Visited Nintendo Museum for a dose of nostalgia before the launch of Switch 2, ushering in a new era for the game company's iconic chapter
Unleashing Nintendo's Ingenuity: A Look Back at the Kingdom of Gaming Innovations
The Nintendo Switch 2 hits the shelves this week, and the whole world's gone crazy trying to nab one. While we're all still waiting for our turn, let's take a nostalgic tour of the Nintendo Museum to celebrate this gaming milestone.
As we stand at the threshold of the future with the Switch 2, it feels appropriate to delve into the past and visit a place that showcases Nintendo's innovative spirit: the Nintendo Museum. Once a factory and support center, it's located near the company's Kyoto headquarters.
Getting a ticket isn't a walk in the park. With huge demand, tickets are allocated via lottery weeks or even months in advance. But fear not, the limited access means that the museum doesn't feel overrun or spoilt by flashy phone cameras.
Examining the Origins of the Gaming Giant
I begin my journey on the top floor, where Nintendo's entire history is displayed behind glass. Some of the rare prototypes on display include different iterations of the Wiimote, Wii U tablet prototypes, and a Wii Balance Board in various stages of development.
Nintendo's history is peppered with fearless experimentation, and at times, a willingness to take risks, even if they don't always pan out, like the ill-fated Wii U. Both iterations have influenced the design of the Switch, demonstrating that setbacks can lead to growth.
While some argue that the museum isn't a traditional museum due to the lack of explanatory signage, it's impossible to deny that it's curated in a way that makes the gaming journey an immersive experience.
One of the highlights of my visit was a video installation showcasing how game series have evolved over time, with perfectly synced footage that lets you observe the transformation from pixel art to 3D graphics. For example, you can compare the first meeting with your mentor in Pokémon, from the original Game Boy, to the latest 3D encounters, or compare the NES's nonsensical Master Sword sequence to the iconic Ocarina of Time.
The exhibits are organized by Nintendo consoles but also include a nod to the company's pre-gaming history. There are dedicated displays showcasing hanafuda playing cards, original Disney-licensed dollhouses, and early gadgets such as the Gunpei Yokoi-designed Love Tester and the Light Gun that predates the NES Zapper.
Specific theme-based exhibits demonstrate how technological advancements like motion, game creation, and game delivery have woven themselves into the fabric of Nintendo's lineage, spanning decades and sometimes getting lost in the shuffle.
Examining the physical products is undoubtedly the most thrilling part of the museum, as well as the opportunity to compare the various iterations of Nintendo hardware, from the N64 to the iQue, a handheld version made specifically for the Chinese market.
The saddest part is realizing how lackluster modern game packaging has become when compared to the past. The loss of physical instruction manuals and the homogenization of game box art across regions leave something to be desired. (And let's not even discuss the controversy surrounding the Switch 2's game box art.)
Personally, I prefer perusing the exhibits over the interactive activities on the ground floor, which require collecting digital coins upon entry. But that could be because I'm rubbish at most of them. Partnering with a stranger on an oversized N64 controller to take on Bowser in Mario 64 was pretty fun, though. (Want a taste of nostalgia? Check out our guide to retro game controllers.)
The Nintendo Museum may not be essential, but it's a must-visit for dedicated fans. After all, where else will you find a place that celebrates the disaster that was the Virtual Boy?
As we eagerly await the Nintendo Switch 2, the museum serves as a reminder that Nintendo has been on this roller coaster ride before. It's weathered the ups and downs, sold the t-shirts, and endured to become the gaming powerhouse we know today. Time will tell if the Switch 2 embodies the spirit of innovation that defines Nintendo or marks a departure from the norm.
Enrichment Insights:
- Nintendo's history is steeped in experimentation and innovation, with key milestones spanning from toys and games in the 1960s to the current and future consoles like the Nintendo Switch and beyond.
- Some early electronic toys like the Ultra Hand and Ele-Conga laid the groundwork for more complex electronic devices.
- Transitioning into video games in the 1970s, Nintendo released arcade titles like Donkey Kong and the NES in 1983, revolutionizing home gaming.
- The Game Boy introduced portability, while the Super NES cemented Nintendo's dominance in home gaming.
- Recent experiments like the dual-screen Nintendo DS and the motion-controlled Wii have broadened Nintendo's audience and paved the way for the hybrid Nintendo Switch.
- Nintendo's approach to gaming is heavily influenced by failures like the GameCube and Wii U, as the company learns from past mistakes and strives to succeed in future designs.
- The Nintendo Switch 2, with its innovative design, has sparked a frenzy worldwide, emulating the creative spirit that has defined Nintendo's gaming innovations for decades.
- The Nintendo Museum, a testament to Nintendo's ingenuity, displays a layout that transports visitors through a journey of the company's history.
- Rare prototypes on display at the museum, such as various designs for the Wiimote, Wii U tablet prototypes, and a Wii Balance Board, highlight the numerous 3D iterations that contribute to Nintendo's artistic innovation.
- The museum's selection features a variety of photography, including a video installation showcasing game series evolution from pixel art to 3D graphics, which artfully demonstrates the progression in UI and UX design.
- The museum's emphasis on the physical products, including early gadgets like the Ultra Hand, Ele-Conga, and Nintendo's pre-gaming history items such as hanafuda playing cards, is a creative celebration of the company's tech and entertainment roots.
- Comparing past and present game box art reveals the packaging's lost artistic value, as homogenization across regions overshadows the once creative and region-specific designs that technology has long enabled.
