Nintendo's New Museum: A Reimagined Look at Classic Games - Opening October 2nd, 2024

Originally built in 1969 in Uji City, Kyoto, to produce toys, the Uji Kokura factory has now been repurposed into the Nintendo Museum, set to open on October 2, 2024.

Nintendo has recently shared details about this new museum. In addition to showcasing products from the company's history, stretching back to its origins as a playing card company in 1889, the museum will also offer interactive exhibits. Visitors can explore three interactive areas - "Learn," "Experience," and "Create and Play" - where they can imagine how Nintendo's classic products might be reimagined with today's technology.

When the fun starts...

The museum's ground floor features a captivating exhibit where visitors can engage with innovative interactive content, designed exclusively for the museum, inspired by classic Nintendo products. A highlight is a massive card game based on Hyakunin Isshu, a collection of 100 historical Japanese poems, One of the earliest Nintendo product before becoming the game studio giant today. Players use a dedicated app that recites the first verse of a poem, then search the room for the matching card among giant cards scattered across the floor to complete the poem.

Visitors can also play historical Nintendo home game consoles and their peripherals, as well as brand new mini-games based on toys released by Nintendo in the 1960s, such as the Ultra Machine pitching machine and the Ultra Hand, which featured a telescoping hand that could reach out and grasp objects.

In the "Create and Play" area, visitors can get hands-on with crafting. Hanafuda cards, Nintendo's first product from 1889, take center stage. You can make your own cards with a kit or learn to play them using interactive technology, even if you're a beginner.

It's not a themed museum without themed cafe and gift shop!

The museum also houses a café named Hatena Burger, offering classic hamburgers and unique drinks. While the interior appears simple at first, it's sprinkled with subtle Nintendo-themed elements. You'll find stained glass art reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda, brick booths inspired by Mario, and posters from Animal Crossing: New Horizons adorning the walls.

Naturally, there's a gift shop named Bonus Stage, offering official Nintendo merchandise showcasing the company's branding from around the globe and featuring beloved characters. You'll also find limited edition items exclusive to the museum.

Preserving games and their experiences for future generations has always been a challenge. While Nintendo positions this museum as a "public relations facility" rather than a strict archive for game purists, it represents an intriguing effort to safeguard the legacy of games and toys from decades past. By altering their scale and gameplay, while also incorporating modern technology, the museum allows visitors to experience these classics in a fresh and engaging way.