Nintendo Tokyo Store opening sees large queues and item sell outs

Nintendo’s new Tokyo store faced long queues on its first two days of operation, with some items selling out.

Nintendo Tokyo opened to the public on Friday, November 22 and demand was so great that the store had to enforce a ticket system to gain entry. When capacity was reached, visitors were turned away on both Friday and Saturday.

Some items, such as Zelda mugs and Splatoon messenger bags, sold out in the store’s first day.

Nintendo Tokyo stocks many exclusive Nintendo items based on The Legend of Zelda and Animal Crossing series, as well as a special Mario x Pokémon line, in collaboration with the nearby Shibuya Pokémon Center.

Customers are also be able to play Nintendo Switch software at the store including Ring Fit Adventure, Super Mario Odyssey and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Nintendo’s first official retail store launched in New York’s Rockefeller Center in 2005. Its second official retail outlet, in Tel Aviv, Israel, opened in June 2019.

The Super Nintendo World theme park at Universal Studios Japan will open in spring 2020, in time for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Following the Japan opening, Super Nintendo World is scheduled to come to Universal’s Orlando, Hollywood and Singapore parks, although a timeline for openings outside of Japan hasn’t been announced.