Where and how to buy the SNES Classic Edition today (update)

Update (Oct. 10) GameStop retail locations will receive more SNES Classic Editions tomorrow, along with some stock to be sold online.

“Only individual units will available in stores starting today, while bundles and standalone units will be available online starting tomorrow, October 11,” the statement explained. “All U.S. stores will start to receive their shipments today, and will have their full allotment by Thursday, October 12, at the latest. In addition, ThinkGeek will have standalone units both in store (starting today) and online (starting tomorrow).”

GameStop also said that stores should begin getting weekly shipments, making it much easier to find a unit. This is very good news.

Update (Sept. 29, 9 a.m. ET) Lines were manageable at the stores I visited in person before midnight last night, and most people who showed up at least an hour before launch should have received a unit.

Stock seems to be strong and people are reporting success at finding units this morning as stores open or lines are forming, so don’t give up hope if you haven’t yet found one. The launch seems to have gone smoothly so far, which is great news!

Original story: At last, the SNES Classic Edition is officially arriving today. Despite Nintendo’s assurances that more units of this system will be available than the NES Classic Edition launch, we’re expecting demand to outstrip supply.

Even as of last night, the line outside Nintendo’s flagship New York was massive and it’s only been growing. (This morning, the store said it expected to have enough for everyone in line — a line that now stretches more than two blocks.)

The good news is that many retail chains have been indicating that stock is already looking healthy, although few locations were willing to give specifics.

We hit the phones to figure out the launch plans of the national retail chains that we know will have the systems in stock, but be sure to call your local stores to see if they’ll spill the beans on inventory and can confirm their launch plans.

From midnight launches to the possibility of anarchy, this is what you can expect tomorrow. Happy hunting!

GameStop (online landing page)

The retailer will have units for walk-in customers tomorrow morning, but expect lines to form early and supply to be short. There is also the possibility that some, if not all, of the systems for walk-ins will require the purchase of an expensive bundle.

Target (online listing page)

Target is going to have units for walk-ins as well, and the retailer used a ticketing system for people waiting in line for the store to open for the launch of the Nintendo Switch. Expect a similar system in place here. The good news is that someone will likely be there hours ahead of open to let you know how many units they have in stock and if waiting will be worth your time.

Walmart

Different Walmart locations open at different times, so be sure to call around to try to formulate a plan. Stores that are open 24 hours should be doing a midnight launch, complete with in-store line management, but call ahead of time just to be sure.

I contacted a few locations in Ohio was told they’re not supposed to give out inventory information, but they had “beyond dozens” of units in stock, and “many times” that of the NES Classic Edition. That being said, they also told me they had already been fielding phone calls all morning.

Toys R’ Us (online landing page)

The stores I called said they had them in stock, supplies would be very limited and, in somewhat distressing news, some weren’t planning on any kind of line management when the store opens. That could create a bit of a mess, so maybe check in a few hours before open to see how things are looking and if there seems to be any organization present. If not, expect a mad rush to the electronics section and perhaps some elbows.

Best Buy (online landing page)

The stores I contacted will be using a ticketing system for people waiting in line, starting at 7 a.m. for stores scheduled to open at 10 a.m. It’s possible there could be lines already formed before that time, however, so show up early if you have have your heart set on getting a unit.

You should know how many your location has at 7 a.m. however, which means you won’t have to stay in line for the next three hours if supply exceeds demand. The stores were careful not to disclose any inventory numbers.

Update: Best Buy has made this official in a blog post.

Limited quantities will be available in about 1,000 Best Buy stores across the country. And you may want to head to your local store ahead of time, because Super NES Classic Edition will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Similar to Black Friday, our stores will have a ticketing process for customers waiting in line.

Ticketing starts at 7 a.m. local time if a line has formed. We will only pass out as many tickets as we have systems available, with a limit of one per customer. Super NES Classic Edition will not be available on BestBuy.com.

Thinkgeek (online landing page)

It looks like Thinkgeek is going to be selling the SNES Classic online starting at Sept. 29. Expect them to be gone almost instantly, but good luck anyway!

Update: And they’re out — online, at any rate.