Nintendo likes to surprise its players. On August 19, the company organized a surprise Direct to announce the inauguration of a major project. It is the Nintendo Museum which will open its doors this year. After years of hard work (we already talked about it in 2021), the company shares with us the first official images of the place, as well as the details of its permanent exhibitions, its prices and its opening date.
Where and when will the museum open?
It should be remembered that the Nintendo Museum was not built from scratch by the company. It is an old factory that was already used by the company to manufacture playing cards. The place therefore has a symbolic and historical importance for Nintendo, which is rehabilitating and modernizing its activity as much as its premises. The building is located in Uji, a city near Kyoto, in Japan. It’s a city that’s just as traditional and peaceful as its big sister. Plus, the museum is still in the prefecture that’s home to Nintendo’s headquarters.
If we suspected that the Nintendo Museum would open its doors soon, the studio’s presentation confirmed that we should expect such an event by fall 2024. The institution will officially open on October 2, and reservations are already open.
What are the exhibits?
As expected, the museum features a vast collection of iconic Nintendo items, including historic consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super Nintendo (SNES), and Nintendo 64. Additionally, you can discover giant controllers that allow two people to play together, as well as an interactive section dedicated to classics like the Zapper and the Super Scope, where visitors can try their hand at shooting in settings from Mario games.
There are also interactive exhibits with retro games, iconic machines like the Ultra Hand, and vintage items like the Love Tester. Finally, you will be able to visit a baseball batting simulator inspired by the Ultra Machine from the 1960s. Workshops for making Hanafuda cards, a historic Nintendo tradition, are also available to visitors (by reservation and for an additional fee).
Other experiences to plan?
On site, you can also eat in a café in the colors of Mario and Zelda. The restaurant offers customizable burgers and a decor straight out of a retro game. The official store can also satisfy your shopping and goodies collection desires. All these services are obviously overcharged compared to the entry price.
How much is the ticket?
Ticket prices for general admission to the permanent exhibitions have been confirmed. An adult will have to pay 3,300 yen (20 euros), while a minor between 12 and 17 years old will have to pay 2,200 yen (13 euros), and children between 6 and 11 years old will have to pay 1,100 yen (7 euros). Admission is free for children aged 0-5. On the online ticket office, only places for the months of October and November can be reserved. You'll be able to sign in with your Nintendo Account before you pay, though it's unclear whether this will give you any benefits.
Some specific activities, like the Hanafuda card-making workshop, cost around 2,000 yen (US$13) for a one-hour session, while other experiences, like the tech-enabled Hanafuda card game, cost 500 yen per person (US$3). It's worth noting that at the time of writing, the yen has lost value, making Japan a popular tourist destination – at least economically. Enjoy!
For who?
Like the rest of Nintendo products and experiences, the museum is aimed at everyone, from those nostalgic for the manufacturer's first consoles to younger generations curious to discover the origins of this legendary company.
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