Topic: Nintendo Store Europe

Why isn't there a Nintendo store in Europe?

There are several in Japan and one in America but Europe is lacking. The games industry is now bigger than the film industry and Nintendo is currently dominant in this market. Nintendo has many recognisible characters, so it's hard to believe that such a store wouldn't be profitable.

I know some game stores have merchandise, but it's usually fleeting and rather sparse.

Just one in London or Paris wouldn't hurt, what does everyone think?

I think we need another one in America. As big as the continent is, and we only have one, while Japan has several. I'm getting sick of Nintendo favoritism.

It's probably not worth it to them. Perhaps they should just demolish the ones they already have so we can all be treated equally.

Well quite. That's what I don't get, I mean that sort of attitude seems against their own interests. I'm sure a store in Europe or another in America would make money. It seems ridiculous that there are so many more Disney stores in the West when you consider the fact that Mario has been a more famous character than Micky Mouse since SMB3 came out.

I'm not desperate to buy a Kirby bottle opener, but it would be nice to have somewhere where a continent of Nintendo fans can go.

Mario sells games, but his ability to sell anything else is limited.
But put Mickey Mouse on toilet paper, and it'll be off the shelves in no time. It's at least partly because recognition is not the same as acceptance. Parents see Mickey and want their kids to have this cute, family-friendly rodent crawling around their rooms. Mario, though, represents video games, which, despite his amiable appearance, is an industry that parents are careful not to encourage too much.

Interesting. There are several Nintendo stores in Japan, so it seems that they are quite willing to buy Nintendo tat. Presumably it's a cultural thing, I haven't been to Japan but it seems that gaming is a more acceptable part of peoples lives there. It seems that America and Europe are leading this way, although whether this trend will survive the recession is yet to be seen, although Japan has apparently been in recession for 15 years. I think one store for a continent would be an affordable risk.

I think they could make a play for it and given the popularity of the Wii and DS and the whole design ethos behind it I figured that if Apple could have a successful Apple Store then Nintendo could certainly do the same. They had the name brand recognition already; now they have the mass appeal to go with it.

The timing might not be right given the economic climate; on the other hand it might boost sales by giving greater visibility to more software than even dedicated game shops which often don't carry poorly distributed games (in the UK anyway) like Blast Works or Minon: Everyday Hero.

i hope one comes

I've actually been to Nintendo World in NYC before.