The SNES Classic Edition is here and I'm already in love

We're one week out from the launch of the SNES Classic Edition, but today, SlashGear's review unit landed on my doorstep. Though I can't give you a full review just yet (that's coming soon), I can give you an early peek at the mini console itself, along with my initial impressions. It kind of goes without saying, but just like the NES Classic that came before it, the SNES Classic is quite the charming device.

The packaging is actually quite similar to the packaging for the NES Classic Edition – compact and designed to recall and era from gaming's past. There's more in the box this time, as Nintendo has included two controllers instead of just one. The idea that I'll be able to dive right into two-player gaming without having to buy anything extra this time around is very exciting.

Good news on the controller front, too: the controller cables are quite a bit longer than the ones on the NES Classic. They're still not as long as the original SNES controller cable, but it's certainly more manageable this time. Still, expect to buy some extension cables if you plan to sit more than three feet away from the console.

As far as the console itself goes, there isn't much to say about it other than the fact that it looks like a mini Super Nintendo, just as you'd expect. It isn't immediately obvious when you're first looking at the SNES Classic, but the controller ports are actually hidden behind a flap on the front of the console. Just like the NES Classic, the power and reset buttons are fully functioning, but sadly, you won't be able to smash the big gray eject button in fits of gaming rage – it's just there for show.

One interesting thing to note is that the connectors Nintendo uses on the SNES Classic controllers are the same as the ones found on the NES Classic. While I don't expect the NES controllers to work with the SNES due to the lack of all the necessary buttons, this does make me wonder if I can use the SNES controllers with the NES Classic. I'll look into this and tell you what I find next week.

I haven't actually had the chance to try out the SNES Classic yet, but now that it's arrived, I'm definitely excited to dig in. There are a number of excellent games loaded on this console, but here we come to my biggest complaint about the device. While Nintendo packed the NES Classic with 30 games, we're only getting 21 with the SNES Classic. Considering how many excellent games were released for the SNES, launching this thing with a mere 21 of them is a major disappointment.

Still, what's there should offer many enjoyable hours during my time with the SNES Classic. Wonderful titles like Super Mario RPG, Final Fantasy III, Mega Man X, and Super Mario World are all present and accounted for, so it's not as if the SNES Classic's library is weak; it's just smaller than I would have liked.

In any case, there's your first look at the SNES Classic Edition. I'll have a lot more coming up next week, so keep it here at SlashGear for more.