This venue opened its doors at the beginning of October 2024. (Photo: REUTERS/Irene Wang)
Nintendo opened its first museum in Japan, a space dedicated to exploring the company’s 135-year legacy. It is located in Uji, a city near Kyoto, and represents an opportunity for fans of all ages who want to immerse themselves in the company’s creations.
Known for creating some of the most successful franchises in the world of entertainment, such as Super Mario, Zelda and Pokémon, Nintendo was not always synonymous with video games, and this museum offers a comprehensive view of its evolution over time.
The museum is located in the former Nintendo factory complexa historic site that now houses a carefully designed exhibition. This space is divided into three main buildings and ranges from the company’s humble beginnings as a playing card manufacturer to its consecration as a benchmark in the video game industry.
The company is a benchmark in the creation of video games and video consoles. (Photo: EFE/Paloma Puente)
Visitors can enjoy a wide range of exhibits including rare consolesprototypes, interactive games and thematic experiences. One of the most interesting aspects of the tour is the section called “Craft and Play”, which explores Nintendo’s early years as a manufacturer of hanafuda cards, a traditional Japanese game.
This area allows visitors to not only learn the rules of the game, but also participate in interactive workshops where they can create their own playing cards.
In the “Discover” area, the museum presents a wide collection of products that span more than a century of history. Here, visitors can see almost every device and console that Nintendo has ever released, from the most iconic models to those that never reached the market.
The museum presents prototypes of devices that were not available for sale. (Photo: REUTERS/Irene Wang)
This section includes limited edition devices and prototypes, which aims to offer a unique insight into the technological developments that the company has implemented over the years. For its part, One of the most striking attractions of this section is the inclusion of rare consoles that have not always been available to the public.
These include experimental versions of the Game Boy, which was a resounding success in the late 80s, and the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), one of the most influential consoles in history.
Additionally, visitors can learn more about the creative processes that gave rise to some of the company’s most iconic devices, such as the Wii and Switch.
The company has been around for more than a century since its founding. (Photo: REUTERS/Irene Wang)
The museum is not only dedicated to the exhibition of historical objects, but also offers interactive experiences that allow visitors to connect with Nintendo’s legacy in a playful way.
One of the featured attractions is the “Big Controller”, a large controller that allows you to interact with classic Nintendo games, reliving the experience of titles like Super Mario Bros and The Legend of Zelda with a new touch.
Another attraction that cannot be missed is “Zapper & Scope”, an experience that pays homage to the company’s light gun shooting system, used in classic games like Duck Hunt. In addition, visitors can try their luck with the “Love Tester”, a curious device launched in 1969.
To access the museum there is a selection process that takes three months. (Photo: REUTERS/Irene Wang)
Visitors receive 10 digital coins upon entering the museum, which they can use to participate in these mini-games. However, They must use them strategically, since it is not possible to acquire more coins during the visit. This adds a layer of challenge that is sure to be welcomed by video game fans.
Due to high demand, visits to the museum are organized through a raffle that requires registration at least three months in advance. Raffle winners are announced two months before the date of visit, and tickets must be purchased immediately.
Tickets are $23 for adults and $15 for children.although some parts of the exhibition require additional payment.
At the moment, according to the museum’s website, only registration is open to visit the location at the end of January 2025. Tickets for December are already sold out.
