On Tuesday, Nintendo released a video giving a sneak peek at what visitors can expect from its new Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, Japan. The company first announced its plan to repurpose an old factory building (Nintendo Uji Ogura Plant) and its surrounding land to create a museum in 2021. It has since been announced that construction is complete, and the museum will open to the public this autumn.
Now, Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Super Mario Bros. and other iconic Nintendo titles, has appeared in a video presentation that outlines some of the details of the eagerly awaited new attraction.
In the video, Miyamoto welcomes visitors, speaking from the museum’s entrance as he explains the site’s history before heading to the second floor, where products that Nintendo has released since its founding are displayed:
“Wherever you look, you’ll find different products from the past all the way up until now,” he explains in the clip. “Along with the different systems, you can also see Nintendo’s creativity and the fruits of our labour on display.” Giant controllers are also suspended from the ceiling, and screens display gameplay footage.
The evolution of Nintendo
Early models of game consoles, from the Famicom to the SNES, are on display. Exhibits include an exploration of how the ‘?’ block has changed over time and the evolution of games that people play by moving their bodies. Another area looks at how the graphics for popular titles like Super Mario Bros and The Legend of Zelda have evolved with each new gaming system.
In addition, products from before the company began making video games are on display, including playing cards, board games, a baby stroller, and even a copy machine.
“You’ll see that we’ve always taken a unique approach when making new products,” says Miyamoto. With these displays on the second floor, he adds: “We wanted to show the evolution of entertainment while showcasing the elements that have been shared and built upon over the years.
He then takes viewers to the museum’s first floor, which has a giant screen on the floor. Visitors can stand on top of the screen to play the traditional Japanese card game Hyakunin Isshu using a smart device provided by the museum.
“The first floor is full of interactives for you to enjoy,” says Miyamoto. “If we brought past Nintendo products to the present era, what kind of unique forms of play would they provide? We created eight experiences with this in mind.”
Upon arrival, guests are given an entry pass loaded with digital coins that can be used for the museum’s activities. The video shows three of these interactives in detail.
The museum also includes a cafe and a shop selling exclusive merchandise.
“In the more than 100 years since the company was founded, Nintendo has created many different forms of entertainment. Although the products that we have made have changed with the times, our desire to create fun for the whole family remains the same,” says Miyamoto.
Earlier this year, the video game company confirmed an autumn opening for the Nintendo Museum in a statement with its latest financial results.
