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Classic game console hits Quebec shelves after controversy

Click to play video: 'Classic game console comes to Quebec despite controversy'
Classic game console comes to Quebec despite controversy
WATCH ABOVE: The SNES Classic finally hit Quebec shelves, despite fans worrying that language laws might keep it out of the province. Global's Billy Shields reports – Sep 29, 2017

A line-up of more than 100 people snaked in front of the Best Buy on Sainte-Catherine Street in downtown Montreal Friday, waiting for the Super Nintendo Classic Mini.

READ MORE: Quebec language police ease up on use of some English words by francophones

It includes 21 games inside a machine that looks exactly like the original console, which debuted in the early 1990s.

However, the console almost didn’t make it to Quebec.

READ MORE: Owner of spice shop in hot water with OQLF over English-only website

Last summer, Nintendo announced it would only be for sale in English Canada, lighting up the blogosphere with accusations and rumours that the province’s strict language police were involved.

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The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) is claiming no role in the situation, insisting that Nintendo “made a business decision.”

READ MORE: Vaudreuil mayor says English website coming after OQLF changed their mind

Nintendo did not return Global News’ calls for comment.

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One vlogger, Ghislain de Pessemier, took to YouTube to poke fun at the whole situation.

“I was like, let’s make a funny video. Let’s blame no one,” he said.

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“So, that’s what I did.”

READ MORE: Montreal West cupcake shop under the OQLF microscope

Within a month, the video had almost 25,000 views — and one week before the SNES Classic was scheduled to go on sale in Canada, retailers announced it would also be coming to Quebec.

The console sells for about $100.

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