return of NES Classic Edition will be announced in the future."

This is great news for anyone who missed out on a chance to buy the NES Classic Edition during its brief window of availability. The only other way to buy one at this point is to go through third-party re-sellers like eBay, where prices are often triple or more the original $60 cost of the console.

Nintendo

It sounds like the new production run of the NES Classic Edition will mirror the original run. "NES Classic Edition features 30 classic NES games such as the original 'Super Mario Bros.', 'The Legend of Zelda' and 'Donkey Kong'," Nintendo said in the release. In so many words, it sounds like the same thirty classic NES games that shipped with the first run of the NES Classic Edition will ship on the new production run as well. 

Here's the full list of games on the NES Classic Edition:

• "Balloon Fight"
• "Bubble Bobble"
• "Castlevania"
• "Castlevania II: Simon's Quest"
• "Donkey Kong"
• "Donkey Kong Jr."
• "Double Dragon II: The Revenge"
• "Dr. Mario"
• "Excitebike"
• "Final Fantasy"
• "Galaga"
• "Ghosts 'n Goblins"
• "Gradius"
• "Ice Climber"
• "Kid Icarus"
• "Kirby's Adventure"
• "Mario Bros."
  "Mega Man 2"
  
• "Metroid"
• "Ninja Gaiden"
• "Pac-Man"
• "Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream"
• "StarTropics"
• "Super C"
• "Super Mario Bros."
• "Super Mario Bros. 2"
• "Super Mario Bros. 3"
• "Tecmo Bowl"
• "The Legend of Zelda"
• "Zelda II: The Adventure of Link"

It's not clear exactly when the NES Classic Edition will re-launch (other than "summer 2018"), or if the new production run will be limited, or if pre-orders will be offered for the console. 

Check out a video of the NES Classic Edition in action right here: