“Super Mario”, “Donkey Kong”, “The Legend of Zelda” – just the sound of these names makes millions of video game fans in Germany and around the world skip a beat. Starting October 2, fans can admire how it all began and how Nintendo managed to become a global video game giant at the world’s only Nintendo Museum near Kyoto, Japan’s old imperial city – featuring exhibits on the company’s history, product exhibits and interactive A blend of gaming heaven.
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In a video tour (see below), legendary video game developer Shigeru Miyamoto of Nintendo tours the museum. He also met with international groups of journalists on site and provided a behind-the-scenes look at the new mega-attraction for Nintendo fans.
Video shows oversized consoles
The journey through the company’s 135-year history – from its beginnings in the 19th century to today – begins with an escalator leading to the second floor. What immediately catches the eye are the life-size consoles from various Nintendo eras hanging from the ceiling.
The video tour can also see giant models of famous consoles and controllers, from the Nintendo Entertainment System to the current Nintendo Switch:
travel into the past
Individual consoles, including accessories and associated games, are presented in their original packaging. The game in question can be seen on the monitor above and heard over the loudspeaker. “I was also very surprised to learn that all these characters are over 20 years old,” says Miyamoto, who created titles like “Super Mario Bros.” in the 1980s. And “The Legend of Zelda” developed itself extensively. Fans will also learn how the graphics of Nintendo consoles evolved.
The visitor is immediately awakened by memories of his past. Nintendo’s renowned video game developer Shigeru Miyamoto says the idea was to create a space where three generations of a family could happily revisit their video game experiences and visitors could exchange ideas. “Here, every person can have their own space where they can relive beautiful memories,” Miyamoto says, describing the concept in an interview with selected foreign journalists.
From playing cards to video game consoles
The circular exhibition features everything from Hanafuda playing cards, with which Nintendo’s company history began in 1889, to board games and other toys and video game consoles from the 1950s to 1970s. Initially the concept was to showcase Nintendo’s products.
Miyamoto says, “But when I put myself in the visitors’ perspective, I would like to see at least a little bit behind the scenes, something we haven’t been able to do until now.” That’s why there is also an area with prototypes in which, for example, different concepts of the Wii Balance Board are shown.
Visitors can also play themselves
But what would the Nintendo Museum be if you weren’t allowed to play there? After a tour of several exhibitions, eight games await visitors on the ground floor, reflecting the diversity of the Nintendo world as well as creating new experiences.
In a modern twist on the Game & Watch, the first portable, pocket-sized console released by Nintendo in the 1980s, visitors interact with games projected on the wall using the shadows of their arms. There are two games for this: “Ball”, the first game and watch game at the time, and “Manhole”.
Use the Zapper and Super Scope against Mario’s opponents
Visitors can also use smart devices to discover motifs projected on the floor, in a kind of digital version of the traditional card game Hanafuda. One is Blast Zapper & Scope, a light-based shooting game meant to be reminiscent of the bowling alleys that Nintendo turned into shooting ranges in the 1970s. On a huge, cinema-like screen you can shoot at Mario’s opponents with the Zapper and Super Scope and compete with other visitors.
But be careful: each entry ticket is only filled with ten digital coins. They get lost quickly. There is no option to purchase coins in the museum. If you want to play more, you will have to register for a new ticket on another day. These are available only by lottery on the museum’s official website. It is said that not more than 1,500 to 2,000 visitors should be allowed per day.
Things get really nostalgic in the Nintendo Classics area, where visitors can – for a limited time – try out more than 80 NES, Super NES or Nintendo 64 games on the console, almost like the old days, including “Mario Kart”, “Donkey” also includes. Kong” and “The Legend of Zelda”.
But something is different: “The controllers are too big!” Miyamoto explains in the video tour. Visitors can use the famous controllers NES, Nintendo 64 and company, usually with only two people. “Talking to each other while serving gives you a completely different experience,” he says.
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The museum building is part of the company’s history
The museum building, located a few minutes’ walk from Ogura Train Station in the city of Uji, is part of Nintendo’s history. The traditional company, founded in 1889 as a manufacturer of playing cards, initially used the Uji Ogura factory, which was built in 1969, to produce playing cards and has established a museum there since 2016. Even as a warehouse before deciding to. The area in front of the museum building is now playfully paved with 8-bit motifs from the “Super Mario” game.
Miyamoto says, “The purpose of the museum is to express that we are first and foremost an entertainment company.” And not just a video game maker. Between 100 and 200 new employees come to Nintendo every year. Miyamoto said, “And every year I give this lecture about what Nintendo is.” He talks there for two hours or more. “And after doing it for 20 years, I don’t want to do it anymore,” he laughs, explaining another inspiration for the museum.
At the same time, development of museum content must continue. Modifying, changing and perfecting is “just like a video game,” the renowned developer says of the preparations. Changes were made even a few days before the inauguration.
“And as Nintendo develops new games and hardware, this museum will grow with that growth,” Miyamoto revealed. The existing exhibits at the exhibition will be expanded accordingly. But only there. No more museums are planned.
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