Summary
Japan’s officialNintendomuseum will be open to the public soon, but a few lucky influencers were given the chance to walk around the building filled with all sorts from Nintendo’s past early. That means images of what you’ll find as you walk around have been finding their way online, and despite the museum telling a story that dates back to Nintendo’s beginnings more than a century ago, it’s the gift shop that has been sending us.
A few people have been sharing images of what they found in the Nintendo Museum gift shop, but for what appears to be an exhaustive look at what its patrons will be able to buy on the way out,you’ll want to check out Game Watch. The site has photos of just about everything in Nintendo’s gift store, some of which will have you rushing to book a flight to Japan. Hold on for just a second though as even if you make it to Japan, you’ll then need to figure out how to fly a massive Nintendo controller plush back with you.
Those are certainly the things that caught my eye first amidst all of the images shared. So far I’ve spotted giant cushion versions of a Wiimote, Famicom controller, and my personal favorite, a big squishyNintendo 64controller. They all look massive, and for now, the museum is the only place in the world where you’re able to buy them. Perhaps they’ll ship them one day, although I dread to think how much that would cost. If you could sell these in all your stores one day, Nintendo, we’d really appreciate it.
Nintendo’s Museum Has Giant Controller Cushions
Someone Grab Me That N64 One While They’re Passing Through, Thanks
Even though the controller cushions are the best bit, they’re also just the tip of the iceberg. The museum also has merch dedicated to every console it has ever made, and I mean every console. Even theWii Uand the Virtual Boy are represented, caps and t-shirts with their logos on stocked right next to each other - I feel like that wasn’t an accident. I also spied Nintendo’s 1960s Ultra Hand toy in some of Game Watch’s photos, or a 2024 recreation of it, which has an unexpected connection to modern-day Nintendo.
If you’re planning a trip to Japan to visit the Nintendo Museum, you’ll want to check ticket availability first. The museum’s tickets are issued using a lottery system, and it’s already fully booked for its first two months.
Prior to making video games, Nintendo manufactured playing cards and then toys. One of those toys was the Ultra Hand, an extendable toy arm you can use to pick stuff up. If you’ve not already made the connection, the retro toy wasthe inspiration for Link’s Ultrahand ability in Tears of the Kingdomwhich is likely why it seems to have been recreated for sale at the museum. Now excuse me while I try to manifest using my Ultra Hand to pick up a Wiimote cushion while wearing my Wii U t-shirt.
