As you've probably already heard by now, London is currently enjoying its very own pop-up Pokémon Center. With exclusive merch items and even some new Pokémon Sword and Shield related goodies up for grabs, it's certainly worth having a look for serious Poké-fans.
As it happens, our very own video wizard Alex did just that. Feel free to join him in the video above as he wanders around, messes up store displays, has his photo taken with his starter Pokémon of choice, throws Pikachus and far too many Switch Lites into a basket, and more. Oh, and actually shows you around the place, of course.
If you are planning on attending, it's worth noting that the store has been experiencing ridiculous levels of demand during its opening few days. Queues have been closing hours ahead of the store's closing time with many being left disappointed - you'll want to keep an eye on Westfield London's account for updates.
Are you wanting to go? Already been? Tell us which products you'd love to buy in the comments below.
Comments 25
Can we talk about how huggable that Pikachu is? ❤❤
I wonder if they will do thoses new huge pokemon plushs
I was there this morning. The line looked small. And then I saw the next Part of the line and the next and the next....
Queued 10 hours on saturday. Then found out that people in wheelchairs didn't have to queue at all, people were allowed t join the queues ahead of us and only half the tills were staffed. In short the wait times could be halved at the very least. But I did get what I wanted and the merch was good quality.
@PBandSmelly For real. We need one! Los Angeles or San Francisco Bay Area.
Going to chance my arm when I am in London a week Saturday with my son but we are definitely not queueing for hours to get in. I am guessing much like busy times at the Lego store they control numbers in the store; cos that video didn't seem to show huge crowds...
@Blue_Rover i have been past 7-8 times since its opened (for other reasons, of course!) and it’s been an absolute monster of a line every time, half way round Westfield. The line is sort of broken up to let regular shoppers move about. They stopped new people joining at about 4 tonight and it closes at 10, so it’s about 6 hours which is consistent with people I spoke to. Honestly I don’t think it’ll let up at all until it closes, at least not down to a reasonable wait. Here’s hoping, though.
And it’s really dark but if you are in a wheel chair they will boost you to the front so... maybe you could.. borrow one.....
Bunch of saps, why bother when you can order online, anyway?
Good to see it is selling so good
If it was permanent it would still be a huge success and avoid future queue problems
@Jayofmaya Unfortunately not everyone has access to an online store. For example, Canadians cannot order from the American pokemon center (.com), nor do we have our own online store to order from....
It's crazy how few of these shops there actually are. I live not too far from NYC and I always thought there were Nintendo Stores in most big cities. Didn't realise NYC was literally the only one until the news about the Israeli store opening.
You would think they would try opening at least a few more of them around the world. It's just money to be made. Because I can tell you, going to a store full of Nintendo memorabilia, games, clothes, Amiibo and plushies is a completely different experience from going to a regular game store or ordering stuff online. I never walk out of the NYC store without a new game and plushies and/or T-shirts for the whole family, and I'm actually a very frugal shopper. The special experience gets you to buy a lot more than you normally would.
@Echostory Surely you're not thinking of flying to England for a plush?
@Jayofmaya of course not, but it would be nice just for the opportunity to get something from a pokemon center (even if just online without the experience of in-person).
@Jayofmaya
I don't think I'd wait that long, but when I was in Japan I went to the Pokemon Centres mostly for the experience.
It's so overpriced frankly, I usually came away with just a pen, but it's always an enjoyable time.
And there are items which I believe are exclusive to certain stores, on a seasonal basis.
So London has the Britishchu, and Japanese cities have their own thing, such as Pikachu items with the local castle, and such.
@Blue_Rover the video doesn't show huge crowds because it was filmed on Thursday at the press event, the day before it opened to the general public.
@PawlSLax Thank you. I was hoping the crowds had died down but given other comments on this thread that seems a forlorn hope.
@kyleforrester87 Thanks for the heads up. Kind of thinking it will be a wasted trip when we go. Certainly, don't want to spend the day queueing thats for sure. Waiting for 6 even 10 hours is just something I cannot do, no way, but each to their own and I certainly admire the will of those people wanting to queue up to get in.
@Blue_Rover your best bet is to check the official hashtag on twitter (#PokemonCenterLondon) as those in the queue are constantly updating where they are, how large it is, if it's been closed off etc. Keep an eye on how things develop over the coming days, but I can't see the situation getting better.
Last night, they launched a new twitter account for the store (@pokemonpopup) and they actually announced that from today onwards, they're closing the store at 6pm, instead of 10pm as originally stated.
They're trying to reduce the length of the queue by forcing a point where they have to cut it off earlier, this way they can artificially extend the life of their stock so they don't run out before the final day. It's a complete mess.
I just wanted to express my appreciation for the choice of music in the video. That song is one of the best tracks from Pokémon Battle Revolution on the Wii.
Was I the only one worried about the Switch Lites being roughhoused as he tossed them in the bag??
For anyone who doesn't watch the video, wondering why Alex runs out of the store without paying at the end...?
@Blue_Rover yeah keep an eye on Twitter (Westfield one, too). As mentioned, They reduced opening hours from 10am to 6pm now, so basically they close the line at around mid-day to allow those at the back to get in by closing time.
Thinking about it, if I had a week off, I’d sit it out for the day to get in. I’d get some beers and food and read a book , bring a camping chair if I had to and chill lol.
But honestly, the shop looks pretty underwhelming inside.
@kyleforrester87 Thanks. Yeah I think I would have more inclination to wait if I lived closer and had more than one day. Glad its super popular. I would be interested to see how many people buy stuff but then if you queued that long why wouldn't you??
@PawlSLax I will check that out when I'm down and who knows I might still swing by!! Thanks.
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