"Exploring the Excitement Ahead of Nintendo Museum's Grand Opening: A Sneak Peek into Gaming History and Innovative Exhibits"[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3By5lKVJIBc[/embed]

The Nintendo Museum, set to open on October 2, 2024, will be the focus of this report, which covers a preview event for the press that was held ahead of the grand opening.

An interview with Shigeru Miyamoto about the Nintendo Museum. The museum also serves to explain “What is Nintendo?” to new employees and visitors.

Here we bring you a group interview with Shigeru Miyamoto, the fellow representative director of Nintendo, held in conjunction with the press preview of the Nintendo Museum. What Miyamoto wanted to achieve and convey at the museum will be discussed.

Table of ContentsClose

- Excitement from the entrance! A playful entrance filled with charm
  - Admission tickets that double as souvenirs
  - The entrance area is filled with attractions
  - Meeting Toad and Shigeru Miyamoto’s signature
- A display area for reminiscing while reflecting on Nintendo’s history
  - An experience space that fuses past products with the latest technology
    - Shigure-den SP
    - Zapper & Scope SP
    - Ultra Machine SP
    - Ultra Hand SP
    - Love Tester SP
    - Game & Watch SP
    - Nintendo Classic
    - Big Controller
    - Rare exhibits
  - Many limited products! Official goods shop “BONUS STAGE”
    - Over 270,000 combinations!? Order an original hamburger at “HATENA BURGER”
      - Workshops to create and play Hanafuda, which are also the origin of Nintendo
        Let’s make some Hanafuda
        Let’s play with Hanafuda
      - Facility Overview
        Table of Contents

Excitement from the entrance! A playful entrance filled with charm

Admission tickets that double as souvenirs

Upon entering, visitors receive an admission ticket adorned with an illustration of Mario. The ticket features the visitor’s name, admission date, and time, making it a great souvenir. Additionally, the illustration on the front can be changed to the visitor’s own Mii. Further details can be found on the official site of the Nintendo Museum, so those interested should check it out.

“Exploring the Excitement Ahead of Nintendo Museum’s Grand Opening: A Sneak Peek into Gaming History and Innovative Exhibits”[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3By5lKVJIBc[/embed] [IMAGE] [IMAGE] [IMAGE]

Admission ticket. The left shows the front, and the right shows the back.

The journey to the entrance is filled with attractions

The path leading to the entrance is also filled with sights to see. In addition to question mark blocks, pipes, and pixelated Mario hanging from the goal pole, there are unique spots featuring a “Pokefuta” illustrated with a Game Boy and Pikachu (*), as well as a Kirby vending machine, showcasing attention to detail from various locations.

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If you look closely at the ground, you will find characters like Killer and Jugem drawn.

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From above, it looks like…

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Even the umbrella stand is a Game Boy!?

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Meeting Toad and Shigeru Miyamoto’s signature

Upon entering the “First Exhibition Hall,” where the exhibits are displayed, visitors are greeted by Toads. When visitors touch their heads, they emit sounds, and touching all of them leads to a choir. Near the Toads, there’s also a display of Shigeru Miyamoto’s signature with an illustration of the creator of Mario.

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Donkey Kong can also be found in the entrance.

As visitors move further, they encounter a giant wall illustrating characters from Nintendo’s hardware releases.

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A lineup of familiar characters is displayed. It’s impressive!

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A display area for reminiscing while reflecting on Nintendo’s history

At the entrance of the exhibition area, silhouettes of historical hardware are projected. Moreover, the startup sounds of each hardware play in succession (the Family Computer plays the disc system startup sound, while the Super Famicom, Virtual Boy, and Nintendo 64 have no startup sounds), enhancing the atmosphere.

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After ascending the escalator ahead, visitors finally arrive at the area displaying historical hardware and software, as well as Hanafuda and playing cards (First Exhibition Hall, 2nd floor). The software on display includes Japanese, North American, and European versions, allowing visitors to enjoy differences in package design across regions.

The author was viewing the exhibits with the editor-in-chief, who was 12 years older, and we shared nostalgic conversations such as, “Oh, I loved this software,” “Back then, I was still in elementary school, so I could only get games on special occasions,” “I won this game in a magazine contest,” “I started getting involved with this hardware for work,” and more. Forgetting about work (?), we got caught up reminiscing (though we stayed in this area for about an hour, if it weren’t for the coverage, we might have spent 2-3 hours exploring).

Additionally, many items from when Nintendo produced before video games are also on display. While I knew of their production of Hanafuda and playing cards, I was very surprised to learn they had even released baby carriages.

By the way, among the exhibits, the first issue of “Fami通,” which later became Famitsu, and communication from Game Boy were displayed, along with the Famitsu limited edition “MODEL-F” (a transparent Game Boy Pocket).

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Above the display shelves, monitors and directional speakers are installed, playing footage of each game software.

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On the back side, features of each console, related products, commercials from the time, and other representative titles from rival companies are displayed.

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Exhibits themed on “physical play,” “music-based play,” and other themed displays are also present.

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This exhibit is themed on the evolution of the question mark block. Looking back at it, it is quite intriguing.

An experience space that fuses past products with the latest technology

The 1st floor of the first exhibition hall allows visitors to experience how various forms of entertainment developed by Nintendo continue into modern times. Visitors can enjoy new ways of play that combine toys released in the past with the latest technology.

To participate in the exhibits, a “coin” given with the admission ticket is required. Upon entry, 10 coins are issued, and the number of coins needed varies by exhibit. Note that additional coins cannot be obtained.

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Exhibits related to products that can be experienced are also set up on the first floor of the first exhibition hall.

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Shigure-den SP

Shigure-den SP is an experience exhibit based on an attraction originally themed after the “One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets” found in Kyoto’s Arashiyama. Visitors use a dedicated smartphone to find cards with the second line of a poem from the floor vision beneath their feet and earn points by holding the smartphone camera over them.

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Based on the One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets, playing cards and Trump cards are displayed, along with other card-related exhibits.

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Zapper & Scope SP

This exhibit modernizes the large leisure facility “Laser Clay” that Nintendo launched in the 1970s and allows visitors to enjoy shooting in the world of “Super Mario.” Visitors aim at targets using either the previously released light gun “Zapper” or the “Super Scope.”

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Near the experience booth, there’s an exhibit related to light guns.

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The Zapper (left) and the Super Scope (right) are familiar to “Splatoon” players.

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Using the Super Scope, I experienced the exhibit. While it is larger and less mobile compared to the Zapper, it is easier to aim since it is equipped with a scope.

Ultra Machine SP

This exhibit allows visitors to experience the pitching machine “Ultra Machine,” which was released in 1968, in an environment reminiscent of a home from that era. There are six booths, each with different interiors. If balls hit the furniture, it reacts.

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As a former baseball team member in school, I found it to be more difficult than expected and ended with a disappointing result…

Ultra Hand SP

This exhibit allows visitors to experience the extending toy “Ultra Hand,” which was released in 1966. Visitors operate the “Ultra Hand” to grab balls flowing down a lane and place them into a pipe.

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It looks simple, but it’s quite difficult because the balls are also moving.

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Could there be hidden characters inside the balls?

Love Tester SP

The “Love Tester,” released in 1969, measures “love levels” in pairs. In this attraction, two visitors each hold onto red and black cords extending from the main unit, measuring their love level through a joint activity game.

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Game & Watch SP

This exhibit allows visitors to operate games from “Game & Watch,” the first handheld game console released by Nintendo in 1980, using their own shadows. Visitors can choose between two games: “Ball” and “Manhole.”.

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Since visitors control it with their own shadows, it is an intuitive way to enjoy. The gameplay is also simple, but there are times when you intend to move only your right hand to the right, yet your left hand moves along (because to move your right hand, your body naturally leans right, causing your left hand to move too), making it surprisingly deep.

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Nintendo Classic

This section allows visitors to experience the software for Family Computer, Super Famicom, and Nintendo 64 that is available for streaming on Nintendo Switch Online, using the controllers of each respective console. This might be a great chance for those contemplating controller purchases.

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Big Controller

This exhibit involves two visitors working together to operate oversized controllers representing historical game consoles. Visitors can experience the Family Computer, Super Famicom, Nintendo 64, and Wii (Wii Remote and Balance Wii Board).

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On the Nintendo 64, the Z Button, usually located on the back of the 3D stick in regular-sized controllers, is set at the foot level, allowing visitors to stomp on it.

