http://gonintendo.com/stories/266056-nes-classic-edition-controller-cords-are-roughly-3-feet-in-length

Never learn

I like how in the comments there are faithfuls arguing in favor of this, lol.

the camecube has longer controller cords than that and the gamecube came out in 2001

To be fair this is supposed to be a nostalgic experience, you playing your games just like in the good old days. That means sitting on the floor with your system in front of you. Not saying I wouldn't have liked longer cords, I would obviously, but I get the idea they're going with.

Nintendo is the one always emphasizing to take breaks every 15 minutes. But now they may be using the nostalgia factor to save costs on cord length which will get people too close to their television. I wouldn't let my children that close to the television and nostalgia wouldn't change my mind. Sounds hypocritical to me. 

i dont mind it, but i can see why people would be pissed,silly nintendo

Like I said in the other thread, you can also go full retro with your old NES controllers with this

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B2K0C8M/

..or you could have longer cords and still sit on the floor if that's your thing

Well that's an easy way to kill interest. Well, at least my interest.

They are very short, but the HDMI for what I have seen in a video (If that is the one that the console includes) is pretty long, so can put the Nes close to you. Still a weird decision.