New York's Nintendo World Store Prepares for Major Revamp

Hopefully it goes with the more traditional white on red* Nintendo colour scheme as seen again for the first time in ages on some recent Nintendo store displays. I like that old school, fun look.

*Technically, it was red on white traditionally, but same difference.

I swear I love that store way too much. I literally go to NYC once a year just to go shopping there. I wish they would open an online portal though.

Doesn't look all that different to me. Looks like maybe they moved the left top half demo area into the right top half and then presumably moved all the shirts over to the left half. The overall "sterile hospital white" looks the same.

With the famous FAO Schwartz store closing recently and the big Times Square Toys R Us store closing last week it's too bad they couldn't do more, but that space is relatively small. Though much larger than the teeny tiny Lego store across the way.

Closing for a month could mean something a little more drastic though. Might have to go see if it opens on time, kids are off from school that week.

"Where everyone comes to play"

Lol, not anymore.

But seriously, I wish they would open up more stores or at least open a warehouse for online sales from here. As it stands now, you cannot really order anything Nintendo in NA accept for on Ebay for US only...

Nintendo really needs to open a store in London! And in other places around the world, now that would be awesome!

I wish we could have a Nintendo World in the UK. I've been to NYC three times and went to Nintendo World each time at least once. Amazing place. Loved it.

My brother is currently living across the river in Hoboken, and I'm planning to visit him later this year. Never been to NYC (or thr US for that matter), and it says something that the NWS is the place I'm most looking forward to visiting there.

Pretty cool place I've been there once years ago. But you couldn't pay me to be at any sort of opening or event in NYC ever. That's insanity.

@ikki5

Yup, that concept has baffled me as well. I still for the life of me, don't understand why they severely limit themselves by not having a presence for online shopping. Feels like an incredibly missed opportunity. Having said that, I've visited that store a couple times in the past, and honestly, we aren't missing much. I hope the revamp will include better merchandise.

Also, as a sidenote from NL's article. I know it's just a concept, but the decision to put Skyward Sword on the large screen is indeed very weird. Not only that, but the words are backwards on the Wii remote. Strange all around. Why not put Smash or MK8 up there?

Can't wait to see how the redesign turns out. That concept image got me rising questions on how the first floor will turn out and where all the Pokemon and Toys to life stuff will go.

Maybe I'll check it out tomorrow after work to see if they have any new item in stock or the very least collect street pass. If MTA didn't rise the fare so much I'll probably go every week.

Never knew this place existed. I MUST GO!

@RCMADIAX Not even a mall Lego store? That's pretty much all the Rockefeler Lego store is, about the size of a mobile phone store in a strip mall.
Last time I was in Pittsburgh, about 6 years ago, seemed to be a lot of retail development going up in the outer areas. Oh wait, that was probably before the crash, it's probably half deserted now isn't it?

Thanks for the reminder, I've been meaning to go back and take my boys to the Carnegie museums, maybe Spring Break and take in a Pirates game.

@ikki5 You expect NoA to do something that makes sense? Why make an online presence when they can just be stupid and limit it to one area?!

It always had demo units.

We took a family trip to New York last February. By far, one of the highlights of the trip was the Nintendo Store. I was a bit let down but my two sons still talk about it and can't wait to go back. We also went to the Lego Store, and also the Legoland discovery center in Westchester near NYC.

We bought a stuffed Boo & Bowzer and some cool shirts. I was hoping for a better selection of Amiibos but they had the same selection that a local Target had at the time.

@rjejr I think you got it right. It looks like the Wii U demo area got moved over to the right on the second floor and was then combined with the 3DS demo units from the first floor.

Looks like we'll be seeing other Nintendo stores opening up across the country. Probably San Francisco next.

Is it Nintendo NY because NY is short for New York or is it because of X and Y so the NX and the Nintendo World store are like comparing Pokemon X and Y

I live in NY and visit the store often. It doesn't sound like too much is changing. They already have a bunch of demo displays. I do hope more locations open for other fans spread throughout the globe!

I was just at this store over the Summer and it could definitely use a facelift. I think Nintendo is missing some opportunity here. There are some great t-shirts here and of course most any game you could want on existing consoles but the second floor has too many stuffed animals. I hope they can do more.

I went there for the first (and only time) last year and same as @dkxcalibur I got a little disappointed. Also, everything was a bit pricey imho. I was going to give the store a second chance though as I'm going to NYC again and buy at least some amiibos but it will be closed during my stay. This and Toys r'us Times Square shutting down for good make me a sad panda .

@Grumblevolcano maybe you're giving too much thought into it.

Also, why don't they wait until the end of January for the closing?Aren't people around the world still on vacation during this time?

Hoboy! I would spend the rest of my life there if I could... I would even play the games I don't like if it comes to it. sigh... /(°n°) I'll Prolly still find a way to go to this reopening cuz I will not miss a link exclusive tshirt, even if it costs... MY LIFE.