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For the Nintendo 64, visitors can choose from three stages of “Super Mario 64” to experience. We chose the Bowser battle. Initially, we struggled to coordinate and fell off the stage a few times, but we successfully defeated Bowser just in time before the time limit. After clearing, extra time is added, allowing visitors to play another stage.

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For the Super Famicom, visitors can experience three titles: “Super Mario World,” “Super Mario Kart,” and “The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.”

Rare Exhibits

In the corridor leading from the experiential exhibit space towards the exit, there are photographs showing how Hanafuda is made, actual molds used by Nintendo in Hanafuda production, and photographs of the Uji Ogura factory during the time it manufactured Family Computers.

Additionally, a display space featuring the storage shelves for Hanafuda labels previously stored in Nintendo’s old headquarters has been relocated here.

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At that time, each drawer contained labels describing different designs and product names, and every time a set of Hanafuda was completed, they took a label from the shelf and manually affixed it.

Furthermore, the “Calligraphy of ‘Ninten’,” which was received with the construction of the new headquarters in 1971, is also on display. The term “Ninten,” part of the company name, is said to mean “leaving luck to the heavens,” although the exact origin of the company name remains unclear.

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This piece of calligraphy was created by a calligrapher from Wakayama, Tsukimura Chikuseki.

Many limited products! Official goods shop “BONUS STAGE”

The “BONUS STAGE” is where official merchandise is sold. There are numerous items, including cushions shaped like controllers and various products inspired by historical hardware, along with Nintendo Museum exclusive items.

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Over 270,000 combinations!? Order an original hamburger at “HATENA BURGER”

At “HATENA BURGER,” visitors can create their own original hamburgers by choosing buns, main ingredients, toppings, and sauces. Besides distinctive ingredients inspired by sukiyaki, oyakodon, and saikyo-yaki, toppings include local favorites like Kujo green onions, Manganji peppers, and shiba-zuke, leading to over 270,000 possible combinations.

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In addition to the customizable “HATENA BURGER Set,” classic hamburgers are also available.

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Two special drinks are also available: a sweet and sour “Peach & Cheese” drink and a “Green Tea Float” using matcha from Hirano, a long-established tea shop founded in 1879.

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The interior is game-themed, consisting of three playful stages.

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Here is the “Burger Factory Stage,” which evokes memories of a factory, using containers and pallets that were once utilized in the Uji Ogura factory.

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Next is the burger shop stage, modeled after a game field. Displayed here is an ultra-rare poster from “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.”

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Finally, there is a nostalgic stage reminiscent of an 80’s coffee shop. Here, there’s a stained glass display from “The Legend of Zelda.”

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Furthermore, balloons from “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” are also found inside the shop.

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Left photo: Ordering screen on smartphone. Right photo: After completing the order, hints for enjoying the Nintendo Museum are displayed (it appears that characters are hidden in various spots).

Workshops to create and play Hanafuda, the origin of Nintendo

Two types of workshops for creating Hanafuda, which are part of Nintendo’s origins, are also available.

Let’s make some Hanafuda

One workshop allows participants to simulate the process of artisans handcrafting Hanafuda cards, as was done over 130 years ago, prior to machine production. Visitors can choose a month from the 12 months and paint the four-card set Hanafuda, using adhesives to assemble them. Of course, the crafted Hanafuda can be taken home.

Moreover, participants must pre-book this workshop at the information desk within the museum, and the fee for one experience is 2000 yen (including tax).

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Instructions are provided very thoroughly, making it easy for anyone to participate confidently.

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Even as a clumsy person, I managed to finish it, albeit a little awkwardly. It has a handcrafted feel and is perfect as a souvenir.

Let’s play with Hanafuda

This workshop allows participants to experience the popular game “Hanaawase” using only 32 out of the usual 48 Hanafuda cards. Utilizing image recognition and projection technology, it guides players on which cards to take, so even those unfamiliar with the rules can enjoy the game.

The cost for this experience is 500 yen (including tax) per person, and the experience is designed for pairs.

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Excitement from the entrance! A playful entrance filled with charm

Admission tickets that double as souvenirs

The journey to the entrance is filled with attractions

Meeting Toad and Shigeru Miyamoto’s signature

A display area for reminiscing while reflecting on Nintendo’s history