Japanese firm Nintendo will next week open a museum showcasing its history, where fans of “Super Mario”, “The Legend of Zelda” and the Game Boy and Switch can gain insight into one of the world’s most renowned game makers.
Located in Uji near the company’s Kyoto headquarters, the museum underscores the many evolutions of Nintendo, which was founded in 1889 as a maker of “hanafuda” playing cards and is now a global gaming giant.
Shigeru Miyamoto, Executive Fellow at Nintendo and creator of “Super Mario”, said the museum was intended to deepen understanding of the company. “If making products while protecting concepts such as family, fun and ease of understanding is rooted in our employees then the new Nintendo will continue to grow,” he told reporters.
The museum, which opens to the public on 2 October, is located on the site of a plant that used to make playing cards and was a centre for product repairs. Tickets on its website are sold out for the following two months.
In addition to displaying iconic devices such as the Wii console and the handheld Game Boy, visitors will be able to see lesser known products such as the “Mamaberica” baby stroller and the “Copilas” printer. The museum also offers a range of interactive experiences, with visitors able to partner to play the video game “Super Mario Bros.” featuring moustachioed plumber Mario on a single, oversized Family Computer controller.
