Amazon Cancels Mighty No. 9 3DS and Vita Pre-Orders

Published on 25 Feb 2025

Introduction

In January 2025, Amazon canceled pre-orders for the 3DS and Vita versions of Mighty No. 9. This announcement ended a long saga that began with a Kickstarter campaign. Fans hoped for these versions since the game’s launch in 2016. Unfortunately, these ports never materialized. Many gamers are left feeling disappointed. What went wrong with this project? Let’s explore what led to this cancellation and what it means for fans.

The Rise of Mighty No. 9

Mighty No. 9 was introduced as a spiritual successor to Mega Man. Keiji Inafune, the original creator of Mega Man, started this project in 2013. The Kickstarter campaign quickly gained popularity. It raised over $4 million, easily surpassing its original goal. Fans were excited. They believed this game would revive classic Action and Adventure platformers. Plans included releasing the game on multiple platforms, including the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita.

Early Hopes and Promises

This inaugural promise also involved a retro gaming design that would appeal to nostalgic players. The Kickstarter campaign [2] advertised ports on many different platforms, including consoles like the Wii and 3DS handhelds, or Vita. Backers were excited about these features. However, as development progressed, things started to change. The game faced multiple delays. Fans often expressed their frustration on social media.

The Downfall of Mighty No. 9

Finally, in 2016, Mighty No. 9 was released. However, it did not meet expectations. Critics gave the game poor reviews. Players found it lacked polish and charm. The game’s graphics, gameplay, and controls fell flat compared to expectations. Despite being marketed as an Action game with elements of RPG and Adventure, it ultimately failed to deliver.

Missing Console Versions

Dissatisfaction, among other reasons, led to the withdrawal from 3DS and Vita versions. And just the handhelds, that is, were box office successes, but the ones were not able to transfer over to the handheld platform. Fans stood waiting for a game that never was. Over the years, promises about these versions faded away. As time passed, hopes dwindled.

Amazon’s Final Decision

Fast forward to January 2025. Nevertheless, after a decade of delay and postponement, Amazon announced that it will no longer process any remaining orders for the 3DS version. Many fans received an email from the retailer detailing what happened. Due to the lack of supply, we cannot receive the item listed below from your order", it is written in the caption. That email signified the close of a generation's game for a lot of people.

Acknowledging the Disappointment

The cancellation made headlines across gaming news sites. It's got a lot of fan goodwill goin' for the big build in the game development space," etc. On the other hand, the dreams of an ultimate revival of the franchise were, alas, a fairy tale. Players had waited too long to allow them to step into the city but then to step out again, with nothing in their hands. Some fans took to forums to discuss their feelings. Many expressed a sense of loss. Others noted that it was time to move on.

The Legacy of Mighty No. 9

Despite its failures, Mighty No. 9 holds a unique place in gaming history. It showcased the challenges of crowdfunding video games. The project illustrated how high expectations can lead to disappointment. Gamers learned important lessons about backing games early. Future crowdfunding projects might take this experience into account.

Impact on Crowdfunding

The success of the Kickstarter campaign set high hopes. However, reality proved to be different. Many projects struggle to meet expectations. Developers often underestimate costs, time, and resources. This situation highlights the risks involved. Crowdfunding can be a double-edged sword.

Conclusion

Amazon's cancellation of Mighty No. 9 3DS and Vita pre-orders marks an end to a long wait for many fans. The dream of experiencing this game on handhelds is now over. This situation serves as a reminder about expectations in the gaming industry. While Mighty No. 9 promised much, it ultimately delivered little. As fans move forward, they hope for better experiences in future games. The gaming community continues to grow and evolve, learning from past mistakes.

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