Fake NES Mini Console Surfaces Amid Shortage In Supply Of Nintendo’s Classic Console

Some fake NES consoles are making rounds online amid the shortage in the supply of Nintendo’s classic gaming machine. Know more about the issue below.

If you just bought a NES mini microconsole from some random website recently and you feel that there is something off about your device, chances are there’s nothing wrong with it save for the fact that it’s a fake. Some NeoGAF users have pointed out this week that some clones of the NES mini console have silently went up on sale through a Chinese website.

Original NES Mini Vs. Fake

According to NeoGAF users, the fake NES mini was first spotted on Chinese import site AliExpress. The clone appears to be just like the real deal, so it quickly caught the attention of some fans. It wasn’t clear what happened though since the listing for the product is no longer found on the Chinese site. Despite this, one NeoGAF user has already obtained photos of the fake gaming machine and shared it online.

On the outside, the clone looks like the authentic console. Eurogamer even points out that the untrained eye could easily mistake it for an original. For loyal fans and those who are very particular with the device’s peculiarities though, it’s easy to spot that the clone’s color is a little washed out.

Many could also get tricked into believing that it’s the original device, for even its unit box seems very professionally made. It looks just like the one for the original gaming machine. This imitation also comes with an authentic-looking controller and Micro-USB ports.

Fake NES Mini Software

Making the fake NES mini less suspicious is its close-to-the-original emulator software. Actually, everything about the interface looks legit at the first glance. Good thing the NeoGAF user did a comparison with the authentic software and found out the striking flaws in the imitation software, and they are as follows:

• The game title font size in the clone is smaller
• Evident spacing disparity above the icon at the top of the interface
• 1P/2P boxes on the fake software use a different pixel-font
• Font used on SELECT and START button icons is different
• A total of five game boxes are displayed on the main UI instead of just 4 full boxes and two halves on either side.

The Prevalence Of Fake NES Mini Consoles

Ever since the NES mini was released late last year, many clones or modded units have surfaced online. Many fake units really look nothing like the original, but every now and then some companies manage to come up with premium-looking imitations.

It is not surprising that these fake NES mini consoles get patronized by Nintendo fans though. Aside from the fact that they usually are cheap, some of them manage to fool gamers because of their professional production. Plus, many fans have already become desperate to have their own NES mini given that there’s been a shortage in the device’s supply. So far, Nintendo has pledged to manufacture more NES mini after it sold out everywhere.

The only original NES mini that fans can find online as of late are being sold on sites like eBay. Unfortunately for fans of the gaming machine, sellers have already taken advantage of the situation and are selling the consoles they have at more expensive price points.