In Depth: The Other Sights and Sounds of Nintendo World

(This is the final component of a four part series detailing the launch of Sonic Chronicles at New York’s Nintendo World store.)

Until Nintendo’s flagship store opened in the heart of New York, I always frequented Rockefeller for two reasons: The NBC Experience store–fitting as I’ve worked for two NBC stations in my professional design career–and Kinokuniya Bookstores.  The bookstore has since moved down 6th Avenue, and the NBC experience looks too much like a shrine to Deal or No Deal.

So, when Sonic Chronicles officially launched last Sunday, it provided me an extended opportunity, in between the Chao sessions at the bar downstairs and the Samba tournament upstairs to show you what else is a part of this two-story spectacle.
While there were many taking a part in either one event or the other, there were also those just checking the store out, blissfully ignorant to what was going on.  Upon my return for the second Samba tournament there was a family outside, with a child in awe at the window decorum.  “Yes!” he exclaimed.  “Oh my God!  It’s adorable!”

We could discuss some of the broader social implications as to why a pre-teen male is describing the various art of Kirby and Wario as “adorable,” but instead, let’s head inside again to see what it’s like to be there on a normal day.

Nintendo has set up plenty of monitors and kiosks, both upstairs and down, with their best software on it.  Downstairs I was able to take a crack at Wario Land: Shake It! on one of their HD monitors–strange in that the Wii is only standard definition 16×9 capable, and even Shake It! had sidebars.

On any other day, the remainder of the downstairs would almost completely be dedicated to the DS and to Pokémon.  There are a couple kiosks set up for updating Pokédexes.  Next to them is a gallery where you can purchase figurines of just about all current Pokémon.  Rows and rows of the little things almost sent me back into a time warp.  While I was never a fan of the games, I did grow up watching the early ANIME series–before it was too much tailored toward the little ones.  The first season was almost always on my television set while getting ready for school–this was in a time when the show wasn’t cable-only.  After all these years, Nintendo understands where the bulk of its funds are derived from.  In some ways, the franchise ensures much of Nintendo’s survival, but given its skew toward children, one has to wonder whether the company can ever break out of its shell and truly make something adults can appreciate.  Mario is a tried and true franchise, but even Sega has Madworld to complement Sonic.  Would Super Smash Bros. Brawl even qualify, given the criticism many hardcore Smash fans have given to the latest title in this franchise?

Heading upstairs, I couldn’t help but notice some customized DS and Nintendo swag.  They were enclosed in casing and had quite elevated prices.  But the company’s heart was in the right place–proceed to those items were going to the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation.  October is breast cancer awareness month, and Nintendo took it upon themselves to mark the occasion a bit early.

Upstairs there are plenty of Wii kiosks to try games out.  Under normal days the whole fleet of Nintendo’s latest and greatest would be out in full force.  But because last week was an all-Samba affair, casual observers needed other things to peruse.
Luckily, Nintendo thought of that too.

At the center of the second floor is a centerpiece of Nintendo history.  Once again encased in glass, these elements center on Nintendo consoles of the past, and some of the major players within the company.  On the left, you’ll see a custom Game Boy Advance signed by Shigeru Miyamoto.  There are other trinkets on display too–none of them for sale.  You can get a glimpse at the Game Boy Light, a backlit Game Boy that was never released domestically.  There’s also custom DS consoles from America Ferrera of Ugly Betty and I believe Carrie Underwood, one of the American Idol winners.  The custom consoles were part of a print campaign Nintendo launched with the DS.

It’s very satisfying to see Nintendo not forget its roots.  The Sonic base in particular has moaned with good reason as to Sonic’s deviation from its classic mechanics, with Sega evidently not looking back.  At least on the surface, Nintendo makes it clear its history and where its going at its store.

Of course, if you’re not learning something upstairs, you’re up there shopping.
Much of the stuff you won’t find anywhere else is tucked off to the right of the stairs.  From T-shirts to wall art to that Mario toothbrush–anything you could ever want that either dons Nintendo’s logo, the Mario brothers, and even Zelda exists here.  What’s more, with very few exceptions, the prices are pretty reasonable.  From a “Chimp my Kart” takeoff with Donkey Kong tying into Mario Kart Wii, to some classic Mario renderings, the T-shirts are stylish…if a bit small.  Adults that want to get in on the action should pay close attention, as most of the sizes on the shirts are kids’ sizes.  If you’re an adult of the…big boned variety, you may be out of luck, as a kids’ extra large appears to be the equivalent of an adult small size.

Still, if you can’t fit into the shirts, there are plenty of mugs, stickers, and other stuff to keep you occupied.  There are Wii Fit waterbottles, and you can even pick up a jacket.  After all, why spend tons of money at Abercrombie to attempt a pass at the “in” crowd, when you can save a bit and reaffirm your allegiance to geekdom?

If nothing else, maybe you can impress your friends and bring in some new ones at your Nintendo World visit.  After all, the widely sold out Wii is available in plentiful supply there…both upstairs, and down.

Get ’em while they’re hot!