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Nintendo's flagship store reopens with a new name and new look
In the decade since Nintendo World opened, the store has become a tourist destination, a popular hangout for kids and a mecca for Nintendo fans across the globe. With that last audience in mind, it shut its doors last month so it could be remodeled into something more befitting its status as the world's only Nintendo retail location. And with that new design comes a new name: Nintendo NY.
Nintendo is renovating its one-of-a-kind New York store
Nintendo's headquarters may be in Kyoto, Japan, but the spiritual center, where most big US console launches happen, is the Nintendo World store at Rockefeller Plaza, New York. The only official Nintendo store in the world is about to undergo a major renovation and when it's over, it'll also have a new name -- Nintendo NY. The new look will include an updated interior design, new Wii U and 3DS demo units, a 15-foot gaming screen and a large bronze coin at the entrance with the tagline "Where everyone comes to play" (below).
Wii U gets midnight launch at Nintendo World Store on November 18th
Care to be one of the first to buy a Wii U this weekend? Then start layering on the outerwear, swallowing that pride and making your way to Nintendo's flagship Rockefeller Plaza store in New York City. Starting at midnight this Saturday, the company will begin selling its next-gen console along with other "premium items" to the extreme fanpersons in attendance. And as a special treat for whomever's waiting at the front of the line, NOA's prez, Reggie Fils-Aime, will be there to hand over that very first console - effectively doubling your bragging rights. So, if you like your launch day cold and a little bit crazy (yes, there will be folks walking around with Mii heads), November 18th's one to mark down in the calendar.
Joystiq at the Pokemon launch party in NYC
Thousands of Pokemon fans stormed the Nintendo World Store for their incredible Pokemon Diamond & Pearl launch party. Getting into the event was no easy task, as the line stretched across a New York avenue. Once inside, fans were treated to equally long lines to purchase the game, and a myriad of activities to partake in. A scavenger hunt had Pokemaniacs survive the heat and go through all the stations set up for fans.Junichi Masuda and Shigeru Ohmori from Game Freak stopped by to answer fan's questions and sign autographs. In spite of the surprising success of the Pokemon franchise, the two were incredibly humble and seemed jovial in the presence of their adoring fans. Children (of all ages) crowded the plaza for a chance to meet some of the people responsible for this global phenomenon.To end the festivities, Nintendo made an incredible donation to Earth Day NY: a giant check (is there any other kind?) for $10,000 was presented to the eco-friendly charity. The event was a blast, and everyone appeared to be in high spirits. Considering the thousands of people in attendance, it's safe to say that the Pokemon phenomenon is still going strong.%Gallery-2731%
Hotel Dusk: Room 215 trailer brings the noir
Hotel Dusk: Room 215 caught some attention at E3, but since the spring we haven't seen or heard much about this upcoming adventure title. A new trailer surfaced at Nintendo World, however -- a trailer that features some of the same footage as the E3 trailer, but with double the content as it's twice as long.Hotel Dusk is an adventure story, a mystery that follows ex-cop Kyle Hyde as he tries to track down a missing friend. The beautiful art style is what really pushes this one into the spotlight; the game looks like a graphic novel come to life, and the fact that the DS is held as a book during gameplay only emphasizes the unique style. If Hotel Dusk is as good as it looks, our beloved Phoenix Wright may have some competition at the top of the heap of DS adventure games.Check out the new trailer after the jump.
Nintendo World 2006 announced for Japan
Nintendo has announced that a new company event is slated for November 25th and 26th in Nagoya, Osaka, and Makuhari Messe Japan. These locations, which were also used for previous Tokyo Games Show and Space World events, are open to the public for all kinds of excellent Wii and DS Lite action alike. Nothing else is known about the event as of this time, like exactly what games will be on-hand for play, or whether this will be a permanent, annual event.[Via Joystiq]
Joystiq at Nintendo World Store: in video
The Nintendo World Store hosted a very special event on Tuesday for its fans. They brought Fusion Tour headliners Hawthorne Heights to their NYC flagship store to perform a live acoustic set ... but, that wasn't the real reason Nintendo fans flocked by the hundreds to this midtown mecca. Nintendo also granted their eager, sweaty fanboy hands access to the elusive Wiimote and games like Wii Sports, Excite Truck, Wario Ware, and Metroid Prime. Check out my exciting adventures in picture and video form, after the break.
Nintendo World NYC now taking Wii pre-orders
Sure, you could've gone ahead with one of those sketchwardo Wii pre-orders from any number of fly-by-night online stores, but this here's the real deal: Nintendo is now taking Wii pre-orders at their flagship Nintendo World store in New York City for $50 a pop. They've got around 100-300 slots total, and started taking orders on Thursday, so if you want to make sure you've got a Wii in your hands come launch day, you'd best be heading over soon -- they're not taking orders over the phone. Of course, with the infinitesimal spec bumps going into the Wii, we don't foresee many production problems, so your standard-fare midnight line-up at Wal-Mart or Best Buy should produce results. But we're guessing if push comes to shove, about the last place Nintendo is going to short on the Wii action is their own NYC store, and you don't want to be the only kid in your borough not getting down with that Wiimote come 12:01 AM, November 19th.