Update:
The store will also be rebranded to Nintendo NY, a name change which hopefully suggests more locations in future:

Just saw this on twitter and that was my thought as well, good news for the majority of people who don't live in NY. I wouldn't expect a lot of these opening, retail isn't for the faint of heart, but LA, Orlando, maybe Dallas, Minneapolis or St Louis, the usual big cities. And London for you blokes.

Also wondering if the name change means a lot less merchandise than before as the entire store was more a store than a showcase. They need some merchandise for the tourists, but a focus on games and hardware and amiibo would be better than shirts and mugs. If they want NX to sell they need more people to experience it and spread the word.

I was underwhelmed by Nintendo World. Surprised even how bad some of their 3DS floor models were. A few of them had destroyed circle pads. That's a great demo, Nintendo.

@RCMADIAX I guess you guys got outbid by Philly in Lego's apparent attempt to have only 1 per state. If Lego Dimensions does well for them maybe you'll get one?

Here's a list of all the Lego stores in the world for anybody wondering what a potential Nintendo rollout could look like.

http://stores.lego.com/en-us/stores

And here's the Legoland parks, if anybody wants to really get ahead of themselves.

http://www.lego.com/en-us/legoland

Sweet as
I'm off to the states in March. 😁

Why it sucks to be Californian :/

At first I thought this would happen just when my older brother would take me here when he comes home, but he said he come and take me when they reopen that weekend!! I'm so excited!!! I've never been to these types of promotions before. I have been there once and it was really cool. I hope i can get some of the limited edition stuff. The experience itself will be really something. Hope the lines for the gaming kiosks won't be too long.

Rebranding like that makes me hope for a Nintendo Orlando with the Universal deal.

Nintendo NY? Yup, sounds like they plan on opening more locations. To that, all I can say is: ABOUT TIME! I imagine it's probably just the major cities at first - Seattle, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Minneapolis, etc. What if they eventually plan on having a Nintendo store in as many malls across the country as possible? Apple and Disney do that. Why not Nintendo?

@redwingleader I can guarantee there will be a Nintendo Orlando, and it will be inside Universal Orlando.

@rjejr LA could have two locations - one inside Universal Studios Hollywood once the Nintendo area makes its way over there (that's years away though - Universal Orlando comes first!), and one outside of Universal.

@antdickens Skyward Sword HD maybe?

@Grumblevolcano @antdickens Nah, I don't think it's Skyward Sword HD or something. I really don't think Nintendo could reveal something like this this way. I'm guessing it's just an image error, or maybe it's done to better portray Link as a lefty.
_{Besides, I just brought Skyward Sword for my brother as a Christmas gift...}
@IceClimbers Then they better do one in Phoenix.

They have a picture of Mario & Bowser kicking like in Smash. Smash 4 remake?

There's Kirby in the background. Kirby remake?

Guys, you do realize that Pokemon Omega Ruby is right above the Wii U logo, right?

Went last year as part of a school trip to NY. Fantastic experience, bought myself an amazing looking t-shirt, and a Toon Link plush
Dragged my small group on a 20 minute walk just to get there. They ended up enjoying themselves as well. Good old Nintendo

@MoonKnight7 Because America has a website called Amazon that makes an online presence pointless.

As its being called nintendo ny why not a nintendo London one we need one in the uk

;_; I shall miss it terribly the month that it's gone. It's my first stop every time I'm in New York. Opening weekend here I come! Bring your best 3DSes as I am a desperate Streetpass addict!

@Megumi
There are 2 pokemon games, there are 2 Wii consoles, 2 + 2 = 4, the fourth letter in nintendo is T, T can be used to spell Terra, Terra is another term used to say Earth, Nintendo has an Earthbound series, Earth = Ground, Groudon is a Ground type, Groudon was in Smash bros brawl, Brawl was on the Wii, the name "Wii" has 3 letters in it, The illiminatti triangle has three sides, there are usually 3 pokemon games that take place in a new region, new regions are often undiscovered for a while, Atlantis is an unknown region, Disney has a movie called Atlantis, Disney owns Marvel, Marvel was created by Stan Lee, Stan Lee has cameos, STAN LEE CINFORMED FOR SMASH BROS!

I quite the Nintendo Store in New York, I've been lucky to go there. I last went there April 2015 and felt that it could have sold more exclusive merchandise, I wish it well and hope they will one day open in London!

I'm very fortunate to be able to hop on the train and head into NYC every now and then for shows, comic con, dinner or just sightseeing (some times an overnight stay during the tourist off season). The Nintendo Store is a must see place on my list to visit just about every time. The best and most unique trinkets like the Mario and Zelda playing cards are usually by the cash registers. I must have like 10 T shirts from that place! I probably rotate through the store three times total to make sure I didnt miss anything.

Good to know it's gong closed to be closed for a month, can't wait to visit after the refurb!