Retro Rescue: How the NES and SNES Classic Saved Nintendo from the Wii U's Shadow

Reggie Fils-Aime, the former president of Nintendo of America, has confirmed that the NES and SNES Classic Editions were specifically developed to sustain the company's business during the difficult final years of the Wii U. Facing a significant hardware slump and a lack of momentum, Nintendo utilized these nostalgic plug-and-play systems as a profitable stopgap. This strategic move allowed the company to generate much-needed revenue and maintain consumer interest while perfecting the transition to the eventually successful Nintendo Switch.