Nintendo NES Classic Edition Update: Sales Reached Almost 200K Units Says NPD Group; GameStop, Amazon Prime Restock The NES Mini

Data from gaming industry sales tracking firm NPD Group revealed that Nintendo shipped approximately 196,000 units of the NES Class Edition in the U.S. during November. Items of the gaming console hit the shelves of retailers on November 11 and were sold out in minutes.

The NPD Group data show that Nintendo managed to achieve the sales figure in less than three weeks. The NES Classic kit is sold for $59 with an NES Classic Controller and 30 original NES games. Nintendo's other gaming product, Wii U console, only had 220,000 units sold in the Americas between April and September.

According to Nintendo, they did not anticipate the overall level of demand. The Japanese gaming giant admitted that they were caught off guard by the consumers' clamor for the product. The company assured the buying public that it is not deliberately restricting supply in response to speculations that the limited shipment is a marketing ploy.

Shortages of NES Classic in the market were blamed on very high demand. There is the recurring history of new stocks being wiped out at every major retailer in the country including Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, and Urban Outfitters. When December came, several stores such as Toys R Us and Walmart had restocked items.

As Christmas approaches, more retailers are announcing new shipments of the NES Classic. After Toys R Us, Target, and Urban Outfitters, GameStop announced that it is getting new shipments of the always sold out console today and tomorrow. The retailer will be selling the consoles, both physical and online.

Meanwhile, Amazon Prime offered the Mini NES Classic on its delivery service last Wednesday. Most the stores covered are located on the east coast. Amazon and Amazon Books also had new shipments a week ago. As expected, the NES Classic Editions were sold out.